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New York Times

How to Give Yourself a Pedicure

Beauty School, a series from T Magazine, answers common beauty questions with help from creative people who've become experts on the job. Sign up here to find us in your inbox once a month, and send any questions of your own to tmagazine@ Knowing how to give your feet salon-level care at home can save you time and money — and help you out in a pinch. 'I always have polish on my toes because you never know,' says the Brooklyn-based foot model Branda Zeng. 'Sometimes l get a last-minute job when all the salons are closed.' Whether you're preparing for a big event or just an impromptu beach trip, read on for guidance from Zeng and two other experts — the burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, who often dances barefoot in her residency at the Venetian Las Vegas, and the British Jamaican nail artist Shea Osei, whose clients include the actress Cynthia Erivo. Dita Von Teese, 52, burlesque performer I use foot files constantly. I often take off my shoes and dance on demi-pointe in my shows — it'd be too absurd to wear heels in a giant Champagne glass, if you ask me! I usually scrub while I'm in the bathtub and use a thin file to get around the tips of my toes. I have an electric file too — you can really make headway on calluses with it. Sometimes I use foot exfoliating masks, but I need to have two weeks off. Your feet peel like a snake. I cut my toenails very short with large Tweezerman clippers. If you're a dancer and your toenails are hitting the edge of your shoes, it's terrible. I like a blue-toned red polish, and I change it seasonally: brighter colors for summer, darker ones for winter. I like Essie's Fishnet Stockings and, when painting, I wear gel YogaToes, which are really good for your feet. I usually apply foot cream right before bed. I like O'Keeffe's, and sometimes I wear silicone socks on top. This French foot guru once told me, 'You'll never get calluses if you massage your feet with oil.' He's probably right about that, but who has the time? Branda Zeng, 30, foot model Want all of The Times? Subscribe.