The Ultimate Guide to Sandal-Worthy Feet
How to prep your feet for sandal weather at home. (Photo: Getty Images)
It’s officially sandal season. The good news is that you don’t need to drop major dough for summer ready toes. “I swear by at-home pedis. If done properly, you’ll be happier with them than a salon, and the reason is simple,” says editorial celebrity manicurist Jessica Washick, who also blogs at U Don’t Need a Man. U Need a Manicure. “Our feet endure a lot in during the day, so when we give them attention, there’s a huge sense of satisfaction that comes along with that. And who better to get to all the nook and crannies but, well, you?” Exactly. With that in mind, skip the salon and do that perfect sandal-worthy pedicure yourself.
Start your pedi in the shower.
A proper at-home pedicure begins while wet. “Take a hot shower, and once your feet start getting soft, squeeze a bit of Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover on the toes’ cuticles, then brush with a nail brush and pumice the soles of your feet,” says Washick. Optionally, you can finish with an exfoliant for an extra boost. “I’m kind of obsessed with Essie’s So Sole Good,” she says.
Moisturize and exfoliate, early and often.
Once you’re out of the shower, soften calluses and buff away dead skin cells while also hydrating — both AM and PM. “Using a topical treatment with glycolic or lactic acid is important,” says Gary Goldenberg, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “An over-the-counter cream called AmLactin is a very good and inexpensive option.” The moisturizer works double-duty, as the lactic acid is also a gentle exfoliant that will help keep your skin glowy and soft.
Get playful.
There’s a reason you see a rainbow of nails in the summer months: it’s fun! Pick practical favorites. Washick says your hues should play well with your three favorite sandals. “I like mixing around a bunch of colors,” she explains. “I actually did one last year inspired by found stones I collected along the beach one day. It was easy, beachy and super-simple.” And if you’re into nail art? Keep it tame on toes. “If you’re going to do something, try something like a simple, all-over pattern,” Washick suggests. “Gingham is a very clean, recognizable pattern that sometimes jogs the memory of a picnic ,yet it’s painted on your feet, which is a surprising element.”
Don’t skip the extra steps.
Make your polish last longer with a couple quick application tips. “First, thoroughly dehydrate the nail bed,” says Washick. “Buff the nail bed, but not to a shine, and then wipe off the nail dustings with alcohol — or one of my favorites, Deborah Lippmann’s 2 Second Nail Primer. Then you can begin painting.” Washick says that, since nails on toes are thicker than those on fingers, make sure to paint the top of the nail to seal the polish, before applying Seche Vite topcoat to finish.
Prevent chips.
Now that you’ve mastered the perfect at-home pedi, it’s time to make it last for weeks. “Anytime you’re moisturizing your legs, make sure you rub the lotion into your cuticles, as well,” says Washick. “Soft and supple cuticles will make paint less prone to chipping, and moisturized toes will, overall, keep your pedi looking fresh.” And after a week or two of summer fun has passed, boost your dulling polish with one last, simple step. “Refresh by either applying a second topcoat after a week, or using Zoya’s Renew Drops,” Washick says. “They’re pretty amazing!”
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