Super-Simple, 3-Step Home Pedicure

Reader Contribution by Allison Martin
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Photo by Fotolia.

Step 1: Shape and Soak.

Clip toenails to a uniform length, aiming straight across in several small cuts to avoid encouraging ingrown nails. Then file nails in one direction. Fill a bowl with warm water and add 10 to 20 drops almond, jojoba, olive or avocado oil. Add 10 drops antifungal tea tree essential oil and 10 drops soothing lavender essential oil. Soak feet in water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2: Smooth Skin.

Dry feet. Make an exfoliating paste by mixing 1⁄2 cup sugar with 1⁄2 cup any oil of your choice. Apply paste all over foot, concentrating on rough areas such as the heels, and rub into skin for a few minutes to moisturize and smooth calluses. Rinse hands and wash feet. Apply 1 drop oil on cuticle of each toe and massage into skin.

Step 3: Enhance.

Buff nails to a sheen with a buffer block ($6, Sephora) or use a healthy polish such as Kester Black’s ($20) cruelty-free polish, made without toluene (a suspected carcinogen), camphor (toxic in large amounts), formaldehyde (a carcinogen) and formaldehyde resin (an allergen).

  • Published on Jun 3, 2015
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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