The GIT Girl Magazine Volume II: September/October 2014 | Page 38

NAILS By Kimberly Powell Fall is coming. But transitioning into cooler weather doesn’t mean you can let your summer mani/pedi go. This fall’s styles feature cute cut-out booties and even some open toe looks. Don’t have the cash to keep your tootsies looking glam all year round? No problem! Kim is here to teach us the steps of her amazing at-home mani/pedi. Try it out, and enjoy having beautiful fingers and toes all Autumn long. The basic tools you need are nail polish remover, cotton balls, nail clippers, emery boards, callus remover, orange stick, cuticle trimmer, buffer, a quality base coat, a color of your choice, and a top coat (you can use a nail polish that does double duty as a base coat and top coat.) 1. When doing your own manicure and pedicure, it is important to start with your feet, especially if you have to use nail polish remover. First you should use nail polish remover and cotton pads to remove previous nail color. 2. Soak your feet in warm water. This will make exfoliating and trimming your toe nails easier. 3. Clip your toe nails and use the emery board to smooth and shape your toenails. (Tip: File nails in one direction to keep your nails healthy.) 4. Use the callus remover to easily remove dead and dry skin. Once you have used the callus remover you can allow your feet to continue to soak. 5. Taking one foot at a time, apply cuticle remover directly on your toes. Then, use the orange stick to gently push back cuticles. Use a cuticle trimmer to remove dry or dead skin on the cuticles. After caring for your cuticles you can remove your feet from the water, dry, your feet, and add toe spacers. 6. Add one layer of clear base coat. (Tip: You always want to use a base coat before adding your color. The base coat nail polish strengthens your nail, and prevents the polish from staining it.) 37