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People often say that if you want to know a woman’s real age, look at her hands, as unlike her face, they are almost certainly not going to be treated with anti-aging potions.
This summer I realized that it’s not so much my hands that give away my 53 years, but my feet.
I used to be able to get them to pass the test with a five-minute grooming. Now, they still feel dry after a full pedicure. The average foot cream doesn’t come close to that.
My feet seem too hard, with constantly dry edges (goodbye, slingback shoes), but also too soft, with blisters forming not only in the spring when I start walking without socks, but all summer long.
I’m not the only one. One friend has had both arches of her feet collapse; another, a sandal lover, says her feet are now too monstrous to be seen.
Don’t just cover up for the season, give your feet a chance to breathe and be seen.
“Is this a 50-something thing?” I’m asked. So I ask foot guru, podiatrist Margaret Dabbs OBE. What’s happening to our feet at this age? Are we losing fat, like in our face? Are our bones withering away?
Margaret confirms that yes, our feet can certainly age us.
“From age 40 to 50, many people notice a rapid decline in their fitness,” she tells me. “Exercise becomes crucial. It’s important to strengthen and stretch the muscles to help prevent arch collapse and joint pain and inflammation.”
Margaret Dabbs pedicures (from £85, margaretdabbs.co.uk) now include a free 3D scan of the foot. Based on this, her podiatrists create custom orthotics to relieve problems ranging from collapsed arches and plantar fasciitis (heel and arch pain) to hardened skin and tired legs.
Dabbs has 11 clinics across the UK, you can also check rcpod.org.uk to find local podiatrists.
Functionality aside, there are other issues at play. “We lose subcutaneous fat from the feet,” says Dabbs. “The skin thins and the sweat glands become less effective, resulting in much drier skin.
Hormonal changes, circulatory problems and heat make matters worse. Muscle laxity can lead to changes in gait, which puts a lot of pressure on certain parts of the feet. If left untreated, dry, thickened skin can develop painful and unsightly cracks.
She swears by filing dry feet with her professional stainless steel foot file (£30, margaret dabbs.co.uk). Fans with large hooves prefer Microplane: The Original Colossal Foot File (£17.79, amazon.co.uk), which is basically a skin scraper.
Soap & Glory’s The Heel Deal Foot File (now £8, boots.com) is the budget option and features three heads: a file, a finishing buff and a removable section for hard-to-reach areas.
I’m also obsessed with Ruby Hammer’s sleek foot file (£22, rubyhammer.com). It’s now a permanent fixture in my handbag.
Once the filler has been applied, it needs to be replenished. The skin on your feet is 12 times thicker than the skin on the rest of your body, so regular moisturizers don’t penetrate deeply enough or have the necessary antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Margaret Dabbs London Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion (from £20) was her first creation and remains a firm favourite. While her award-winning Miracle Foot Cream (from £12) is the key to overnight transformations, her Cracked Heel Balm (£18) is still a game-changer.
Eucerin Urea 10% Repair Plus Foot Cream (£11.50, boots.com) also gently exfoliates and repairs. Bargain hunters swear by O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet Foot Cream (£8.99, boots.com) for cracks. I’ve also benefited from Gloves in a Bottle (£10.99, superdrug.com) – an invisible shield that forces the skin barrier to retain more moisture.
My new star product, though, is the Compeed Anti-blister Stick (£4.50, boots.com), a kind of lip balm for feet that stops shoes from rubbing together after a gentle swipe.
As we fast-forward into September, don’t forget about your feet until spring. If you work hard now, you can keep your soles and feet looking good enough to belie your age.
WE WILL RUN IT FOR YOU
With nine products, this M&S treat is the best yet. There are three full sizes and six minis worth £95, including hair oil, hand cream, retinol, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or, Ren Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream and M&S Apothecary Warmth perfume (£30 marksand spencer.com).
MY ICON OF THE WEEK
Janet McTeer
At 63, Janet McTeer was in London to promote her new Netflix drama KAOS and chose a smoky eye to complete her look.
The Ozark actress, who now stars in Netflix’s new drama series Kaos, stands at 6ft 2in and relishes her height and builds strength with spinning or yoga before filming. The 63-year-old says: “I realised very quickly that I was never going to be the pretty one.” Make-up artist Isabel Concetta mua uses Clinique’s creamy Chubby Stick (£26, clinique.co.uk) to enhance her eyes with a smoky effect.
COSMETIC CRAVING
This is the perfect scent for September – a sparkling green Indian summer with a hint of red berries and wood. Citrus notes of verbena bubble with tomato, cardamom and black tea (£180 for 100ml, millerharris.com)
At the heart of Celadon are fresh lavender, white musk and magnolia; Indian tuberose adds creaminess. Finally, at the base are smoky cedarwood, moss, musk and mate (green tea).
It’s almost £200 for a big, long-lasting eau de parfum, although Miller Harris sells 2ml samples for £3.50. But if you need a treat to get back to work, this is the one to go for.
5 PERFECT EYE PENCILS
Apply to the inner upper lid to highlight cool tones. For warmer colours, try Vision Ivy (now £25, lancome.com)
A long-wearing, waterproof slate black with silver shimmer for a seriously sexy look (£30, victoriabeckhambeauty.com)
Gold gel pencil in metallic gold. Pearlescent shimmer creates a flattering shape (£24, lisaeldridge.com).
Apply to the inner lower eyelid to make your eyes look bigger and less tired (£4.99, boots.com).
A multi-tasker that delivers a clean line, smoky finish or shadow effect in a mood-lifting blue (£11.99, sephora.co.uk).
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