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.
