How To Get A Spa Pedicure At Home

It’s the season of adventure and we’re all outside, using our feet as much as possible. I love treating myself to a spa pedicure here and there, but what I love even more is treating myself to a pedicure in my very own home. What I’ve found is that I can create my ideal experience all on my own, and that I already have access to all the necessary supplies! Here’s how to get a spa pedicure at home.

First, create a calming ambiance. Open your windows to let a breeze in, light some candles, and put on your favorite relaxing tunes. Right now I’m really into Get Free by Major Lazer, which features Amber of Dirty Projectors. My Spotify followers definitely already know that I’ve been listening to it on repeat for the past week.

Next, start your treatment. Fill a bucket with warm (not hot) water, and add a few drops of lavender essential oil to get that aromatherapy working. Add to the experience by placing some flowers into the water. Soak your feet for about fifteen minutes. Close your eyes and enjoy the feeling of the water, the scent of the oil, and the sound of the music. Just breathe.

Then it’s time to scrub. Instead of buying a pre-made foot scrub, make your own! All you need is sugar, olive oil, and essential oil. See the full tutorial here! Scrub your feet thoroughly, concentrating on rough areas, such as your heels. Don’t stop at your feet, though – scrub your legs, too, for soft, smooth skin. Rinse well.

Next, cut and shape your nails. Shaping is a really important step – proper nail shape will have your feet looking like they’ve just come from the spa. Get out a fresh emery board, choose either round or square, and stick with that shape for every nail.

Many spas will cut your cuticles, but in my experience, this just causes more problems in the future. Instead, use a nail care stick to just push your cuticles back. Some sticks are double-sided, with a smooth edge to push back cuticles and a textured end for cleaning underneath your nails!

Next it’s time to moisturize. Coconut oil is one of nature’s best – and one of my favorite – moisturizers. Scoop some from the jar and apply it to your feet and lower legs, massaging in circular motions as you go. This is one of the best, most relaxing parts of a pedicure, so take your time and enjoy every moment. Coconut oil will leave your nails pretty greasy (which is not ideal for polishing), so wipe off each nail with a paper towel when you’re finished.

Finally, polish your nails. Apply a clear base coat, 2 coats of colored polish, and a clear top coat. Oftentimes people use one thick colored coat because it’s faster to apply than two thin ones, but this will take much longer to dry – and you’ll have more of a chance of accidentally smudging the paint job while you wait! Make sure you allow your nails to dry thoroughly before getting on with your day. You’ll thank yourself for waiting the extra few minutes.

If you want to try a design, we have a ton of nail art inspiration on the blog for you. :)

Do you have any tips for at-home spa pedicures? Let us know!

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