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How to Give Yourself a Pedicure

By Michelle LaRowe on Mar 11, 2010

If you're in need of a quick pick-me-up, giving yourself a pedicure can meet your need. It's easy to do and inexpensive. In a little less than an hour, you can give yourself a spa-quality pedicure that will leave you feeling pampered and your toes looking pretty...continues below

Step 1

Remove any old polish. Moisten a cotton round with nail polish remover and rub it across each toenail until the old color is gone.
Step 2

Fill a bathtub or large, deep bowl with warm water. Add a commercial foot soak or Epsom salts. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes.
Step 3

Use a pumice stone to smooth out rough places. Rub the stone vigorously across the bottom of each foot. Also concentrate on the backs and sides of your heels, where the skin tends to become rough. Return your feet to the water to rinse. Pat your feet dry using a soft towel.
Step 4

Using a toenail clipper, trim your toenails straight across. Use a nail file to shape the nail and round out the edges.
Step 5

Using your finger, gently push the cuticle of each toenail back a bit. Be careful not to tear the cuticle. If your cuticle seems tough, use a bit of moisturizer before pushing it back.
Step 6

Massage your feet and calves with a moisturizing lotion. Gently pull on your toes and move them in a circular motion.
Step 7

Paint your toes. Use a toe separator, available at most drugstores, to keep your toes from touching. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton round and wipe it across your toes. The alcohol will remove any residue and help your toenails dry quickly. With the base coat, paint each toenail using two to three equally wide strokes, starting at the cuticle. Allow the base coat to dry for about 5 minutes. Next, polish toenails with your choice of color, using the same technique. Let dry, then repeat with a second coat. Finally, finish your toes off using a clear topcoat. Allow about an hour for your toenails to completely dry.

Resource

Warnings

If you have sensitive skin, choose a foot soak and lotion designed for sensitive skin.
Paint your toes in a well-ventilated area. The fumes from the nail polish and paint can be irritating.

Ingredients

Nail polish remover
Cotton rounds
Foot soak or Epsom salts
Nail clippers
Nail file
Pumice stone
Towel
Lotion
Toe separator
Rubbing alcohol
Clear base coat
Nail polish
Clear topcoat

Keywords

pedicure
toenails
polish

Tips

If you have trouble reaching your toes, put them up on a stool or chair.
If you get polish on your skin, use a cotton round moistened with nail polish remover to remove it.