Peep-toes, pool slides, sexy sandals... summer shoe options are endless. But if you're feeling shy about these feet-revealing styles, there's only one solution: a thorough pedicure and polish.

Luckily, cracked heels and neglected nails can easily be tackled at home with the right tools, techniques and sole-soothing products.

Follow our step-by-step guide, featuring advice from salon and podiatry pros, and get ready to put your best feet forward...

1. FILE

To begin, you want to get to work on dry skin build-up on your soles and heels - but don't soak your feet first. "The biggest myth I have come across is that feet are better filed wet - they certainly are not," says podiatrist Margaret Dabbs. "Water masks the area that needs to be treated and also can weaken tissues, causing skin to become rubbery and cracks can open. Instead, use a foot file on dry feet, always working in the direction of the mid-line of the foot."

:: Diamancel The Tough Buffer, £40 (www.blissworld.co.uk)

2. SOAK

Now's the time to pop your feet in a bowl of warm water mixed with softening bath crystals or a foot soak, then sit back and relax for 10-15 minutes (cucumber slices over your eyes are optional). "Soaking the feet before exfoliation softens the skin and stimulates blood flow, allowing better absorption of product," explains Kicia Bissette-Emanus, Bliss nail technician. "If the feet are softened, you will have more effective removal of dead skin and deeper penetration of product used."

:: Kneipp Calendula & Rosemary Foot Bath Crystals, £8.95 (FeelUnique.com)

3. SCRUB

Next, apply a generous dollop of foot scrub, rubbing in circular motions and working between the toes. "A scrub is a great way of removing dead skin build-up, but it's important to use one that is formulated for the thicker skin of the feet, and that replenishes and hydrates skin at the same time," advises Dabbs. "Ground tea tree leaf, which is found in my Exfoliating Foot Mousse, is excellent as an exfoliator and has antibacterial qualities, whilst emu oil helps to rehydrate and deeply nourish the skin." Rinse in your water bowl then pat your feet dry with a towel.

:: Margaret Dabbs Exfoliating Foot Mousse £18 (www.margaretdabbs.co.uk)

:: BalanceMe Skin Brightening Body Polish, £18 (www.balanceme.co.uk)

4. SHAPE

To prep your nails for polish, dab a touch of nourishing oil on each and rub into the cuticles. "With the aid of a nail buffer, rub over each nail plate from side to side, to smooth out any ridges," podiatrist Emma Supple recommends. "Using a hoof stick, gently push back each cuticle on all sides with circular motions."

:: Jessica Phenomen Oil Intensive Intensive Moisturiser, £14.10 (FeelUnique.com)

5. CLIP

"Toenails generally tend to be thicker than fingernails, but you still want to treat them with care," says Bissette-Emanus, who recommends clippers, rather than scissors or a file, for trimming. "When clipping nails, you want to take care to not split the nails or cause any ingrown nails. Do not clip in one motion, work from one side of the nail to the other, trimming straight across gradually."

:: The Vintage Cosmetic Company Toenail Clippers, £8.50 (www.thevintagecosmeticcompany.com)

6. MOISTURISE

Give yourself a foot massage with a rich moisturising cream. "Work the cream into the soles, kneading with your fists and applying pressure in between your toes with your thumbs," says Supple. "Massage up the legs too, as they contain the muscles that work the feet. Continue massaging until the foot cream has been completely absorbed." If you suffer with very cracked heels, choose a heavy-duty cream. "Look on the list of ingredients for things such as such as urea or shea butter."

:: Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion, £12.99 (www.burtsbees.co.uk)

:: Flexitol Heel Balm, currently reduced to £3.74 from £4.99 (www.boots.com)

7. PAINT

Now it's time for the finishing touch. "Wipe away any remaining lotion from the toenails and remember to insert toe dividers. Paint each nail with a base coat to prevent the polish staining," Supple advises. "Paint each nail starting with one stroke up the middle, then repeat on both sides to achieve a perfect curve at the base, without touching the cuticle. Apply a high shine top coat and leave your nails to dry for at least 20 minutes." Bright colours can be fun for summer but for a chic, understated look, find your perfect skin tone from Rimmel's new Kate Moss-approved Nudes collection.

:: Rimmel Salon Pro By Kate Nail Polish Collection, £4.49 each (www.boots.com)

TRIED AND TESTED

:: Katie Wright tames her talons with a treatment that promises to soothe and strengthen dry, damaged nails.

"I love gel manicures, but because I - naughtily - often pick off the long-lasting polish rather than getting it taken off properly, my nails have become terribly flaky and snap at the slightest touch. IBX sets out to repair exactly this kind of damage, using a similar technique to a gel manicure.

"First, the clear IBX repair liquid is brushed onto my nails, then I hold my hands under a warm red lamp for one minute, followed by a minute under an LED lamp. The process is repeated, then again with the strengthening treatment. The whole thing takes less than 20 minutes.

"It's really relaxing - the red light is particularly soothing - and my nails look amazing afterwards. The nail beds look pink and healthy and the tips feel instantly stronger. The effect lasts too: I have far fewer breakages in the following weeks. Swap your next gel manicure for this treatment and your nails will thank you for it."

:: IBX Treatment costs around £30 and is available from salons nationwide

BUY IT NOW

Another trend that's arrived on our shores from the Far East, cushion compacts - where a sponge is soaked in foundation - have had the beauty world buzzing this year. Now from Pur comes the world's first mineral cushion compact, delivering lightweight coverage, SPF50 and anti-ageing properties too.

:: Pur Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation, £27 (available in August; www.marksandspencer.com)

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: LEARN FROM THE LEGENDS

Want to follow in the footsteps of hair stylist to the stars Sam McKnight, or fashion and beauty photographer Nick Knight? Now you can learn directly from these industry legends, with the announcement of two new courses from innovative online school, Mastered. Applications for the courses, which can be completed from anywhere in the world, are open until September (www.mastered.com).

STEAL OF THE WEEK

Bring the bubble tea craze into your bathroom, with the new Bubble T range from Superdrug. Featuring fun and fruity offerings, like a Shower Jelly and a box of Bath T-bags, they're bargains to boot.

:: Bubble T Shower Jelly, £2.99 (www.superdrug.com)