Beauty Tips - Summer Feet Fashion

Advice on Flip Flops and Footcare in the Summer

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

It's summer! What are the trendiest shoes, and where can I get them? I need advice for keeping my feet in style!

Sincerely,

Sandal Susie

April Masini's advice:

Dear Sandal Susie,

Flip flops are baaaaack -- not that they ever went anywhere. This summer, flip flops are big news as a trend. They can be found for men, women, children, and teens in every machination from rubber dime store pairs to $500 leather designer knock ups of the old pool standard. The trick to buying flip flops to fit your feet and your summer wardrobe can be remedied by these tips:

Flip Flop Tips:

*Don't wear cheap rubber flip flops to a meeting or a party. Keep the cheap rubber ones for the back yard.

*Do wear leather flip flops in lieu of the cheap-o ones with your summer dress, trousers or shorts.

*A little heel with your flip flops will give your leg a great look and give your outfit a dressier silhouette.

*Men can wear flip flops, but the same rules apply -- don't wear cheap rubber ones out and about. Get a good pair of leather flip flops to dress up your shorts and jeans look.

*Pedicure!! And NEVER wear any open toed shoes until your feet are neat. Pedicures are a MUST for summer and a SHOULD for all year round.

*Maintain your pedicure between appointments with a pumice stone, some good foot products and a podiatrist check up annually.

What Your Shoes Say About You:

There is nothing more important to making a first impression when it comes to dating than shoes -- especially for men! Shoes tell a lot about a person with only a single glance downward. Here are some things your shoes say about you:

* Expensive shoes broadcast that you care about your feet and your appearance enough to buy the best. You may also be the kind of person who buys the best when it comes to everything else.

* Toe-baring shoes. You're confident with showing a little flesh down there -- and you're equally confident about showing a little flesh on other parts of your body.

* High heels for women. You want to look and feel like a woman, and your lingerie is probably going to reflect that same womanliness. If her shoes are high-heeled, chances are she's got some racy lingerie underneath!

Best ways to get bargain shoes

Now that you realize how important shoes are, get the best for the least. I always recommend buying the most expensive and best shoes you can afford -- that doesn't mean they have to cost a bundle. Peruse the high fashion magazines for what's in style, and keep in mind that classic shoes like pumps, strappy sandals and boots with a heel are always going to be in fashion. Then use a comparison shopping search engine to find the shoes you want at the best price.

If you want to buy good shoes, but feel the pinch of your wallet, consider minimizing somewhere else. For instance, spend less on trousers by buying fewer, and what you do buy, should be classic and long-lasting. What you save in one area of your closet, you can use in another area -- like your shoe rack!

Summer Footcare Tips:

Feet are not seasonal. Shoes are. Take care of your feet year round.

1. Get and use a pumice stone.

2. Moisturize your feet regularly.

3. Put your feet up. Use a foot stool, or lie on the floor and put your feet up the wall to reverse circulation.

4. Make a pedicure a monthly event year round.

5. If you have problems like warts, fungus, or ingrown toenails, don't procrastinate--See your podiatrist.