I personally love a good foot soak—so does Lin, who recently launched a heavenly Ancient Rituals Foot Soak, featuring an herbal mix of warm coconut milk, fresh cucumber, fresh ginger, and goji berries—but try to stick to a pre-pedicure ritual if you can. 

Says Lin, a proper pedicure (which includes a base coat, two coats of polish, and one top coat) takes around six hours to fully set, and you’ll want to avoid soaking your feet in water during that time. 

You’ll also want to avoid wearing tight shoes or encountering any textured surfaces that can potentially dent the polish while your toes are still vulnerable. “This will ensure a long-lasting, pristine pedicure,” she notes. After six hours, go ahead and wear your pointiest pair of heels, if you please. 

Just one summer caveat: “If you’re traveling to the beach, avoid soaking your feet for too long in salt water, as this wears down the polish and can cause it to become dry and chip,” she adds.