More often than not, I have insoles in my shoes because I’m a size 7.5 and have either opted for an 8 because I had to choose between .5 too big or .5 too small, or because I’ve bought the shoes in question during the warm spring/summer months when my feet are usually a touch bigger than they are in the fall/winter (and, sadly, something about warm weather makes me want to do little else besides troll Barneys!). Of course, this doesn’t even include the times I need insoles to soothe my tired feet and, to that end, Dr. Scholl’s has just come out with a slew of insoles and foot products to help us ladies out!

Until I was told about this launch the only other brand I could trust for specifically female-minded insoles was Foot Petals, so it’s nice that I now have some choices. Most women don’t think of slipping insoles into their shoes unless their shoes are too large, but the pain experienced the day after running around town in 6-inch heels can be significantly mitigated by opting for something like For Her High Heel Insoles, which have been designed specifically to be slim with an ultra-soft arch cushion that shifts pressure off the ball of the foot. And it also has clear massaging gel! If high heels aren’t your style of choice, check-out For Her Comfort Insoles, designed to absorb shock and impact on the heels while cushioning  and, if you suffer from arch aches/discomfort, there’s For Her Hidden Arch Support. You can find out more about all these and other styles here, and if you’re looking for pampering creams and tools, they’ve got that as well.

How do you keep your feet fresh and comfy?

Images: Dr. Scholl’s

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It’s almost time for our feet to transition from heavy boots to being nearly naked with skin and toe exposing footwear…yay! However, as exciting as the prospect of warm weather is, feet that have been stuck in booties for months aren’t necessarily ready to be shown off to the world, but that’s nothing a little DIY pedicure and pampering can’t fix. Freeman just launched a new line of foot treatments called Bare Foot Repair and, at $5.99, buying up the whole line is one of the most guiltless pampering things a gal can do for herself! The line-up includes: Pain Relief, Callus Softening, Cracked Heels, and a Deodorizing Foot Spray, so they’ve pretty much got all the bases covered when it comes to turning smelly and dry feet into refreshed and smooth ones.

What caught my attention about this line, aside from the surprisingly cheap-o prices, was that they’re clearly targeting women like me who love their heels (pain? cracked heels?…They’ve got us covered), but the products are also formulated with active ingredients and potent oils (methyl salicylate which is a natural aspirin, menthol which helps relieve minor aches and pains, neem oil which has anti-fungal properties…), without having an off-putting or super-strong smell.

My faves from the line are the Repair Deodorizing Foot Spray and the Repair for Cracked Heels. The spray is essential when wearing a constricting shoe, but also useful when wearing a shoe style that leaves your feet close to the ground (like flip-flops), and any sneakers or shoe you might sweat in. This foot spray won’t stain shoes or socks and gives you odor protection for the entire day (think of it as a daily deodorant for your feet). As for Repair for Cracked Heels, it’s a moisturizer that’s thick enough to help treat super-dry, cracking skin and heels and it’s formulated with a bunch of oils to hydrate and accelerate cell regeneration, while comforting and cooling (so it can work double duty as a pain reliever).

After some quick pampering, finish off your feet with a pedicure. My current favorite shade is Violet Diva from Estee Lauder’s Pure Color collection –  just don’t forget to always use a top and bottom coat to protect your nails and give them that professional-looking shine!

Image Courtesy of Freeman.

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Dress Up for Chores

Try spending a couple, or a few hours every day this week wearing them at home. Wear them while making the bed or doing the dishes – even while vacuuming! Any opportunity to wear your heels inside the house will have you en route to more comfortable, happy feet on New Year’s Eve. One of the perks of breaking in your shoes indoors is not having to worry about getting them dirty before the big party. So don’t be shy; practice your dance moves in your new party heels while you sweep the kitchen floor!

