Everything You'll Need for a Salon-Worthy Pedicure at Home: Scrubs, Oils, Nail Polish and More

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With a small investment up front, soon you can be doing salon-worthy pedicures from the comfort of your own home.

With temps warming up this summer, it's officially sandal season, meaning the need for a fresh coat of paint on your toes is all the more essential. If you're already a convert to the DIY manicure, making the switch to the at-home pedicure might be simpler than you think.

While it's a bit more involved than a manicure, a salon-worthy pedicure doesn't have to be intimidating. All you need are the right tools, a few ground rules and just a bit of patience. But potentially the best part of the at-home pedicure is that outside of the initial cost of a foot spa and some new nail polish, you'll be saving money long term. You can also freshen up your toes on your next vacation without having to find a nearby nail salon.

To recreate the experience you'd get at the salon, we've broken down the art of the do-it-yourself pedicure into three steps: clean, prep and paint. All you have to do is follow these steps for a thorough, long-lasting pedi that you'll want to show off when you're wearing those perfect summer sandals.

The hardest part of an at-home nail treatment is figuring out how to kill time while your toes dry. Without further ado, follow our guide below for a no-fail at-home pedicure.

Step 1: Start Fresh

The perfect pedicure starts with stripping your toes down to their natural beauty and soaking your feet to soften any dead skin, making it easier to scrub off.

ella+mila Soy Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover

ella+mila Soy Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Amazon

ella+mila Soy Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover

Use nail polish remover and a cotton pad to wipe off any old polish or dirt. This gentle soy-based remover is enriched with vitamins and lavender essential oil, offers a pleasant removal process. 

CANGO Foot Spa with Jets and Vibration Massage

CANGO Foot Spa with Jets and Vibration Massage
Amazon

CANGO Foot Spa with Jets and Vibration Massage

This easy-to-use foot spa gently massages your feet as they soak. Simply add water, activate the toe-touch control, sit back and relax. As a bonus, it's collapsable for easy storage.

Dr. Teals Salt Bath Variety Gift Set

Dr. Teals Salt Bath Variety Gift Set
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Dr. Teals Salt Bath Variety Gift Set

Elevate your foot bath experience by adding a muscle-pampering foot soak with Epsom salt. Get a lavender, eucalyptus and nourishing foot soak in this gift set that works to soften calluses, eliminate odors and fight irritations and fungus. Soak feet for five to 10 minutes, then dry completely with a soft towel to reveal feet that are clean and rejuvenated.

Bella & Bear Paradise Fruits Bath Salts

Bella & Bear Paradise Fruits Bath Salts
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Bella & Bear Paradise Fruits Bath Salts

Make your pedicure feel like a tropical vacation with these fruity bath salts from Bella & Bear. 

OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil

OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil
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OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil

Cuticle oil can go on after your polish drys to soften your cuticles, but it's also a great option to put on before you soak your feet if you have extra dry skin. This OPI Nail and Cuticle Oil is the same product used at many professional salons.

JML Microfiber Quick Drying Towel

JML Microfiber Quick Drying Towel
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JML Microfiber Quick Drying Towel

Once your feet are done soaking, dry off with the soft and absorbent microfiber towels available in a wide array of colors.

Step 2: Prep Your Feet

Roll up your sleeves! Now it's time for trimming, filing, scrubbing and moisturizing.

JAPONESQUE Fingernail & Toenail Clippers Set

JAPONESQUE Fingernail & Toenail Clippers Set
Amazon

JAPONESQUE Fingernail & Toenail Clippers Set

Start with nail clippers to trim toenails to your ideal length. These stainless steel clippers are sharp and large enough to cut through thicker toenails. 

Morgles Professional Manicure Tools

Morgles Professional Manicure Tools
Amazon

Morgles Professional Manicure Tools

You can scrub off dry skin, file the nail and then buff with this 12-piece manicure set that also works perfectly for a pedicure.

$7 $6

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Bare August Glass Foot File Callus Remover for Feet

Bare August Glass Foot File Callus Remover for Feet
Amazon

Bare August Glass Foot File Callus Remover for Feet

Gentle, yet effective, this highly-rated foot file from Bare Augustus exfoliates dead skin from dry or wet feet. 

$22 $15

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Amope Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Foot File

Amope Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Foot File
Amazon

Amope Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Foot File

For extra care, consider a callus and dead skin remover that's designed for feet. The battery-operated Amope Pedi Perfect Foot File uses a 360-degree roller to gently buff away the thick, hard skin on heels and toes, resulting in seriously soft and smooth feet within seconds.

