Pampering Pedicures

Your source for all things pedicure is Total Beauty Experience. Whether you pamper yourself with a professional pedicure at our salon or give yourself a professional looking pedicure at home, we have everything you need for that perfect pedicure…

 

Pedicure Supplies

 

• Nail buffer
• Nail clippers
• Toe separators
• Pumice stone
• Emory board
• Cuticle remover
• Orangewood stick
• Color nail polish
• Base coat
• Top coat
• Nail polish remover
• Quick dry spray
• Cotton balls
• Towels
• Cuticle nippers
• Exfoliating Cream
• Lotion

 

Pedicure Tips & Techniques

 

A pedicure is a pleasurable way to soothe aching feet as well as lift your spirits. Pedicures at home can be just as relaxing as they are rejuvenating. It’s so easy to achieve salon quality pedicures right at home.  Simply follow the below tips and techniques and you’ll not only feel great but love showing off your toes!

 

Pedicure Step #1: Get Comfortable:

 

• Find your most comfortable chair and relax into it.
• Rest your feet on another chair or stool.
• Take three relaxing, deep breaths before beginning.

 

Pedicure Step #2: Remove Nail Polish:

 

• Saturate a cotton ball with nail polish remover.
• Press and hold the cotton ball on your toe nail before wiping for a few seconds.
• Wipe toe nail in a circular motion for easier removal.

 

Pedicure Step #3: Soak Your Feet:

 

• Will a bowl or dishpan with warm (not hot) water.
• Add your favorite bath salts or oils to the water to soften calluses and dry skin.
  • Try OPI Pedicure Soften – a callus softener with green tea extract. Includes non-abrasive alpha hydroxy acids, green tea extract, and OPI’s Avocado Lipid Complex gently soften calluses in preparation for exfoliation (Available at Total Beauty Experience)..
  • Soak feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Click here for more on foot baths.
  • As you work on one foot, keep the other foot in the warm water.

 

Pedicure Step #4: Toe Nail Cuticles:

 

• Dry one foot and apply cuticle remover or cuticle softener.
  • Seche Soft Cuticle Softener Therapy softens the cuticle for easy release. Eliminate cuticle cutting and prevent hang nails with this AHA enriched cream (Available at Total Beauty Experience).
  • Use the wedged end of the orangewood stick to push the cuticle back.
  • Repeat this procedure on the other foot.

 

Pedicure Step #5: Shape Toe Nails:

 

• Consider the length of your nails.
• If toe nails are on the long side, use nail clippers to cut each toe nail to the desired length (careful not to cut nails too short as this may cause painful ingrown nails).
• If toe nails are already at a good length for you, simply use an emery board to file the nail into a round or square shape. For thick toe nails you may wish to use a courser file.
• File from corner of nail to center, working out to in – do this on both sides of each toe nail.
• Remember: As you work on one foot, keep the other foot in the warm water, drying the foot that is just removed from the water.

 

Pedicure Step #6: Buffing Toe Nails:

 

• Not unlike buffing a care, a nail buffer is used to smooth out toe and fingernails and remove any pits and ridges.
• Toe nail buffers either come as a set of two or three separate texture tools or as a single 2-3 way buffing tool. Buffing textures range from gritty (for evening out ridges and removing stains) to ultra-smooth for bringing nails to a high shine.
• Use the soft, spongy buffer to brush away loose nail dust and skin. Use the fine gritty buffers to buff the toenails.
• Use a back-and-forth motion for best results and buff each nail for 15 seconds for every range of buffer.
• Buffing is a great way to stimulate nail growth, but resign yourself to buffing nails once or twice a month as this practice can weaken nails.

 

Pedicure Step #7: Smooth Rough Skin:

 

• Use a pumice stone to smooth rough spots on your feet, including corns and calluses. The pumice stone works like sand paper, taking off layers of rough skin. You may also use skin buffing sponge instead of the pumice stone.
• Your skin should be sufficiently soft now that your feet have had ample time to soak. (Always soak feet before using a pumice stone.)
• Dip the pumice stone in the warm water and with a back and forth motion, gently rub the pumice stone over rough heals and the balls of your feet. Do not rub too hard as this may cause bleeding.

 

Pedicure Step #8: Moisturize with a Massage:

 

• Often the most favorite part of a pedicure, a moisturizing foot massage can do wonders for the mind, body and soul.
• Massage a generous amount of lotion into the feet and legs, taking care to cover all the foot, especially the dry and flaky parts.
• Use these great foot massage techniques for ultimate benefits.
• Close your eyes and relax for 10 minutes, allowing your skin to soak in the soothing lotion.

 

Pedicure Step #9: Apply Favorite Nail Polish:

 

• Gently insert toe separators or cotton balls between the toes. If you’re having a pedicure party, do not share toe separators.
• Apply one coat of base coat over each nail, especially to prevent staining on the toe nail if you’ve chosen a dark nail polish. Allow one minute to dry.
• Apply two coats of nail polish and let it dry for five minutes.
• To prevent the nail polish from chipping and help it last longer, apply a top coat or a clear nail polish.

 

Pedicure Step #10: Stay Soft:

 

• Once your toenails have completely dried, remove toe separators and apply a little more moisturizer.
• Wear a pair of socks or spa booties to keep moisture locked in.
• Keep an extra pumice stone in the shower to help maintain softness.

 

The above pedicure procedures should take approximately an hour and give you admirable results. Expect your pedicure to last about two week or longer if you applied additional topcoat.

 

Have fun with your pedicure process. Listen to relaxing music. Have the friends over for a pedicure party. You’re feet will thank you!