Article Updated 9-2019
I love to have pretty soft and smooth feet with a nice color of polish, and when I can I will go to the salon, but there are times that I don’t have the time it takes to go to the salon or the extra money.
There’s something special about having perfectly polished toes and smooth feet and a DIY pedicure can be done at home for mere pennies “saving you a lot of cash”, and you will still have a perfect salon-quality pedicure.
Check back as I update tips to the article.
You might not get your legs massaged like you would at the salon, by the technician, but you can remove the calluses, smooth the bottoms of your feet and heels, trim your toenails and repaint them saving you a bundle. All it takes are a few tools; a foot scrubber or pumice stone, nail polish remover and a file, cuticle nippers, straight edge clippers and a cuticle pusher or orange stick if you have one and *toe separators.
(See * below) Your favorite nail polish color and fast dry top coat.
I shop at the Dollar Store and have found the pumice stones along with remover, toe separators, files and Epsom salts. So if you did need to purchase items for a pedicure it could cost as little as $5.00 and save you a bunch on salon pedicures.
Saving Money Give Yourself a Salon Quality Pedicure at Home
A little known fact to my readers is that I owned my own salon as a manicurist for 25 years and as many pedicures as I have done and recently been reading tips in magazines, I decided it was time to share how I you can perform a pedicure in less than an hour, you can do it anytime and your diy pedicure will last just as long as a salon service with a tip I learned when I was doing pedicures in my salon. The key to your polish lasting for weeks!!
♥ Shallow tub or bowl, towels, cotton balls, polish remover
♥ Epsom, kosher or table salt or foot soak
♥ Pumice stone, cuticle nippers, straight edge nail clippers, cuticle stick
♥ Lotion or foot cream
♥ Base coat, polish, top coat or quick dry
♥Toe separators or paper towels to weave between toes
Optional: Scrub
A pedicure can be performed at home easily by soaking your feet in a shallow bowl or pan of water with Epsom or mineral salts. You can add essential oils, Lavender, Thieves, Eucalyptus or Peppermint.
First Steps:
Removing the polish from your last pedicure is the first step (and because the remover is drying, apply cuticle oil or olive oil and rub into cuticles to soften, let sit will you prepare for the next step
Prepare for soak:
You want the tub/container to be large enough for both feet, I found one at the Dollar Store. Fill a tub with hot water, (make sure water is comfortable) enough to cover your feet, add a 1/2 cup Epsom, mineral salts or Pedi-soak. Dr. Teals has a liquid and regular salt soak. The Epsom salts will help soften calluses, remove dead skin while removing embedded dirt. I know that working outside in the summer any dry areas will attract the dirt. If you don’t have Epsom salts on hand you can use kosher or table salt as a substitute. If you like bubbles you could add some bubble bath or a few drops of dish soap.
Soak
Soak your feet 5-10 minutes before you start, I like to set up at the edge of the bathtub so I can add more hot water if I need. After soaking for a few minutes…….
Time to Trim File and Shape
Now is the time to trim toenails, be sure to cut nails straight across, so to prevent ingrown nails. I like to leave a short edge, you won’t want to cut too short.
Avoid the use of a course or metal files as it can damage the free edge of the nail and cause your polish to chip. Instead, use a fine emery board or crystal file.
Calluses a Two-Step Process
Now that your feet are soft after soaking, use the pumice stone to remove calluses, add a small amount of *liquid soap, paying attention to the heals and balls of your feet. Be careful here, if you are too zealous, you can remove too much and cause your feet to be sore. I have had this happen at the salon. Return foot to bath and finish second. *Note add a bit of liquid soap to pumice stone.
For around the cuticle, I prefer not to cut the cuticle to prevent infection. The Epsom salts will remove the dry skin around toenail during the soak.
Exfoliating and finishing for smooth soft feet
If using this next step, empty water and start with a freshwater: For a smooth finish to your feet and legs you can use a scrub from a DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub recipe I found that is really basic, you can make at home. Updating 8-6~ I found a great Lemon Scrub over at DIY Pampering or another Lemon Scrub from Living Chic on The Cheap
My Secret Tip for a long-lasting pedicure (Here it is)
Using your soft file, file downward on the edges, (i.e., see diagram) then smooth the edge of the nail, if you have a buffing block, buff the top and edge of the nail, this will help your polish to adhere for a long-lasting polish job, salon-quality! (No Chipping) Rinse feet and dry thoroughly.
Save Money Give Yourself a Salon Quality Pedicure at Home
Now you are ready to apply a foot cream or lotion of your choice.
Polishing Tip
*To separate toes use the toe separators or you can take strips of paper towels fold in a narrow strip and wind through toes to keep them from touching, while polishing and drying. (i.e., see the diagram below) A fan is good as long as it is not to close to help speed drying time and there are products you can buy for this as well.
Be sure there is no oil or lotion on toenails before polishing, you can use a cotton ball and use a small amount of alcohol to remove residue before proceeding. If using color, use a base coat before polishing and a top coat when finished.
Between pedicures, I keep a pumice stone in the shower and a Foot FIle, I add a bit of soap and use on areas of the feet that would build calluses to keep them smooth. Be sure to moisturize with lotion or cream, and be sure to use sunscreen and touch up polish with a topcoat.
Soft Feet Tip: If you don’t mind wearing socks, at least part of the day, or at night when going to bed, what I like to do is apply a heavy coat of “Bag Balm”, a product that is actually sold in animal feed stores or you can find it at Walmart or Walgreens, sometimes you have to ask at pharmacy.
