With spring just around the corner, the new season often brings a few beauty and wardrobe updates. Most notably, it’s sandal season once again. While we may be thinking about spring dresses and pretty pastel shades of baby blue and lavender for our manicures, there’s one detail that’s easy to overlook: the feet.
After months of boots and warm socks, it’s time to break out the sandals—and your feet may be in need of a little extra TLC. Whether you’re heading to a pedicure or planning a DIY spa day at home, start by prepping your toes and revitalizing your feet before finishing with a fresh spring pedicure. From seasonal nail art to bright new polish colors, there are plenty of ways to welcome the season.
Ahead, how to refresh your feet and heels, plus plenty of pedicure ideas to inspire your next look.
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How to Prep for a Pedicure
Feet can easily be forgotten during the winter months. “After months of colder weather, the skin on the feet is often dry, thickened and lacking proper exfoliation,” says Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD. “As we transition into spring and more open footwear, it’s important to focus on restoring smoothness and hydration.” But how exactly do you do that?
First, Dr. Chacon recommends “gentle but consistent” exfoliation, especially on the heels and soles of the feet. “Use a chemical exfoliant containing ingredients such as urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid to help break down thickened skin on the heels and soles,” she says. “These ingredients soften callused areas more effectively than harsh mechanical scrubs.” DRMTLGY’s Concentrated Foot Cream ($29) contains lactic acid, ceramides and other nourishing ingredients to exfoliate and soften.
Next, remember to deeply hydrate your feet with an occlusive. “Apply a rich emollient foot cream containing ingredients like shea butter, glycerin or petrolatum before bedtime and cover with cotton socks,” says Dr. Chacon. Wearing socks afterward “helps lock in moisture and significantly improves dry, cracked heels,” she adds. L’Occitane’s Karite Confort Foot Cream ($34) contains shea butter to nourish and soften.
If a regular foot cream or moisturizer isn’t doing the trick, consider a more intensive foot mask or overnight leave-on treatment, such as Patchology’s PoshPeel PediCure ($22). “Hydrating foot masks or exfoliating peel masks can help rejuvenate dull, rough skin,” says Dr. Chacon, who especially recommends these treatments at the start of spring or the end of winter. “These treatments are especially useful at the beginning of the season to reset the skin barrier and remove accumulated dead skin.”
Lastly, remembering sunscreen becomes especially important as we start spending more time in the sunshine. One easily overlooked spot is the tops of the feet. Dr. Chacon reminds us to apply SPF daily to this area if wearing sandals. “Many people forget that the tops of the feet are frequently exposed to UV rays when wearing sandals,” she says. “Applying a broad-spectrum SPF helps prevent sun damage, pigmentation and premature aging in this often-overlooked area.” Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, and if you’ll be outdoors, a water-resistant formula is best, like Supergoop! Unseen Body Sunscreen SPF 40 ($42).
Best Spring Pedicure Colors
Now that you’ve taken good care of your feet, they’re ready for a pedicure and a fresh spring polish. To match the season, “Spring pedicure colors should feel fresh, soft and uplifting,” says Olha Shtanhei, professional nail artist and championship judge—advice that applies to manicures, too. “I recommend light pastels and clean, elegant shades that look beautiful with open-toe shoes,” she adds.
With so many color options for spring, Shtanhei recommends choosing “shades that look fresh in natural daylight and complement your skin tone.” Specifically, “Soft pastels and luminous corals are especially flattering and help the feet look healthy and well-groomed,” she adds.
Raspberry Pink
Choosing a vibrant springtime color is a perfect way to usher in the new season. This raspberry shade is “a bold yet cheerful pink-red that just says it’s spring,” says Sofiia Mazur, nail artist and educator in Calgary, Alberta. “Bright, juicy and eye-catching, it’s the perfect shade to add a fresh pop of color to your pedicure.” She recommends OPI Nail Lacquer in California Raspberry ($12), which “looks vibrant in daylight, pairs beautifully with open-toe shoes and instantly makes your pedicure and outfit look lively.”
Lavender Pastel
One of Shtanhei’s favorites right now is Mineral Fusion Nail Polish in Fun & Games ($10), “a soft lilac that feels playful yet sophisticated and perfectly captures the light, romantic mood of spring.”
Blushing Pink
If you prefer a versatile, timeless look that works year-round—especially in spring—Shtanhei often recommends Essie Nail Lacquer in Ballet Slippers ($10). “This milky blush pink gives the feet a very clean, polished appearance and works beautifully on almost every skin tone.”
Vibrant Coral
Brighter spring pedicures often rely on peach and coral shades, such as Shtanhei’s recommendation, OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp ($12), a cult-favorite shade from the brand. “It is a classic peachy coral that instantly adds warmth and energy,” she says.
Subtle Green
Lastly, go green. “Another trend I’m loving this season is soft mint green,” Shtanhei says, specifically recommending polishes such as Chanel Le Vernis in Cavalier Seul ($34) and Mineral Fusion Nail Polish in Mint To Be ($10). These mint pastel tones feel “fresh, modern and slightly unexpected,” she adds.
Spring Pedicure Nail Art Ideas
Spring nail art is always fun, but it doesn’t have to be reserved just for your fingertips. Embrace some fun with pedicure nail art as well. “Spring pedicures are all about freshness, softness and a hint of playfulness,” says Shtanhei.
Animal Print
Whether you opt for trending tiger print or a classic leopard print pedicure, animalistic patterns are timeless. “Designs inspired by leopard, zebra or snake patterns add a stylish statement to any manicure or pedicure,” says Mazur. “These prints are perfect when you want something a little more fashionable.”
Though animal print nails are super popular right now for both manicures and pedicures, they “never really go out of style, which makes them a fun and confident choice,” she adds. “They bring texture, contrast and personality to the nails, making even a simple set look trendy and expressive.”
Milky Finishes
Milky nails are everywhere lately and offer a nice switch-up from classic opaque polish. While not a detailed design, the finish adds a little boost of interest to your toes. Shtanhei specifically likes milky pastels this season, including “soft shades like lavender milk, peach blush and baby blue,” she says. These shades “create an elegant, clean look that feels very modern,” she adds.
Dainty Florals
Gone are the days of big, over-the-top florals on pedicures—at least for this season. Shtanhei instead recommends more minimal floral accents this spring. “Delicate hand-painted flowers on one or two toes add a subtle seasonal touch without overwhelming the design,” she says.
French Pedicure
French pedicures (and manicures) are timeless, but if you’re wondering how to modernize them for spring, Shtanhei recommends a glossier or more colorful twist. A “glossy French pedicure is a fresh take on the classic French with softer white or pastel tips instead of stark white,” she says.
Glazed Donut Pedicure
A simple yet effective way to dress things up on your toes: chrome powder. The famed glazed donut manicure can travel down to your toes this season, too. “Glazed or pearlescent finishes are luminous, light-reflecting finishes that give the nails a healthy, glowing look perfect for spring sandals,” says Shtanhei.