DIY Pedicure
We're all for professional pedis. Who doesn't love to relax for an hour while being scrubbed, rubbed, and polished to perfection? Realistically, though, few moms have time to kick back in the salon every two weeks. So we asked Ji Baek, owner of the posh Rescue Beauty Lounge salons in New York City, for a play-by-play on how to get professional results at home.
By Marta Topran
- Ship Shape
Remove any existing polish with a nonacetone remover. Next, cut and file nails so that they are short and straight across. It's the most flattering shape for everyone: "Long toenails are so gross," insists Baek.
TRY: Ecotools bamboo nail files, $3, ParisPresents.com for stores.
- Take the Plunge
Slather toes with cuticle oil, bath oil, or even an old night cream. "Recycle all the stuff in your medicine cabinet that you never use. A cream might not work for your face, but it can work amazingly for your feet," says Baek. To relieve swollen, blistery summer feet, dip them in and out of ice-cold water. "It's really refreshing," Baek says.
TRY: OPI Papaya Pineapple Massage, $12, OPI.com for stores.
- Clean It Up
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Don't scrape off all your calluses—you need them to walk. What you want to get rid of is dead, ashen skin. Baek likes to use a disposable sandpaper foot file for this, since pumice stones have pores that bacteria can grow in, she warns. Next, use a metal cuticle pusher to gently push back skin—no need to cut them afterwards. Use a body scrub for a final sloughing and finish it off with some body lotion and a quick, soothing massage.
TRY: Tweezerman Pushy and Nail Cleaner, $17, Tweezerman.
- Paint Job
Clean the entire nail surface again with polish remover to get rid of any lotion. "Don't use one with Vitamin E in it, because it has oils" that make it harder for polish to grab onto nails, says Baek. "Always start with a base coat to prevent your nails from turning yellow," says Baek. Apply two coats of polish. She's loving glitter for this summer: "Being a mom doesn't mean that you can't be glamorous, and glitter toes are just rock star. Go for it!" Finish it off with some topcoat and give it a good two hours to dry completely. Reapply topcoat once a week, and your hard work should last a good two to three weeks.
TRY: Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish in Frugalista, Locavore, or Look Rich, Be Cheap, $18, Rescue Beauty.