Boogie at Work

If you spend most of your day at the office and are usually too tired to do anything when you get home from work, don’t hesitate to bring your brand new pair of heels to work. As odd as this may sound, you will be grateful you did when the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve. Wear them around the office as you head over to the break room for more coffee, or to the copy machine for printouts. If you’re concerned about looking silly in front of your coworkers you can break in your new shoes while you are sitting at your desk – but remember, it won’t be as silly as hobbling around town on cold and dirty bare feet on New Year’s.

The Back-up Plan

What if you ordered your heels online, they have yet to arrive and you won’t have time to break them in before New Year’s Eve? No need to worry! You can save your boogied out tootsies from discomfort and dirty pavement with an extra pair of shoes. Zip up a pair of your favorite flip flop sandals or ballet flats into a large plastic bag and toss it into your purse (or car) or snag up a pair of roll up flats that you can carry compactly in your coat. SpareSoles are becoming increasingly popular and come in a variety of colors to suit your taste and outfits.

So whether you’re ready to break in your heels or carry a pair of backup on New Year’s Eve, remember that happy feet make for a happy night. Your feet will thank you with a night of  non-stop of fun and dance in your sexy new heels, and you will be thankful you took the extra steps to keep your tootsies comfortable.

Image Source: http://www.smarter.com/

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So here are our quick and dirty tips for wearing heels without a sense of dread during the festive season:

1. Put fantastically cushy pads in your shoes. Even if theyÂ’re strappy sandals, you can buy gel/cushion pads with sticky bottoms for the ball of your foot and heel. A 3-inch heel puts 75 percent more pressure on your foot than a flat, so you need the padding. And, letÂ’s be honest, itÂ’s easier to find an Eskimo in the dessert than it is a woman without feet painfully fettered to shoes with giant platforms and 7-inch heels. Dr. SchollÂ’s, Foot Petals, Sof Sole and SoftMoves all make great pads and inserts. And always carry a backup pair in your purse.

2. Carry blister pads, because there is nothing more crippling than a blister. Professional marathon runners drop out of races because of them. Hansaplast in Germany makes a very cute little tin filled with blister pads thatÂ’s about the shape and size of a credit card. Otherwise, all major drug stores sell a variety of blister pads in all sizes, so you can cover them everywhere from your pinky toe to your heel. If you need something thatÂ’s unassuming, Hansaplast and Elastoplast also have a brilliant new item called Invisible Protection, which is a completely invisible Band-Aid that wonÂ’t look as garish as those regular beige ones wrapped around your heel.

3. Bring backup flats. A few years ago, this would have meant carrying a bulky pair of shoes (or, god forbid, a pair of manky flip flops) in your purse. Nowadays, it means carrying something that might take up less space than a compact. Still, the issue of what you do with your heels when you swap them for the flats is unresolved on some message boards (um, I say leave them under the table, or at coat check if youÂ’re scared theyÂ’ll disappear).

Dr. SchollÂ’s For Her Fast Flats ($12.99) are all over TV right now (and come with a wristlet). They are the utilitarian version of roll-up, disposable shoes. On the other end of the spectrum are the significantly more pricey (at $40) Cocorose flats, which come in a variety of colors and patterns with pretty bow embellishments. And in between are basic flats that come in various colors, so you can indulge your preference for, say, red patent leather if you must. Brands include Rollon Pumps, Rollasole, Afterheels (dispensed from vending machines across the nightclub-scape in the U.K.) and AustraliaÂ’s After Party Shoe, which, unlike many of the others, is super compact and flexible but also durable, so itÂ’s not disposable. And they even do sandals.

