Getting a manicure or pedicure can be very relaxing and luxurious. But let’s face it, many of us can’t afford to have one done as often as our hands and feet need the attention.

Doing an at-home manicure or pedicure is the most cost-effective way to indulge ourselves. It’s even easier to make sure that we are making product choices that are more ecologically friendly.

Green up your at-home mani-pedi without having to break the bank with these ideas:

Start off with a Sea Salt Scrub and Soak

To Make a Sea Salt Scrub: Combine 6 T of  sea salt, 4 T olive oil, and 10 drops of your preferred essential oils (like lavendar or rosemary). Combine them in a small jar with a tight fitting lid (a great way to a re-use baby food jar). Make 48 hours in advance of when you plan to use it. Shake or stir before each use.This could also make a good gift idea, just tie on a ribbon to decorate it.

Scrub on your feet and up your ankles (or hands & wrists). Allow them to soak and soften in a small tub of very warm water. Be sure to conserve water by using an appropriate sized tub; plastic containers work great. A pumice stone also works great to scrub your feet and remove dried and dead skin.

Massage in Cuticle Oil

No need to buy cuticle oil to help seal in moisture and make your skin smooth in soft, when you probably already have an oil in your pantry that will work great. You can use any cold-pressed oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or walnut oil. If your cuticles are dry and/or cracked, consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil to your oil before massaging it in.

Massage oil in to cuticles. The use an orangewood stick and move it back and forth around your cuticles to push them back and to remove dead skin.

Choose Water-Based Nail Polishes

Water-based nail polishes are non-toxic, odorless and allow your nailbed to breathe. My preferred brands are HoneyBee Gardens and Piggy Paint (this one even has a glow-in-the-dark variety that is fun for kids!). A bottle can last you a long time, and because it is water-based you can add a drop of water when it start to get goopy to help soften & thin it.

If you are lucky enough to go to a salon to have your mani/pedi done, they probably won’t have water-based polishes, but you CAN bring your own polish. I have done this several times and they are usually interested in using the product to see how it works. Plus, if you bring in your own polish, you have it at home with you to do touch-ups as needed, which will allow your manicure to last longer.

Also, be sure to buy water-based polish remover. The acetone kind does not work as well on it (plus it’s smelly!)