Beauty

How to: Get the perfect pedicure

Sep 16 08:54am

Put your best foot forward with the our expert nail advice.
By Victoria Meppem

1. Prepare
"Start by soaking your feet in a warm bath with a softening foot soak for 10 minutes," says pedicure specialist Jane Wales. "The more supple your feet are, the easier it is to work with them."

2. Shape
Using a fine-grained emery board (metal files can be too damaging), file the toenail across the toe with a flat edge, and then taper the corners into a slightly rounded shape to avoid the toenail becoming ingrown as it grows back.

"Only file in one direction to avoid weakening the nail," advises Wales. "If your nails are strong, give them a gentle buff to smooth any ridges and to help the nail plate absorb nourishing creams more easily. But go lightly, as excessive buffing will thin your nails."

3. Care
"Gently push back the cuticle using an orange stick to remove any excess skin from the nail bed," states Wales. And don't ever be tempted to cut your cuticles as they stop bacteria and other nasties from infecting your nails. "The more you cut your cuticle, the more it will grow back, so let cuticle creams do the work." Massaging in a cuticle cream or oil will stimulate nail growth and enhance its quality.

4. Condition
To reduce dead skin build-up on your feet, massage them regularly with an exfoliating scrub. For more stubborn areas, like the balls and heels, use a pedi-paddle.

"For the best results, keep it in the shower and use it a few times a week," explains Wales. "After towel-drying your feet, use the pedi-paddle to file down any dead skin while your skin is still damp."

Wrap a little bit of damp cotton wool around the end of a cuticle stick and use it to clean under your nails. Finish with a foot massage using a rich moisturising cream or lotion to smooth and hydrate your feet.

5. Polish
Before applying your nail polish, wipe away any excess oils on your nails with a non-acetone nail polish remover and create space between your toes with a foam toe separator. Wales always begins by applying a strengthening base coat to prevent the pigment of the polish staining the nail and to help the polish last longer.

"Apply your first coat of colour thinly and then go a little thicker with the second. This allows you to fill in any gaps you might have missed on the first coat."

She recommends waiting for 15-20 minutes before applying a top coat and, for the best results, re-applying your top coat once a week to ensure you get at least a month out of your pedicure.

See this season's hottest hues, and get more top tips in the October issue of marie claire.