How to Give Yourself an At-Home Pedicure That's, You Know, Actually Good

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  • Giving yourself a DIY pedicure doesn't have to be hard.
  • For those times when you can't get to the nail salon, it's good to know how to paint your own toes.
  • All you need are a few nail tools, and you'll be able to give yourself a great pedicure at home in no time.

There comes a time in everyone's life when you're in desperate need of a pedicure and, for whatever reason, you can't get to the nail salon. It could be that your regular go-to spot is closed, an event sneaks up on you with little to no time to prepare, or you find yourself stuck at home with an unusual amount of time on your hands (social distancing problems, are we right?). Whatever the case, those times call for whipping out your trusty kit of nail tools and giving yourself a pedicure at home.

Just one problem: DIY pedicures have a tendency to end up looking like you did it blindfolded (just us?). Either way, it's hard to replicate the relaxing spa treatment you receive at a salon. But what if it doesn't have to be? We tapped an expert to get tips on how you can up your pedicure game in just a few easy steps. If your nail skills are a little lacking and you're in desperate need of a pedicure, keep reading to learn how to give yourself the perfect pedicure at home.

Getty | Liudmila Chernetska

Gather Your Nail Tools

You can't start a DIY pedicure without the right supplies. "For an at-home pedicure, you should have a double-sided foot file, one-sided coarse file, a 240 grit nail file, and 180 grit buffer," said Danielle Candido, lead artist for Morgan Taylor Lacquer. "You will also need toenail clippers, cuticle nippers, and an ingrown toenail file."

Set the Mood to Help You Relax

The reason even a good at-home pedicure doesn't feel half as relaxing as the one you get at the salon is that the environment is all wrong — spas have nice music, comfortable chairs, lit candles. "Set the mood by playing calming spa music or your favorite chill playlist, said Candido. "Using headphones for this can boost the zen factor by blocking out other noisy distractions." But don't just stop there. Make the room smell nice by lighting your favorite candle or using essential oils. "I also love to add essential oils, like ylang-ylang or lavender, in my pedicure soak. The added aromatherapy really adds the relaxation factor."

Getty | Holger Winkler

Pedicure Step #1: Soak Your Feet

When you get to the nail salon, the first thing you do is let your feet soak in the warm water. Follow that same process at home. "For an at-home pedicure, it's a great idea to get pre-packaged soaks, masks, scrubs, and massage lotion packets, so you get the perfect amount with no waste," Candido said. "Plus they are totally sanitary."

Try the Baby Foot Original Exfoliant Foot Peel ($25) and Patchology PoshPeel Pedi Cure Intensive Foot Peel Treatment ($20).

After about five minutes of soaking, your feet should be ready to move on to the next step.

Pedicure Step #2: Remove Nail Polish

Next, you're ready to get rid of any old nail polish from your toenails. The soak should help loosen any stubborn polish and make it easier to remove. A great option is the Sundays Soy Nail Polish Remover ($28).

Getty | John M Lund Photography Inc

Pedicure Step #3: Groom Your Cuticles and Nails

Now you're ready to address your cuticles and nails. "Apply cuticle softener to cuticles, then clip your toenails, making sure to cut the toenail as straight across as possible," said Candido. "Wipe the cuticle softener off and push cuticles back. File the free edge of nails." We like the Butter London Melt Away Cuticle Exfoliator ($18).

Pedicure Step #4: Mask Your Legs and the Tops of Your Feet

Another thing that makes nail salon pedicures superior is the masking element — but you can replicate that at home. "Apply your mask to the top of the foot and the ankle area," said Candido. Detoxifying or hydrating formulas work best for this, depending on your unique needs. We like the Nair Leg Mask Exfoliate & Smooth ($9) to simultaneously remove hair while smoothing and exfoliating the skin.

Getty | Image Source RF/Zero Creatives

Pedicure Step #5: Exfoliate Your Feet

Apply callus remover to feet, but only if needed. "Use the coarse side of a foot file to reduce any calluses, but do not use a lot of pressure," Candido said. You don't want to remove the entire callus all the way down to pink flesh, so go easy with it.

"Next use the fine or medium side of the foot file to lightly smooth the entire bottom of your foot. Using a sugar or salt scrub, rub in a circular motion over the ankle and entire foot from top to bottom." You can make your own body scrub for this, or try the Drunk Elephant Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Body Scrub ($28). Once done, rinse off the mask and scrub, and pat your legs and feet dry.

Getty | Hill Street Studios

Pedicure Step #6: Apply a Lotion

Moisturize your feet and lower legs with a rich lotion, like the Nivea Nourish by Nature Aloe Enriched Hydration Body Lotion ($6) or the Josie Maran Intensive Daily Repair Body Butter ($46). "Then, cleanse nails with a nail cleanser (to remove any lotion residue), and apply pedi slippers or toe separators." This step will help prevent you from smudging your handiwork before it dries completely. She recommends the Morgan Taylor Pure Cleanse ($20).

One of the biggest mistakes people make when giving themselves a pedicure is skipping this step. "Not properly dehydrating the nail surface before applying the base coat can cause chipping of the polish," said Candido.

Pedicure Step #7: Paint Your Toenails

Now, the moment you've all been waiting for. "Apply a base coat, your polish, then a top coat," said Candido. "Apply quick dry drops and cuticle oil afterward, and you're done."

We recommend the Orly Bonder Basecoat ($10) or the Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish Gel Couture Top Coat ($12).