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Though going to your local nail salon to get your toes done can be a relaxing and fun way to spend an afternoon, it comes at a cost. A basic pedicure may run you between $30 and $60, and that doesn’t include a tip for your nail technician. Add up a summer’s worth of pedis and eventually, your salon appointments could end up costing you hundreds by the end of September.
If you’re looking to cut costs in your life, especially with inflation and tariffs raising prices on all sorts of goods, we recommend you do your pedicures at home. We know: It’s not the same experience, and you probably won’t produce results as good as your nail tech, but given the current economic climate, it’s worth a try.
To help you get started, we rounded up everything you need for prepping, polishing, and protecting, with supplies starting as little as $4.
Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair
Image: TargetHeels looked cracked and dry? Calluses around your toes? Don’t worry. Use Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair to treat and repair your skin — fast. This ointment contains a blend of salicylic acid to exfoliate, along with urea and petrolatum to effectively soften and hydrate skin. It’s a true miracle worker.
Price: $8.89 at Target
Dr. Scholl’s Hard Skin Remover Nano Glass Foot File
Image: AmazonFeet take a beating, so most of us have some rough, dry skin or calluses, especially around our heels and our big toe. You can buff away dry skin with this easy to maneuver foot file from Dr. Scholl’s, which can be used on wet or dry skin. It’s waterproof and rust-proof, so it only needs to be rinsed well after using and hung to dry properly.
Price: $8.47 at Amazon
Amopé Pedi Mask 20-Minute Foot Mask
Image: TargetJust because you aren’t at the spa doesn’t mean you don’t deserve some pampering. This foot mask from Amopé contains skin-softening macadamia oil as well as urea, which helps deliver hydration below the surface layers of skin.
Wash and dry your feet, put these booties on, sit back with a book or your favorite show, and relax.
Price: $3.89 at Target
Tweezerman Rose Tea Essential Pedicure Kit
Image: WalmartTrim, file, and buff your nails with this high-quality set of basics from Tweezerman (the fourth tool is a handy pedicure stone to use on your heels).
You may notice that there’s no cuticle trimmer here. That’s a good thing, because you should never cut your cuticles, says the American Academy of Dermatology. That skin is there to help prevent infections.
Price: $5 at Walmart
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover
Image: AmazonGive your nails a swipe of nail polish remover to remove any oil or lotion so your polish will stay on. This Mineral Fusion remover is acetone-free, so it’s gentler on your nails than typical, harsher polish removers.
Price: $11.99 at Amazon
Heel to Toe Gel Toe Separators
Image: Sally Beauty SupplyKeep your toenail polish from smudging by using toe separators. These gel ones are nice and soft, and you can even toss them into the refrigerator before using them to soothe tired, sore feet. Wash with soap and water after each use.
Price: $3.29 at Sally Beauty Supply
OPI Nature Strong Natural Origin Base Coat
Image: TargetNot only does a base coat help your polish go on smoother, but it can prevent your nails from becoming discolored, and OPI’s vegan, botanical base coat contains sunflower oil and fruit extracts, so it nourishes nails and can be worn on its own to give nails a natural-looking shine.
Price: $13.99 at Target
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel x Jared McCain Trio Set
Image: TargetPick up this fun duo of Rookie Red and Bucket Blue, two colors from basketball player and nail polish lover Jared McCain’s “MVP” (most valuable polish) collab with Sally Hansen. These impart a gorgeous, rich, gel-like color, without the need for a UV lamp. The set also comes with a top coat to protect and prevent chips.
Price: $22.29 at Amazon
Nails.INC Matcha Mood Nail Polish Duo
Image: AmazonThis matcha-inspired polish duo has two pretty shades, Perk Me Up Please! and Your Perfect Matcha. Not only are the colors inspired by one of our favorite beverages, but the 21-free polishes themselves contain caffeine and green tea extract to strengthen and care for your nails.
Price: $15 at Amazon
Le Mini Macaron Le Sweet Quick Dry Nail Polish in Lemon Sorbet
Image: UltaThere aren’t any hard and fast rules with pedicure colors. Go dark, go light, pick shimmery or matte. So long as you’re happy when you look down at your feet, that’s all that matters. And it’s hard not to smile when you’ve got bright pastel yellow peeking out of your slides.
Prefer a different color? Le Sweet Quick Dry Nail Polish is available in 24 shades, all of which are 21-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and infused with biotin and superfoods.
Price: $10 at Ulta
OPI Alpine Snow Nail Lacquer
Image: Sally Beauty SupplyThis snow white looks so gorgeous on both hands and feet, and it goes with everything.
Price: $11.99 at Sally Beauty Supply
Olive & June Quick Dry Nail Polish Top Coat
Image: TargetAfter all that work, you need a clear top coat to prevent chipping. Try Olive & June’s quick-dry version, which is 21-free, vegan, and adds even more shine to your pedi.
Price: $7.99 at Target
The post 12 Products That Will Get You the Perfect DIY Pedicure appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
