I Danced for 3 Hours in 4-Inch Stilettos Thanks to This $10 Style Hack

May 2024 · 3 minute read

In college, I learned a fashion tidbit that remains salient to this day. It was during sorority recruitment, when I’d crammed into pointed patent-leather pumps and stood for hours, praying I appeared poised despite throbbing, burning feet, as I spoke to potential new members. Between sessions, my fellow housemates and I crumbled onto couches, cursing our footwear. We’d been tempted to fling off our shoes, of course; nevertheless, we kept them on, reminding one another that our swollen feet, once freed, would fail to fit back into our shoes — at least, not in time for our next round of recruits. When I finally writhed from my heels, hours later, I was met with pink, blistered, visibly swollen feet, and a deep, freshly formed crack traversing the center of my toenail. 

Had I known about Still Standing Foot Spray, I’d have avoided, or at least quieted, this heel-induced hell. Designed for scenarios that necessitate standing for hours, in shoes as uncomfortable as they are stylish, the formula makes even the stiffest stilettos significantly more tolerable. I tested the product just a few days ago, at a wedding, where I danced into the wee hours of the night, wearing 4.5-inch stilettos. The thought of slipping into my roll-up flats, as I'm wont to do, crossed my mind a total of zero times. 

Still Standing

Still Standing Foot Spray is a comfort-enhancing topical solution that prevents foot pain related to prolonged high heel-wearing. The mist is entirely drug-free; importantly, it’s also devoid of numbing agents. Instead, the formula relies on ingredients like menthol to provide cooling relief, and a blend of inflammation-fighting herbal extracts that fend off foot pain before it starts. 

As Dr. Julie Schottenstein, DPM, tells InStyle, "High heels can cause inflammation in the feet due to increased pressure and strain." Foor Spray, like Still Standing, can "provide pain relief," she notes, in light of how it "decreases swelling."

The formula dispenses as a lightweight mist, and wafts a soft, minty scent that leaves feet feeling fresh. To use, simply spray directly onto bare feet — on the tops, soles, and sides — prior to slipping into your heels. The mist works with all shoe types, and will not stain fabric, per the brand. I tried the mist with patent leather shoes — which are inherently stain resistant; that said, the non-greasy texture gives me full confidence to try it with the likes of suede pumps.

As for the ingredients, menthol provides an instant cooling feel. The ingredient is also anti-inflammatory, making it a key component in swelling prevention. Similarly, arnica — which I’ve taken in supplement form, at the recommendation of dermatologists, to stave off swelling post-filler — is present, and proves similarly effective as a topical treatment. Finally, ilex, otherwise known as holly, is yet another effective anti-inflammatory agent  found in the formula. Together, the ingredients keep swelling — and thus, discomfort — at bay for up to six hours, per the brand. 

Also of note is the product size. Small and portable, it’s perfect for purses and touch-ups as needed. Plus, it’s travel-friendly. Small as it is, the spray lasts quite some time: up to 190 applications, per the brand. At $20 for two vials — $10 each — I may send a few to my alma mater’s sorority house. After all, why have cracked toenails and throbbing feet when both can be prevented? 

For the most comfortable experience wearing your least-comfortable heels, shop Still Standing Foot Spray at Amazon. 

Shop more soothing foot care, below:

O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet Foot Cream

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Dr. Scholl's Dry, Cracked Skin Ultra-Hydrating Foot Mask

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Curel Foot Therapy Cream

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