4. And, finally, ask yourself this: Do you really need to splurge on that new $500 pair of red-soled spiked heels for an event that’Â’ll last four hours, three of which you (and everyone else) will be less than sober? We promise youÂ’ll look just as good in 2.5-inch heels, and maybe even better, because super high heels have a tendency to make wearers who arenÂ’t built like the long, lean and lithe Gisele will instead look like… Miss Piggy. Teetering around like a fool.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/markusram/2756345700

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I know sometimes no matter how much you scrub away corns, rub in those moisturizers, wish away those veins, they just won’t go away!  What is a girl to do?  We have make-up artist Allyson Carey to the rescue.  Allyson, best known for her work in the CBS show Bold and Beautiful came up with T!ntalize make up for your feet!  That’s right, war paint is not just for the face anymore.  It is a smudge proof, sweat proof and rub proof concealer especially for the feet intended to cover scars, blisters, veins, tan lines, age spots and blemishes.  It is supposed to dry fast and not stain clothes or bed sheets.  The concealer comes in a choice of seven colors ranging from Vanilla Mousse to Chile Chocolate and retails for $15.  If you want your feet to look princess perfect for that all important date or an imminent summer wedding but don’t have enough time to whip them back into shape, T!ntalize might just do the trick!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for tinted sunscreen.

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Besides, the more you do it, the better you become.

1. First start with the soaking. Foot spas are great for cracked heels, the water stays warm, there’s little bubbles and jets to turn on sometimes, and there are usually textured surfaces on the bottom to massage the heels of your feet. Foot baths like the HoMedics Pedicure Spa Salon Foot Bath with Heat are actually pretty luxurious, and one soak in this thing and your feet will be soft and relaxed.

HoMedis Pedicure Spa Salon Foot Bath with Heat: $59.99

Foot baths and foot spas are perfect for DIY pedicures, but they aren’t mandatory. You can easily create a little foot bath in your own tub at home, or in a big bowl of warm water. I always like adding epsom salts, or lavender oils to the water also. Soak feet for about 5-10 minutes, then begin to either scrub or pumice. I prefer the pumice stone especially natural ones like this Earth Stone Lava Pumice by Cuccio $5.95 from BannerTherapy.com.

This will definitely make your feet ultra smooth by gently buffing away dead skin.  If you want to do both, which I often like to do for that little extra something, pumice first, then use a foot scrub.  I’m curious to see how this Sephora Brand Super Foot Scrub works, it’s $22 and has a built in massage head applicator for extra exfoliation.

This would probably be a good purchase since you could use it quickly in the shower or take it while you travel if you didn’t have time to pamper your feet beforehand.  So you’ve soaked, scrubbed, and now its time to moisturize and polish.  Finding a good foot creme isn’t hard, but it’s always good to go with something that has nourishing ingredients like shea butter, or almond oil.  Bliss makes fabulous bath & body products that always smell good like the Aloe Leaf and Peppermint Foot Patrol Creme $26.

I also love the L’Occitane Relaxing Foot Cream in Lavender ($20.50).  I have had fantastic results with this stuff.

Now, time to polish.  Try a bright shade from OPI’s Spring/Summer 2009 South Beach Collection.  My two top shade choices are Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot! ($1.75)–a bright Flamingo Pink and OPI on Collins Ave ($1.75)–a bright red-orange color.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more foot spas, foot creme and foot scrubs.
Discounts on nail polish.

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1) Ped Egg Foot File, $9.99:  This is one of the best foot files out there. Diligently scrub away at your dead skin and calluses with these ergonomically designed stainless steel files. Concentrate on the heels, and any other dry and cracked areas of the foot.

2)Avon Foot Works Pedi-Peel, $5: Glycolic acid in these treatment pads helps to slough off the rough, callused layer of skin that covers the heel so your moisturizer can more effectively penetrate the area.

3) Philosophy Soul Owner, $14: Exfoliate your skin with this rich cream filled with salicylic and glycolic acid which is designed to reduce flakiness.

4) Barielle Foot Cream, $22: This luxurious formula works to soften and eliminate calluses as well as heal chapped areas of the feet. Apply twice morning and evening. Wear 100% cotton socks after bedtime application for best results.

5) Footloose Loofah Pedi Slippers, $29.50: These exfoliating pedi slippers made out of terry cloth are designed to ward off dead skin and stimulate a healthy one just by wearing them. This is a great one for lazy souls!

