Hi GlitterPink You don’t need to nip cuticles, it makes them regrow horny. You shouldn’t be cutting live skin.
You will definitely improve with practice (I’m a clinical massage therapist and I specialise in rehab from long term couplex issues) but it helps to use the right products. I soak feet in gehwol foot bath solution and I squirt plenty of laufwunder nail and skin softener around the nail which I find helps me to push the cuticles back. I buy these online from myfootcaresupplies.com and I have nice tools which suit my hand.
I have quite a few issues with my body so I have to use my head instead. Think about everything that needs to be done and ask yourself if you are doing it in the most efficient way. Being organised helps. I have a small tray which I put everything that I need on. There isn’t much space so I have a small bowl with cotton pads cut up into 1/4’s, a small glass as my bin. I decant massage creme and scrub into egg cups.
I keep a clock where I can see it discreetly and I check in to make sure I’m not taking too long. Taking feet in and out of the water takes time and gets you wet, so you want to soak both feet, remove polish from foot one, cut toenails and replace in the water, do the same for foot 2 but don’t put it back into the water. Apply cuticle softener, file nails and tidy cuticles, scrub/file the foot replace in the water and rinse. Finish foot one.
You don’t want feet in water for too long, so now clear away your soaking water, stretch your legs and settle down to finish. Your client should already have made her polish selection, so massage foot one, keep it on your lap, separate the toes with tissue, wipe over with polish remover and apply base coat. Repeat with foot 2 and then complete polish application, making sure you have the client’s foot flat for painting.
I find I can usually do a pedi in 40 minutes without being rushed or skimping. If you haven’t got everything that you need to hand or you’re not concentrating to get as much done on a foot in one go you add to the time without adding quality to the client’s experience.
I’ve had newly qualified students take over 2 hours when they first start doing client pedicures. It’s amazing how the time flies when you aren’t consciously managing yourself.