Tips from Nail Pro Skyy Hadley of As “U” Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ with some IG throw in for good measure.
“For a truly perfect pedicure, you should go to a nail professional. However, when life gets crazy, you often have to take your feet into your own hands,” says Skyy. “When performing a pedicure at home is your only option, there are techniques to follow that will ensure your feet stay healthy and look beautiful.”
TIP ONE: Milk It
After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.
Plus we can all use the cooling effect it brings. Gosh its 100 degrees out here in TX.
TIP TWO: Care for Cuticles with Caution
Lightly shape the toenails by cutting nails back slightly and massaging toes and feet with cream or oil. After feet have soaked for a few minutes, push back the cuticles – do NOT cut them. Cutting them creates more hangnails and can even lead to infection.
I did nothing wrong still ended up with weird cuticles. Say thanks if you have good ones and do everything you can to keep em that way. As far as hang nails go, they are the worst things ever. Only reason to keep a nail clipper in your purse at all times.
TIP THREE: Scrub Wisely
Lightly buff the nail plate while it is still moist with a cuticle cream or conditioner. Then buff the skin on your feet by applying a foot scrub and massaging the formula deep into the skin, concentrating on trouble spots. To really smooth things over, use a diamond file (avoid pumices as they trap bacteria) on particularly rough patches like the heel and ball of the foot.
I was recently on Twitter and a friend there reminded me about Apricot Scrub for feet. Do it - its amazing and smells so good ! Another favorite of mine is the sugar scrub from Qtica.
TIP FOUR: Stay Polished
To maintain and prolong color, use a primer on the nails first. This step actually dehydrates the nail by bringing the natural oils out, making color grip longer. After applying color, add a top coat. Three days later, apply a top coat again to prevent color from chipping.
Primer / base coat and top coat from Zoya rocks. Sally Hansen base strengthening ones are very good too. But something about these base coats helping with dehydrating nails isn't sitting well with me...
TIP FIVE: Smooth Things Over
Keep heels from cracking by massaging shea butter, light oil and/or Vaseline at night. Then, put socks on so the skin can absorb the formula even deeper overnight.
I cant do socks during Summer. I'll write soon about what I do with my dry heels to keep them from getting cracked and ugly. Some of my favorite feet moisturizers are LUSH Fair Trade Foot Lotion, Curel targeted Therapy Deep penetrating Foot Cream and this nice coconut one from Burt's Bees.
Love,
Indian Girl
“For a truly perfect pedicure, you should go to a nail professional. However, when life gets crazy, you often have to take your feet into your own hands,” says Skyy. “When performing a pedicure at home is your only option, there are techniques to follow that will ensure your feet stay healthy and look beautiful.”
TIP ONE: Milk It
After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.
Plus we can all use the cooling effect it brings. Gosh its 100 degrees out here in TX.
TIP TWO: Care for Cuticles with Caution
Lightly shape the toenails by cutting nails back slightly and massaging toes and feet with cream or oil. After feet have soaked for a few minutes, push back the cuticles – do NOT cut them. Cutting them creates more hangnails and can even lead to infection.
I did nothing wrong still ended up with weird cuticles. Say thanks if you have good ones and do everything you can to keep em that way. As far as hang nails go, they are the worst things ever. Only reason to keep a nail clipper in your purse at all times.
TIP THREE: Scrub Wisely
Lightly buff the nail plate while it is still moist with a cuticle cream or conditioner. Then buff the skin on your feet by applying a foot scrub and massaging the formula deep into the skin, concentrating on trouble spots. To really smooth things over, use a diamond file (avoid pumices as they trap bacteria) on particularly rough patches like the heel and ball of the foot.
I was recently on Twitter and a friend there reminded me about Apricot Scrub for feet. Do it - its amazing and smells so good ! Another favorite of mine is the sugar scrub from Qtica.
TIP FOUR: Stay Polished
To maintain and prolong color, use a primer on the nails first. This step actually dehydrates the nail by bringing the natural oils out, making color grip longer. After applying color, add a top coat. Three days later, apply a top coat again to prevent color from chipping.
Primer / base coat and top coat from Zoya rocks. Sally Hansen base strengthening ones are very good too. But something about these base coats helping with dehydrating nails isn't sitting well with me...
TIP FIVE: Smooth Things Over
Keep heels from cracking by massaging shea butter, light oil and/or Vaseline at night. Then, put socks on so the skin can absorb the formula even deeper overnight.
I cant do socks during Summer. I'll write soon about what I do with my dry heels to keep them from getting cracked and ugly. Some of my favorite feet moisturizers are LUSH Fair Trade Foot Lotion, Curel targeted Therapy Deep penetrating Foot Cream and this nice coconut one from Burt's Bees.
Tell me your pedicure tips y'all ! I'm sure you experienced ones have plenty to talk about !
Love,
Indian Girl