10 Steps to a Perfect Pedicure... without setting foot in a spa

         You can totally take matters into your own hands (and feet) when it comes to a pedicure. You can re-create a luxurious spa pedicure at home, but you will need more than an ocean waves CD and a bottle of polish to get the entire experience. Follow this heel-to-toe guide to leave your feet looking fabulous and your senses soothed.

1. Shape Filing is usually required once every three weeks, depending on how fast your nails grow. The general rule is to leave about an eighth of an inch of white showing. Than, with a fine grain file, shape the nails into ovals by slightly rounding the corners. Over-filling can result in an invitation for ingrowns.

2. Smooth Minor bumps can be covered with a base coat, but to be sure they are completely gone, slightly buff the nail with a fine grade buffer. Only three to five strokes are necessary. More can cause the nail to heat, which damages it.

3. Soak relax your feet in a warm tub for at least three minutes. Add a cup of warm milk or a scoop of bath salts to help soften rough skin. You can even line the tub with hot rocks for an super-luxurious effect.

4. Push Dry feet and apply cuticle softener if you have it. Push cuticles back with moistened orange stick, wipe away dead skin with a washcloth, and snip bits of dead skin that stick out with a cuticle clipper.

5. Scrub Use a store bought exfoliater or mix coarse kosher salt with a couple of glugs of olive oil and voila, a salon quality scrub. Briskly slough off dead skin and rinse.

6. Soften  Rough heels and calluses require a little more muscle. While your feet are still damp, lay a towel  under t

7. Moisturize Slather lotion on the feet and rub it in. Dab between you toes with a dry towel for any excess lotion.

8. Prep separate toes slightly with strips of paper towel or you can use a a foam separator. Than swipe nails with a paper towel soaked in remover to lift any oily residue. Apply your favorite base coat.

9. Paint The key to a professional pedicure is keeping the polish coats thin and even. Wipe the brush against the inside of the bottle's neck to remove any excess polish, and paint three vertical strokes on the center, left and right. Finish with a horizontal stroke on the tip. Wait two minutes minimum for the polish to dry and apply a second coat in the same way. After the second coat has dried, add a top coat.

10. Wait and wait and wait some more. Before you slip on the closed toed shoes, be sure to wait. It usually takes three to four hours for the lacquer to fully dry.