Getting a manicure and pedicure is a great way for you to relax and unwind from the stresses of being a mom. Too bad a weekly hand and foot treatment can get pretty pricey, pretty quickly. Plus, the smell at the nail salon can be pretty overpowering, and you may have some concerns about the cleanliness of the tools the manicurists use. Save some cash and put your fears to rest by giving yourself a manicure and pedicure at home. Invite your girlfriends over, pop in a silly movie and make a night of it.
Step 1
Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover and wipe your fingernail and toenails to remove any old polish.
Step 2
Trim your toenails by cutting them straight along the top of the toe with the clippers. Don’t cut below the tip of the toe, or you risk getting ingrown nails.
Step 3
File your toe and fingernails. Give your toes a gentle rounded square shape. You can file your fingernails into either a square or round shape.
Step 4
Rub a bit of olive oil or lotion on your cuticles and gently push them back with the orange stick.
Step 5
Fill the basin with warm water and dissolve 1/2 cup of Epsom salts into it. The Epsom salts will help soothe tired, aching feet. Let your feet soak for about five minutes.
Step 6
Scrub any rough areas of your feet, such as the heels, sides of your toes and bottom of the foot with the pumice stone. Dip your feet in the basin again to rinse away any excess skin. Gently pat feet dry.
Step 7
Rub foot lotion all over your feet. If you get lotion on your nails, gently wipe it off.
Step 8
Sit down at a table and place one hand flat on it. Carefully apply a base coat to each nail using the clear polish. Repeat on your other hand. Let the base coat dry before adding the polish.
Step 9
Paint two coats of colored nail polish on each nail, letting the coats dry between application. Once the colored polish is dry, finish with a top coat on each nail.
Step 10
Prop your feet onto a coffee table or other low table, placing your arch against the table’s edge. Paint your toenails with a base coat, two coats of color and a final top coat.
