Preparing for your next pedicure appointment can be a lot of fun, and a simple scroll through Instagram can introduce you to a variety of beauty influencers displaying pretty toenails. From colourful French tips to mermaidcore-inspired nail art designs, the possibilities seem endless.
But there are other aspects to consider, and you shouldn’t expect a pedicure to include the removal of calluses and corns or address cracked heels. Proper foot care is crucial to maintain healthy and beautiful feet. So before you go for your next pedicure, take time to get your feet ready with a foot peel spray and hydrating moisturiser so that you can show off your feet with confidence.
Pedicure Trends Do’s
Mermaidcore: All things mermaid are seen this year with the recent new Disney film The Little Mermaid hitting cinemas. Toenails can be given a mermaidcore look with iridescent, pearly shades with flashes of pink, blue, and green.
Barbiecore: Barbie is back in trend thanks to the 2023 Barbie film, and Barbiecore means all shades of pink are hot at the moment. Just be sure to stick to one shade of pink for all of your toenails.
Bright colours: Bright colours have long been a summer pedicure trend and continue to be popular. This year, shades like red, pink, orange, and coral are hot.
Pastels: Lavender, light green, pale pink, and powder blue are the newest trend in pastel colours.
French manicures: Natural French manicured toenails will always look stylish, but if you want something a bit more fun, try brightly coloured tips — but stick to one colour.
Gel: Gel has been popular for toenails for years, but the latest gel can reconstruct missing and severely broken nails and can stay put for as long as four weeks.
Pedicure Trends Don’ts
Dark colours: Avoid dark colours and stick to bright or pastel shades unless you’re leaning towards a rock or goth vibe.
Chrome: A huge trend in 2022 was chrome nail varnish, but this is a definite no-no for pedicures in 2023.
Nail art: This might look fun on fingernails but can often get lost on toenails and can look messy from a distance — no matter how well done.
Stick-on toenails: Tempted by stick-on toenails? We recommend investing in a gel pedicure. Stick-on toenails are far more likely to pop off than stick-on fingernails due to their smaller size, and let’s be honest — they just don’t look that good!
Oval shapes: Keep oval nail shapes for fingernails, whereas toenails in 2023 are straight with gently filed edges.
How to Paint Toenails at Home
You don’t have to get a professional pedicure to have beautiful feet. Once you have taken care of dead skin, heel cracks, calluses, and corns, painting your toenails at home can give you salon-worthy results. If you do have any old polish remaining, you can remove it by using nail polish remover. After that, simply rinse your feet with soap and water, dry them properly, and then follow this step-by-step guide:
- Clip your nails straight across using toenail clippers
- File your toenails to gently round the edges
- Buff the tops of your nails to smooth down ridges and grooves
- Wash your feet to remove any residue and ensure they are dry before painting
- Use a toe separator or cotton balls to separate your toes for easier painting
- Apply a base coat to help the polish adhere and prevent staining
- Apply coloured polish by running the brush down the centre of the nail from the base to the tip and repeating on each side
- Allow to dry for five minutes before applying a second coat
- Clean up any excess polish on your skin using a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover
- Apply a top coat to seal the polish and provide a glossy or matte finish
- Let your nails dry completely, and avoid bumping them into anything while they dry.
Top tip: Don’t forget to moisturise your feet every day!
