Perfectly Polished: Spring Pedicure Guide

Shhh! Come closer. We need to speak in hushed voices. The sun has been out for several days in a row and we don’t want Mother Nature to hear us talking about how much we’re loving her newfound cheer. It might send her back into a tailspin, and we all know what happens when she does that. We’ve been living through it since November.

Now that your feet won’t feel like ice cubes if they happen to be without the protection of wool socks, you may start eyeing those cute sandals that haven’t seen the light of day since September. But then there’s the problem of your toes. Your rough, unpolished toes.

Not to worry! I lived in Hawaii for seven years, where it’s sandal season all year long. There was no way I was going to pay for a pedicure every two weeks, so I learned how to take care of my feet myself. I’ve laid out the essential tools I use to get your feet in tip-top shape and six shades of nail polish perfect for spring weather.

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These Tweezerman nail clippers are great, because they cut straight across. It’s important that you cut your nails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.

Don’t be put off by the price of this Diamancel foot buffer. It lasts years. When I think of all the inexpensive foot files and pumice stones I would buy in the years I’d own this one foot file, its price tag is more than justified. I file any calluses on my feet in the shower, which every beauty magazine in the world, as well as the directions that come with this foot file, tell you not to do. The idea behind not filing dead skin when it’s softened from the water is that it is very easy to accidentally take off fresh skin along with the dead skin. What can I say? I’m a gambler.

The rubberized formula in Orly’s Bonder adheres nail polish to the nail for up to two weeks.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is hands down the best top coat I’ve ever tried. It dries incredibly fast, is super shiny, and lasts two or more weeks.

OPI’s Hot & Spicy is a sassy coral that’s ideal for those who are ready for summer to be here yesterday. Toes with this polish can’t help but make their wearer yearn for long sunny days followed by warm sultry nights.

L’Oreal’s Spice Things Up, a lovely dusty rose, is great for those who enjoy the softer colors of spring. It’s muted pink shade is ladylike and demure.

Essie’s Need a Vacation is a cheerful bubblegum pink. It’s fresh but not at all offensive or bold, and its hue reminds me of clouds of cherry blossoms bursting into bloom in early April.

L’Oreal’s Violet Vixen is a sophisticated pinkish plum that is perfect for transitioning from winter to spring. If you’re not quite ready to dive into pastel territory or the weather just doesn’t seem right for anything too bright, this shade will help you baby step your way into the season.

OPI’s Do You Lilac It? is one of my favorite nail polish colors. It reminds me of upcountry Maui’s jacaranda trees blooming in May, their petals like periwinkle snow on the ground (see the picture of a jacaranda tree below). This shade is springtime in a bottle.

Essie’s Bikini So Teeny is a fun, slightly shimmery cornflower blue that is perfect for lounging poolside on a spring getaway…or for lounging in your bathtub dreaming about sipping margaritas poolside.

It’s time to bare your toes, ladies! What are your favorite spring nail polish colors?