DIY Pedicure

Pedicures are great. They are fun, relaxing, and they make your feet look and feel great. But pedicures are expensive, and if you do them on a regular basis it really adds up. Instead of emptying your wallet, grab your best girlfriends, a few supplies, and settle in for a fun night - and a great DIY pedicure. You'll save money and have a great excuse to gab with your girlfriends.
First, you'll need to gather a few supplies for your DIY pedicure. You'll need a tub to soak your feet - a dollar store dishwashing tub is just about the right size, and two towels. One is to dry your feet, the other is to go underneath to catch any drips (you may also want to put plastic down). You'll also need Saran Wrap, some yummy smelling shampoo, a pumice stone, toe nail clippers, nail files, your favorite color nail polish, and a base/top coat. You may want to have some nail polish remover, cotton, and orange sticks on hand. Lastly, you'll need to order a Mary Kay Satin Hands set or the equivalent, and make sure you have it in time for the big night.

Gather your girlfriends around in a circle, play some fun music and serve snacks, of course! It's time to begin your DIY pedicure. Have everyone squirt a little shampoo in their tub and fill it up with warm water - whatever temperature is comfortable is best. Now it's time to soak! Let your feet soak in the warm, soapy water for a few minutes, then start working on your toe nails. This is the hardest part of your DIY pedicure. It's up to you if you want to do them on yourself or take turns with a friend. Push back the cuticles with an orange stick, then clip any long nails, and then file them. Toe nails should be even with the edges of your toe, and filed straight across, with the corners just slightly rounded. This will help prevent ingrown toenails.

When you're happy with how your toenails look, dry your feet and slather them with the Mary Kay extra emollient night cream. This is a slightly orange looking cream that is very thick and rich. Wrap each foot in Saran Wrap, and then in a towel and allow the heat - and the cream - to do it's work. Don't try to stand because you might slip.

After your feet feel nice and warm, remove the Saran Wrap and massage in the Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub right on top of the cream. This will help get rid of callouses and soften the feet. You may want to give yourself - or your friend - a nice, firm foot and leg massage, but be careful and never give a massage to a pregnant woman or a diabetic. Rinse the feet and use the pumice stone to get rid of any remaining callouses. Never use a foot shaver - they are difficult to sanitize and can do a lot of damage to the skin and the foot. A foot shaver should NEVER be used at a salon, as they are illegal in Pennsylvania, and even worse to use for a DIY pedicure.

Dry your feet and apply your lotion. Make sure to clean the lotion off of the nails with nail polish remover or the polish won't stick. First apply a thin base coat, then wait a few minutes. Apply two thin color coats. Lastly, apply your top coat. Keep the coats thin or the polish may bubble or eventually chip. Never shake the polish bottle - just roll it between your hands to warm and mix the polish.

Allow plenty of time for your polish to dry - it may feel dry to the touch after a few minutes but won't be hard for several hours. For best results, wear flip flops so as not to disturb the beautiful polish. Voila! You've got your very own, DIY pedicure and a fun night with friends. Enjoy!