This post was sponsored by GOLD BOND® Ultimate Pedi Smooth® but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Professional pedicures are insanely fabulous, but let’s be honest: that “wow, my feet look awesome feeling” doesn’t last as long as you’d think it would, especially for the amount of time and money you put into it. My last pro pedicure was right before my brother’s wedding. I was a bridesmaid and wearing open-toe shoes, so I needed my feet to look half decent. It took over an hour from start to finish. The nail polish itself lasted an eternity. Seriously, I couldn’t get the stuff off! I had to paint over it and wait for my nails to grow until it was gone. The rest of the pedicure though (as in, the part that made my feet look less like something out of an alligator’s nightmare) “wore off” after just a few days. To be fair to the pedicurist who did it, I probably did everything wrong once I got home.
Even though I DIY most of my pedicures at home now, it still takes a lot of time and energy. I get my heels and toes looking fantastic, then skip a few weeks and BAM, they’re right back to where I started. There has to be a better way, right? Of course there is! Read on for 7 tips to really extend the life of your pedicure, whether it’s done by a pro or a DIY job!
How to Extend the Life of Your Pedicure
1- Moisturize like crazy!
Extending the life of your pedicure starts (and ends) with moisturizing. I can’t stress enough how important it is to keep those tootsies from drying out. I’ve tried a lot of lotions in the past. A LOT. While some worked fairly well, I’m not looking for “fairly.” I’m looking for perfection! GOLD BOND sent me a lovely Pedi Smooth® Package full of fab items to keep my feet sandal-ready for the rest of the summer and beyond, including their new GOLD BOND® Ultimate Pedi Smooth® lotion. I gave it a two-week spin and talk about perfection! The foot cream is specially formulated to keep your feet feeling pedicure-soft for up to 2 weeks longer, It feels like liquid satin and kept my feet incredibly smooth far longer than I expected it to.
2- Let your feet be free for a few hours
Whether you have a pro pedi or do it DIY style, you need to let your feet be free for at least a few hours afterward. This gives the polish a chance to really dry and set. Sure, it may SEEM dry when you leave the salon, but even “quick drying” polish doesn’t really set for a good 8 hours.
3- Cover your feet…
After that first day, you’ll want to protect your feet from the elements as much as possible. Of course, you want to show off those pretty painted toes when you’re out and about. That’s fine. At home, though, or when you’re just running quick errands and don’t need to look stunning from head to toe, wear socks. It keeps dirt and grime from settling on your polish and skin.
4- …but let them breathe!
Talk about mixed signals! While you do want to cover your feet as often as possible after that first day, you still need to let them breathe. Basically, this means skipping the combat boots and stuffy sneaks. Think of it this way: if your shoes need odor eaters, they’re not letting your feet breathe enough.
5- Refresh your top coat
Even if your favorite salon uses the heavy-duty polish that never comes off, chances are it’s going to chip or fade a bit at some point. Keep the paint looking fresh by adding a top coat within a few days after it sets, then refresh as needed. I recommend bringing your own nail polish to the salon so that you can easily match the shade at home. If you can’t (or don’t want to do that), write down the brand and shade that they use, then buy your own bottle online or in your favorite beauty supply store.
6- Nix the dip
You may want to show off your fab new feet at the pool, but don’t be so quick to dive in! Chlorine is incredibly drying to pretty much every last inch of your body, including those newly pedicured pups. Even lounging in the bath tub with your feet in the water can wreak havoc on your feet, especially if you’re like me and prefer super hot water. That doesn’t mean you can’t still relax in a hot tub after a long day, just do it with your feet up!
7- Break out the pumice!
If you follow the advice in the first tip, you shouldn’t see as much of a build-up of dry skin as you would without moisturizing. Still, even with a wonder foot cream like GOLD BOND Ultimate Pedi Smooth, you want to give your heels a little extra attention. Now, since pumice stone works best after you’ve soaked your feet, you might think it goes against the whole “nix the dip” tip. Here’s an easy way to do it without messing up your paint job.
First, wash and dry your feet to get off all of the dirt and grime that accumulates throughout the day. Next, fill a small bowl (think cereal bowl, but not as deep) with warm water and add a bit of bath salt. Either put down a towel or stick the bowl in the bathtub. Soak just your heels (trust me, it can be done) in the bowl for about five minutes, until the skin is nice and supple. Your feet are now ready for the pumice stone! Rub in circular motions and be gentle. You’re not sandblasting your feet, just trying to slough off some of the dead skin cells. Finish up with GOLD BOND® Ultimate Pedi Smooth® .
