For me, dressing up just isn't complete without a pair of high heels. But spending hours at a time in heels (especially when I'm out dancing) can really wreak havoc on my feet. According to a recent survey by the College of Podiatry, 20 percent of women claim they start to feel pain within only 10 minutes of wearing high heels. This really doesn't surprise me. I can't tell you how many times I've wound up having to go bare foot in the middle of a dance floor, and believe me it's NOT cute!
The truth is that as painful as they may be, none of us ever plan on giving our heels up. Luckily there are ways to make your heels a little less painful and little more bearable, even on those extra long nights. Check out a few of my tips below!
Read more ¿Que mas?: How to take care of your high heels so they will last forever!
1. Find the right fit. When it comes to wearing heels, the worst thing you can do is go for a pair that doesn't fit you exactly right. Try it on first and if it feels a little loose or tight, consider looking for another pair. If they hurt when you tried them in the store, chances are they'll hurt afterwards too.
2. Break them in. It takes me a couple of tries before I can really break into a fresh pair of shoes. I always wear them around the house with socks on to help stretch them out. Another cool trick is blow-drying the tighter sections of the shoe for a few seconds.
3. Coat your feet. To avoid all that pinching and rubbing that results in immediate blisters, I like to rub on a generous amount of petroleum jelly onto my feet before slipping my pumps on. It keeps my feet smooth and protected throughout most of the night. Believe me, it really works!
4. Use inserts. High heeled shoes, especially thin stilettos, really tend to put a lot of pressure on the balls of your feet. Keep yourself comfortable by slipping in a pair of shoe inserts, like Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insole ($10). These will make a huge difference and no one will be able to see them anyway!
5. Choose a specific style. If you can hardly tolerate pointy-toe heels, consider going for for a pump that features a platform underneath the toe area. These heels provide a little extra cushioning and they're way easier to walk in. Best part? They're still very much in style!
6. Don't walk in them long. My cousins are always so amazed at how long I'm able to manage in my high heels. The trick is I don't slip on my heels until I'm finally at my destination. I'll commute or do all the walking I need to do in flats, then throw on the heels once I'm at the party. The less time you spend in the your heels, the longer you'll last with them on.
7. Choose a height you can handle. Just because you plan on wearing heels, doesn't mean you need to always resort to 6-inch, sky-highs. Even 2-inch stacked heels make a statement. Choose a height and style you can actually manage. Nothing is less attractive than a woman struggling to walk in her tacones.
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