LIFESTYLE . . . Living Beautiful
how to ... Beauty Secrets PICK THE RIGHT HEELS
Your shoe choice can make or break an outfit. They can also ruin your special night out, especially if you don’t wear heels very often, and are wearing the wrong ones! Here are some tips to remember when selecting the perfect heels.
F DON’T GO TOO HIGH While high heels (4”+) are sexy, tripping in them, twisting your ankle, or covering your feet in blisters, is not. Choose a 3” maximum, and opt for a small platform. This will give the appearance of a higher heal, but offers more stability, and usually, a little more padding under the balls of your feet. Too high of a platform can make you look like a ho, and also disconnects you from the ground, increasing your risk of falling. F PEEP TOES
MASTER THE A-FRAME Most surfer girls are so focused on finding perfect a-frames out in the surf, they often neglect the a-frames around their face. A simple blunt cut may be easy to manage in and out of the water, but it doesn’t do much for your personal style. Here is an easy way to step-up your hairstyle, without spending more than 5-10 minutes on it.
Closed- toe shoes, I believe, were invented as torture devices! They are murder to untrained feet since the majority of your body weight will be thrust forward, squeezing your toes even further into the tiny points (they also cause bunions for those that wear them too often). Uncomfortable! “Peep-toe” or “open-toe” shoes offer for more breathability by allowing the toes to spread out a little more. So much better! (TIP: Forgot to paint your toes? Just paint your BIG toe and the little one next to it, as these are the only ones that will show in this style of shoe.)
F LAYER IT UP Long layers (meaning the layers start approximately 1/3 from the bottom of your hair) add interest to the traditional blunt cut, adding just a hint of curls and softness around your face. They’re also super easy to style!
F SLING-BACKS
1) Air-dry your hair. After all, who wants to heat up your head using a
Sling-back heels are my #1 heel of choice, and a LOT easier to keep on! The adjustable or elastic heel strap allows you to get a tighter fit around the back of your heel, thus less slippage, meaning you won’t feel like you’re about to walk out of them with every step. Make sure it’s not too tight though, as it can cause blisters.
F THE PERFECT WIDTH
Going too skinny on the heel will make your ankles wobble and increase your risk of twisting or breaking an ankle (equaling less surfing time). Too thick of a heel, and you’ll appear to be stomping around... a clunky mess! Try to find a happy medium by selecting a narrow heel that doesn’t come to an extreme point at the base, so you have more surface area to balance on and support your body weight, without sacrificing femininity. Usually, a heel no wider than your thumb, or two smallest fingers, is a good choice.
TIP: Avoid blisters, slippage and pain with shoe accessories from Lady’s Secret. From the NO PAIN (heel protector- perfect for sling-backs), to NO CRASH (anti-skid insoles), to NO SKID (non-slip soles), they offer a complete line of pads and guards to protect your feet, and COME in a fun variety of colors and prints! www.lady-secret.fr 50 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm
blow-dryer!
2) Once it’s completely dry (using a curling iron while your hair is slightly damp essentially “boils” the water inside the cuticle, thus damaging it and causing split ends), use a 1/2 inch curling iron, and curl just the top layers, especially those around the front, AWAY from your face. Then select a few of the top layers in the back (no need to curl them all), for a finished look. Whalaa! You’re done and ready for your day! TIP: Curling your hair away from your face gives you a more of a carefree, wind-blown look. Curling your hair towards your face is more formal, and requires more of your hair to be curled to look nicethus increasing your styling time. Exactly what we’re trying to avoid.
Photo: Daniel K. Fine Arts