These ballet flats are made for all-day walking

Hi, Rissa!

What brand/s of footwear can you recommend if I’m after comfortability while not being too expensive?  One which is not too sporty that I can wear with baby tees and blouses. FitFlops are comfortable all right, but I don’t like the thong-styled ones, I want something that is closed-toed.  I specifically want those that support the arch of the foot.  In short, a pair that won’t get me tired after long hours of walking.

Cyd

Go for ballet flats — they’re a basic staple in every chic woman’s wardrobe. I hear Repetto, the French manufacturer of ballet slippers, is opening in Manila soon. But if you’re looking to buy a pretty pair already, I also adore the brand Yosi Samra (available at Gas, Greenbelt 3, Makati and TriNoma). A descendant from a long line of shoemakers, Yosi Samra developed his own line of foldable ballet flats. His flats have been featured in Oprah Winfrey’s magazine and his celebrity fans include Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Emmy Rossum, Giuliana Rancic, Nicole Scherzinger, and the uber-stylish Sarah Jessica Parker. 

I never really liked foldable ballet flats because the ones I’ve tried in the malls aren’t comfortable enough. Either the garters dig into the skin (which will eventually cause ugly blisters) or the soles are just too thin that you can feel the cold hard floor on the balls of your feet. But I fell in love with Yosi Samra foldable ballet flats when I first tried them. My first impression? They were so comfortable that they felt like they already had been broken in! In fact, I’ve read that doctors say that there is no such thing as “breaking in” shoes — if they properly fit, they should be comfortable right away. The shoes provide good rubber padding on the balls of your feet and the comfy elastic band gives a secure fit without cutting into the skin. They honestly felt like walking on clouds! 

I’ve always been partial to pointed toe flats because they elongate the legs. But because the Yosi Samra ballet flats have a low vamp (the part of the shoe covering the toes), they wonderfully give the illusion of longer-looking legs, too! They’re also surprisingly roomy enough for people with long slender toes like me. I also appreciate the fact that the Yosi Samra foldable ballet flats are made from high-quality materials and are thick enough that you don’t see the joints of your toes or the outline of your feet.

I’ve road-tested my pair for all-day Christmas shopping. My feet have high arches, but they never made me feel tired. These are also perfect to slip into after a long day at the office or a night out — truly first aid for your feet!  Because of the split-sole structure, they neatly fold up into a 4.5”x3” pouch which easily slips into your handbag. Preggy moms and travel bugs will definitely love these, too! Shop soon because they’re going fast. I own a two-toned pair, but the flat leather camel one I’ve been lusting for is sold out in my size already.

Rissa

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How Not To Give Your Age Away

Dear Lucy,

I am in my late 20s and have started moisturizing seriously. What other beauty rituals should I embrace?

What kind of shoes should I buy for Christmas that will give much mileage? I already have the usual suspects — black, gold, silver.

Sariya

Re beauty rituals, once you start moisturizing your face, your hands, neck, knees, and elbows should never be far behind! You must take care of these areas because they give your age away. Give them some TLC.

Another beauty tip is to curl lashes. I love what it does — it opens eyes and makes any woman prettier than she already is!

If you were to buy just one pair of shoes, I would suggest nude patent heels. They go with everything! And make your legs look endless. They’re universally flattering. Buy the best your money can, you will not be sorry. They’re a must-have in every wardrobe.

Lucy

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Hair There And Everywhere

Dear Tingting,

I’m beginning to notice that there are more hairs caught in my brush than usual after brushing my hair. I find hair turning up on sweaters, pillows, even on my car seat. What’s going on?

Sarah of Quezon City

A certain amount of hair loss is normal. If hair loss seems to be on the increase, or is accompanied by symptoms, talk to your doctor.

If your problem isn’t overall sparseness, but noticeable thinning at the crown (female pattern baldness), you may benefit from use of either a prescription or over-the-counter version of Minoxidil and Kaminomoto.

Use baby shampoo and shampoo no more than once a day. Lather up only once and rub your scalp gently. Then spritz your hair with a detangling conditioner.

Don’t comb or brush your hair until it’s dry. You can comb your hair with the conditioner on while in the shower before rinsing.

Don’t tease hair. Even one who’s not losing her hair should avoid teasing. Teasing breaks the hair and contributes to the appearance of hair loss.

When perming and coloring your hair, follow product instructions carefully. Neither perm nor color causes hair to fall out, but both can cause hair to break. And when the break is very close to the scalp, it can make you look as though hair has fallen out.

Get adequate protein. Maintain iron levels. Take vitamin B6.

Tingting

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Send e-mail to Tingting Cojuangco at tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com. E-mail Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Mananquil at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.