KILLER HEELS

ere are very few high-heel lovers who haven’t uttered the words “my feet are killing me” at the end of a night on the tiles. So how can we achieve the look, still wear our dream shoes, and avoid walking home in stocking feet? We’ve all experienced the discomfort and burning sensation associated with wearing party shoes. But despite the pain, we still persevere.

Gloria Dunlop, lecturer in podiatry at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Tips To Keep Your Feet Tip Top

So, how can we keep dancing into the wee small hours and still avoid falling o our platform shoes and spraining our ankles? Dunlop has some top tips for keeping our toes in good shape.

1. Don’t wear the same shoes repeatedly Have a selection of shoes of di erent shapes, di erent heel heights and de nitely a pair of trainers in your wardrobe. 2. Cheap shoes don’t necessarily mean bad shoes ere is nothing wrong with wearing a less expensive shoe. Expensive shoes are not a guarantee of problem-free feet.

3. Change your shoes daily Sometimes we wear shoes that cramp our toes because they’re too tight. Continually wearing high heels can result in painful leg muscles. Changing your shoes daily will prevent a foot or leg problem occurring.

4. Avoid wearing sling backs on a regular basis Repeatedly wearing sling backs can quickly lead to the development of a large hard bump at the back of the heel, commonly known as a Haglund’s bump. is is irreversible, so avoid at all costs. It becomes very di cult to wear any closed-in shoe once you have developed a Haglund’s bump.

5. Wear padding on the balls of your feet if partying in high heels Use foot felts and foams. Foot specialist Scholl provides a range, including ball-of-foot cushions and pressure-point foam padding that can be bought in most supermarkets and chemists. ese products have an adhesive backing that sticks to your feet, avoiding slippage and therefore blisters.

6. Never burst a blister Not unless you want sore feet for days. Blisters are created by rubbing, so avoid shoes that rub.

7. Never wear brand new shoes for a long period of time Initially wear your new shoes around the house or in short bursts. Don’t wear brand new shoes on your party night or you will su er.

8. Avoid sprains and strains Sprains, strains, and muscle soreness can happen to anyone, but are more likely if you are walking on an uneven surface or a very high narrow heel. Avoid cobbled streets and best get a taxi home a er the party.

9. Use ice on painful sprains and strains Ice does work - it reduces swelling. If you su er a sprain or strain, use ice as soon as possible or within the rst four hours. A er that, use heat to reduce bruising, swelling and pain. Next time you decide to party on a weeknight and have to haul yourself into the o ce the next morning, follow Gloria’s advice and you’ll glide elegantly into work ready to face another day’s hard slog - no crutches necessary.

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but not necessarily the dentist.

Did you know that some of the healthier foods you consume can also be disastrous for your gnashers? Yes, that’s right, that apple a day might not always be good for you. Healthy foods can cause erosion to teeth too as it turns out. But there are a few simple ways to avoid it.

“Most of us know that chocolate is bad for teeth, due to sugarrelated tooth decay. However, acid erosion is one of the biggest threats to tooth enamel this century and, as the research shows, people are far less aware of how they can best protect teeth from this condition.”

Nutritionist Anita Bean, an expert in acid erosion

So, acid erosion is the issue at hand here. But what on earth is it and is it as bad as it sounds? Acid erosion occurs when acid from certain foods and drinks comes into contact with teeth, temporarily so ening the tooth’s hard enamel surface. When we then brush our teeth, the enamel can be worn away more easily and become thinner over time. It is indeed as bad as it sounds and it can happen to your teeth if you partake in too many acidic foods.

Research shows that most of us are, in fact, at risk of developing acid erosion due to our dietary habits. Acid erosion in teeth is mainly caused by acids found in common food and drinks. e majority of people are aware that zzy drinks could cause damage, but many can be unaware that other drinks usually thought of as healthier options could also cause harm. You may be forgiven for not knowing that, for example, fruit can pose a risk to your teeth, as well as the vinaigrettes o en used as salad dressings.

And there’s more bad news. Apparently, it’s not just what we eat and drink that can cause problems, but how we eat and drink too. Consuming acidic drinks without a straw, regularly covering food with sauces and dressings, such as acidic balsamic vinegar, are also bad. But before you panic and start to wonder what on earth is safe to eat and drink then, there are a few simple habits you can adopt that means you won’t have to give up your healthy ve-a-day just yet:

When having an acidic drink, use a straw angled towards the back of the mouth to help keep your teeth protected.

- Drink water a er eating or drinking anything acidic, this will help to wash the acid away or chew gum to stimulate the production of saliva, which can neutralise the acid.

- A er an acidic meal, consider eating some enamel-friendly foods such as low-fat cheese or nuts, as this will help to restore the pH balance in your mouth.

- A er consuming acidic food or drinks, wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth. is hour is when enamel is at its so est and so most at risk.

- And nally – visit your dentist regularly, because, in the end, only a dental professional can properly diagnose acid erosion.

David Beckham designs new car collection with Maserati

The former English professional football player, who announced his partnership with the luxury Italian car company in April 2021, has now curated the first edition of Fuoriserie DB Essentials collection.

The 48-year-old said cars were “a big part of his childhood” and family holidays.

Inspired by his love of the classic Trident brand and traditional bespoke men’s tailoring, Beckham re-imagined two classic models.

“It was a big part of my family vacations. I remember that we always used to drive where we went with my sister, that’s why cars are a big part of my childhood,” he said in an interview with French magazine L’Officiel.

“I am really interested in cars, like my dad, he used to love cars and he always talked to me about them. But then when I looked forward to buying my own car that’s really when it changed to me.”

The dad-of-four’s first choice for the new collection was the 1967 Maserati Ghibli coupe, where he matched a tan leather interior with a ‘night interaction’ blue colour for the exterior.

He then selected the 1986 Maserati Quattroporte Royale, where he went for a ‘verde royale’ (dark green) exterior, paired with a brown leather upholstery inside.

From Manchester United and England star to all-round national treasure, global charity and brand ambassador and fashion icon, Beckham is known for his impeccable style. So why not design luxury cars next?

Last year The Sun estimated that Beckham could have spent £3 million on cars – reportedly more than 30 cars and motorbikes over the years.

It’s a long way from his first car – a turquoise 1994 Volkswagen Golf – that he sold in 2015 to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Famously, the first supercar he owned was a Porshe 911 Carrera that he bought in 1997 after he hit the big time at Manchester United.

He and Victoria were often pictured in it together in the early days of their relationship. It was later auctioned off for £171, 400.

Over the years he’s been known to own Jaguars, Ferraris, Range Rovers and a Lamborghini. But his new collection will be seriously exclusive – with only 51 cars made of the Quattroporte Royal.

“Fuoriserie means ‘custom-built’ in Italian,” said Klaus Busse, head of design of Maserati, and the brand’s luxury clients can “express their personality and passion by creating their very own Maserati”.

Both of Beckham’s designs will only be available on the MC20 super sports car and the new SUV Grecale, which is equipped with 4-cylinder hybrid powertrains – moving the brand closer to its 2025 goal of running on electricity alone.