For me, a true shoe junky, one of the best things about summer is finding cute sandals, but it’s so hard to find comfortable ones that don’t cost a fortune. Stacey and Clinton would hate me for saying this, but it’s more about quantity than quality for me. I buy the cheapest sandals I can find, because I have so many that each pair only gets a few wears. This is all well and good until those adorably cheap sandals start rubbing blisters!

The cheap (and ventilation-free) fabrics, plastic, rubber, and foam that are used to make the inexpensive flip flops and strappy summer sandals that we love cause your feet to sweat, and then your clammy skin rubbed against those rough fabrics causes blisters, cuts and brush burns. I know as well as the next girl that one bad blistering experience can make you want to retire even the cutest shoe. There’s no quicker way to ruin your night than be trapped in a crowded bar, with nowhere to sit down, in a pair of shoes that are KILLING you, but have no fear ladies! There’s no reason to throw away those flops just because they rub between your toes. I’m going to give you a little tip to solve all of your blister issues.

Before putting your shoes on, apply antiperspirant to any area that will come in contact with a surface that may irritate your skin. This may be between your toes, on the back of your heel, along the top of your foot, etc… anywhere that your shoes may rub. This will create a barrier between your skin and your shoe, as well as prevent the unbreathable fabrics from causing your skin to become clammy.

Antiperspirant can also help prevent "the slide" in your strappy heels. You know what I’m talking about…. You strap those sexy heels on for a night out and they look and feel great but an hour or so later, when the sole of your foot starts to sweat against the lacquered inside of the shoe, your foot begins to slide, and what was once sexy footwear, is now a torture device for your tootsies. Everything that made it look good before has now shifted, causing your feet to look like sausages and the straps, butcher’s string. Your toes are red and overlapping the front of the shoe, and the straps are digging in everywhere…

Rubbing a little bit of antiperspirant on the bottom of your foot before putting your shoes on can prevent this disaster all together. When dealing with a potential “slide”, try to carry a travel size with you in case it wears off.

When I say to apply antiperspirant, I do not mean deodorant. There is a difference. Antiperspirant will actually prevent moisture from forming, while deodorant will just prevent odor from moisture, so make sure you are using antiperspirant, and make sure it is a solid that can be rubbed onto skin. You do not want a gel, spray, or roll-on, as they will not work.

I hope this helps to keep your feet happy, healthy, and beautiful this summer!

Send your beauty questions to [email protected] and I’ll answer them in my next blog.

Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for another dose of the beauty blog!

Thanks,

Bethany