Here’s a question from one of my readers:

“I haven’t had a pedicure all winter and my feet are looking pretty neglected. I can’t justify paying for a pedicure that noone will see, and I wouldn’t let anyone touch my nasty feet the way they are anyway. Can you give me some at-home pedicure tips that won’t cost a fortune?”

You’re in luck, since at-home remedies are kind of my specialty. I’m that girl who’s always trying to save a buck and make my kitchen basics multi-task… why shouldn’t they, I do?

For the perfect at-home pedi:

What you will need

Footbath or Basin, 1TBS baking Soda, 1 TBS oil of your choice, A Towel, Polish Remover, Pressed Cotton Pads, Nail File (and clippers if desired), Cuticle pusher or orangewood stick, cuticle clippers (optional), a foot file or pumice stone, Kosher Salt, Lotion, Block Buffer, base coat, polish, top coat.

1. Fill a basin large enough for both feet to fit in with hot water (the water line should be about 3 inches from the top to allow room for your feet).

- If you plan on making at-home-pedicures a habit, I would invest in a footbath. You can get them at target, walmart, or big lots for under $20 and they make the experience much more pleasant. Most of them have massaging beads on the bottom and jets. If you close your eyes, you’ll think you’re at the spa.

2. Add one tablespoon Baking Soda (deodorizes and sanitizes) and one tablespoon vegetable, olive, baby, or other bath oil (hydrates skin) to the footbath.

3. Set up your working area so that you have all of the supplies listed above within your reach. You do not want to have to get up in the middle of your pedicure. Mix about ¼ cup of kosher salts with oil of your choice in a small container until the mixture is the consistency of a slushi, set aside. (table salt or sugar can be used, but are less abrasive)

4. Soak feet for at least 20 minutes. The longer you soak, the softer your callused skin will get, so soak as long as you want. (here’s a little tip: Sometimes I start my pedi right after a shower or bath, this will eliminate the soaking time if you’re not into taking that time to relax)

5. Remove one foot from the foot bath and dry with a towel. Clip toenails if necessary, and file free edge with the nail file. Toenails should always be filed straight across to be as square as possible. Rounded Toenails can result in in-growns, which are painful and often require surgery.

6. Push back cuticles using a cuticle pusher. If you do not have a cuticle pusher, use an orangewood stick and cut excess cuticle away if desired.

7. Switch feet and repeat steps 5&6 on your other foot.

8. Remove first foot from the footbath and dry with a towel. Use Foot File or Pumice Stone to remove dead dry skin from your heel, the ball of your foot, big toe, and anywhere else you may have calluses.

9. Apply half of the salt mixture you made to your foot and rub vigorously all over including the top and bottom and of your foot, between your toes, and the back of the heel. Make sure to concentrate on the areas you used the file on in order to smooth them.

10. Switch feet and repeat steps 8&9 on your other foot

11. Make sure all of the salt is rinsed off of both feet, and remove both of them from the water and dry with a towel. Now apply Moisturizer to your feet and legs. I recommend using a thick moisturizer and applying it very liberally. (I also apply heel-tastic to all of the areas I used the foot file on, but this is optional)

12. Clean Nail Plates using Nail Polish Remover.

13. Use Block Buffer to smooth Nail Plates and remove stains

14. Wipe Nail Plates with Polish Remover again to ensure they are clean and dust-free

15. Apply Base Coat

16. Apply 2 coats of color

17. Apply Top Coat

18. Sit still for at least 30 minutes!

If this seems like too much work, you can always call me! I'll come to you, and my prices are definitely lower than the spa's....

Send your Beauty questions to [email protected] and I'll answer them in my next blog.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for another does of the beauty blog.

Thanks, 

Bethany