Of all self-care practices, manicures and pedicures certainly have a feel-good and look good factor to them. A fresh set of nails can bring a sense of revival, and on occasion, it is just what the (beauty) doctor ordered. Fortunately, this is one self-care ritual that you may not have to leave the house for. A DIY mani-pedi kit is all you need while your favourite playlist is on repeat. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Could a mani-pedi cure it all?
Maybe not. They’re therapeutic and have substantial benefits for your personal hygiene – good enough reasons to adopt the practice, if you ask us. A set routine can keep fungal infections at bay before they spread and can also prevent calluses, or hardened areas of skin, from building up. Massaging with essential oils helps with anxiety and stress while boosting productivity. Also, there is something about clean and cured nails that leave you not only looking but also feeling sexy in your own skin. It’s instant brownie points for the men out there, too. Take it from us, an at-home manicure and pedicure ritual will leave you “file-ing” really satisfied.
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1. Pick a day of the month for at home manicure & pedicure
It’s only a ritual if done routinely, right? So, don’t wait for a birthday party or anniversary dinner – circle in any Sunday on your calendar, nail down on whether you’re doing a manicure, pedicure or both, and stick to it month on month.
2. Grab all that you need
Don’t let the number of items throw you off. What you need is pretty standard and can often be found all together in a mani-pedi kit: a nail polish remover (if you have polish on), cotton pads or balls, a clipper, filer, buffer and cuticle pusher along with an oil, hand and foot scrub and moisturiser. If you want to apply some colour, go for a base coat, nail colour and top coat. Use in the same order as listed and carefully follow the instructions on the product labels.
3. Choose how far to take it
This is only just the tip of the iceberg. You can decide just how indulgent your mani-pedi session needs to be at your discretion. Do a reverse French or get a UV lamp, go crazy with glitter and stickers, or heck, even shape them like stilettos!
4. The Don’ts
- Over-buff as it thins and weakens the nail bed
- Soak hands and feet in hot water for too long
- Trim or forcefully push cuticles as it risks infection
- Peel off gel polish instead of removing it properly
- Use old, expired products or the wrong tools
- Cut deep into the corners as it may cause ingrowth
- Rush through the process at the risk of injuring yourself
Now that you’re familiar with the do’s and don’ts, here are our picks for the best manicure-pedicure kits of 2023:
1. VLCC Manicure Pedicure Hand & Foot Care Kit
A fusion of Ayurvedic ingredients and natural fruit extracts, this hand & foot care kit from VLCC is for scaly and itchy skin and targets the removal of dead skin cells and dirt, prevents pores from closing and also works on relieving stress and fatigue.
2. La Cremerie Skincapz Manicure Pedicure Kit
A three-step manicure and pedicure routine by Italian brand La Cremerie, with water soluble capsules, prevents hands and feet from dryness, calms itching and burning, and removes pigmentation for an even skin tone.
3. O3+ Professional Pedilogix Bubble Gum Manicure Pedicure Kit
A single use, six-step regime infused with elderflower, crystal salts and macadamia nuts, India’s O3 Plus reduces swelling in the feet, repairs and softens cracked heels, and reduces tanning as extensively as an in-salon experience.
While it sounds like a lot of work, you will only know how easy-breezy a DIY mani-pedi can be once you actually try it. And, as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. By your third or fourth go-around, you would have nailed your handiwork so much that you might consider setting up shop as a manicurist. So, save yourself a tedious visit to the salon (and, who are we kidding, a few hundred bucks) and set up that home spa already.
Cover Image : Instagram/@betina_goldstein
