With sunny weather ahead, if you're keen to freshen up your feet with a pedicure and a bit of pampering, we've quizzed the experts on how best to file away rough skin and boost the longevity of your newly-painted toes - so that you can keep putting your best foot forward, so to speak.
With a plethora of timeless pedicure colours to choose from, not to mention popular summery pedicure trends to hop on, achieving chic-looking toes is quite straightforward. It's those dry-looking heels and soles that can be a bit of a bugbear, especially when spontaneous hot weather and beach trips strike. That said, they're easy to banish if you know how, and there are even a few ways to prolong your pedicure, too.
So, grab your pumice stones and best foot creams, as we've enlisted the experts to share their guide on how to file your feet and keep them soft for the season ahead - as well as how to get the most out of your professional or at-home pedicure.
How to correctly file your feet and maintain that fresh pedicure feeling
Much like a manicure and regardless of whether you prefer a gel pedicure or regular polish, the key to achieving the best and most long-lasting results hinges on the prep. After all, it seems a little counterproductive to have perfectly primmed toes but noticeably dry heels.
So, if you're keen to give your feet a full freshen-up, here's how to really nail your foot care, from filing to replenishing hydration and ultimately, getting them to look their best.
How to file your feet, step by step
- Soak your feet, either in the shower, bath or in an actual foot soak
- Using a good-quality file or pumice stone, gently buff the skin in one direction (no sawing action), paying special attention to areas like the heel and sides of the foot.
- Alternatively, you can use a foot scrub instead of a file or in tandem with one.
- Hydration is key: follow up with a foot cream or hydration sock - like these Boots coconut oil socks .
- Remember, consistency is key: "Gentle exfoliation once or twice a week followed by daily moisturising will typically deliver much better results than aggressively filing the skin every few weeks," explains Huber-Millet.
RRP: £7
This double-sided foot file offers both gentle and firm exfoliation, depending on your needs, helping to remove hard skin and stubborn dryness to reveal ultra-soft feet. Use it when your feet are dry, though the website notes that for optimum results, "use with a foot scrub after a bath or shower."
RRP: £24
Featuring a fresh herbaceous scent and effective ingredients like volcanic pumice and kernel powder to gently exfoliate the skin, as well as avocado and wheat germ oils to hydrate, this foot scrub from Cowshed is ideal for gently buffing away texture and dry skin.
RRP: £6
Powered by sweet almond, peppermint, honeysuckle, shea butter and argan oil, these booties with removable toes are perfect for delivering some intense hydration to your feet. Just pop them on, wait 20 minutes and remove to reveal supple and cleansed feet.
"The biggest mistake people make is being too aggressive," says Juanita Huber-Millet, Founder and Creative Director at Townhouse. "The goal should be to gently smooth rough areas rather than remove large amounts of skin.
"Always use a foot file in one direction rather than sawing back and forth, paying particular attention to areas like the heels and sides of the feet where dry skin tends to build up."
Susan Carroll, Founder of Young LDN, Notting Hill, also highlights the importance of being gentle. "Many people think that the harder they file, the smoother their feet will be, but over-filing can actually stimulate the skin to produce more hard skin in response. I recommend using a foot file regularly and focusing on the areas that naturally experience the most pressure, such as the heels and balls of the feet. Consistent maintenance is far more effective than trying to remove everything in one session."
As for when to file your feet, Huber-Millet says, "For most people, I recommend softening the skin first, either after a shower, bath, or foot soak. The skin becomes more pliable, making it easier to remove rough patches gently and evenly. Once the skin has been softened, a quality foot file or pumice stone can be used without causing unnecessary irritation."
Carroll seconds this, explaining that softening the skin first will make the filing process more comfortable and effective: "A good-quality foot file or pumice stone is usually all you need.
"Once you've filed, always follow with a moisturising foot cream. I particularly like formulas containing urea or gentle exfoliating acids, as they help keep hard skin at bay while maintaining hydration." Our own Digital Beauty Shopping Editor, Aleesha Badkar, swears by The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid for exactly this.
Tips & tools for removing dry skin
If you're looking to build a little at-home foot spa kit, Huber-Millet recommends investing in "A good-quality foot file, a gentle exfoliator and a nourishing moisturiser are the essentials."
Carroll comments that one of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing only on exfoliation and not enough on hydration. "Dry, rough skin is often a sign that the feet need more moisture. I recommend applying a nourishing foot cream daily, ideally before bed, and wearing cotton socks overnight to help lock in hydration. Regular exfoliation once or twice a week can also help prevent build-up, but consistency is key.
"If you're dealing with severe cracking or persistent hard skin, it's always worth seeking professional advice rather than trying to remove it aggressively at home."
How to extend the look of a fresh pedicure
This leads us perfectly onto your pedicure. If you've exfoliated your feet ready to paint your toes or have just been to the salon for a professional pedicure (which often involves the former too), perhaps all as prep for a holiday or occasion, we've asked the experts to share their tips on extending the fresh look for as long as possible.
RRP: £16
Boasting a nourishing blend of shea butter and sunflower oil, this cuticle treatment softens the skin and helps to hydrate and protect weak and brittle nails. It also features a brush applicator for easy and precise application.
RRP: £11.99
To enhance shine and lock your chosen pedicure colour in place, a top coat is a must-have, and this one from essie mimics the plump, glossy look of a gel polish but without the UV curing.
RRP: £14.90
For an easy and reliably chic pedicure or manicure, a sheer nail polish like OPI's Bubble Bath is always a great option.
For starters, Huber-Millet notes that hydration is key: "Daily application of moisturiser helps keep the skin soft and prevents the dryness that can make a pedicure look less polished. I also encourage customers to apply cuticle oil regularly, particularly if they’re wearing polish."
If you have traditional, air-drying polishes on your toes, Huber-Millet adds that "applying a fresh layer of top coat every few days can also help maintain shine and extend wear."
Carroll also suggests keeping your nails neatly filed between appointments, "and avoiding footwear that causes excessive rubbing, as this can lead to rough skin and affect the overall appearance of your pedicure. A little maintenance throughout the week goes a long way in keeping feet looking salon-fresh."
