my care2
make a difference

community & fun

shares

share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more

How to do a pedicure.
Feb 19, 2009

A pedicure is a way to improve the appearance of the feet and their nails. It also helps keep your feet healthy and is therapeutic. But there's no need to pay someone at a spa to do it when you can do it at home.

To perform a pedicure you will need all of the same  implements and tools required to perform a manicure except you will want to replace the finger bowl with the foot bath.

Pretty Feet


The first step is to remove the old polish from your nails. Instead of cotton balls (which will leave fuzzies), use a paper towel or a lint free cotton pad. Saturate the cotton pad with acetone remover & rub off the old polish. If the color isn't coming off easily, press the saturated cotton on the nail & let it soak in first. A tip for removing stains from nails: try rubbing whitening toothpaste on your nails. You can also rub a drop of lemon or lavender oil on each toe & rub a buffer back & forth over the nail. This will remove the yellowed outer layer.

Step Two. It's best to use high quality clippers made for clipping toenails. To avoid ingrown nails, cut nail straight across to just above the skin. Make sure your nail doesn't extend over the tip of your toe. To get a soft square shape, file nails in one direction until they are even & slightly rounded at the corners. (Hint: Don't use metal files, they'll rip your nails; use an emory board). Don't clip the sides of nails, that can cause ingrowns.

Step Three. Fill a large flat-bottom bowl with ice water. I recommend ice water instead of warm water because it helps reduce swelling in the feet, however if you like you can use warm water. Throw in bath salts, hydrogen peroxide (this helps disinfect as well as help with any discoloring you may have on your nails), your favorite aromatherapy oils and Epsom salt & let your feet soak 10 minutes. The more cracked & calloused your feet, the longer they need to stay in.

Step Four. Apply cuticle remover  to the base of each nail & rub it in. Leave on for a minute, then use an orangewood stick (Tweezerman works great) to gently push with a circular motion everywhere where skin meets the nail (including the sides). Be careful to remove skin only on top of the nail, don't touch the toe flesh. Never 'dig' into the flesh as breaking the seal between the nail plate and the nail bed will allow bacterial organisms to enter and an infection could occur.

Step Five. Apply an exfoliating body or foot scrub to a foot file or wet pumice stone to slough away the dead skin on the balls & heels of your feet. You'll want to scrub the balls, bottoms & sides of your heels & around the toes.

Step Six. Dry feet thoroughly including between the toes & rub in a thick foot cream.

Step Seven. Use acetone remover to get rid of any excess oils on the nails. Apply a thin base coat using 3 strokes, one down the middle, then one on each side. Don't paint the cuticle. Wait a minute before adding two coats of your favorite polish, then finish with a thin top coat. Clean up any errors with an orangewood stick wrapped in cotton & dipped in acetone remover. Let nails dry for at least 40 minutes. Tip: It's good to paint any polish remaining on the brush over the front nail edge. This prevents chipping.

Step Eight. After nails have dried, spritz with a moisturizing oil. This sets your polish & moisturizes your cuticles. Then voila! You're done!
Visibility: Everyone
Posted: Thursday February 19, 2009, 12:36 pm
Tags: beauty feet health tricks tips pedicure [add/edit tags]

Group Discussions start a discussion
Comments
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
Compose your comment and submit:

Author

Scarlett Robin
Author Tools:
Compose New Share
female , committed relationship
Atlanta, GA, USA
SCARLETT'S SHARES
Feb
24
(0 comments  |  discussions )
This soup features the flavors of India: aromatic nigella seeds, curry powder, curry leaves, and cumin seeds. Ingredients:Mustard-onion salsa 4 cups chopped red onions (about 2 large) 1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil or canola oil 1 teaspoon n...
Feb
18
(1 comments  |  discussions )
The other day I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine about the emo kids I saw hanging outside around the library when I went to return some books. I commented "I wonder how in the hell they can get into such tight fitting jeans." Hmm, ...
Feb
17
(0 comments  |  discussions )
The goal of Calorie Restriction is to achieve a longer and healthier life by eating fewer calories consuming adequate vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients Extensive scientific research has shown that a CR diet improves the he...


ads keep care2 free
SHARES FROM SCARLETT'S NETWORK
Dec
19
by Fred H.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Imagine folks, The President and Congress is trying to cram a Faulty Health Care Plan down our throats and make it Mandatory for those without Insurance to Buy In to the Plan.Not only is it too costly, but it is filled with Coverage Gaps. Imagine, tak...
Dec
18
by Road L.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Please note news story at;  http://www.care2.com/news /member/901507364/1333901 THESE ARE FIGHTING WORDS--Keith Olbermann on Perversion of Health Care Bill US Politics & Gov't  (tags:&n bsp;healthcare, obam a, ethic...
Dec
17
by Road L.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Joe Lieberman can only hold reform hostage if we let him video:http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=8vS6kIbJu64&a mp;feature=player_embedde d Tell President Obama and Congress not to let Joe Lieberman gut health care reform. We're counting on them to fig...
by Road L.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Dear Friends, Copenhagen's last-ditch summit to stop catastrophic global warming isfailing; only massive public pressure can save it. Sign the giant petition below - it may be the largest in history:  With three days to go, t...
by Em A.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
HAVE A NICE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES IN PEACE... HARMONY IN YOUR SOULS AND JOY IN YOUR HEARTS, WITH LOVE, May you have the best year everA year filled with all the peaceHealth and happinessThat you deserve In this new yearKnow that you are ble...


ads keep care2 free
MORE MEMBER BLOGS
Dec 20
Blog: DRAGONS & FAIRIES AWAKENING by Alorah A.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — "The Dragons are awake, but not yet active. The fairy beings are preparing.... Goddesses, Priestesses and White Witches are opening their hearts and minds to a new adventure on this planet.  Many of you have been preparing for eons of time! ... more
Blog: A PRAYER..... by Alorah A.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Prayer Dear God, Goddess, Creator of All that is, Alpha and Omega, Isis and Ra, Jesus and Magdalene, Angelic Hosts, All the Beings of Light that are here to guide us.  I call to you now to bring forth all of my dreams and ... more
Blog: Iraq says Iranian troops left disputed oil well by HM S.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — BAGHDAD -- Iraqi troops escorted workers back to a remote oil well Sunday after Iranian forces withdrew as a standoff on the two countries' disputed border appeared to wane. more
Blog: POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS - THE POLISH SYMBOL OF PEACE by Lilac W.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Polish Christmas TraditionsPolish customs, especially at Christmas time, are both beautiful and meaningful. The preparations for Christmas begin many days before the actual celebration. Nearly everywhere women are cleaning windows in apartments and... more
Blog: Vegan Drinks Philly Event December 30th At Earth Bread & Brewery by Keely and Kent M.
(0 comments  |  0 discussions ) — Another Vegan Drinks Philly event is happening Wednesday December 30th at 7pm at Earth Bread & Brewery in Mount Airy. Vegan Drinks Philly is a way-cool monthly social networking event for those “interested in promotin... more
 
Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates.
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved