How to Give Yourself a Pedicure

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Knowing how to give your feet salon-level care at home can save you time and money — and help you out in a pinch. “I always have polish on my toes because you never know,” says the Brooklyn-based foot model Branda Zeng. “Sometimes l get a last-minute job when all the salons are closed.” Whether you’re preparing for a big event or just an impromptu beach trip, read on for guidance from Zeng and two other experts — the burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, who often dances barefoot in her residency at the Venetian Las Vegas, and the British Jamaican nail artist Shea Osei, whose clients include the actress Cynthia Erivo.

Dita Von Teese, 52, burlesque performer

I use foot files constantly. I often take off my shoes and dance on demi-pointe in my shows — it’d be too absurd to wear heels in a giant Champagne glass, if you ask me! I usually scrub while I’m in the bathtub and use a thin file to get around the tips of my toes. I have an electric file too — you can really make headway on calluses with it. Sometimes I use foot exfoliating masks, but I need to have two weeks off. Your feet peel like a snake.

I cut my toenails very short with large Tweezerman clippers. If you’re a dancer and your toenails are hitting the edge of your shoes, it’s terrible.

I like a blue-toned red polish, and I change it seasonally: brighter colors for summer, darker ones for winter. I like Essie’s Fishnet Stockings and, when painting, I wear gel YogaToes, which are really good for your feet.
I usually apply foot cream right before bed. I like O’Keeffe’s, and sometimes I wear silicone socks on top. This French foot guru once told me, “You’ll never get calluses if you massage your feet with oil.” He’s probably right about that, but who has the time?

Branda Zeng, 30, foot model

I give myself a pedicure once a week. I soak my feet in Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts with lavender oil for 10 minutes. That makes it easier to push back the cuticles with my Tweezerman tool. I then go in with cuticle nippers. When I’m in the shower, I use Revlon’s callus remover, which looks like a cheese grater.
I use OPI’s glass nail file, in only one direction, to avoid splitting. To clean underneath the nails, I use an orange wood stick wrapped in a cotton pad.
You should always cover the entire nail with a base coat. I use Essie’s Strong Start. With nail polish, go slow and steady, and keep polish remover nearby; I love Zoya’s. I pour a little in the cap and use a thin, precise brush from Olive & June to clean up the edges. Whenever clients tell me to come in with a natural pedicure, I use Essie’s Ballet Slippers, which looks good on all skin tones. Chanel’s Rouge Noir is perfect for when I’m going out with my girlfriends. I use Essie’s Gel-Setter as a topcoat.
I’ve tried many high-end lotions, but my go-to is Palmer’s shea butter. I use it before bed and also put it in a travel-size bottle to bring to set. Sometimes I’ll use an Aveeno foot mask with shea butter for 15 minutes before a shoot; it’s deeply hydrating.

Shea Osei, 33, nail artist

When I’m about to get out of the shower, I scrub the bottoms of my feet quickly with OPI’s foot file while the skin is soft. I use a scrub from the Body Shop too — it has a peppermint scent, and the exfoliation is so good.
Don’t trim too much of the cuticle area. I apply Sally Hansen’s Instant Cuticle Remover and then push toward the base of the nail with Glossify’s tool. After wiping away any extra gel, I use a cuticle nipper to trim away only the dead skin that’s lifted. Take your time — you’d rather be safe than sorry. After clipping the nails, I smooth everything with Glossify’s Wonderfile.
I prep the nails with Glossify’s alcohol-based solution before applying a base coat, like OPI’s Infinite Shine. I like nude, white, red or bright pink colors on my feet — they go well with my skin tone and don’t interrupt what I’m wearing.
Cuticle oil is so beneficial — I scream about it at the top of my lungs to my clients. Apply it daily. It helps with healthy nail growth. The three I use are by OPI, Sally Hansen and Glossify. The smells are amazing. I’m all about making it feel like a luxury spa at home.