Sometimes, beauty is pain. This is the phrase I repeat in my head during routine eyebrow waxes and chemical face peels. It’s what I think when I put on my favorite pair of too-high heels that pinch my toes, the ones that I wore to formal despite the pain I endured throughout the next day. But does beauty really have to always be painful?
Today, I present to you all a list of what to do when fashion is more painful than pretty. Minor beauty injuries are common among us all, and can be easily treated. Occurrences such as hangnails and razor burn hurt, but the pain doesn’t have to be lasting. After one too many new-shoe blisters, I decided to make a “Fashion First-Aid Box” that has everything I need to treat minor beauty-related injuries. I recommend keeping a small container on hand that holds the tools and materials discussed in this post. One day, you’ll be glad you kept it handy!
Read on for a list of some of beauty’s most painful mistakes, and how to easily cure them.
The problem: high heels
Being only 5’3″, I have an immense collection of heels that closely resemble stilts. I love to wear them out, but I always suffer repercussions the following morning. Though my favorite black stilettos have given me much grief, they are always my first go-to pick when it’s time to get ready. Since I never seem to learn from my mistakes and discontinue wearing them, my next best option is to guard my feet as best I can. Thus, I came up with…
The solution: band-aids, thin silicone pads, and more heel use!
Many heel problems result from not wearing them often. This causes a strain on the calf muscles, a pain which can be alleviated through stretching. Putting thin silicone pads in the heel of the shoe will provide extra cushion and decrease the pressure on your heel. For blisters, I recommend band-aids for even more cushion. The more you wear heels, the less it should hurt!
The problem: minor burns, usually caused by hair straighteners, curling irons, or hot wax
Having a curly head of hair, I am all too familiar with the pain that comes from accidental straightener burns. The same injury can be caused when a salon specialist applies too-hot wax to a hair-covered area. Though small, these burns hurt.
The solution: There are multiple ways to smooth burns such as these. One way is to run cool water over the affected area. However, if the burn is on your face this may be very difficult, so a cool, damp washcloth will suffice. Wrapping an icepack in a washcloth and applying it to the burn will also do the trick. To soothe the burn, apply aloe vera gel (free of additives). It works so well! After applying aloe, place a clean bandage on the burn.
The problem: razor burn and shaving cuts
Razor-related mishaps are the worst. Enough said.
The solution: Razor burn is often caused by a lack of shaving cream, pressing too hard while shaving, or using a dull razor. While addressing any of these problems can stop burns from appearing, you may already have razor burn. If this is the case, rinse the area with cool water and apply a light astringent (for example, witch hazel). If this does not work, pat apple cider vinegar onto the burn. For shaving nicks, moisturizing lotion and antiperspirant are both great remedies. Simply rub the antiperspirant onto a Q-tip and rub on the cut.
Have any of you Lovelyish readers had these problems? Have you encountered any bizarre beauty blunders?
dahlia / 2747 posts
Why are you putting deodorant on you cuts o.o
ranunculus / 3457 posts
The heels one… don’t buy cheap shoes. There is a galaxy of difference in comfort between a Payless shoe and a quality shoe. I’m not saying expensive is always quality, but you should go for quality. Also, look at how the shoe is built… some designs are inevitably more painful than others.
orchid / 103 posts
@MoonFaeEyryan@xanga - While I agree with you on the quality of more expensive shoes, most of us don’t wear high heels often enough to justify paying $60. I would rather buy a low quality $20 heel and suffer a few blisters if I only wear heels 3 times a year.
orchid / 103 posts
My shoe tip:
I buy heels a 1/2 size too big, and then buy the gel pads that go behind the ankle. If they are really high, then I’ll add the pad that goes under the toes. And voila! A comfortable (blisterless), inexpensive shoe that fits.
Also, since most of the pads don’t stay well after a few uses, I super glue them to the inside. I haven’t had one fall out yet.
ranunculus / 3457 posts
@Katy326 - I agree with you, I just forgot it’s not so common there to wear heels. Where I’m from you wear heels most times.
guest
For the burns, you should just use straight up aloe. Keep an aloe plant in your house, when you get a burn, break off a piece and squeeze out the gel to use on your burn. It is like magic!
peony / 1 posts
When wearing high heels, make sure you periodically stretch your toes toward your leg to stretch the achilles tendon. There should be a good bend at the ankle. It makes it hurt less the next day if you don’t wear heels very often. If you do wear heels often, do this exercise frequently so your achilles tendon doesn’t foreshorten!!!