Nail Your Pedi Game: At-Home Edition

Treating yourself to a pedicure at home is a great way to relax and pamper yourself without the hassle of going to a salon. It helps keep your feet healthy by removing dead skin, preventing infections and improving blood circulation.

Plus, you can save money and customise the DIY pedicure to your liking with your favourite scents and products. It's also a fun way to practice self-care, giving you some much-needed me time with the at-home foot care.

Well, here are four easy home pedicure steps for you:

• Step 01: Prepping Nails
• Step 02: Soaking Soles
• Step 03: Scrub and Trim
• Step 04: Feet Massage
• Recommended Pedicure Products for Beautiful Feet
• Maximizing Results: Tips for Effective Home Pedicures
• FAQs about Pedicure At Home

To give yourself a pedicure at home, you need to begin with (finally) removing the remnants of any nail paint from your toenails. To properly remove every last bit of colour, pour some acetone on a clean cotton pad and hold it against each nail for a few seconds. This allows the nail paint remover some time to break down the colour before you start swiping for easy removal.

BB Tip: In case your nails have turned yellow or your previous nail lacquer has stained your nails (this is common if you use darker shades), then rub some cuticle oil on your nail surface. This will help even out any discolouration.

Fill a tub big enough to accommodate both your feet with warm water. Add some skin-soothing bath salts or essential oil to this water and soak your feet in it for 10 to 15 minutes before you move on to the next step. This will help soften the tough skin and cuticles on your feet.

If your heels or the sides of your toes feel a little rough, then you can scrub and smooth out the area by using a pumice stone. Remember to be gentle as you don't want to scrape your skin out in the process.

It is now time to trim, buff and shape your toenails. You should start with trimming your nails using a classic nail clipper. Next, file them into the shape you desire and finish it off with a little buffing to do away with any discolouration.

Next, dry your feet with a towel. Reach for your favourite foot cream or body lotion and massage your toes, feet and calves for about five to seven minutes. Also, don't forget to massage the cuticles on your toes.

Now, this is optional, but if you want the complete pedicure at home experience, you can apply your favourite nail paint to your toenails.

BB Tip: First, grab a cotton pad soaked with rubbing alcohol to clean the surface of each nail, removing any lotion residue that could prevent your polish from sticking.

And this is how to do pedicure at home with just the minimum foot care essentials.

Here are the best pedicure products that you can also add to your daily home foot care routine.

Dove Body Love Silky Pampering Body Cream - It has plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin, reducing the risk of irritation. It is also free from harmful chemicals like parabens, making it safer for regular use. It keeps your feet soft and moisturised all day long, preventing dryness and roughness. It also helps overall foot health, leaving your skin smooth and nourished.

Vaseline Gluta-Hya Dewy Radiance Serum-In-Lotion - It combines potent ingredients to effectively brighten dull skin and bring back a natural glow. This body lotion also provides intense hydration so that your skin stays soft and supple. It offers the concentrated benefits of a serum with the ease of a lotion. It also absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a heavy or sticky residue, making it perfect for daily use as well.

Vaseline Jelly - Did you know that Vaseline has been the OG solution for cracked heels? Trusted for generations, it effectively heals and protects cracked heels. It penetrates deep into the skin to provide long-lasting moisture. It also helps repair and rejuvenate dry, damaged skin, making it smooth and soft. It also creates a protective barrier that retains moisture, so that your skin is noticeably softer and smoother.

Lakmē Absolute Nourishing Nail Oil - If you have been looking for a good cuticle oil, this one has 6 essential oils! It includes coconut oil, sweet almond oil, passion fruit oil and vitamin E among others, providing a rich blend of nutrients. It strengthens and repairs damaged nails, improving their overall health. It also keeps your nails moisturized while reducing the chances of breakage and brittleness.

Here are some simple foot care tips and effective pedicure techniques to get the most out of your at-home pedicure session:

Before you start, make sure you have all the home pedicure tools like a tub, pumice stone, nail clippers, nail file, buffer, lotion and your favourite nail polish.

Trim your nails straight across to avoid ingrown nails.

Use a base coat, two thin coats of your favourite nail polish, and finish with a top coat for a long-lasting finish. Let each coat dry before applying the next.

Take your time and enjoy the process. Put on some calming music or watch your favourite show while your nails dry completely.

Yes, you can use shampoo for a pedicure. While it's not the traditional choice, shampoo can help clean and soften your feet. Simply add a small amount to your warm foot soak water to create a gentle, cleansing lather.

Yes, soaking your feet is an essential step in a pedicure. Soaking in warm water helps to soften the skin, making it easier to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. It also softens the nails and cuticles, making them easier to trim and manage.

There are a bunch of things you can add:

Epsom salts help soothe tired muscles and soften skin.

A few drops of essential oils like lavender, peppermint or tea tree oil can provide a relaxing aroma while also providing additional skin benefits.

Baking soda softens the skin and can neutralise odour.

Lemon slices or juice add a fresh scent and can help to brighten the skin and nails.