One of the best things about summer: My boots go to the back of my closet, and my sandals come front and center. The only tiny snag: That means I need regular pedicures. The idea of having my feet pampered for an hour is lovely, I admit. But let’s be serious, finding an extra hour every weekend can be tough.

Luckily, I’ve learned a couple of ways to stretch the time between salon visits:

1. Exfoliate regularly.
The thickest skin on your body is on your heels, which is why lightweight body lotions sit on top of your callused soles rather than sink in. You have to exfoliate to remove that tough, none-too-pretty skin. I find that glycolic peel pads and serums (yes, the same ones made for your face) work really well. Afterward, apply moisturizer—the thick-as-frosting kind, not the light-as-air kind.

2. Repair your polish.
I used to paint on another coat of polish every time I spied a nick or chip in my paint job, but as it turns out, doing so actually shortens your shade’s life. The extra coat dampens the layers underneath, causing them to lose adhesion and peel off. Instead, now I buff any nicks with a file, then “spot treat” with polish. By the way, toting your own polish shade with you to the salon means you also take it home for perfectly matching touch-ups. If you want more DIY tips for having beautiful, well-cared-for feet, read Soothe Your Soles at Self.com.

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