Expert advice, clever products and beauty tips for gorgeous hair and nails all year round!
Our feet spend most days squeezed into shoes and are often neglected, so they deserve a little pampering! Here are our tips for performing a pedicure at home, to achieve soft, beautiful feet.
Step 1: take a foot bath
Soak your feet in a basin of hot water mixed with one tablespoon of almond oil (nourishing and softening), lemon juice (which whitens the nails), and a few drops of lavender essential oil (relaxing and fragrant). Relax and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes: once your skin has softened, it will be ready for the next steps.
Step 2: remove dead skin cells
As it is thick and subjected to harsh treatment, the skin on the feet is particularly prone to accumulating dead cells. For soft, pink feet, start by using a foot scrub, as these contain larger granules than body scrubs. Apply it by massaging the entire foot in a circular motion, then rinse. While the skin is still moist, rub the bottoms of your feet with a pumice stone or a metal foot file to remove calluses, and rinse again.
Step 3: cut your nails
Although it is preferable to use a nail file to shorten fingernails, nail clippers or nippers are more suitable for clipping toenails, which are tougher and thicker. Cut them straight across, but no shorter than the tip of your toe to avoid ingrown toenails. To finish up, use a nail file to soften the edges of the nails.
If dirt has accumulated in the corners, use a nail cleaner to remove it.
Step 4: push back the cuticles
Apply a softening gel to the cuticles, then push them back to the edge of the nail using a stainless steel or silicone cuticle pusher, or a boxwood stick with a bevelled edge. However, don’t ever cut them! Cuticles are essential for protecting the nail contour against possible infections.
Step 5: apply the nail polish
First, apply a base coat to strengthen the nail and prevent polish pigments from penetrating. Then, apply the polish with three quick brushstrokes on each nail: the first in the centre, from the base of the nail to its tip, then one on either side. You’ll need to apply two coats for full colour intensity and to make the polish as strong as necessary. Finish with a top coat (sealant) to make your polish hold longer. Remember to use foam toe separators to avoid smudges!
Step 6: apply a deep moisturising cream
Once your polish is completely dry, apply a nourishing foot cream and massage until it is absorbed. Once or twice a week, you can use the same cream as a mask: before bed, spread a thick layer on your feet, then wear a pair of socks over the top to avoid staining your bed linen. Your feet will be soft as
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