Any of you who follow me on Instagram or Facebook will know that I have a huge love affair with heels, and proper high ones. Being a little vertically challenged and simply for the love of shoes I have grinned through the pain on more occasions than I'd like to count, seen more blisters and plasters than I care to recall and tried every trick in the book to save my poor pinkies from pain. So, now I can share the ones that work with you!
1. When buying your shoes avoid cheap hard plastic or rubber shoes. This is for 3 reasons. First of all they aren't breathable, meaning your feet will sweat more causing friction and therefore you guessed it, blisters. Second of all they will not soften meaning you cant stretch them out and lastly along with the sweat and friction the hard edges are likely to dig into your feet cutting them.
2. If the shoes hurt when you try them on in the shop, they will probably always hurt, so cut your losses and leave them behind.
3. If the shoes are a little tight or pinching at the toes a little stretching can really help. If you're anything like me you'll want to wear them straight away so you won't have time to break them in around the house for a week or so. Instead pop them on with a pair of socks and blast them with the hair dryer, this will soften them to help them stretch and mould to your feet.
4. Another quick and easy way to stretch your shoes is to fill freezer bags with water, put them in the shoes and put the shoes in the freezer over night. When water freezes it expands therefore stretching the shoes. this works great for any type of footwear.
5. If you are wearing your heels to work all day your feet will sweat and swell a little throughout the day. To help combat this and any blisters it might lead to keep talcom powder or spray deodorant in your handbag and apply it as needed throughout the day.
6. Gel insoles ladies. If you haven't become acquainted with them you are about to enter into a great friendship. They stick to the insoles of your shoes right where the ball of your foot sits. They are particularly great for shoes with no platform as they cushion the ball of your foot and also have a cooling effect to help ease any burning sensation you might get.
7. You might think I sound crazy but trust me you'll thank me for this one. To alleviate pain in the ball of your foot tape your third and fourth toes together, counting from your big toe. I've found that nude medical tape is best. The reason this works is that there is a nerve that splits between those two toes that causes pain when pressure is put on it. The tape removes the strain on the nerve, therefore it causes no pain.
8. Pop socks. I know they remind you of your granny but believe me granny knew what she was doing. They reduce the friction between your foot and the shoes which means less swelling, less sweating and less chance of blisters!
9. Whatever you do if your new shoes are killing your feet DON"T TAKE THEM OFF. I mean it, if your feet are sore the best thing you can do is smile through the pain. Taking your heels off may sound tempting and will give you relief for a brief time, but with all that swelling getting them back on is guaranteed to be twice as painful. If you really do find that you cant bear the pain, sit down and take the weight off for a while.
10. ALWAYS have a pair of stylish flats on hand. Keep them in your handbag, your locker or under your desk for those occasions that your feet really just can't take it anymore.
Keep strolling to shop my current favorite highstreet heels!
Zara d'orsay shoes with ankle strap €39.95
Zara blue high heeled strappy sligback sandals €49.95
Topshop PAGAN premium mules £78
Britton metal heel pointed toe stiletto by Kurt Geiger £250
Zara salón piel print heels €79.95
Ted Baker SAVENNI high back court shoes £170
Zara ankle boot with track heel €69.95
River Island green leather snake print court shoes €75
Zara vinyl heel court shoe €39.95
Let me know if you plan on trying any of these or if you have tried them. Have you any tips that I havent heard of? Have you fallen for any of these beautiful heels? Let me know below in the comments. Thanks for reading.
Zee xx
