I’m gearing up for my trip to Italy this week and want my toes to look perfect for the beach.

I gave myself a little at-home pedicure in my garden (in the sun!) and now they’re ready for la dolce vita.

Don’t know how? First, remove any nail polish on your toes already. Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for about 10-15 minutes. One foot at a time, remove and use cuticle clippers to carefully clip back your cuticles and then push back your skin. File nails as desired.

Use a foot cream to massage into feet (click here to read my review on Lush’s Fair Trade Foot Cream). Before applying polish, use a cotton pad to clean nails with polish remover – it will take away the oils from the cream that disrupt a polish’s ability to stick. Always use a base coat first, let it dry, then apply your desired colour. My pick this week is a fluorescent pink from Urban Outfitters.

Text: Lydia Parafianowicz