DIY Manicure & Pedicure!

Love going for manicures and pedicures but just can't seem to find the time. Not to worry. Here is how you can Do-It-Yourself at home!

1. Clean up: Remove any nail polish and clip and file nails. 

2. Soak: In a large bowl or bathtub, put Epsom salts, milk or essential oils (not all together) into warm water to create a luxurious, at-home spa experience. Put olive oil, baby oil or any oil you have at home onto your cuticles while you’re soaking. 

3. Next: Push back cuticles with a cuticle stick after soaking, but don’t cut cuticles at home. We recommend only trimming hangnails or ragged cuticles on the side. The reason? If you trim your cuticles the wrong way, it can actually cause damage and peeling. Not pretty. 

4. Exfoliate: If you don’t have an exfoliation scrub, make one with sugar or salt and olive oil. You can also add lemon or lime for extra kick. The texture from sugar and salt will scrub your dead skin off. After exfoliating, scrub your calluses on your feet with a pumice stone. Rinse well. 

5. Ahh, relax: Place a moist towel warmed in the microwave just like they do at the nail salon on your hands and feet. It revs up circulation and it feels really good.

6. Moisturize and prep: Use a non-greasy lotion to moisturize your hands and feet. Next, remove any oil and lotion residue on your nails with a non-acetone nail polish remover or alcohol. This is an important step: your nail polish will not last if there’s any greasiness on your nails. 

7. Base coat: If you have weak nails, use a nail strengthener in place of a base coat. Otherwise, apply one coat of base coat. 

8. Paint: Carefully apply two layers of nail color and make sure the polish dries in between coats. 

9. Top coat: Then, one coat of top coat will seal your nails—preferably a quick dry top coat. 

*psst* Nail salon trick: Touch up the edge of your nails with color and top coat because color comes off there first. Plus, it will look finished and professional—like you got them done at a salon. 

10. Lastly: To ensure your nail products retain freshness. Store top coats, base coats and nail color in the refrigerator. Their shelf life is about 2 years.