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DIY pedicure: Save money and still look hot

Being beautiful isn’t easy — or cheap. Consider this: The average pedicure can cost upwards of $30 — and sometimes much more.

But there’s a way to save a lot of money: Attempt an at-home pedicure. It’s easier than you may think!

Take off old polish

If remnants are hanging around from your last pedicure, it’s time to get rid of them. Use an acetone polish remover and a cotton ball to take off old polish. You must start with a clean canvas in order to get a professional look.

Create a soaking station

Take the biggest bowl in your kitchen or even a mopping bucket and fill it with warm water. Add in some Revitalizing Foot Soak from Sally Hansen, a new product made with soothing lavender oil. Pick it up for $6 from drugstore.com and let your tootsies soak for about 10 minutes.

Exfoliate dead skin

Once you’ve dried off your feet, it’s time to buff away dead skin and reveal those soft, gorgeous feet hiding underneath. A pumice stone makes light work of this job and you can pick one up for just a few bucks. Ulta.com sells the Earth Therapeutics Natural Sierra Pumice Stone for just $3. Focus mainly on callused areas and your heels, but be careful not to rub too hard!

File and trim

Now it’s time to focus on your nails. Use clippers or a file to even toenails out and shorten them. Go for a square shape instead of rounded tips because experts say you’re less likely to get ingrown nails.

Moisturize and relax

Slather on some moisturizer, pull on cotton socks and relax. You can even wrap a heating pad around your feet because the warmth will help the moisturizer penetrate your skin. Read a good book or the latest issue of your favorite magazine while the lotion does its job.

Polish prep

Now that your feet are soft and smooth, it’s time to prep your nails for polish. Crack open the nail polish remover again and wipe any extra moisturizer off your nails. That way the polish will be sure to stick.

Color away

Start with brushing on a base coat. Let it dry for a few minutes and follow up with your favorite color. Need some new color options? Around the holidays, you’ll find great options — from pink shatter to deep jewel tones to orange for Halloween.

Other pedicure reads

How to make your pedicure last

3 Tips for a safer pedicure

How to get a perfect pedicure

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