Home Pedicures,
Tips
Don't even think about going to a beach party or
wearing those sexy, strappy sandals without properly
groomed toenails. If you're baring them, they're
going to be noticed -- so give them some attention
and make them feminine and flirty.
Conservative or trendy, we've got some quick tips
for home pedicures to make even the dullest toenails
look hot and professional! It doesn't take long if
you learn the basic routine, then you can modify it
however you like. Let's take it step-by-step...
Prepare
Your Toenails
Before you begin a home pedicure, you need to
remove your old nail polish with polish remover
using a cotton ball or swab. Swipe around the edges
to ensure the polish is removed completely.
Use clean fingernail clippers to trim your nails
straight across. Don't cut them too short, you can
then use an emery board or fingernail file to shape
your toenails exactly how you want and remove any
sharp edges.
Cuticles
Soak your toes in a basin of warm water (with
salts if desired) for about 5-10 minutes to clean
your toenails and soften up your cuticles. Cuticle
cream or lotion can also help soften your cuticles
if you plan on trimming away any access. If you want
to push back your cuticles, use an orangewood stick
to loosen them and press gently back so they don't
cover your nail.
Painting Your Toenails
You can paint your toenails as you would your
fingernails, but you need to keep your toes
separated so they don't rub each other. Generally,
applying two coats of polish is ideal, allowing them
to dry in between.
To add some staying power, apply a clear topcoat
and let it dry too before you put any shoes or socks
on. For quick touch-ups to your pedicure, you can
apply another coat of the same color polish. Don't
get too many layers or they'll chip off more easily.
Decorating
If you want to add some nail decals, do this
right before your topcoat. If you don't have a
topcoat, apply a layer of clear fingernail polish
over your decorations so they stay put. |