Q/A: Cracked!

It’s that time again peoples, cracked heel season.

Cracked skin is generally distressing, however cracked heels can up the torment ante. Cracked heels can vary from being unsightly to being cracked so badly that the heels bleed and cause pain. Not to mention, for all the stockings/ tights wearers cracked soles can also put a run in your hosiery,  and that is just not cool.

The question was asked “How do I deal with cracked heels?”

A few of my tips:

- Exfoliate 
Invest in a simple foot file and exfoliate heels (and balls of the feet if necessary) regularly, at least twice a week. Build up of dead skin cells can result in  hardening of skin around heels, so exfoliate to reveal softer newer skin.
Side note – Wearing certain shoes can result in callus buildup on feet. Calluses are formed to provide extra cushioning to feet and is readily associated with wearing certain shoes for extended periods of time. You know which shoes I’m talking about

Caution: Do not over exfoliate. Overly exfoliating the sole of the foot is painful. It can also result in bleeding. It will take your foot a few days to a few of weeks to regenerate enough skin cells to cushion the pain associated with over exfoliation.

Pay attention to the state of your heels during exfoliation, and do not exfoliate vigorously with the brittle side of the foot file, in cases where there are two grit levels on foot file. If this is your first time exfoliating your feet, start with the less coarse surface (smaller grit size) of the foot file and exfoliate daily for a week or so until you have cleared the hard, calloused dead skin cells. This would prevent from from over-exfoliation.

- Moisturize heels with thick cream (as opposed to a lotion) just after showering

If you are anything like I am and cream/ lotion/ anything on the heels or palms results in a sweat fest, applying night time or before bed will be best.

- Wear closed shoes
As far as possible wear closed heeled shoes instead of flip flops or sandals to avoid moisture loss from feet, particularly heels. Women, can still go for peep toe shoes/ flats to allow their toes to breathe.

- Custom contraption
This suggestion may sound silly, but it works. If you have a problem with cracked heels and have tried everything above, you may want to give this a shot.

- After showering, lotion soles with a heavy, ultra moisturizing cream. There are foot creams specifically designed for this purpose. (Applying plain old petroleum jelly over normal lotion can also work, whichever works works for you.)
- Wrap feet in plastic wrap. You can leave your toes exposed, especially if you are tending to a nail infection or otherwise
- Place lotioned, plastic-wrapped feet in ankle socks overnight

Feet can feel a lot slushy when walking around in this contraption so you can do it just before bed/ after the freaky freaky.

- Hydrate
Ensure that you are drinking more than enough water during the day.  

Tights/stocking wearing glamazons, can wear matching coloured ‘footsies’ before wearing stockings/tights when wearing boots/ booties to prevent the tights/ stockings from shearing. Is that what they are called ‘footsies’? Those ballet shoe looking socks that cover just the toes and heels. 

Hope this helps. If you have any other tips that work for you feel free to share them.

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Trend Spotlight: Animal Print

 

Patricia-Von-Musulin | Spring 2010

 

Animal prints are all the rage this season… as it is every Fall Season. Special shout out to all my peeps who need neither reason nor season to don their outter animal. 

The animal print is a very powerful print to wear and as a result should be worn with careful consideration. 

Make it the focal point
Do pair with an otherwise monochromatic look. For example pair:

- Knee high animal printed boots with dark skinny jeans or leggings
- Animal printed pumps with a simple nude, black or grey dress 
- Animal printed leggings with a simple black dress or oversized sweater and black pumps
- Animal printed scarf with a neutral colored, simple top
- Animal printed coat with an otherwise simple, but well fitting look.

The idea is to not pair two contrasting statement trends, like animal print boot, with neon leggings. This will age you.

Keep accessories simple
This goes for any type of printed clothing, including but not limited to animal prints.  

Keep makeup simple
Wear a ‘natural’ beautiful look, especially when worn during the day.
For the extra daring among us you can choose to pair with one of the season’s vampy makeup looks, the vampy (smokey) eye or vampy (bold) lips as a nighttime glam look.

Avoid mixing/ layering prints
Wear one printed piece at a time. 
In the wild, zebras and snow leopards don’t hang out together, and neither should your animal printed clothing.
Layering an animal printed dress under an animal printed coat with animal printed boots is just too much, even if it’s the same print family.

If you are weary of the animal print you can always opt for minimalista animal print glam:

~ Skinny belts over a simple sheath dress
~ Bangles
~ Pumps
~ Bag or evening clutch
~ Hat
~ Simple scarf
 

If the animal print is definitely not for you, you can always opt for look-a-like prints that give the essence of this season’s trend. For example:
- Houndstooth print
- Pinstripe
- Or other monochrome abstract type printed scarves

Grrrrrrrrr! 

Marvelous Daaarling!

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Random music of the day: Gnarls Barkley

” …Anyone who needs what they want and doesn’t want what they need I want nothing to do with…”

- Going on, Gnarls Barkley

Ain’t that the truth.

Have a tangy Thursday y’all!

Supernova