I don’t think there’s anything better or more relaxing than a pedicure.  At least for me!  In the Summer, I am a pedicure addict and I don’t even go two weeks before I am jonesing for a fresh one.

In the Winter in New York City it’s not so easy to keep up with pedicures!  For one thing, it’s way too cold to leave in flip flops (and who has the time to sit and wait for polish to dry?) and sometimes way too snowy as well!  Cold and wet feet are just icky.

Because of my love of smooth, pretty feet, I had to find affordable at-home alternatives for a trip to the spa. To soften feet, I soak them in a tub with bath salts (Epsom salts are also an affordable alternative).  Then I use my favorite foot care products from Bath & Body Works, True Blue Spa for Feet. I start with Toe the Line foot scrub and follow it up with Shea It Isn’t So foot cream, which has a nice, cooling effect on your skin.  So refreshing!  Have stubborn calluses or cracked heels?  Try the True Blue Spa Tough Love Spa-Strength Callus Treatment or the True Blue Spa Heel of Approval Cracked Heel Treatment.

My next step includes cutting and/or filing my nails and cuticle care.  I picked up a great pedicure set at Sephora, the Professional Manicure/Pedicure Nail Kit. This kit includes one each: cuticle nipper, cuticle pusher, nail clipper, nail buffer, nail file, nail brush, and a pumice stone, plus a set of toe separators, enclosed in a clear, zip travel bag.  It has everything you need and runs only about $42 (which pays for itself if you can do this at home!).

Lastly comes the polish.  This could be the most difficult part, right?  But why not do it yourself if you can do it at home in your robe and pajamas?  If you want to splurge, go for a pedicure dryer!  They can range from $19.99 and up, but it can be a life-saver if you don’t want any smudges.  The blow-dryer always works, too (if you can stand there holding the “cool” button for that long).  Happy toes!