Feet Need Some Love? Here's How to Do a Perfect Pedicure at Home

Paloma
by Paloma
11 Materials
1 Hour
Easy

Pedicures are so luxurious, and a necessity during open-toe season! Follow this tutorial to learn how to do a pedicure at home. It’s not just about the polish – you’ll also learn the best thing to soak your feet in and how to remove calluses. It’s a complete home pedicure!

Tools and materials:

  • Acetone
  • Nail file
  • Nail brush
  • Callus remover
  • Warm water
  • Soap or bath salts
  • Cuticle pusher
  • Cuticle cutter
  • Base coat
  • Nail polish
  • Top coat
Cleaning nails ready for the pedicure

1. Prepare your toenails for the pedicure

Use acetone or nail polish remover to take off any old nail polish and prepare your toenails for your at-home pedicure.

Filing toenails

Next, clip your toenails to your desired length, and then file them so the tips are nice and smooth.

At-home pedicure to remove calluses

2. Pamper your feet

Scrub the soles of your feet and your heels with a callus remover to take off any old, dead skin and make your feet silky smooth.

What is the best thing to soak your feet in?

Now soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes. If you have bath salts, you can add them to the water, but if not, just use a bar of soap to clean your feet. 

DIY pedicure for rough feet

Once your feet have soaked for a few minutes, use a brush to exfoliate your feet. Exfoliate your whole foot – the areas you filed down with the callous remover plus your toes and the top of your feet. Rinse off the debris from exfoliating in your shower or bathtub. 

Pushing back cuticles

3. Deal with your cuticles

Using a cuticle pusher, push your cuticles back and remove any dead skin from the top of your nails. Also use the cuticle pusher to clean under your nails at the tips.

Cutting cuticles on toenails

Now use your cuticle cutters to remove the pushed back cuticles.

How can I give myself a pedicure at home?

Moisturize with your favorite foot lotion. Then, spray your toenails with acetone or nail polish remover to get rid of any excess moisturizer. This step will also help the nail polish to adhere better to your nail.

Applying nail polish during the pedicure

4. Let’s get to the polish!

Start with a base coat to strengthen your nails. Let the base coat dry completely before moving on to the nail polish.


Apply the first layer of nail polish in a thin layer making small strokes from the nailbed to the tip of your nail. Let the first coat dry completely. Now apply the second coat with the same technique.


Add a clear top coat to finish off your pedicure at home.

How to do a pedicure at home naturally

How to do a pedicure at home tutorial

You have now saved yourself money and a trip to the salon by doing this complete at-home pedicure. Leave a comment about how yours turned out!

Suggested materials:
  • Acetone
  • Nail file
  • Nail brush
See all materials

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