Home pedicure - prepare, pamper and polish

1 PREPARE
You will need a basin, a toenail clipper, cuticle oil, a nail file, an orangewood stick, a pumice stone, a towel, two plastic bags, toe separators, cotton, nail-polish remover, top and base coats, and, of course, polish. Wipe off old polish with an acetone-based remover to lift oil and any residue from the nail plate. Clip nails straight across, leaving a thin white edge, then file nails straight across.

2 PAMPER
To create a spa-like foot soak at home, add a capful of your favorite milk bath (very hydrating) to your basin of warm water. Soak your feet for 15 minutes. As you remove each foot, apply a touch of cuticle oil to the nail bed. Push cuticles back with an orangewood stick, then place your foot back in the water. Next, exfoliate. Dry one foot, then smooth your favorite exfoliator--even on your leg, if you like. Rinse and repeat with the other foot. Calloused areas should be scrubbed with a pumice stone.

To replenish moisture and make feet glow, try a mask. Apply a generous amount all over the feet. Wrap each foot in a plastic bag before covering with a hot towel for five to ten minutes. Rinse feet, then smooth on an ultra-rich cream. Massage cream onto the legs in a circular motion, starting from the knee down to the foot. For extra pleasure and relaxation, apply pressure to the balls of the feet and arches, ending with the heels.

3 POLISH
Slip your toes into toe separators, and remove any pedicure product residue with cotton and polish remover. Then, apply a base coat. The base coat acts like double-sided tape--it sticks to the nail and the polish. Now you're ready for polish. Can't decide on a color? The experts say when in doubt, look to beautiful reds and browns. Begin with a thin stroke of polish in the middle of the nail, then brush outward to cover the sides. Apply a second coat. Finish with a top coat for shine and to seal color. Allow at least an hour for your nails to dry.

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