MORE COUTURE

Get the Perfect Pedi!

7 steps to a perfect, at-home pedicure!

1, Clip and file toenails. If your toenails are past the edge of your toes, trim them with a clipper and file until they're smooth. Square off the the top, rounding the edges to prevent your nails from growing inward at the corners.

2, Buff your nails. Using a buffing block to gently smooth the surface of your nail. This removes ridges that could show through polish. Start with the rough side of the buffing block first then use the slick side for a shiny finish.

3, Soak your feet. Put your feet in a bathtub or basin filled with warm/hot water for 5 to 10 minutes to soften the nails before you exfoliate. Use a scented soak for extra moisture and relaxation.

4, Remove the dead skin. Dry off your feet and use a foot file or pumice stone to exfoliate the soles. Focus on the parts of the foot where the skin is thicker (the balls of your feet and the heels). Rinse your feet in warm water.

5, Push cuticles. Put cuticle remover all around your nails, then gently push the cuticles into their nail beds with a wooden cuticle stick. Don't be too rough. Cuticles help protect your nails against bacteria.

6, Moisturize. Apply foot cream all over your feet. Pat feet dry (any oils left on your nails will cause polish to bubble). Then swipe polish remover over each nail surface.

7, Paint! Apply a base coat before polishing to protect your nails from turning yellow. Wait 60 seconds, then brush on a coat of color. Use three strokes to brush on the color, starting on the left side of your nail, then work your way to the right. Let the first coat dry for two minutes then apply a second coat.

Applying a Mask

Step 1: Making the mask

To make this clarifying mask, you'll need

• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp honey
• 1-2 tbsp oats, finely chopped

Oatmeal soothes redness and the honey kills bacteria.

Whisk together the egg white and honey in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp of chopped oats to form a paste, adding more oats if the mixture is runny. Smootht the mix over your face and relax for 10 minuts. Rinse your face and pat dry with a clean towel.

Bye-Bye Pimples!

Letting pimples heal on their own is the best way to handle the problem, but if you feel you must rid of them, wrap your index fingers in a tissue, place them on each side of the pimple head, then press down and pull away from the pimple. This creates pressure under the skin that forces the pimple to pop. If it doesn't pop, wait until the next day to try again. Do not squeeze or pick at your pimples or there may be a scar.

Using Steam

Soak a clean washcloth with warm to slightly hot water and wring out the excess. Rest the cloth on your face for about 5 minutes. If the cloth starts to feel cool, wet it again with warm/hot water and reapply. This spa method opens pores so your cleanser and acne products can deeper penetrate, making pimples easier to pop.