How To DIY Manicure and Pedicure

In this post, I will be sharing step by step How to DIY Manicure and Pedicure from the comfort of your home. As well as the tools and techniques I use to achieve baby soft hands and feet, and yes, better than the spa. Whether you are trying to save money or going to the salon is not an option, there’s never a wrong time to master your beauty needs from home.

I’ve always been into DIY’s when it came to some of my beauty needs like hair and skin masks, but my DIY Mani and Pedi were a result out of pure necessity from my move to the suburbs a few years ago. Before my move, I had access (walking distance) to some great nail techs that would leave my hands and feet flawless. However, near my home now, I’ve struggled to find even a decent nail painter. And I don’t know about you, but nothing is more frustrating than leaving a salon with less money and mediocre service.

As a result, I have become somewhat of a pro, and have found that my hands and feet have been the healthiest, strongest, and smoothest they’ve ever been. Moreover, it’s a genuinely satisfactory and therapeutic experience to do your nails even if the results aren’t better than the spa at the beginning.

Above all, I get exactly what I want, which is cuticle free and smooth skin I can confidently show off. Owning your nail routine means you can always have a fresh mani and easily fix a chip or a smudged nail. Not to mention that it’s more hygienic since you are the only one using your tools.

Finally, with the money I save from DIY’ing my mani and pedicure, I use it to get to update my nail colors and tools. Talk about a win-win!

First, there are specific tools and items you’ll want to have on hand to pamper your nails properly.

1. Nail file, buffer, and brush
2. Orangewood stick
3. Cuticle Remover
4. A foot spa or basin
5. Finger bowl
6. Soap or soaking salt
7. Callus Remover
8. Nail Cutter, cuticle pusher and cuticle nipper
9. Pumice stone/ foot file
10. Scrub
11. Cuticle oil/ Olive oil
12. Hand Cream & Foot Cream
13. Alcohol prep
14. Toe separator
15. Nail treatment
16. Nail Polish
17. High shine top coat

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Step 1: Prepping

Begin by prepping your nails, removing old nail polish, and clipping nails, if necessary. Then file gently, moving in one direction to get your tips square, round, or whatever shape you fancy. To avoid overfiling; hold the file flush to your nail and tilt it so, you file from slightly underneath.

Prep cuticles with cuticle remover make sure it’s not an oil or a balm—to help dissolve dead skin and soften the area. Contrary to popular belief, cuticle oils and cuticle removers are not one and the same, nor can they be used interchangeably. Oils help moisturize, while removers act like an exfoliating treatment for your nail beds. Then push back gently with a cuticle stick. I love a basic orange stick, which is also the best for cleaning underneath nail tips.

Now it’s time to fill up your finger bowl and foot bath with warm soapy water. I love to add a scoop of foot salts to help soothe and relax tired feet. If your feet require extra callus removal, soak first, letting the skin get prune-like then using a glove (to protect your hands), towel dry, and apply a thin layer of callus removing gel. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, soak your hands to get started on your manicure.

Step 2: Soak and Exfoliate

Once the cuticles in your hands are soft, remove them from the water. Then, push your cuticles back, its time to get rid of any excess cuticles using a cuticle nipper. Finally, buff the tops and sides of your nails lightly with a nail buffer—not your emery board. Buffing your nails makes nails look more youthful, and it gets rid of ridges.

By now, your feet should be ready for callus removal. Start by using a pumice stone and or foot file and remove all the dead skin first. Then, using my cuticle clipper I clean up the excess cuticles around my toes.

I then take a scrub and exfoliate hands, wrists, forearms, feet, and legs to eliminates dead skin cells and replenishes moisture. Rinse, then grab your orange stick and nail brush again to gently clean any grime from under nails. Wash hands and feet afterward and dry them thoroughly.

Step 3: Moisturize and Shine

After exfoliating, and while moisturizing, take the opportunity to give yourself a mini hand and foot massage—just because you’re not at a spa doesn’t mean you can’t relax for a minute. To lock in moisture on my feet, I put on a toeless sock. I love this one HERE, or sometimes I make my own using old socks.

Then, I wipe each nail with alcohol to get rid of any oil residue before painting nails.

Apply a base coat to hydrate and protect nails and prevent chipping. Try waiting two full minutes between each coat.

Now, the fun part! Apply a coat of your color of choice, being sure to get the brush all the way down to the cuticle and into the corners of your nail. Maximum coverage on the first coat makes the second coat a breeze. Just keep the layer thin.

On this day, I painted my nails using Revlon’s Super Lustrous Nail Enamel in the shade Fearless. A gorgeously vibrant orange-red shade that instantly made me feel bolder! If you prefer neutral shades, you might want to check out Essie Marshmallow, it is my all-time fave.

Sheer or pastel shades may require a third coat for full, seamless coverage. Just remember to keep it nice and thin. 

 Add a topcoat to protect your manicure from chipping and add shine to nails—don’t skip it, or you’ll significantly shorten the lifespan of the paint job you just worked so hard on.

Wait five minutes, then tidy up any mistakes or wobbly edges by wrapping a piece of cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover around the end of your cuticle stick and carefully trace around your nails. Then let your nails dry an additional five minutes before applying cuticle oil—it’ll be worth it when you show off your nails and shock everyone by revealing they’re DIY.

How To DIY Manicure and Pedicure

Extra Tips:

• Remember to wash and disinfect your tools after every use, even if you are the only person using it.
• Make sure you have plenty of light, especially when using clippers to avoid cutting yourself.
• Treat yourself to a relaxing ritual by moisturizing your hands, feet, and cuticles before bed every night.
• Extend the life of your manicure by protecting them, wear gloves when washing the dishes, and cleaning the house.

I hope you find this post helpful, and that it inspires you to treat yourself or a loved not to a DIY Manicure and Pedicure!