More about GOLD BOND Pedi-Smooth
Let’s be honest, we all feel more confident and “put together” when we’re well-groomed from head to toes, right? We spend a crazy amount of time on the “head” part, but tend to neglect the “toes” bit. Sure, our feet look great those first few days after a pedicure, but it’s hard work keeping up with them! It’s important to make them last as long as humanely possible. As I mentioned above, GOLD BOND® Ultimate Pedi Smooth® is utter perfection when it comes to keeping your feet smooth long after you leave the salon (or put away your home pedicure tools). It’s not only an incredibly lush and moisturizing cream, it’s also the most exfoliating foot cream that GOLD BOND® has ever created. With 7 intensives moisturizers, it helps keep all of that rough skin from making a fast comeback AND reconditions your feet every time you use it.
Visit GOLD BOND® to learn more about this awesome new foot cream! You’ll find it in the foot care aisle at major drug stores, mass retailers, and grocery stores nationwide.
Giveaway
I have an extra Pedi Smooth® Package to give away to one of you! Giveaway is open to US Residents ages 18+ and ends on October 3rd, 2017. Winner will be selected at random and notified via email.
Do you DIY your pedicures or get them done in a salon? Tell me your favorite tips and thoughts below!
I do my own pedicures at home and love trying different nail polishes! I love these amazing products for at home pedicures. Thanks for sponsoring giveaway!
GOLD BOND has such amazing products right now. We use quite a few of their products currently, but I have not seen this foot scrub. I will have to get this for my daughter, she has super cry skin on her feet and tends to pick at them quite a bit.
I’ll take all of the above, especially the scrub! When I was younger I used to slather my feet with petroleum jelly, put socks on, and wear them overnight. My feet would be SO soft the following morning!
Great tips! I use Gold Bond products all the time it’s a great product. I do my own pedicures because I don’t like others touching my feet.
I just had a pedi the other day and I can see it chipping already. What have I done to deserve that? LOL! I’ve seen Gold Bond products but have never used them before. Will try em’ out.
I am a huge SPA fanatic. I am always looking for new ways to pamper and prettify. These are some awesome tips. I usually have to check my nail salon twice a month. This sounds like a better option 🙂
I need to try all of these tips and get my feet feeling right. They are so achey and unattractive right now, they really could use a pedicure. I will have to implement these tips and give them the tlc they deserve.
i love this post. People don’t realize just how much care your feet needs. I really love Gold Bond and actually carry it in my purse. They work faster and lasts longer than any creams or lotions out there. I’ll have to get myself a good pumice stone. Thanks for the tips!
I am so glad that I read your post! My feet tend to be the #1 part of my body that I neglect the most and it seriously needs some more TLC. Thanks for this! Now I know how to prolong the ‘beauty’ of it when I get a pedicure!
Love your post! I walk five or six miles a day and have to take really good care of my feet. For the longest time, I’ve been going to the salon for a professional pedicure, and have always wanted to do more of them at home. Like you said, so much easier and less expensive! x
Ali, also try the Imp Set Pediexpert Kit by Revlon. I mentioned it in my post and purchased it from Amazon. My feet had never stayed smooth for very long, even after a professional pedi. But keeping up with keeping them smooth with the Pediexpert Kit, best right after I shower and then moisturize when I’m finished. My feet are smoother than ever!! Now I know to use Gold Bond Pedi Lotion in my pedi routine too!!
My does does hers at home
All of the tips you shared are essential to keeping your feet perfect. Do you have a favorite topcoat? I seriously can choose between Seche vite and sally hansen in the red bottle.
Love this info. I’ll definitely share it with my daughter as we just had a convo last week on the subject of getting a good pedi and making it last longer. She also shared with me about using the Imp Set Pediexpert Set by Revlon. It retails for about $12 on Amazon and honestly, my heels have never been more smooth! I’ll have to add the Gold Bond Pedi lotion and my feet should stay smooth for a long, long time!
I get them at my local salon.
I get them at a salon or a I do them at home. When I go to the salon it’s normally with a friend.
My feet are painful most of the time because of nerve damage. I get pedicures infrequently so your tips should be helpful to keep my feet looking and feeling good.
Definitely need the salt soak. That’s what I’ve been missing in my routine. Thank you for the fabulous feet tips.
I love to treat myself to pedicures but you are right in that they don’t last long. You had some great tips that I will definitely try.
I do get my pedicures in a salon.
I do my own Pedicures at home. I like to soak my feet in warm water and try different polishes!
Goldbond is the best for my very sensitive skin. It feels good, isn’t greasy, and works wonders. Thank you for the chance to win. Good luck all
I have been using gold bond for years. It is a trusted family name brand. My mother still uses it and swears by it !!