If your tootsies have seen better days (read: chipped polish and rough, cracked skin), but you can't get to the nail salon in the foreseeable future, you don't have to keep socks on 24/7 or forgo stylish sandals as the weather begins to warm.
As long you have a handful of tools, it's relatively easy to DIY a pedicure at home. At bare minimum, you'll want to have nail clippers, a file, a base coat, a top coat, and some pretty springy polish handy. Other supplies, like a foot bath, cuticle oil, and a foot file for removing calluses are optional, but nice to have. Without, you can still achieve a long-lasting, professional pedi, but these extra items do make the beauty treatment more therapeutic and take the overall results up a notch.
To get started on that pedicure, follow this easy step-by-step guide from Rita de Alencar Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects nail salons in Miami and New York City:
Step 1: Remove old polish.
Remove any lingering polish with a cotton round and nail-polish remover. (Non-acetone is gentler, but acetone will help get any stubborn polish—like those containing pesky glitter—off more easily.) If you don't have any cotton rounds, you can use paper towel, but this material isn't as abrasive, so removal will require a bit more elbow grease.
A nourishing cream for brittle nails.
An acetone-free salon favorite.
An acetone-based formula for stubborn polish.
Step 2: Soak your feet.
If you have a foot bath, now is a good time to pull it out. Otherwise, you can fill your tub and sit on the edge.
Fill your basin with warm water and a bath soak—Epsom salt is a great choice, especially for sore feet—and submerge. Let your feet sit for five to 10 minutes to soften your cuticles, then dry one foot at a time. If you have cuticle remover at home apply around the cuticles and onto heels to help smooth rough feet and remove calluses.
A bubbling foot bath for the ultimate in convenience and comfort.
Lavender-scented bath salt to soothe feet and calm the mind.
Cuticle remover infused with aloe for maxiumum skin-nourishing benefits.
Step 3: Trim and file your nails.
Start with nail clippers to begin trimming. Don't worry about perfecting the edges. Then, grab your file to soften and shape.
If your heels or toes feel a bit rough, use a foot file or a pumice stone to gently smooth the skin and any calluses you might have.
Tweezerman G.E.A.R. Precision Grip Toenail Clipper
A durable tool with a case to catch clippings as you go.
A travel case makes it easier to stash your file between pedicures.
An effective way to smooth rough skin and remove calluses, but safer than grater styles.
Step 4: Give yourself a little massage.
Now, for the best part: Once both feet are dry and treated, apply a dollop of moisturizer for dry skin onto each foot. Massage your feet and toes for a few minutes—or as long as you’d like! Bonus points if you have an electric foot massager (in this case, skip the lotion!) or a partner who can help you out with a longer at-home massage.
Step 5: Prep your toes.
Use a cotton pad to remove any excess oily residue—this helps polish last longer. Toe separators are most convenient, but there's a work around if you don't have any: Simply grab a piece of paper towel and twist it into a rope, weaving it through your toes.
Step 6: Apply a thin layer of base coat.
Don't skip this step—it's crucial if you want your pedicure to last, since the base coat is what provides a barrier between the natural oils from your nails and the polish.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble reaching your toes, prop your leg up on another table or a chair. Just be sure to lay a towel down to prevent any spills and resulting stains on your furniture.
A quick-drying, chip-resistant formula.
A salon favorite that helps prevent staining and yellowing.
This base coat promises to be fully crystal clear.
Step 7: Apply polish.
Once the base coat has dried, apply to a thin coat of your color of choice. Let dry, then apply a second thin coat of color.
If you're having trouble painting tiny toes, try to separate them more to get a better vantage point. Putting less polish on the brush can also help keep things tidy.
Step 8: Don't forget the top coat.
Another crucial step to make polish last: the top coat. A thin layer of top coat helps seal everything in and prevents premature chipping. Let dry—do a touch test at 10 to 15 minutes, though 20 to 30 minutes is ideal, particularly if you're putting socks or shoes on.
A quick-drying top coat infused with skin-nourishing oils.
A super strong top coat that delivers seven days of chip protection.
Add gloss and shine with this special formula.
For more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
