Skyy Hadley (of As “U” Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ) has a few great was of getting that perfect summer pedicure: “For a truly perfect pedicure, you should go to a nail professional. However, when life gets crazy, you often have to take your feet into your own hands,” says Skyy. “When performing a pedicure at home is your only option, there are techniques to follow that will ensure your feet stay healthy and look beautiful.”
- Milk It: After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.
- Care for Cuticles with Caution: Lightly shape the toenails by cutting nails back slightly and massaging toes and feet with cream or oil. After feet have soaked for a few minutes, push back the cuticles – do NOT cut them. Cutting them creates more hangnails and can even lead to infection.
- Scrub Wisely: Lightly buff the nail plate while it is still moist with a cuticle cream or conditioner. Then buff the skin on your feet by applying a foot scrub and massaging the formula deep into the skin, concentrating on trouble spots. To really smooth things over, use a diamond file (avoid pumices as they trap bacteria) on particularly rough patches like the heel and ball of the foot.
- Stay Polished: To maintain and prolong color, use a primer on the nails first. This step actually dehydrates the nail by bringing the natural oils out, making color grip longer. After applying color, add a top coat. Three days later, apply a top coat again to prevent color from chipping.
- Smooth Things Over: Keep heels from cracking by massaging shea butter, light oil and/or Vaseline at night. Then, put socks on so the skin can absorb the formula even deeper overnight.
How about you? Do you have any tips on getting the perfect pedi at home?
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
I’ve never heard of a nail primer. I can never keep nail polish from chipping, so if a nail primer is what I need, I’d love to hear more about it!
[Reply]
Andrea,
Orly has a great base coat called “Nail Bonder” that makes your polish last and last and last – plus their formula usually goes 7 or 8 days without chipping. Check it out!
[Reply]