Service Skill: Giving a Pedicure

Create a soothing environment.  Offer a basic selection of drinks, snacks, and/or entertainment.

Place towel on floor, then foot bath (check sizing) with hot water (as hot as comfortable) and desired additions. Essential oils of choice and bubbles make a traditional luxurious touch.  For serious dead skin removal, try a large splash each of vinegar and mouthwash, though beware this might stain skin and the bath. 

Remove old polish if needed.  

Soak feet for fifteen to twenty minutes. 

Remove dead skin from bottom of feet.  Foot file and then pumice stone works best.  You can also remove hairs if desired with method of choice. Work on one foot at a time, leaving the other soaking.

Use a cuticle pusher to push back cuticles, removing loose dead skin around the nail. If there’s a lot, you might want to use a cuticle trimmer. Work on one foot at a time, leaving the other soaking.

Trim, file, and buff nails. Gently clean under nails with the cuticle pusher. Keep each foot out of the bath when done with this step.

Dry, then moisturize and massage feet. Apply cuticle oil to cuticles and nails; massage in. A gentle pull on toes and circular motions around the ball of the foot tend to be popular.  

Apply a clear base coat, two coats of desired color, and a clear top coat.  Toe separators work well here, during and for drying. Let coats dry completely before the next one; keep them thin and even. Keep common polish colors on hand.