In a perfect world, we would get a mani-pedi done at the salon every 2 weeks and have gorgeous hands and feet at all times. Time for a reality check, no one has the time or the financial sources to splurge on such treatments fortnightly. Fret not, we help you pamper yourself at home with these easy DIY mani- pedis steps to indulge yourself whenever you want. It’s also a great idea for a girl’s night in to bond with your girlfriends.
Things you will need:
- A bowl or bucket filled with water
- Foot Scrub
- Moisturizing Lotion
- Nail Polish Remover
- Nail File
- Nail buffer
- Nail cutter
- Cuticle stick
- Cotton balls
- Toe separators
- Nail brush
- Nail paints of your choice
- Pumice foot file
Manicure
Step 1: Begin by thoroughly washing your hands first and removing any old nail polish you have on. Soak your hands in a bowl of warm water mixed with bubble bath or you can use a few drops of shampoo instead for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Remove one hand from the water and give each nail a good scrubbing with your nail brush. Glide a cuticle stick around each nail and gently push back any dead skin. Repeat the same on the other hand.
Step 3: Cut your talons to your preferred length. Sculpt your nails using a good nail file into either a round or square shape, before buffing your nails to remove or dead skin and to smoothen them out.
Step 4: Rub on some moisturizing lotion or hand cream and massage it to your elbows for a few minutes to ensure baby soft skin.
Step 5: Dip your hands back in the water and rub them dry, making sure there is no cream left on your nails. Add a clear base coat to make sure your polish lasts long. Then, take your polish and begin applying it by first, painting a stroke down the centre of the nail and then another on both sides.
Step 6: After applying 2 coats, add another protective layer of the clear polish that will prevent chipping. Clean up any polish that has gotten onto your skin and cuticles with an ear bud or tiny paintbrush dipped in nail polish remover or acetone.
Pedicure
Step 1: Make sure your feet are clean and then dip them in a bucket of warm water mixed with bubble bath for 10 minutes or so. You can also add emulsifying salts for extra relaxation and to soothe tired feet.
Step 2: Taking one foot at a time, glide the cuticle stick around each nail to remove dead skin. While working on one foot, make sure to keep the other submerged.
Step 3: Using a foot scrub, massage it on the bottoms of your feet and leg and gently massage up to your knee to exfoliate your skin. Rinse and do the same on the other leg.
Step 4: Gently rub a pumice foot file on the sides and bottoms of your toes and feet to smoothen rough and dry skin.
Step 5: Clip your toe nails, making sure to cut the corner of each nail and then file and buff your nails.
Step 6: Weave on the toe separators and begin painting your base coat, 2 coats of your nail paint and a protective layer on top in the same way as your manicure.