How To Give Yourself A Salon-Style Pedicure


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My feet are not perfect, but I do love my toenails when they’ve been groomed. Because I wear thongs for about seven months of the year (I live on a Greek island), I need to look after my feet and so years ago, I did a manicure-pedicure course to learn how to do it properly.

In this era of shutdowns and lockdowns, here’s my guide for a top DIY pedicure.

You need: a foot file, scissors, a nail file, a nail buffer, a cuticle cutter (a tool, shaped like a pair of scissors, that snips away superfluous skin from the cuticles), an orange stick and a bowl big enough to put your feet in and a towel.

  • Put warm water and a little shower gel in the bowl. Make sure you have everything you need (book, laptop, cup of tea, etc) and then make yourself comfy while you soak your feet for at least five minutes.

  • Dry your feet with the towel and use the foot file on any areas of rough skin. Use the orange stick to push back the cuticles and clean under your toenails. Trim your cuticles with the cutter. Trim your toenails with the scissors and then file them smooth in whatever shape you like.

  • Before you apply nail polish (check out our pick of the best new colours below), wipe your nails with nail polish remover and apply a base coat. Then apply two coats of polish and a top coat. Perfect!

Here are some of our favourite new shades:


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Sally Hansen Good.Kind.Pure. | Elderflower Power

Vegan nail polish differs from traditional nail polish in that it uses no ingredients derived from animals such as gelatin, tallow and beeswax. The new vegan range from Sally Hansen is plant-based and draws inspiration from soft natural shades. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but Elderflower Power is a winner.


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Mecca Max Hot Tips | Code Blue

If you’ve had enough of the soft stuff, you’ll love the attention-grabbing neons that are having a moment. We love this electric blue from Mecca Max Hot Tips, a long-lasting polish that is vegan and cruelty-free.


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Kester Black | Jungle Gymnast

Neutrals aren’t only about pretty pales. Take a look at this goes-with-everything green from Australian brand Kester Black. Its vegan nail polish is known for its high shine and its serious staying power.


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OPI Hidden Prism | Coral Chroma

You can almost taste the tropics in this soft shimmering orange from OPI’s new Hidden Prism range. Perfect whether you are lazing by the pool, cocktail in hand, or just wish you were.


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Sienna Byron Bay | Sunflower

There’s always a feelgood factor to buying Sienna Byron Bay, with its non-toxic formula and recycled packaging, but this summery Sunflower shade takes things to the next level. Colour us happy.


Words_ Verna McGeachin
Photo_ Toa Heftiba/UnSplash
Product Photos_ Supplied





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