With warmer weather come cute, peep toe pumps and flip-flops, but those months of hiding your tootsies in socks and boots can leave them looking less than picture perfect. Treat your feet to a night in and some quality time, and save some money by giving yourself an in-home mani-pedi using these quick tips.
Step 1: Clean, clip & file
Make sure to cover your work surface with a towel before removing the remnants of your last mani-pedi, and then get to work with a great remover like Zoya Nail Polish Remover Plus. It's gentle, removes polish and conditions the nail for longer polish wear. It also comes in a fantastic spill proof pump bottle! When your nails are clean and washed, clip them back to a desired length before filing to get that square or round look. Buff the top and sides of your nails with a nail buffer for a smoother surface.
$10 | amazon.com
Step 2: Care for those cuticles!
Your cuticles help to protect your nail bed from bacteria and keep them from becoming brittle so avoid cutting them. Instead, use a cuticle oil such as Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil to soften them and then push them back gently with a cuticle stick.
$8.50 | Ulta
Step 3: Exfoliate & moisturize
Exfoliate hands, feet and surrounding skin to help remove dead skin cells, then use a nailbrush and gently clean under nails to remove any dirt buildup. Wash your hands off and make sure to dry thoroughly before applying moisturizer. Give yours hand and feet a mini massage to work the moisturizer deep into the skin. Try using a cream0based moisturizer like Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream.
$9.50 | Walmart
Step 4: Apply polish
Don't skip the base coat! Base coats are there to hydrate and protect your nail, not to mention help prevent your polish from chipping. Try one that prevents staining of the nail like O.P.I. Natural Nail Base Coat. Wait about two minutes after applying the base coat before putting on your first coat of polish. Pick your favorite hue (we're loving this season's pale pastel palette) and swipe it on with three easy strokes down the middle, left and right side of the nail for maximum coverage. Wait another two minutes before applying second coat. Finish up your look with a clear topcoat.
$9 | Ulta
Need help picking the right color polish? Try matching the hue to your skin tone.
If you have a pale complexion, or cool skin tone, you'll look best in pastel colors with a pink or blue base. Try to avoid dark polishes such as black or deep reds. ORLY carries a Blush Collection with beautiful pastels such as Flawless Flush, a soft lilac color.
$8 | CVS
Tan complexions look great in warmer colors, but some lighter colors work well, too. Try shades of brown and copper orange or even yellow. Avoid golden shades that will blend in with your skin. Silly Billy by Butter London is a bright and fun orange color, perfect for tan complexions.
$15 | Ulta
Dark complexions are able to wear rich, deep shades of purples and plums, as well as shimmery gold. Avoid bright neon colors like yellow or green which can drain the color out of dark skin. Julep's Zelda, a metallic gold champagne hue, is stunning on dark complexions.
$14 | Sephora
