Pedicures are relaxing and luxurious, but when funds are tight you may not have the money to pay a beauty spa price to have it done. Luckily, it is easy to recreate a spa-quality pedicure at home. Invite a group of friends over and exchange relaxing foot massages and special pedicures. You will save money and still get great results at home. With basic materials like a pumice stone, foot cream and, of course, nail polish, you will find that you hardly miss going to the spa.
Step 1
Soak your feet in a tub of warm to hot water for at least 10 minutes. "Hilary" magazine also suggests that you add a few drops of essential oil, like lavender for relaxation or grapefruit for happiness to get an aromatherapy treatment while you soak.
Step 2
Use a pumice stone or pedicure brush to buff away the rough skin on your feet gently, concentrating especially on the sides of your big toes and your heel. Pumice stones are easily found at beauty supply shops and help to exfoliate the roughest of skin. When finished, rinse your feet off.
Step 3
Dry your feet on a towel by patting dry. Smooth a thick layer of a rich, emollient moisturizing cream that has ingredients like Vitamin E and shea and coconut butter. Cover your feet completely. Slip on a pair of socks for 20 to 30 minutes, suggests The Knot website. The socks will warm the lotion and allow it to penetrate the skin more easily for softer, smoother feet.
Step 4
Remove the socks, and use a cotton swap to rub nail polish remover on each toenail. The acetone in the nail polish remover will help remove some of the greasiness that may be left over from the moisturizer and help your nail polish adhere to your nail better. Remember also to remove any old nail polish you may still have on your toes.
Step 5
Apply your nail polish carefully to your toes. To make it more like a spa-quality pedicure, try attempting a French manicure by using masking tape to tape off a strip of nail at the top and painting it white. Or, use a small bag of gems from the drugstore and press them into the wet paint for a professional look.
Step 6
Finish your fancy nail job with two coats of topcoat, allowing the polish to dry in between each.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Pumice stone
- Moisturizer
- Socks
- Nail polish remover
- Nail polish
- Cotton swab
- Nail gems
- Masking tape
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