Just knowing that you can do a “pedicure at home” with just a few supplies and the right technique can save you a fraction of the cost of a salon pedicure. But of course, there’s nothing wrong in having a salon pedicure for special occasions.
And the best part: You could even have an all-girls night of pedicures or a mom and daughter Pedi-party, one on one time doing pedicures.
If you struggle with growing your nails you might find this article helpful: Guide To Healthy Nails
Hope you found this article useful, there’s a printable version at the bottom.
Written by Karren Haller Oh My Heartsie Girl © 2014
Print and save a copy: Save Money Have a Salon Quality Pedicure At Home
Update: Need a gift for a special friend or family member, create a basket and include a “Pedicure in a Jar” products along with a copy of directions on how to give a great at home Pedicure. Suburban Simplicity-Pedicure In A Jar
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might receive a small commission if you make a purchase using a link.
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Thank you for the wonderful tips! My skin is so dry from the pool during the summer months. I don’t have the time or money to go to a salon so it’s an ongoing battle. We appreciate you linking up to Creative Spark Link Party. Have a great week!
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
This is great stuff! I really like to keep up with my pedis but too often I just don’t have the extra money to spend on self pampering. I also recently introduced my soon to be 10 year old daughter to salon pedicures and created a monster! I think it would be fun to give one another salon quality pedis at home and we will definitely be trying this out soon.
I love my Friday night home pedicures. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for sharing at the #WWDParty.
Hi Jen, thanks I hope that you enjoy. I would love to hear how it goes. It would be a great way to teach your daughter the proper way to do her own pedicures and teach her friends. Remember there is a printable. Thanks for coming by!! Have a great week!
Karren
Thank you Antionette for stopping by. I love your Mason Jar Cake idea. And your welcome for sharing at your WW this week.
Jabe a great week.
Karren
I am ready for my weekend soak and have gotten some mouthwash to add to the tub which is supposed to be invigorating. I have nominated you as a featured blogger from this week’s #WWDparty. Thanks again!
Hi Antionette, wow you make me blush that I will be a feature, thank you so much, that is so nice!!! I invite you to stop by for our WW this week. http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/wordless-wednesday-20/karren and add your blog. I look forward to visiting soon.
Have a great day! Karren
Hello Karren! This is awesome! Thank you for sharing. I’m going to pin this!
I hope that you will enjoy your pedicure and thanks for Pinning 🙂 🙂
Have a great weekend
Karren
I like very much making my pedicute at home! Thank you for linking at Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!
Thank you for stopping by, your welcome for the visit. My pleasure!!
Happy Easter!!
This sounds amazing! You are so talented. Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for being a part of our party. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
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Love the post and will definitely be pampering myself on the weekend.
Hi Sue, I hope you will enjoy!! Have a great week.
Karren,
Thanks so much for linking your fun DIY up to our party! Your linky post came to my moderation box because you forgot to link back to the party. You can do that by either grabbing our linky button, or mentioning our party with a link back to the party web address. I think it will let you post after that.
your blog friend Crystal from pennyloveprojects.com
Hi Crystal, I actually posted a link in my Friday Feature post, then deleted my link in your party and re-entered it. SO I hope that worked out.
Have a great weekend, Karren
Sandal season is just about here, just a few weeks away. I haven’t tried at home pedicures before, but I will now with the awesome advice and posting what products are best. Thank You!
Hi Kimberly, Hope you will find the hints helpful! Let me know if you have questions.
Have a great weekend!
Karren
I absolutely love my pedicures, but doing that at home would sure save me alot of money!
Hi Jess, yes it will definitely save money, and sometimes there are corners of nails I can clip, I would not dare ask someone else to do for safety.
Hope you will enjoy an at home pedicure. If you have any questions let me know.
Have a great day!
Karren
Thank you for the tips.
You are welcome Sopa hope you will enjoy!!
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Thanks so very much for sharing such great and wonderful advice and tips.you made them easy to understand and follow.all the lovely ladies i know will LOVE this.
I wish I could do all the things nails toes,but I can not I have cerebral palsy wish I could pay to have it done
IF I was there where you lived Terry, I would be happy to help, maybe there is someone in your city that would make a house call. You might check around!!!
Thanks for reading my article, hope you have a great week!!
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Thanks for sharing this. My feet could really use it.
These are wonderful tips. I always like to do my pedicures at home. It saves so much money! 🙂
Thanks Laura for your comment, Im glad you enjoyed the post and hope you found a couple of hints and tips.
Have a great summer in sandals!
Hi Terry, I hope your found some good ideas to use if you try it yourself.
Have a great summer!
Looks like a good idea especially how expensive a day at the spa can be.
Okay I am 51 years old. Unfortunaley I have never had a pedicure. Maybe now my husband can learn something and give me one. Instead of me paying for one. Yeah right, I will believe it when it happens.
Great tip on doing your own feet at home and saving money i will be trying
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This is a lovely post, the best thing about doing a pedicure yourself is you can pamper yourself regularly instead of waiting until you need one.
Hi Lenna, I hope you enjoy self pedicures at home, after a few times, you become the pro and enjoy beautiful feet while saving tons of money!!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I appreciate it!
Have a great weekend!
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Such great tips! I love pampering myself from the comfort of home. Pinned.
I hope that you find the salon tips useful, I spent many years doing nails and pedicures.
Let me know if you have any questions, Id be happy to help.
Enjoy your week!
This is great! Plus I love the gift idea.
I love your tips. There’s nothing better than a pedicure, either at the salon or at home. When your feet feel good, you feel good. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the DIY peducre process at home. This article saves a lot of money for me to do it at home. Nice article