At home professional finish pedicure created by Jessica Grant, Aquarias Spa Manager

You will need:

• Bowl or foot bath to soak your feet in
• Towels for drying and resting your feet on
• Foot Buffer
• Nail scissors
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton wool
• Emery board
• Orange cuticle stick
• Nail buff
• Epsom Salts
• Warm water
• Coconut oil or Argan oil
• Essential oils; lemon, grapefruit and mint if you have them. Tea tree oil is also good for its natural anti-fugal properties
• Optional marbles can be placed at the bottom of the bowl/foot bath which can be used as a self-massage for the feet
• A clear base coat polish
• Nail polishes of your choice. Take a few to hand as it always takes a while to choose which colour you prefer. What you choose first might change when the time comes to painting your nails.
• A clear topcoat polish – optional
• Quick drying polish drops – optional
• Foot cream of your choice

Firstly, find a quiet spot where you will not be disturbed and where you are comfortable.

Gather everything you need so you have it to hand.

Step 1

Remove any existing polish from your toenails then soak your feet in the magnesium-rich Epsom Salts and warm water for at least 5 minutes. You may add some essentials oils of lemon, grapefruit, and mint. These oils are invigorating and will help boost circulation. You can also add a few drops of tea-tree oil for its natural antifungal properties. You might also like to place some marbles at the bottom of the bowl/foot bath which can be used to self-massage the feet.

Step 2

Taking one foot at a time and without drying your foot. Start to buff your foot with the foot file. Use the rough side first to buff away any calluses. Then smooth skin under the foot using the smooth side, which also clears off any residue dead skin from the foot. If you do not have a foot file, course sea salt can be mixed with an oil, such as coconut oil and this will also exfoliate the feet.

Step 3

After soaking and buffing your feet. Your nails will be nice and soft ready for trimming. Clip your nails straight across and be sure to leave some length for your nail polish to sit well on the nail. Using an emery board round the edges of your toenails slightly. Buff your toenails with to remove any ridges.

Step 4

Soften your cuticles with either coconut oil, Argan oil or Olive oil if you do not have anything else to hand. Leave the oil to soak on the feet for one minute to soften and then push the cuticles back gently with an orange stick.

Step 5

Dip your feet back into the bowl or foot bath and pat dry.

Step 6

Now for the fun part, painting your toenails! Make sure your toenails are free from any of the oils that you used on your cuticles. A completely blank canvas will help the nail polish last much longer.

Step 7

Always apply a good base coat. Some of them include a ridge filler which gives an even smoother finish. Buffing your toenails will also help. A good base coat will help protect the nails, keep them stronger and avoid discolouring your natural nail. Apply the base coat and leave to dry for a few minutes. When the polish is not tacky when you touch it, they are dry.

Step 8

Now it is time to paint your toenails with your chosen colour. Choose a colour that shouts spring to you and brings a smile. Floral hues, bright colours and blues are in this season so take your pick. Apply at least two coats letting each coat dry completely in between applications for a long-lasting pedicure.

Step 9

Finish with a top coat if you have one. To tidy up any polish mishaps soak an orange stick, or a cotton bud in acetone nail polish and make any corrections if needed. Apply some quick drying drops if you have them to speed up the drying process.

Step 10

Now comes the waiting part for your polish to dry. Be patient, take a book and be still for a while. Once your polish is completely dry, apply a foot cream. Massaging your foot and paying special attention to your heels. Cream containing Argan oil, shea butter and peppermint will leave feet feeling soft and revitalised. Give your feet some love by pressing, squeezing, and gently kneading into them. Go with whatever feels good to you.

To help combat stress and anxiety, finish by pressing and holding your thumb on the solar plexus point of each foot for 5 to 10 seconds, 2 to 3 times. The solar plexus reflex point can be found by drawing an imaginary line from the third toe down to just below the ball of the foot.

Jessica’s on trend tip for choosing your nail polish colour.
“Choose a colour that shouts spring to you and brings a smile.

Floral hues, bright colours and blues are in this season so take your pick.”