DIY Manicures and Pedicures at Home

Manicure magic

Our hands can be one of our biggest beauty hang ups , and manicures can be expensive to get at a salon - so why not pamper yourself with this deluxe home version? It's easy, relaxing, and will leave your hands and nails looking glamourous (yet soft).

• Remove nail polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover.

• File nails into a slightly rounded or square shape.

• Soak your nails in a bowl of warm water, or apply an over-the-counter cuticle softener before pushing cuticles back with a stainless steel cuticle pusher. If you are clipping cuticles, first apply a bit of cuticle cream, then trim conservatively (only what sticks out).

• Cleanse your hands with soap and water, using a nailbrush. Dry well and massage in hand cream.

• Clean fingernails, using a wooden orange stick (you can get them in the nail care section of your pharmacy), topped with a piece of cotton, dipped in remover.

• Apply base coat of nail polish, two layers of polish and then topcoat to your nails.

• There you go! One gorgeous and easy manicure achieved - all at your home salon.

Pedicure power

Pampering your feet is the ultimate luxury, yet few people make time for it. Create a DIY pedicure that will bring the spa experience home and get you feeling your best .

• Fill a tub or foot bath with warm water and add a handful of your favourite bath salts. Then add a tablespoon of olive oil and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes.

• Rub an exfoliating body scrub into the bottoms of your feet. Then use a foot file to pumice away calluses. Rinse with cool water.

• Clip your toenails and file them into a square shape. Gently push back (don't cut) your cuticles.

• Dry your feet off and apply moisturiser. Slick on a base coat, two coats of polish and top coat to your toe nails.

Eczema

Caused by: Dry irritated skin and painful cracks on fingertips are often due to over-washing hands and nails.

Cure: A creamy moisturiser will raise your skin's barrier moisture level; wash hands as little as possible. Avoid using lactic or glycolic acid cleansers or moisturisers on your hands and nails - they can sting.


Try: Wearing white cotton gloves beneath rubber gloves on your hands when washing up or doing housework such as cleaning the bathroom.

Corns

Caused by: The thickened skin on your feet is a reaction to underlying pressure from a bone spur under the skin.


Cure: Periodically shave down the corn or callus at home with a pumice stone or emery board. Avoid wearing narrow shoes and high heels on your feet, which put more pressure on toes.


Try: Putting a medicated doughnut pad around the corn to take pressure off it.

Athlete's Foot

Caused by: Moist, warm areas on the body (anywhere you sweat), which allow fungus to thrive.


Cure: See a dermatologist, who will prescribe an anti-fungal cream. Also, let your skin breathe as much as possible, use powder to keep feet dry and avoid wearing leather footwear. 


Try: Putting half of a cotton ball between your smallest toes to keep them apart.