Playing Footsies
Get the Perfect Pedicure
You know that celebrities have a person for everything, right? Personal assistants, eyebrow specialists, dog therapists, ad nauseum. One thing I’d absolutely love to have is my own personal pedicurist. And, believe it or not (well, why wouldn’t you believe it?), there is a notable celebrity pedicurist. Her name is Carla Kay and she’s pampered the toes of Gwen Stefani, Mandy Moore, and Ashlee Simpson. Fresh off the plane from the Oscars, she spilled her secrets on giving yourself the best pedicure.
1. Remove your old polish before you begin and make sure your feet are clean and free from oils or lotions.
2. Fill a footbath with comfortably hot water along with a foot soak (or even shampoo). Soak for at least five minutes to loosen up dry skin. Continue to soak feet between steps. Remove excess water for each step.
3. Clip nails straight across, leaving a sliver of white. Toenails should be square (this prevents ingrown nails). Smooth the free edge of the nail with a medium file.
4. To attack calluses and rough spots, use a product like the Airplus For Her Spalina Pedistone.
5. With a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick, push back cuticles gently and in a circular motion. Try turning the pusher on its side to remove any cuticle that is stuck to the plate of the nail. With the orangewood stick, go under the free edge of the nail to remove dry skin.
6. Use a course file to roll off dry skin from your feet.
7. With a blue-on-blue file, use the dark blue side to gently buff the nail plate, paying close attention to the area closest to the cuticles. Completely remove any unwanted cuticle. This creates a smooth, clean pedicure and helps polish stay on. Gently smooth out ridges with your file.
8. Exfoliate your feet (try Spalina Sugar Scrub) and moisturize, wrapping your entire foot in a large plastic bag, then using spa socks. Keep this on as long as you can. The bag uses the heat of your body to help cream penetrate the skin.
9. Remove the socks and the bag and clean the nail plate with a non-oily polish remover. You want the nail plate completely free of oils and lotions. This helps the lacquer adhere to the nail plate for a longer-lasting pedicure.
10. Begin with a base coat because this helps the lacquer go on more smoothly and helps it last longer. Remember to always apply two coats of colour (try OPI, their spring colours are pretty) and a topcoat.
There you have it, a long-lasting, professional-looking pedicure!
Written by: Nicolle Weeks