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The Perfect Pedicure

By Jessica Saslow

woman getting pedicure

Katie Cleary

Photo Credit: Jordin Althaus/Wire Image

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"There are two great reasons to give yourself a pedicure," says L.A.-based celebrity manicurist Marsha Bialo. "The first is to give your feet a well-deserved, pampering deep cleaning. The second reason is to get your toes looking sexy for your summer sandals."

Pamper Prep

  • Position a chair behind a clean, wide bucket filled with hot water.
  • Fold a bath towel into a square and place it at the bottom of the bucket. "This will give your feet a comfortable surface to rest on when you soak them," says Bialo.
  • Add half a cup of Epsom salt, a natural disinfectant. "I also like to throw in a few capfuls of Johnson + Johnson Soothing Vapor Bath for Colds," says Bialo. "It contains rosemary, eucalyptus and menthol -- three therapeutic, cleansing herbs that make the room you're in smell just like a spa."

    Grooming Guide

  • Use a cotton pad soaked with nail-polish remover to take off old polish. "If your cuticles are dry, add a drop of olive oil to the pad before using it on your nails," suggests Bialo.
  • Clip your toenails straight across with clippers.
  • Use a nail file to smooth the edges, including the sides. Best shape: square with rounded edges.

    Soothe Your Soles

  • Soak your feet in the hot water for five minutes, then rest them on the edge of the bucket.

  • Dip a foot file, such as Dr. Scholl's Dual Action Swedish File, in the water, then use it to smooth your heels, the balls of your feet and the outsides of your pinkie toes.

  • Pat feet dry with a towel.

  • To get cuticles under control: Use the edge of the nail file to push your cuticles back, then a nail brush dipped in an exfoliating scrub, such as Rainforest Stress Therapy Foot Scrub, to clean the area where your nail meets your skin.

  • If you feel that you must get rid of your cuticles, have a pro do it in a salon so you don't end up with painful, ingrown toenails.

  • Rinse, then dry feet and apply a generous amount of super-moisturizing foot lotion or cream. Try: Bliss Spa Foot Patrol. Massage it into your feet and calves.

  • Wash the moisturizer off your toenails with soap and water and let them dry.

    Polish How-To's

  • Create space between toes with a foam toe separator.

  • Apply one coat of base coat, two coats of color and one coat of top coat.

  • Confused about which color to go for? "For summer, say good-bye to burgundies and browns," advises Bialo. "The hot shades are bright. Think coral with a sheen to it, hot pink and orangy-red."

  • Use a Q-tip moistened with nail-polish remover to remove any polish that missed the mark.

  • Let your polish dry for a few hours before putting on close-toed shoes.

  • Apply one coat of top coat three days after your pedicure, then every third day after that to keep polish from chipping.

  • If your feet are going to be in the sun, use a top coat with sunscreen, like L'Oréal Ultragloss Top Coat, to keep the polish from fading.

    YOUR GUIDE TO SEXY SUMMER SKIN


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