First pedicure

Evie2004 · ‎09-09-2010

I am planning on having my first (professional) pedicure soon...and have a few questions... Does the technician clip or file toenails? What type of shoe/ sandal to wear (so I don't ruin polish on my way home)? Plan to do it on a warmish day... Does the technician use different instruments (cleaned or sterilized) for each customer? I've always done my own, but it's getting to be a real stretch to do it myself now

One more, is a 20% tip appropriate? Thanks for any answers...

Colonel Meow · ‎05-25-2014

I've had my toes both filed and clipped (depending on their length). I normally wear simple thong flip-flops. Yes, your technician is supposed to sterilize the tools between clients. However, many folks don't trust that this happens, so they bring their own tools.

VaBelle35 · ‎03-10-2010

On 2/9/2015 buckeye mom said: I am planning on having my first (professional) pedicure soon...and have a few questions... Does the technician clip or file toenails? What type of shoe/ sandal to wear (so I don't ruin polish on my way home)? Plan to do it on a warmish day... Does the technician use different instruments (cleaned or sterilized) for each customer? I've always done my own, but it's getting to be a real stretch to do it myself now One more, is a 20% tip appropriate? Thanks for any answers...

I hope you have researched the place and received either recommendations from people you know or read reviews for it on something like Yelp. That is really the first step to finding not only a good, clean reputable place, but also a good technician. Not all nail places are good and not all good nail places have good people. You really do need to get a recommendation.

re filing vs cutting/clipping

It depends. If you don't want them cut you need to explain that. Each place and each nail technician have their own standard way of doing things. If you don't give your preference, they will do it their way.

re shoes

I wear flip flops home. The paper shoes they give you aren't good for outside. If you have flip flops or open sandals, that would be best.

re tip

20% is what I give and is pretty standard

re utensils

This varies from place to place. I go to Red Door and they have an autoclave machine so each set of tools is sterilized and the technician opens up a new packet in front of me.

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Jacie · ‎01-09-2011

I wear flip flops. A salon or spa should be willing to share all the information you are requesting. If not, go elsewhere. Call ahead and explain you are having your first professional pedicure and you are not certain what to expect. Believe me, a good salon or spa wants return business! They want you to feel pampered! Enjoy!

"Cats are poetry in motion. Dogs are gibberish in neutral." -Garfield

september · ‎03-09-2010

File or clip...its your choice. I get asked where I go. I wear flip flops and plan to wear them for at least 3 hours afterwards. 20 percent tip.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

Make sure you go to a really reputable place. I got a toenail fungus from a nail salon and had a horrible time getting rid of it. I had to go to the dermatologist and get pills and cream, and it still took months and months.

Definitely wear flip flops.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

Evie2004 · ‎09-09-2010

Thanks to all...found 2 interesting salons on Yelp..close by with great reviews...

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/9/2015 NickNack said:
Make sure you go to a really reputable place. I got a toenail fungus from a nail salon and had a horrible time getting rid of it. I had to go to the dermatologist and get pills and cream, and it still took months and months.

Definitely wear flip flops.

I could not agree more. I went to a strip mall salon and ended up with toe nail fungus. Since then I've only gone to the solo nail person at my hair salon. I bring my own soaking bowl and implements.

The strip mall salon I went to was new, and I thought those big massage chairs with whirlpools would be so relaxing. After my experience and watching many news stories about them, I'd never put my feet into one again.

Vamp · ‎04-14-2010

On 2/10/2015 lulu2 said:
On 2/9/2015 NickNack said:
Make sure you go to a really reputable place. I got a toenail fungus from a nail salon and had a horrible time getting rid of it. I had to go to the dermatologist and get pills and cream, and it still took months and months.

Definitely wear flip flops.

I could not agree more. I went to a strip mall salon and ended up with toe nail fungus. Since then I've only gone to the solo nail person at my hair salon. I bring my own soaking bowl and implements.

The strip mall salon I went to was new, and I thought those big massage chairs with whirlpools would be so relaxing. After my experience and watching many news stories about them, I'd never put my feet into one again.

Ditto. I got an infected toe from a strip mall nail salon. I had to get it lanced and drained, which was quite painful. Unfortunately, you need to be proactive and take responsibility for the sanitation because a lot of the cheap nail places don't. Even with the more expensive places, I would ask when you book your appointment about their sanitation practices and hold them to it.