This post is in partnership with Compeed
Summertime Chi and the living’s easy. The weather is glorious, there’s a spirit of joy in the city and every weekend from now until September, there will be an outdoor music festival to attend. I LOVE showing off my festival style. This is the time of year I live for! It’s the perfect time of year for sleeveless tops, open toe shoes, strappy sandals and cute pedicures. And for many years, this has been a time of foot pain and suffering.
I have what I’d refer to as “problem feet.” I have no arch whatsoever. Despite that, I always try to rock a cute sandal in summer instead of something practical. And inevitably, I’ve had to leave summer music festivals in pain because of inevitable blisters. 2014’s Lollapalooza taught me a valuable lesson. Since this experience, I’m proactive instead of reactive. This is about to be the Summer of Comfort thanks to my podiatrist and the good folks of Compeed! Let me teach you the necessary lessons to survive the season of music festivals!
Lesson 1 – Comfort Over Cuteness. I know, I know. Those strappy gladiator sandals TOTALLY set your look off right. You bought them at the store and planned to wear them fresh out the box. All day. To an outdoors arena with rough terrain. Bad idea, bellas! My festival foot issues have taught me to only rock with truly comfortable shoes. Before I buy a new pair of shoes, I do the “twist test.” Can I twist the shoe’s sole easily? If yes, then that shoe isn’t for me. I need a well built shoe with arch support to make it happily through those long music fest days. And if I buy a new pair of shoes just for the event at hand because they compliment an outfit, I try to wear those shoes for a full day before the event to make sure I’ll be able to walk, stand and enjoy myself before going through a trial by fire. PS: flip flops aren’t your friend at a music fest. I’ve seen so many abandoned flip flops in the mud! Be smart. Wear real shoes.
Lesson 2 – Rest Your Feet. If you’re going to a big music fest (for example Lolla or Coachella or Bonnaroo or Outside Lands), then you should know you’ll be doing a lot of walking between stages. If you plan to see any of the major acts close up, then prepare yourself to be in dense crowds where sitting will be a challenge. Between the walking and the being up close and standing parts, make sure you sit and rest your feet and legs. I try to take something comfortable and waterproof to sit on – not my finest picnic blanket, because the festival grounds can be so dirty. A padded, waterproof stadium seat cushion is a solid investment for a festival pro.
Lesson 3 – Be Prepared! Here’s what’s in my purse when I go to summer music festivals – or just outside for general outdoor fun: besides the usual wallet, keys, sunglasses and lip gloss, I’ve got specific items to keep me safe and comfortable despite the elements. Sunscreen with staying power, maybe some bug spray or ointment depending on the location. A refillable water bottle is a must, as well as a sun visor or floppy hat that won’t get ruined if it rains. For my feet, I make sure to bring Compeed blister cushions to stave off the pain.
This season I’ll be sure to have my festival must-have essential – Compeed -on hand. I prefer to roll with the Compeed Blister Mixed Sizes Cushions or Compeed Blister Extreme Cushions, they’ve got 20% extra cushioning and that makes 20% more of a difference to my baby toes and Achilles tendon, the places where I’m most likely to form blisters.
How do you use Compeed? It’s SO easy. You just apply the cushion to your blister and keep moving – it will start relieving pain instantly. Leave the blister cushion in place until it starts to detach naturally – that usually takes a few days. Perfect for a music fest that’ll last all weekend!
Compeed Blister Cushions are only available at Walgreens – click here to buy. AND even better, my friends at Compeed have a special offer for Afrobella readers! I’ve got a special giveaway for my bellas – I’m giving away 3 Walgreens gift cards for $50 each, to score more summer outdoor essentials! How do you enter, how do you win? All you’ve gotta do is leave a comment below and tell me – how do you plan to take care of your feet this summer?
This giveaway will officially close on June 23rd and I’ll announce 3 lucky winners that week! Good luck, bellas!
**edited to add, comments are officially closed! Winners will be announced ASAP. Thanks for entering!
*** AND THE WINNERS ARE….Sonya B., Demetra and Melissa Anderson Mapp! Thanks for entering, I’ll be e mailing you ASAP! Thank you to all who entered!
I love flip-flops but they don’t love me. It’s way too hot in the summer for sneakers so I managed to grab the most comfy pair of cushioned New Balance flip-flops from Marshalls. It’s like walking on cushion on air….I think it’s some kind of gel insole. Best summer buy ever!!!
I use tea tree scrub weekly in the shower, pumice stone. At night I moisturize & sleep in socks to help. I wear sneakers for work so I use cushions, change every 3 mths & deodorize daily. When I can wear flip flops I do, to make sure my feet breathe.
I like a sandal with a closed toe and closed heel. Eucerin lotion is my favorite topical product to use during the day. Soaking my feet in Epsom salts and gentle scrubbing with a pumice stone eliminates swelling and crusty feet. Petroleum jelly and white cotton socks at bedtime is the best way to get to sleep.
Hi Afrobella,
I’ve learned that I need to invest in higher quality shoes and not the cute shoes that are on sale.
It’s important to go for comfort and not compromise it for cuteness or to save a few pennies.
I’m going to give my feet more TLC this summer with more frequent soaks and by wearing cushioned, comfortable shoes. Let festival season BEGIN!
I live it “FITFLOPS”. They come in lots of cute styles, feel amazing and they say the tone your legs(I don’t know about that). Anyway, they always have them in Marshalls.
Jojo, The Adventure Goddess
I use a pumice stone & a loofah in the shower. Sometimes I use a sugar scrub as well. Then I use a thick body cream with Shea butter or Vaseline and put on thick socks.
I plan to keep my feet moisturized. Keep a fresh nail color. But most of all invest in a well made cute, but comfortable sandal. I have flat feet also and finding sandals that don’t hurt my feet has been a job!
I tend to forget to moisturize my feet so I’m going to make a point of remembering to do that after washing them.
I have a amope that i use once a week and I keep my feet moisturized.
For nice Summer feet, simple is best! Softness: whipped Shea butter or good ol’ Vaseline. Healthiness: I don’t go overboard wearing my strappy high heeled sandals. Prettiness: I use neutral or “beachy” pedicure colors. Happy Summer ladies!