6) Zoya Nail Polish, $5.40: You got to top it all off with some pop of color!  Zoya’s spring 2009 collection of nail polishes reflect the colors seen in the RTW Spring Runways and are long-wearing, natural and best of all free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Now, there is no excuse not to treat yourself to one of those sexy gladiator style or fringy sandals that are making the rounds this spring!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more foot care products.
Discounts on nail polish and foot cream.

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Here are some great mani/pedi sets that will help you do your nails yourself and put the saved money away for other resources:

Royce Leather Framed Manicure Set: $32

Tweezerman Manicure Solutions Kit: $51

Baekgaard Manicure Set: $18.99

FootSmart Pedicure Set: $7.99

Ms. Pedicure 101, 9 Piece Set: $4.60

Come on…don’t be lazy!  Grab your favorite nail polish and get to painting!

Find at Smarter.com:   Shop for more manicure sets and pedicure sets.
Discounts on nail polish and nail polish remover.

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 Dear Powers that BE that govern the UNIVERSE,

Please spare me from the same fate that has turned my father’s toes into yellow curly monsters. 

Sincerely, 

Michelle

Okay where was I? Well every time I go to get pedicures I “always” tell the lady to cut straight across and not to cut deep into the corners of my toenails. Why you ask? Because my father said that his mother use to cut his toenails really short and would cut deep into the corners of his toesnails. And by God if you saw what my father’s toes looked like you would understand my deep seated fear and horror!

Well over the weekend I kept feeling a subtle but persistent pain on my left big toe. Upon closer inspection it turns out the toenail was beginning to curl on the left corner and dig into my skin! OUCH!

Also it triggered the fear that those horrific toenails are genetic and that I may succumb to the same horrible fate!!! NOOOO!!!

I am dead set on doing everything in my power to prevent this fate, so I search for some posssible tools that might help.

I ordered this -  Ingrown Toenail Lifter

Special care is required for tending to painful ingrown toenails. This premium steel lifter has two ends to gently help move the nail and apply medicine as needed.

Note: Not for those with diabetes or poor circulation. If you are interested in purchasing the Ingrown Toenail Lifter, click here or the image.

Price: $19.99 

I hope this works, sighs. 

 

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As I mentioned in my previous post about Dry Cracked Feet? I have NASTY FEET! I have addressed the issue of the dry cracked heels, Round TWO: curly hammer toes.

Truth is I have heard of this product for quite some time now. I actually do yoga and while I’m not at the level where I can wrap my leg around my neck, they do teach you in yoga to spread out your toes and root yourself. The first time I did it, it felt great. I had no idea that one should stretch and tone your toes. The feet are often overlooked care wise in the overall beauty upkeep department.

Well turns out my friend Evette bought a pair of the Yoga Toes. I asked her to bring it to work so I may investigate the specimen and grill her on her honest opinion. If they work? Were they worth it? and so forth…

First off, she loved hers. She had pink ones and they are made of this like..flexible yet semi-gelantinous material that sort of well reminds me of a boob? Like a much firmer silicon boob implant. Suffice to say, I liked the material.

So I decided to invest in a pair of my own. I chose the size medium even though I wear a size 9 and was wondering if I should buy a large. Makes sense since it is the width of the toes not the length of the foot. The premise is simple. By gently stretching out your toes, this helps stretch and circulate the blood through the toes.

Think about it, when does this happen to your feet? They are usually squished into some heels, sandwiched into some boots and even when you wear flip flops, the toes aren’t stretched apart. Have you ever gone clubbing and at the end of the night your feet are BARKING! Once you kick of your heels and all the blood pools into your feet they swell up? Well folks that’s when I usually massage my feet and wish I had yoga toes to stretch out my aching toes.

To be clear, here is a list of the perks:

* relax & refresh overworked feet
* stretch & strengthen foot muscles
* help improve & prevent foot problems
* soft, flexible & hypo-allergenic

$49.95 (one pair)
$39.95 (two pairs)
$33.00 (three pairs)

Worth it!

Want to check it out or buy Yoga Toes? Click here.

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