Mani/Pedi on a Budget

How much do you spend on getting your nails done in a year?  Let’s do some math.

Say you get your nails done once a month.. That’s being conservative because I know some of you are nail salon junkies.  A mani runs about $15 while a pedi will set you back about $25.  That’s $40 plus tip.  You’re looking at about $48 (if you are a nice person and tip 20%).  So that’s $48 once a month for 12 months.  A grand total of $576 a year, just on your nails! 

I’m being modest in my estimates because I know some of us (me included) are suckers for upgrades.  You’re already in the salon, so why not add in an eyebrow wax or spring for the deluxe spa pedicure?  Avoid the temptation and skip the spending!  Here’s how to give yourself a perfect professional mani/pedi at home!

First, you’ll have to make your go to mani/pedi kit.  This might be a little bit of an investment at first- maybe around $15- $50 depending on what you already have in your bathroom, but think about how much you’ll save in the long run! 

Scour your drawers for supplies and throw out anything you have multiples of or never use.  Go through polishes and toss the oldies.  Shop for anything you’re missing from the list below.  Then pack all your goodies into a cute little container, like this one…

Organic Zipper Bag

If you don't feel like splurging on a bag, just re-purpose an old purse or even a shoebox. 

 Things you’ll need…

• Nail file

• Nail Clippers

• Polish Remover

• Cotton Balls

• Cuticle Nippers

• Cuticle Stick

• Polish (try a formulation that is free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), like Zoya)

• Cuticle oil (raid your pantry for olive oil which softens cuticles and strengthens nails)

• Some kind of scrub (sugar, course salt, or beach sand all work beautifully)

• Pumice stone

• Callus remover (a solution you can pick up at any beauty supply store that zaps rough spots in minutes)

• Thick foot lotion... I like Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream

Now you’re ready to get started!

 

Perfect At Home Pedi

Step 1

Remove polish.  Hold a soaked cotton ball over the nail for 20 seconds to loosen the polish and then swipe it away.

Step 2

Apply cuticle oil and let sit for 5 minutes.  Apply callus remover to rough spots and let sit for about 3-5 minutes. 

Step 3

Soak your feet in a warm water bath for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Apply scrub and get busy with it.  Then polish your heels and any rough spots with the pumice stone.  Rinse.

Step 5

Push your cuticles back using the cuticle stick.  Cut any overgrown cuticles or hangnails with your cuticle nippers.

Step 6

Clip nails and file. 

Step 7

Apply cuticle oil and let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 8

Wipe away any traces of oil with polish remover. 

Step 9

Apply a base coat and allow to dry.  Apply color coat and let dry, then repeat.  Avoid letting color bleed onto cuticles by applying brush in center of nail, a little bit above the base of the nail.  Push the brush down to reach the base and then pull out towards the tip.  Repeat on right and left sides of the nail for perfect polish.  Let your color dry then apply your topcoat.  The longer you wait to dry in between coats, the smoother your polish will be.

Step 10

Flaunt your new pedi!

 

Marvelous At Home Mani

Step 1

Remove polish.

Step 2

Apply thick lotion to hands and let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3

For incredibly soft hands, apply scrub vigorously over the lotion for about two minutes, then rinse.

Step 4

Soak your hands in warm water for 10 minutes to soften cuticles.

Step 5

Push your cuticles back using the cuticle stick.  Cut any overgrown cuticles or hangnails with your cuticle nippers.

Step 6

File your nails.  For a square look, file from left to right in a single stroke rather than back and forth. 

Step 7

Apply cuticle oil and let sit for 5 minutes. 

Step 8

Remove all traces of oil with polish remover. 

Step 9

Apply a base coat and allow to dry thoroughly.  Apply color coat and dry, repeat.  Apply topcoat and dry. 

Step 10

Enjoy your fresh mani!

 

Think about it.  If you spend $50 on the supplies and they last you about 6 months, that’s about $8 a month, or only $96 a year.  That’s a savings of around 83% a year just by doing it yourself at home!

Comments

[AngelynPG]

I've always thought that the at home pedi was the way to go and I think the supplies lasting 6 months is conservative, you can probably get a year if you avoid the temptation for new colors- which is really the hard part!

[Lchrist500]

Now I am wondering how much I spend annually on pizza, which I don't even really like, just because I don't feel like cooking.

[Nico]

I agree that some of your basic implements would last well beyond the six month mark. Of course products like hand or foot cream or a store bought scrub, especially if they are organic, are going to have about a 6 month shelf life.

If you start to think about all the areas where you waste money, it can become overwhelming. Little changes here and there can make a big difference.

[Lchrist500]

Little Changes = the big picture!