If you aren’t quite ready to have your pedicures professionally done, and don’t want to go around with ‘hobbit feet’ then it’s probably time you start considering giving yourself at pedicure at home. Our last professional pedicure was at the beginning of 2020, and I’ve been doing both my own pedicures and my mom’s ever since. While there will come a day that we feel safe enough going to our favorite nail spa, for now I’m enjoying knowing that I can do my own at home.
In this post I’m sharing 8 Tips for Giving Yourself a Pedicure At-Home, and they’ve been very helpful as I continue to learn new tips and tricks during this time when we are spending more time at home. Who knows, perhaps after I’ve mastered pedicures I’ll try my luck at manicures too!
Use your favorite foot soak…
Ah, a nice foot soak. Who doesn’t love soaking their feet in warm sudsy water? Just thinking about it makes me want to take a break and use one of my favorite soaks from Herbivore. The Coconut Milk Soak is an absolute dream, and if you prefer soaking salts I definitely recommend the Calm Soaking Salts. Taking 10 minutes to soak your feet before you go through the rest of the steps really is essential.
Remove your old nail polish
I use a the Soy Nail Polish Remover Wipes from Ella + Mila. The product works really well, and is both vegan & cruelty-free. The other HUGE plus is it acetone free so it doesn’t have the strong smell like traditional nail polish removers do.
Trim and file your nails
While trimming your nails can sometimes be a slippery slope (when I got my first pedicure several years ago, I realized I get my pedicures professionally done not only to relax but also because the technicians do a much better job at trimming my nails.
The important thing (like with all the steps in the at-home pedicure tutorial) is to be patient, take your time and just don’t rush it. If you do you’ll end up with at least one nail that looks like it was attacked.
Use a nail buffer
If you don’t give you nails time to breath now and again, they can develop dry patches which while unsightly are in fact possible to get rid of. I use one of the nail buffers that we were given after our last pedicure and it’s definitely worth taking the extra time. A smooth surface will make it easier to apply the nail polish.
Don’t neglect cuticle removal
I learned from my mistake the first few times. It’s very important to take the time to remove those cuticles. I use a cuticle removal product also from Ella & Mila followed by an orange stick to help remove the cuticles and give yourself a clean surface to work with. The combination of cuticle remover and an orange stick really works absolute wonders.
Use non-toxic (preferably vegan) nail polish that is better for your nails
There are two brands that I really love using that are both non-toxic vegan polishes. The first is EMMA. I love their color I’m Beautiful that is the perfect shade of pearlized mauve pink. It goes with most of the things I wear.
The other brand that I have the most polishes from is Cote. I have two of their base/top coat products, as well as a metallic Rose Gold No.13 (that reads as just gold with my favorite pairs of gold sandals), a pearlized Navy which is No. 76 (I haven’t quite mastered dark color polishes, but I’m working on that one!) and a creamy Cool Cappuccino (No.41) and a pearlized Heather Gray (No. 44) that I’m looking forward to using in the fall/winter when I’ve worked my way up to manicures.
Be patient… give yourself time between coats
It’s important to wait 2-3 minutes in between each coat. If you don’t you’re working with a sticky/tacky surface which can lead to your polished nails not looking smooth or evenly polished. I always start with a base coat and I recently discovered the most amazing restoring and resurfacing base coat from Cote which has all non-toxic vegan polishes.
I start off with one coat of the Restoring and Resurfacing base coat (Cote) following up with at two coats of whatever color I’m using followed by a top coat of the Strengthening Base/Top Coat (Cote.)
Just relax and don’t overthink things.
This is perhaps the most important factor to remember. When I did my own pedicure for the first time I was concentrating so hard on not messing up my nails that I was completely stressed out the entire time. While I’m several pedicures in at this point (I give myself a pedicure every 4-5 weeks depending on whether my nails need trimming or my polish is starting to rub off) I’m learning to enjoy the process more which means I’ll be much happier with the end result. Remember the professionals have been doing this a lot longer, so don’t expect to be on their level!
Another something to add to the rest and relaxation of your at home pedicure. Bare Candle Co candles (mine are unscented but Ashlyn has so many wonderful options!) make a perfect added touch to your pedicure experience.
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