Soothe Your Soles. Heal Your Heels.

By Alexis Wolfer

We cram into pointy shoes that try to defy the very existence of our toes and teeter on towering heels that try to defy the laws of balance. And no, we’re not in the circus (or the side-show). We’re women. Fashionable women. And while we have come to expect (and accept) a moderate amount of discomfort in the name of fashion (the expression “no pain, no gain” comes to mind), at The Beauty Bean we refuse to accept persistently sore soles, aching arches, and heels that more closely resemble sandpaper than they do human flesh.In the hopes of soothing our soles and healing our heels, The Beauty Bean asked Tina Aldatz, a certified pedorthist and the president of Foot Petals, to help us find relief for our tortured tootsies.

How To Soothe Your Soles, Heal Your Heels…

The Beauty Bean: So often we try on shoes in the store that feel fine but, 15 minutes into strutting our stuff, our feet are killing us! Are there any telltale signs for women to look or feel for when buying shoes in order to ensure a perfect fit that lasts?

Tina Aldatz: Don’t assume that you know your size. Shoes should not gap around the top edges, heels should fit snugly (if not, try Heavenly Heelz), and the ball of the foot should fit into the widest part of the shoe (if not, try Tip Toes). Make sure that the back of the shoe is sturdy (to keep the heel stable), that the toe tips have a slight lift off of the ground (to allow the big toe to flow off of the ground comfortably), and that those teetering high heels can balance on their own (or they’ll be even harder to balance in once you’re wearing them).

DIY pedicure tips!

BB: If you’re “between sizes,” what is the best way to fix this (or do we really need to walk away from those fabulous finds)?

TA: Over 90% of people have different sized feet.  When buying shoes, buy shoes that fit your larger foot (often up to a ½ size difference) since it’s much easier to “cushion up” with Tip Toes, Killer Kushionz, Strappy Strips, Heavenly Heelz and Amazing Arches than it is to squeeze your larger foot into a shoe that’s too small.

BB: While solutions (like those from Foot Petals) are great when you know your feet need some extra TLC, do you have any quick-fixes if you’re out and about and feeling the pinch (or blister)?

TA: Yes! Antiperspirant is a great preventative product- put it on any area that may get a blister from friction. The aluminum chloride acts as a barrier between the skin and the shoe and prevents blisters by repelling moisture.

BB: Is there anything else you wish women knew about protecting their feet- either when shoe shopping, out and about, or just at home?

TA: 7 out of 10 Americans suffer from heel pain; so, if you’re going to wear high heels, be sure to stretch out your calves regularly by flexing the foot upward.

4 fast fixes for wintery feet!

While Tina’s tips and keeping Foot Petals on hand (or foot) will protect your feet from further damage (and ensure your next shoe-splurge fits perfectly), some soles are beyond the point of mere maintenance and are, instead, in dire need of an intervention. For you, try these three picks to help recover the most worn out soles:

1.  Miss Oops Pedicure in a Bottle Applied twice a day until, the company says, “you can no longer sand furniture with your feet,” this all-in-one treatment exfoliates, hydrates and soothes with glycolic and salicylic acid as well as shea butter and menthol for spa-like results in the comfort of your own home.

2.  Pro-Foot Flex-tastic After jamming into those Jimmy Choos all day, realign and relieve your feet with these gel-toe relaxers that release tension and increase circulation in just five minutes a day!

3.  Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Crème This overnight foot treatment is a sole-saver. Lather it on at night, cover with cotton socks, and wake up with wonderfully moisturized feet that will be anxiously awaiting flip-flop season – solely so they can show off!

How to boost your beauty sleep!