Trends come and go, but a flawless pedicure is and remains necessary, not only in the summer but all year round. Before starting your home pedicure, it is important to prepare. Discover here how you proceed step by step for a perfect pedicure!
What do you need:
Nail polish remover
Flint-free pads, but a cotton towel/paper towel will work too
Nail clippers/nail file/polishing block
Double-sided pedicure file
A wooden or stainless steel cuticle stick
Your favorite nail polish color, base and top coat and the essie cuticle oil with apricot
Step 1:Preparation
Start by removing the remaining nail polish from your toenails with the nail polish remover and a lint-free pad. Then wash your feet and soak them in warm soapy water.
Hint: A relaxing 8-10 minute foot bath is the perfect way to soften heels, stubborn bunions and cuticles. To save time, you can always give yourself a pedi after a bath or shower.
Step 2:Shaping
Now that your feet are completely clean and tidy, the pedicure can really begin. First of all, you need to shape your toenails. Cut your nails with a nail clipper and refine the shape with a nail file.
Hint: It is important to keep your nails short to avoid nail detachment. Cut them into a square shape to avoid ingrown toenails.
Step 3:Smoothing
Then smooth your heels with a double-sided pedicure file. with the rough side, you can quickly and safely remove the hard skin and any bunions. Then finish the other zones with the finer side of the file. Keep in mind that calluses not only build up on the heels and bottoms of our feet, but also occur along the sides and on the soles of our toes.
Step 4:Caring for the cuticles
Are you done filing and softening your nails and heels? Then you can continue taking care of the cuticles. Because your feet have been soaked in water for about 10 minutes beforehand, you do not need cuticle softener or oil for this step. With a wooden or clean stainless steel cuticle pusher, gently push any overgrown cuticle back into place.
Hint: Do not push too hard with the cuticle pusher and do not scrape your nails with it. the skin around the nails is very fragile. If you push the skin back too much, inflammation and infections will have free rein. So proceed with caution!
Step 5:Exfoliate &trim
The next step:polishing your nails. Give each nail a light scrub with a polishing block to smooth out ridges and remove any residue, resulting in shiny and healthy nails. If necessary, use a clean and sharp cuticle clipper to trim hangnails (nails where the skin along the cuticle is torn) or dry skin. This step is only necessary if you have a hangnail.
Hint: Excessive polishing makes a hangnail worse and the skin around the nail even dries out. The cracks along the nail worsen and lead to painful cuts.
Step 6:Hydrate &Cleanse
Don't forget to moisturize your skin to keep your pedicure beautiful for as long as possible. After filing and polishing, apply a moisturizing cream that leaves your feet feeling silky smooth. Just like with a manicure, remember to always clean the nail plate with nail polish remover before polishing to remove excess residue and oil.
Step 7:Your favorite nail polish!
Now that you're done with the nail and cuticle care, it's time for the pièce de résistance:nail polish! Before using the nail polish, apply a thin layer of base coat. This step is often overlooked, but is essential for a long-lasting pedicure.
Hint: A base coat protects your nails from stains that nail polish sometimes leaves and protects the color nail polish from flaking. Apply the base coat to extend the wearing pleasure of your pedicure. need extra strength? Use a strong base coat with biotin.
After the base coat, apply two coats of a nail polish color of your choice. The first coat should cover the entire nail, with a little slack between the nail and your cuticles. The second layer intensifies the color.
Hint: Remember to allow two minutes between coats to speed up drying time and avoid dragging the previous coat. Run the nail polish brush along the tip of the nail. Covering the nail ensures a streak-free result. Finish with a top coat for a long-lasting shine.
Step 8:Maintain your pedicure
Have you finished applying the top coat? Top! your pedicure session isn't quite over yet. Cuticle care, polishing and cleaning nails with nail polish remover can strip your nails and cuticles of their natural moisture that is necessary for the health of your nails. Apply a cuticle oil regularly to keep your pedicure radiant.
