Sure, it’s a fun indulgence to get a pedicure—I do believe that every girl deserves to have her tootsies detailed every once in awhile. That said, whether you’re on a budget, short on time, or (like me) lack the patience to sit in a nail salon for an hour, sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands.
When it becomes necessary to DIY your pedi (or if you just decide to go for it), the job is made infinitely easier if you have the right tools at your disposal. Our feet take a beating, so to get salon-worthy results at home, you need a salon-worthy toolkit to get your feet exfoliated, prepped and polished like a pro. The good news is this: invest once in high-quality tools, and you’ll be able to give yourself flawless pedis over time, which will yield major savings (plus the satisfaction of knowing that your shiny toes are courtesy of your own #skillz!).
featured image by joyce lee for hermes
Tweezerman Pink Perfection Safety Slide Callus Shaver & Rasp
For serious calluses, this two-in-one tool gets the job done: a blade gently removes tough skin, while the rasp buffs.
Amope Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File with Diamond Crystals
For more exfoliating power with hardly any effort, a motorized buffer is the way to go.
A good toenail clipper is essential. Don’t be tempted to use the tiny ones that you use on your fingernails; it’s worth it to have a toenail-specific clipper, which is tougher and provides a cleaner cut.
Sally Hansen Nail Board 2410 Coarse
Next up: filing. As with your clipper, you’ll want to get heavier-duty filers for your toes, since the nails are thicker and tougher.
Polish Remover Cleanser Cloths from Ten Over Ten
Nail polish remover has been, historically, one of those beauty products where we sadly accept noxious (and toxic) fumes, because natural versions were often so ineffective they were basically useless. Thankfully, however, brands have started to make natural polish remover formulations that smell better and work similarly to traditional remover. I love how convenient these tenoverten packets are: use the rose-scented pad to remove your polish, then follow up with a cleansing cloth to leave hands clean and moisturizers.
Clarisonic Pedi Smart Transformation Set
If you’re really ready to invest in your DIY pedis, an all-in-one set like this can be a great start: it comes complete with everything you need to slough and moisturize your feet to perfection.
And finally: you need the perfect polish shade, of course! I was thrilled to discover RMS Beauty nail polish in Beloved, which is free of lots of toxic ingredients but is such a long-lasting, glossy formula that you’d never guess that the polish is natural. Plus, Beloved is the perfect shade of coral-y red that just screams summer!
