Sheltering in place, you’ve likely been missing out on your monthly trip to the nail salon. But while other indulgences like high-tech skin treatments and intricate haircuts are probably best saved until your facialist or stylist opens up, you can pull off a decent mani-pedi at home. 

Sure, it might not match the standards of your usual experience, but it’ll help you look and feel more polished heading into party season, even if your holiday plans are more “sofa” than “gala.”

With self-care now more crucial than ever, there’s no reason to skimp on quality. Thanks to advances in nailcare technology, many among today’s polishes leave out the nasty chemicals that can leach into the skin without sacrificing shine or color. Ever since these nontoxic (and less toxic) brands began cropping up about a decade ago, the sector has mushroomed, and even established names such as Sally Hansen have entered the field. 

Before getting started on your mani-pedi, look for polish from brands that are, at minimum, “3-free,” meaning they forgo toluene (believed to affect the central nervous system), dibutyl phthalate (DBP; linked to reproductive tract issues and even miscarriages and birth defects), or formaldehyde (a probable carcinogen). Brands that are “5-free” don’t contain formaldehyde resin or camphor in addition. Others claim to be 8-, 9-,10-, and even up to 16-free, and though the “free from” list can get a little blurry—some companies, for example, include “gluten” while other gluten-free brands don’t—suffice it to say, the higher you aim, the safer your tootsies (and the rest of you) are from chemicals.

Read on for a step-by-step treatment protocol, followed by our pick of the latest polishes. To amp up the aah factor, throw on a sheet mask, queue up the classical music, and pour yourself a glass of organic wine or juice.

Mani-Pedi How-To

1. Swipe a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover over your nails to remove any remnants of lacquer. It’s worth investing in a gentle, totally natural brand such as Kure Bazaar.

2. Immerse hands or feet for five to 10 minutes in warm water infused with a dash of hand soap or soak. No mani-pedi tub? No problem. Use a sink (for hands), bath (feet), or in a pinch, a scrubbed-clean bucket. 

3. Dry hands/feet thoroughly, then use a clean orange stick or manicure tool to remove any dirt from under the nails.

4. Carefully cut nails with nail clippers or scissors, being careful not to go too short, then shape with a file. Elaine Watson, former global education director for nail brand Cuccio International and the professional nail tech behind Nailebrity (@nailebrity), recommends the classic square/oval (“squoval”) shape. “It’s good for a busy active lifestyle as it takes abuse the best, and it’s also the easiest shape for a beginner,” she says. “Just be extra careful not to shape into the deep sides of the nail, as it will cause breakage. 

5. Dab cuticle oil on cuticles, and use an orange stick to gently push them back. (Cutting cuticles can lead to infection in a nonsterile environment, so resist the urge to do so.)

6. Next, take a foot file to dry, flaky skin on the feet, paying extra attention to the heels, where calluses can build up. Then use a hand/foot scrub (or grab a handful of coarse sea salt) to slough off any remaining dry patches before rising off any stubborn product.

7. Massage time! Show yourself some love by slathering on some luxurious hand or foot lotion and working out the stress. There are plenty of gorgeous options on the market—we’re fans of 100% PURE’s Gingerade Hand Buttercream—but any of your faves will do. 

8. Swipe nail polish remover (or rubbing alcohol) over the nails again so they’re fully prepped for polish. For the feet, use toe separators or a piece of paper towel twisted into a “rope” to prevent your tootsies crashing into each other.

9. Apply a base coat, followed by two coats of polish and a top coat. Allow a few minutes between each step, and a good 20 minutes after the top coat, before touching anything with your nails. 

10. There’s really no substitute for time when it comes to letting your nails dry, but you can speed up the process somewhat with a few drops of nontoxic, cruelty-free, vegan nail dryer like this one from Tenoverten. But if you’re really in a rush, forget the polish altogether and just buff your nails till shiny.

Smart, Stylish Polish Choices 

For fall/winter 2020 trends, Aja Frierson, founder of Habit Cosmetics, cites “creamy neutrals, earthy oranges, rich emerald greens, and of course metallics and shades of red.” Here are 11 polishes we love, plus their eco bona fides.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro in Gone Green, a dark olive base with silver shimmer, from The Girl Who Fell To Earth Fall 2020 collection: Vegan, not tested on animals, 10-free (no toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, DBP, diethyhexyl adipate, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, or methyl ethyl ketone). 

Habit Cosmetics Nontoxic + Vegan Nail Polish in 25 Disco, a dazzling metallic gold shimmer, from the current collection: PETA-certified vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and 9-free (no toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, triphenyl phosphate [TPP], DBP, isobutylphenoxy epoxy resin, xylene, or parabens). What’s more, the polishes come in sustainable packaging: a bamboo overcap, recycled plastic components, and FSC-certified paperboard boxes.

Lakur Enhanced Color by Londontown in Café au Lait, a creamy taupe, from the Fall 2020 Blushfully Bare collection: Vegan, cruelty-free, PETA certified; 16+ free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, TPHP, acetone, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, DBP, toluene, or camphor).

Mischo Beauty Nail Lacquer in #NYFW, a bold midnight blue inspired by New York Fashion Week, from the Fall 2020 collection: Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, free of artificial fragrances, and 10-free (no formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, triphenyl phosphate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, or parabens).

Nailtopia Bio-Sourced, Chip Free Nail Lacquer in Run Now Wine Later, a shimmery deep red, from the current collection: Free from toluene, xylene, acetone, phthalates (including DBP and DPHP), formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasers, tosylamide/formaldehyde resin, triphenyl phosphate (TPP), camphor, ethyl tosylamide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, glycol ethers of series E, organic sulfates, hydroquinone (HQ), 4-methoxyphenol (MEHQ), bisphenol A, parabens, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), triclosan, animal-derived ingredients, and gluten.

Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Tang Bang, an opaque burnt orange, from the Fall 2020 collection: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, 8-free (no DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, or triphenyl phosphate).

SpaRitual Nourishing Vegan Color in Joyful Living, a ruby-red gold shimmer, from the Season of Joy collection: Cruelty-free, vegan, 13-free (no DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, hydroquinone monomethyl ether [MEHQ]/hydroquinone [HQ], gluten, parabens, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, methylisothiazolinone [MIT], or animal-derived ingredients).

Zoya Professional Lacquer in Andrea, a cool-toned, duo-chrome metallic with a purple and green shift, from the Luscious Fall 2020 collection: Vegan, 10-free (free from formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor, TPHP, parabens, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, and lead).

100% PURE Nontoxic Creamy Nail Polish in Cherry Pop, a deep, opaque cabernet red, from the current collection: Vegan, cruelty-free, 10-free (no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, or animal ingredients).

MiniLuxe Nail Polish in Strut Confidence, a rich aquamarine green, from the Fall 2020 Take the Lead collection: Gluten-free, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, 8-free (no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, ethyl tosylamide, or xylene).

Cuccio Colour Lacquer in See You Latte, a warm latte crème, from the Fall 2020 Chocolate collection: Vegan, 12-free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, fragrance, triphenyl phosphate, animal-derived ingredients, or wheat-derived ingredients).