Pedicure 101

STEP 1
Soak your feet in a basin of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. For best results, spike it with bath oil, moisturizing bubble bath or a mixture of Epsom salts and your favourite essential oil. (We like lavender or lemon grass.)

STEP 2
Massage your feet with an exfoliating scrub and then tackle any rough spots with a pumice stone or buffer.

STEP 3
Trim nails straight across to prevent them from ingrowing and buff lightly. Massage cuticle oil or cream onto each nail and its cuticle. Push cuticles back with a stick.

STEP 4
Rub a rich cream onto your feet and calves. Get rid of any residue on your nails by brushing them lightly with a toothbrush dipped in polish remover. This will help the nail polish adhere.

STEP 5
Brush on a clear base coat. It’s an extra step, but it stops nails from yellowing after wearing dark colours. Next, smooth on two coats of polish. Ideally, finish with a clear topcoat to prevent chipping. Use a remover-soaked cotton swab to clean up any wayward enamel and relax until your pedicure is set (about a half-hour). If you want to reduce your downtime, try an instant-dry spray or drops.