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"I'm all for the do-it-yourself pedi, but sometimes my cheap labor looks, well, cheap.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n \\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n Surely I'm not alone in thinking that the at-home pedi leaves something to be desired. I asked Robbie Schaeffer of OPI--and owner of Studio City's Rob|b: An OPI Concept Salon--what I'm doing wrong. Here are the three commandments of DIY pedicures:\\n\\n\\n\\n __Thou shall prep your feet.__ A good pedi doesn't entirely depend on your skill with a foot file. Schaeffer suggests massaging a product specifically designed to soften calluses and tough skin before you even exfoliate, just like my favorite East Village nail tech always does for me. She uses professional-grade callous remover, but [OPI Soften](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/opi-soften-foot-lotion) ($30)\u2014with AHAs and green tea\u2014is great for at-home use. The dead skin will disappear with a lot less effort.\\n\\n\\n\\n __Thou shall know when to moisturize.__ I always put foot cream on right before bed, because I hate the feeling of walking on the floor with lubed-up feet. My approach is dead wrong. \\\"Apply foot cream as *soon* as you get out of the shower,\\\" says Schaeffer. Massaging cream onto your feet after the shower gives the moisturizer something to work with.\\n\\n\\n\\n __Thou shall then slip on socks.__ \\\"Wearing socks helps your foot cream go even further,\\\" says Schaeffer. The nourishing agents will cradle your feet as you go about your business. Again, look for cream like [Bliss's Foot Patrol](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/bliss-foot-patrol-exfoliating-cream) ($26) that exfoliates and hydrates.\\n\\n\\n\\n Be honest with yourself: Have you been doing all of the above? If not, start. Your feet will be in much better shape when you pull them out of your boots and into your sandals for summer.\\n\\n\\n\\n*__\u2014Jessica Matlin__*"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.allure.com/story/three-commandments-diy-pedis>