Heel Hacks Every Girl Should Know
Two hours into the JROTC ball and every teen girl was looking for a pair of flats. One of the girls asked me what I was doing that made me walk comfortably in my J Crew Suede Heels. I assured her it wasn’t the shoes, these heels absolutely render me disabled by the end of the night, it was the few things I had done to prepare for a long night on my feet.
Funny enough I found that few of the mothers knew these heel hacks so I decided to come home and write this post. Just a sister helping another sister out. I love my heels, I love the look of heels, but I can’t suffer any longer and you shouldn’t either.
BE IN THE KNOW
Tape your 3rd and 4th toes together to distribute body weight.
Tape your Toes to distribute body weight. I’m not kidding. THIS. HEEL. HACK. WORKS. All you need is tape. I swear by medical tape but I have seen people even use good ‘ol scotch tape. Wrap the 3rd and 4th piggies from your big toe and you are good to go. I’m sure there is a medical reason for this, something about muscles, foot spreading, or pressure but I know none of it. All I know is it works.
Have you ever purchased the perfect heels, roughed up the bottoms like you were told, and the big night you take one step onto a marble floor of a beautiful restaurant where your foot slides. Raise your hand high if this has happen to you. Yup, me too, at a military formal. Here’s what I found out… If your shoes are sliding, grip bottoms are your solution. The pad sticks to the widest part of your heel (at the ball of your foot) and with it’s sandpaper like texture keeps you firmly planted in place.
Embrace Insoles. Try a Heel Hack from the British Royal herself, Kate. It has been reported that she is a huge fan of Vivian Lou Insoles which push your weight from the ball of your foot to your heel when rocking those pumps. Plus, who would argue with a girl who spends hours on her feet for so many formal engagements.
I don’t care for the gel pads placed in the toe of your heels. Usually the sticky back on them eventually gives way making it a slipping hazard or the pad itself will seem to flatten during wear. I’ve since switched to Metatarsal Pads which are cushions specifically for the Balls of your Feet. The only down side is the shape of your shoe determines if you can wear them since the pad itself wraps around your foot causing them to show.
We’ve all been here too. It’s annoying, can ruin your whole night, and takes a couple of days to recover from. I’m talking about Blisters. But there’s a Stick for that. Just like the chafing sticks for long distance runners Dr. Scholls created a stick for your foot that protects that delicate skin from terrible blisters allowing you to enjoy your night. In compact form its easy to throw into your clutch for on the go carrying.
Bandaids are so last year, Check out Moleskin. Need a little protection for your heels? Maybe your shoe rubs the side of your foot? Stay away from bandaids that never stay put or are ever the right size, create just what you need with moleskin. Moleskin comes in sheets that are easy to cut with a pair of scissors and stays in place, even through sweaty feet.
So you have a blister. What can you do next? I learned this heel hack from watching a video by one of favorite Real Housewives, Heather Dubrow. She suggested carrying a small bottle of Liquid Bandage in your clutch and adding it to your developing blister. By covering the irritated area, skin becomes tougher and buys you a few more hours to dance the night away.
Shoes Kinda Small? Stretch Them. But for real, your shoes can handle it. I know you have seen all the hacks where you wear thick socks and place a hairdryer on the part of the shoe that is too tight. But you could just save yourself the time and stretch them with a wooden shoe stretcher overnight. Just be mindful of the material used in the upper of your heel. If the heels are leather a shoe stretcher solution might be needed. The solution comes in a spray bottle for easy application, just remember to read all directions and create a test spot if suggested.
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