This at-home footcare routine will make your pedicure last so much longer

I wholeheartedly believe that you don’t know true joy until you’ve felt how soft your feet are after a pedicure. And how darn good they look, ugh *chefs’ kiss*. If you haven’t tried a pedicure, grab a pair of flip-flops and hit the salon. You’ll never look back. If you have, this is for you – we spoke to nail pro, Parris Ashworth, Manager at Nails Inc, about maintaining your pedi at home. 

By Beth Ludolf

• 
  1 Moisturise your feet

  Be honest, how often do you moisturise your feet? We get it, it’s annoying but, according to Parris, it’s key to maintaining your pedicure. “Moisturising your feet daily will stop hard skin from forming, keeping your feet soft and supple”, she told us. Doing it before bed is best so that it has all night to soak in – last thing, of course, (so you don’t have to walk anywhere on moisturiser-lathered feet.
• 
  2 Remove hard skin

  Hard skin forms on our feet because of repeated pressure – walking counts as repeated pressure, by the way. As well as daily moisturising (and weekly foot masks, if you’re feeling fancy),  Parris suggests using a light foot file two to three times a week. “Do it after your bath or shower for the best results,” she suggests, ‘“the water will have softened your skin making it easier to remove”.
• 
  3 Leave cutting your nails to the pros

  Cutting your toenails; how hard can it be, right? “If you cut them too short, or in the wrong shape, they can ingrow (ouch) and get infected (double ouch)”, Parris explains. In short: it’s not as easy as you might think. A professional will always maintain the correct nail shape and nail health.
• 
  4 Don't leave polish on for too long

  Well-applied polish can last ages on your toenails without chipping, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it on. “Leaving nail polish on for excessive amounts of time can dry your nails out and leave them brittle”, Parris told us. How long is too long? “You should remove and reapply gel polish every 4 weeks”.

  With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Find amazing salons in your area.