Beauty 101: Perfect Pedicure Guide
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Step 1: Soak It Up
Let's be honest, our feet work hard and we don't always give them the attention they deserve. After all, we do stand on them all day. Follow these steps for a perfect pedicure. First, fill your bathtub with several inches of warm water. Add a desired amount of foot soak or bath salts. While the tub is filling, remove any old polish from your toes with nail polish remover and cotton balls. Soak for as long as you'd like, but at least five to ten minutes.
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Step 2: Get 'Em Filed
Remove your feet from the water and dry with a towel. File your toenails straight across, rounding them slightly at the corners to conform to the shape of the toe. Use toenail clippers to remove the underside of the corners so they won't dig into your flesh. Once you have finished filing, return your feet to the warm tub water.
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Step 3: Soften Up
Using a small brush, gently buff one foot first and then the other. This will help to remove some dead skin cells and also to soften your feet. Using a foot scrub, massage the cream in to your feet, paying special attention to your heels and any rough spots. This will further soften and exfoliate. A pumice footstone can work wonders for dry and rough feet! Use this to eliminate remaining rough spots.
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Step 4: Pamper Piggies
Remove both feet from the tub and dry feet with towel. Now it's time to show your hardworking feet that they are appreciated. Massage your feet, lower legs and toes with your favorite lotion, cream or oil. Once finished pampering yourself, wipe each toenail with a cotton or gauze pad saturated with remover or alcohol to be sure the nail is free of oils. If you don't do this, the polish will peel and chip more easily.
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Step 5: Smooth Surface
Make sure you have a smooth surface by using your orangewood stick or the metal cuticle pusher to push back the transparent cuticle. Also, use this tool to clean under the free edge. Do not use excessive pressure to push back the cuticles, because this can actually hurt the nail and skin. If you notice bumps and ridges, feel free to file the surface of the nail with a buffer.
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Step 6: Polish Up
Time to polish! Apply a base coat to fill any bumps or ridges, two coats of color and a thin topcoat. Be sure to allow a minimum of one minute between coatings for each coat of enamel to dry. (Hint: For touch-ups, dip a Q-tip in the nail polish remover and gently swab away the unwanted color.) Now slip on some sandals and show off your beautiful pedicure!
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