$60 $40

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Bare August Foot Scrub

Bare August Foot Scrub
Amazon

Bare August Foot Scrub

Use a softening foot scrub to smooth out any additional rough spots. Made with natural ingredients, like sunflower seed oil, this scrub will help your feet feel silky smooth. 

$25 $20

with coupon

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Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectan

Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectan
Amazon

Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectan

Moisturize feet with a thick lotion formulated for tough, dry skin. This Aquaphor ointment contains panthenol and glycerin to moisturize, to help nourish and protect your skin from head to toe, which is particularly helpful for feet that need a little extra TLC.

L'Occitane 15% Shea Butter Foot Cream Enriched with Lavender & Arnica

L'Occitane 15% Shea Butter Foot Cream Enriched with Lavender & Arnica
Amazon

L'Occitane 15% Shea Butter Foot Cream Enriched with Lavender & Arnica

For something a bit more luxurious, go with L'Occitane 15% Shea Butter Foot Cream that's enriched with soothing lavender and arnica.

Burt's Bees Moisturizing Foot Cream

Burt's Bees Moisturizing Foot Cream
Amazon

Burt's Bees Moisturizing Foot Cream

This three-pack of foot cream from Burt's Bees is crafted with natural ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil and oats. With over 1,200 reviews, this moisturizing cream currently has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating.

$30 $27

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deborah lippmann Cuticle Lab

deborah lippmann Cuticle Lab
Amazon

deborah lippmann Cuticle Lab

If your cuticles need extra help, check out the Cuticle Lab Kit from deborah lippmann. It comes with everything you need to care for your cuticles including cuticle removal cream, cuticle oil, a nourishing cream and a cuticle pusher. 

$49 $30

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Step 3: Paint Your Toes

There's no more to this step than choosing a pretty shade of nail polish. A base coat and top coat will work together to make all of your hard work last. Below, we've picked out the trendiest nail polish colors and designs for summer 2023.

Rolabling Flexible Soft Silicone Toe Spacers

Rolabling Flexible Soft Silicone Toe Spacers
Amazon

Rolabling Flexible Soft Silicone Toe Spacers

These silicone dividers separate your toes so you don't accidentally smudge your polish before it dries.

Orly Bonder Rubberized Base Coat

Orly Bonder Rubberized Base Coat
Amazon

Orly Bonder Rubberized Base Coat

For long-lasting polish, start with a thin coat of a long-wear base coat. A good base coat also creates a barrier to protect nails from potentially damaging polish ingredients. Orly Bonder is a favorite of at-home pedicurists because it helps grip your polish to your nails.

ILNP Poolside Collection

ILNP Poolside Collection
Amazon

ILNP Poolside Collection

Clearly, you should paint your toes whatever color (or colors) will make you happy. Right now we're loving the neon shades included in this ILNP set. Apply two coats, allowing each to dry completely. 

essie Start Signs Only

essie Start Signs Only
Amazon

essie Start Signs Only

Bold colors are in this summer, like this vibrant red from essie, that's also vegan and cruelty-free. 

Cirque Colors Morningtide Jelly Nail Polish

Cirque Colors Morningtide Jelly Nail Polish
Amazon

Cirque Colors Morningtide Jelly Nail Polish

Jelly polishes, that have a somewhat sheer finish, have also been a big trend the past year. This sheer french blue from Cirque Colors will give your toes a unique look for those that like something out of the ordinary. 

ohora Semi-Cured Gel Pedicure Strips

ohora Semi-Cured Gel Pedicure Strips
Amazon

ohora Semi-Cured Gel Pedicure Strips

You don't need to be an artist to get cool nail designs when you use nail strips. These semi-cured stickers from ohora harden with a UV light, just be sure to get the lamp if you don't yet own one.

$16

Pedicure Stickers

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$20

Gel Nail UV Lamp

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Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat 2-Pack

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat 2-Pack
Amazon

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat 2-Pack

You want to keep your pedicure pristine, right? Use a top coat to seal the polish, prevent chips and add even more shine. Seche Vite is a favorite of many who do their own pedicures (or manicures).

$11 $10

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Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit

Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit
Amazon

Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit

If you prefer a gel pedicure, this kit from Jodsone has everything you need to do one right at home. From a UV lamp to several gel polishes and even nail tools, you'll be an expert at gel pedicures in no time.

$75 $50

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