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THE antidote to dry summer feet, heel balm is not fancy or fun, but it is a staple that will get you through sandal season and keep feet hydrated year round.
This week, I put three to the test.
SANCTUARY Spa Signature Collection Heel Balm, (£7.50 for 75ml, boots.com): I hate wearing socks to bed and most heel balms require this, so I love that this isn’t thick enough to need that.
It is easily the least greasy of the three, so you can wear it day and night, and even with sandals without feeling like your foot will slip out of them.
Plus, I much prefer the tube packaging to the tubs the other two products came in, as it stops the product getting under your fingernails.
This is my favourite, and I’ve already purchased another tube, but it’s definitely best for maintaining nourished heels, not repairing them.
LUSH Repeat Foot Cream (£10 for 50g: lush.com): Packed with loads of natural healing ingredients, such as castor oil, sunflower wax and jojoba oil, it smells fresh and zesty rather than medicinal, which can often be the case with foot cream.
The formula is lighter than I expected, which made it easy to massage into my feet, and it soaked in quickly.
One word of warning.
If you’ve got white sheets, wear a pair of dark socks overnight as the orange-hued formula will stain lighter fabrics.
Because of that, I have reached for it the least of the three I tried.
MARGARET DABBS London Pure Cracked Heel Treatment Balm (£18 for 30ml, boots.com): Margaret Dabbs is well known for being the luxury foot care specialist, so I had high hopes for this.
It’s the only one of the three tested with antifungal and antibacterial benefits, and has the most impressive ingredients list.
I really can’t fault it – other than the packaging – the texture is nice and a little goes a long way, so it’ll last ages, but I’m not sure I’d want to spend this much on foot cream.
If you have seriously problem heels though, you should give it a go.
M&S fragrances look and feel far more luxe than their price tag – and Provenance, the new own-brand fragrance collection from M&S Beauty, is no different.
For just £16, you get a full-sized 48ml eau de parfum and a handy travel size too.
No 1 Citrus Soleil Eau de Parfum Set, £16, smells like summer holidays, but there’s seven to choose from so there’s something for everyone.
Shop at marksandspencer.co.uk.
