DIY 5 minute pedicure

Life is full of last-minute decisions, and putting on those peep-toe pumps is one of them. But sometimes your toes don't look so ready to take center stage and you don't have time to get to the nail salon. That's why I've come up with the perfect way to do a five minute at home pedicure. Here's what you'll need to get your feet looking pedicure perfect while adding just five extra minutes to your daily routine:

Nail clippers
Emery board
Exfoliating scrub
Lotion or foot cream
Cuticle oil or baby oil
A cuticle stick
Nail polish

So this morning you have only five extra minutes to spare, but you want your feet to look like you spent an hour at the nail salon. All you've got to do is take a few extra steps as you get ready. By including some pedicure prep into your shower and the rest of your routine, you'll only need an extra five minutes to look like you had a professional pedicure!

First, apply cuticle oil or baby oil to your cuticles. Do this several minutes before you get in the shower and let it soften those cuticles while you pick out an outfit or brush your teeth. This will properly prep your feet for the DIY pedicure, nourishing cuticles and softening them enough for you to get them into professional-looking shape.


Next, grab your toenail clippers and give yourself a trim. Toenails grow really fast, so you're liable to need one. Soften the edges by quickly filing them with an emery board. As you do it, make sure each toenail has a rounded, even shape.

Now, hop in the shower. Bring a cuticle stick & mdash also called an orange stick &mdash in with you. Take a few seconds to push back the cuticles on each of your toenails. Neat, rounded cuticles are imperative to a professional-looking pedicure!


Soft smooth skin is important too. So while you're in the shower, be sure to use an exfoliating scrub on your feet and calves. Rub the scrub in a circular motion, paying extra attention to any rough spots or calluses you may have. Rinse thoroughly.

After you've toweled off, apply a foot cream or a rich body lotion to your feet and calves. Gorgeous, smooth skin is healthy skin, so moisturizing is essential to your pedicure looking at its best.

If you can plan further in advance, apply a skin cream to your feet the night before. There are even special socks you can wear to bed to really lock in the moisture!


Decide how you'd like to finish off your look. A beautiful pedicure can be simple, just a coat of clear polish might be all you need. The bonus to clear nail polish? When you're in a rush, smudges or smears aren't obvious at all.

For maximum impact, add color. You'll want to apply a clear base coat, two coats of colorful nail polish, and one clear topcoat. This is doable within time constraints if you're well versed in nail polish application &mdash it just takes a little practice. Apply nail polish using wide strokes from the base of the nail to the tip. If you don't have enough time to let the polish dry completely, you can always slip on a pair of flip-flops as you're running out the door. Pack those peep-toe pumps in your purse and put them on when you reach your destination.