12 Tips for an Easy At-Home Pedicure, According to Nail Pros

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No salon trip is required for this spa treatment.

We have yet to meet someone who doesn’t love a salon pedicure—the soaking, the rubbing, the relaxing—what’s not to like? But sometimes, a full-on professional pedi isn’t in the cards. Taking matters into your own hands and doing your pedicure at home can save money and time—and, with the right tips and tricks, can be just as successful and relaxing as a trip to the salon. Keep reading for the best at-home pedicure tips from nail pros.

1. Gather Spa-Like Pedicure Supplies

If you want to have a truly deluxe at-home pedicure experience, splurge on a foot mask, Epsom salts, a dedicated foot bath, and toe separators. Of course, add anything you need to make it spa-like (like fancy spa water spiked with cucumber and mint or a favorite scented candle).

In addition, here are a few essentials you’ll need for an at-home pedicure:

  • Foot file or pumice
  • Clean towels
  • Nail file
  • Nail clippers
  • Orange stick
  • Moisturizing lotion
  • Cuticle oil
  • Nail polish
  • Base coat
  • Top coat
  • Nail polish remover

2. Make Pedicures a Nighttime Treat

Putting on socks and shoes or even just walking around too soon after you polish your nails can be a recipe for immediate smudges and smears. That’s why Glass recommends doing at-home pedicures in the early evening. Do your pedicure while you’re winding down and watching TV before bed, as you’re already going to be staying put and won’t be tempted to walk around, Glass says.

3. Dry Nails Completely After Soaking

Soaking your feet is a good way to soften dry skin and cuticles, but be sure to allow enough time between that step and the polishing portion of the pedi. When water seeps into the nail bed, it expands, explains Rachel Glass of GLOSSLAB.

If you paint the nail while it’s still too wet, once it contracts (as the water evaporates), the polish is more apt to chip and ultimately won’t last as long, Glass adds. If you are going to get your feet wet, give it at least 30 minutes for everything to dry before moving on to polishing.

4. Try a Foot Peel

If you don’t want to or don’t have time to soak and slough your heels, a foot peel makes for a great substitute with minimal elbow grease required. Celebrity manicurist Mar y Sol Inzerillo recommends using one that takes a few days to yield results.

5. Remove Oils or Moisturizers Before Polish

In addition to removing old nail polish, ensure your nails are free of oils and moisturizers. A quick swab of nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, or even just a dry paper towel can help remove any excess cuticle oil. This helps the nail polish cling to your nails better.

6. Start With the Big Toe

Starting with the big toe allows enough time for it to dry while you paint the other toes, minimizing the risk of smudging or smearing when you apply the next coat of polish or top coat, Inzerillo points out. “Since it has more surface area, [the big toe] needs more time to dry before you apply a second coat,” explains Inzerillo.

7. Complete One Foot at a Time

On the flip side, you also don’t want the polish to get too dry in between coats, as that can lead to a streaky, clumpy finish. Rather than alternating between your feet, do one foot at a time, applying a base coat, two coats of color, and a top coat, before moving on to the next one. This allows each layer to dry just enough, but not get as dry as it can if you’re doing both feet simultaneously, explains Inzerillo.

8. Apply a Base Coat

It’s a good idea to apply a base coat before painting the nails to help the polish last longer. A base coat encourages polish to stick to your nail and prevents chipping or peeling. It also acts as a barrier to protect your natural nail from potential damage.

9. Use Thinner Layers of Polish

According to Glass, using very thin coats of polish is the secret to avoiding clumps. “A few thin coats are better than one thick one,” Glass notes. Your polish brush should be coated, not drenched; wipe it off on the inside of the bottle to remove any excess, Glass suggests.

10. Remember a Top Coat

A clear top coat will help reduce the chances that your at-home pedicure starts chipping. You can reapply the top coat every few days for added durability and help your pedicure look beach-ready for much longer. Plus, a nice top coat gives nails a glossy sheen.

11. Finish With Cuticle Oil

If you do need to put on socks and shoes before your toes are completely dry, slather them up with cuticle oil and cover them with a piece of plastic wrap. The cuticle oil offers a layer of protection between the polish and the plastic, helping to ward off smears.

Even if toes are fully dry, this is still a good finishing step that will help keep the skin around the nail nice and moisturized, notes Inzerillo. It’s also the perfect thing to reach for if you don’t have time to polish your toenails. Swipe it on to hydrate dry skin and cuticles and give nails a pretty, healthy-looking sheen in seconds.

12. Remove Excess Nail Polish

Try this trick for easily removing excess polish that landed outside the nail or on cuticles. Wait until your polish is completely dry, slather your feet in lotion, and wear a pair of heavy socks. The excess polish will simply slough off, thanks to the socks.

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