Pedicure 101

STEP 1

Soak your feet in a basin of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. For best results, spike it with bath oil, moisturizing bubble bath or a mixture of Epsom salts and your favourite essential oil. (We like lavender or lemon grass.)

STEP 2

Massage your feet with an exfoliating scrub and then tackle any rough spots with a pumice stone or buffer.

STEP 3

Trim nails straight across to prevent them from ingrowing and buff lightly. Massage cuticle oil or cream onto each nail and its cuticle. Push cuticles back with a stick.

STEP 4

Rub a rich cream onto your feet and calves. Get rid of any residue on your nails by brushing them lightly with a toothbrush dipped in polish remover. This will help the nail polish adhere.

STEP 5

Brush on a clear base coat. It's an extra step, but it stops nails from yellowing after wearing dark colours. Next, smooth on two coats of polish. Ideally, finish with a clear topcoat to prevent chipping. Use a remover-soaked cotton swab to clean up any wayward enamel and relax until your pedicure is set (about a half-hour). If you want to reduce your downtime, try an instant-dry spray or drops.

TREAT YOUR TOOTSIES TO THESE SIZZLING SUMMER POLISH SHADES

Fruity Fun

L'Oreal Paris nail polish in Mango-Get-Em, $6 (12ml)

Friskly fuchsia

Gosh nail lacquer in Flamingo, $6 (8ml)

Ruby Red

Revlon nail enamel in Red Hot Tamale $6 (15ml)

Princess Pink

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Nourishing Nail Color in Pretty Petal $5 (13ml)

Coral Crush

OPI nail laquer in Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot!, $11(15ml)

First published in Chatelaine.com's July 2009 issue.
© Rogers Publishing Ltd.