How to Give Yourself a Professional Pedicure in 10 Simple Steps

Wouldn’t it be nice to relax and put up your feet? Since our world is so fast-paced, self-care is essential. But most focus on skincare, hairstyles, and manicures. Meanwhile, our feet end up neglected.

We want to change that and give feet the pampering they deserve. If you’ve ever wondered how to give yourself a professional pedicure, we’ve got the answers right here. Keep reading to learn how to recreate a spa-like experience at home.

Not only does it save you time and money, but a home pedicure offers many health benefits. It's soothing and relaxing, and it will give you beautiful feet!

Supplies Needed for a Professional Pedicure

You’ll need a few tools to get a professional-looking pedicure at home. Here's a list:

• Nail polish remover if you’re currently wearing polish
• Nail clippers
• Nail file or emery board and a buffer block
• Cuticle pusher or orange stick
• Cuticle remover
• Foot soak or warm water
• Foot scrub
• Callus remover cream
• Pumice stone or foot file
• Antifungal treatment, if needed
• Foot cream or spa socks with moisturizer
• Cuticle oil
• Base coat, nail polish, and top coat
• Toe separators (optional)
• Towels

Some of these items are available in pedicure kits that contain a file, buffer, cuticle pusher, pumice stone, and toe separator.

How to Do a Professional Pedicure

If your supplies are ready, put on some relaxing music, grab a favorite drink, and let's get started. Here are the steps to do a professional pedicure:

1. Remove old nail polish: Use nail polish remover to remove every last trace. If you’re wearing gels, it may require soaking in acetone for up to 15 minutes. You can accelerate the process by lightly filing the surface of the polish to help the acetone penetrate.
2. Trim and shape your nails: Use nail clippers to trim your nails straight across, leaving a thin strip of white at the tips. (If your nails are hard to cut, soak your feet first). Then, use a file or emery board to shape them. File gently in one direction instead of back and forth to avoid splitting the nails. Start from the edges and work toward the center.
3. Soak your feet: Fill a basin with warm water and Epsom salt or a foot soak product. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes to soften the skin and nails and relax your feet. (You may need to follow this step before trimming thick, tough nails).
4. Exfoliate: Massage a foot scrub into the skin, focusing on rough areas like the heels and balls of the feet. Use a callus remover cream and/or a pumice stone or foot file to remove calluses. Rinse your feet and towel dry them.
5. Push back cuticles: Apply a cuticle remover liquid to soften the cuticles around your nails. It only takes a minute, and you'll be shocked at how well it works. Gently push back the cuticles using a cuticle pusher or orange stick. Only trim the cuticles if absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the skin around the nails may harden, or you could end up with inflammation.
6. Moisturize: rub in the foot cream to promote circulation and hydration. Bonus points if someone else does this for you!
7. Prep for polish: Cleanse your nails with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to remove residual oils or creams from the surface. This helps the polish adhere better. Pro tip – use a lint-free wipe instead of cotton balls so you don’t have to battle fuzzies when you paint your toes.
8. Apply nail polish: It helps to use toe separators to separate your toes. Apply a thin layer of base coat to each toenail and dry or cure it. Then follow with your chosen nail polish color. Apply two thin coats of polish, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Finish with a top coat for extra shine and longevity.
9. Cleanup: Once the polish is completely dry, clean up any excess on the skin using a cotton swab dipped in polish remover. Although gel polish cures rapidly in a nail lamp, nail lacquer may take 15 to 30 minutes before it doesn’t feel tacky. Even then, we recommend waiting at least an hour before putting on socks and shoes to prevent smudging. Opt for open-toed sandals or flip-flops if you can’t wait.
10. Cuticle oil:Apply a generous amount of cuticle oil to help strengthen the nails and keep the skin around them healthy. Now, the pedicure is complete!

The average professional pedicure takes anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half. Take advantage of this time to enjoy yourself and relax. Toenails grow slowly, so this is a once-a-month treat.

For the longest-lasting results, we suggest using gel polish. Gels make for a beautiful finish that lasts 2 to 3 times longer than nail lacquer. They are easy to work with and dry much faster than lacquer.

LDS Gel Base, Diamond Top, Strengthener

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Toenails can be tricky to paint, and the polish doesn't always last as long as we'd like. That's why we love LDS Gel Polish because it's easy to apply and long-lasting.

First, there’s the base coat, which is a type of primer that boosts adhesion. It also keeps the natural nail from getting stained by dark-colored polish.

Second, there’s the gel strengthener that fortifies weak nails and prevents peeling and lifting.

Then brush on the color. Check out the LDS Gel Collection to see over 170 shades, including glitters and neons.

Lastly, you only need one layer of the no-wipe top coat for the nails to have a glossy, diamond-like shine for weeks. And yes, it's compatible with other gel polish brands, too!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've just learned how to do a professional pedicure at home. Now you're ready to show off your beautiful feet! We hope you'll feel confident and happy with the results.

While you're here, please drop by our new arrivals page and get a sneak peek at what’s trending in the nail world. Also, get deals on popular nail supplies while enjoying free delivery on orders over $100!