The age-old debate of heels vs. flats has been around long before all 6 seasons and 2 movies of Sex and the City. The truth is, although wearing high heels makes some women feel sexier and more confident, there may be drawbacks for those who wear them regularly. A new study shows that women who wear high heels on a regular basis can feel pain when walking flat-footed. Researchers found that high heel-wearers’ muscle fibers are on average 13% shorter than flat shoe-wearers, which explains why the high heel fans experience discomfort when walking barefoot or in flat shoes.

According to Manhattan-based podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong, “If you hold a limb in a shortened position over and extended period, the muscles shorten.” After several years decked in heels ranging anywhere from 2 inches to 5 inches and beyond, high heel wearers will undoubtedly experience a change in their calf muscles, which are forced to compensate for being in a constant shortened position. To alleviate the pain that comes with high-heel beauty, Dr. Zong offers some tips that don’t require women to give up their favorite Jimmy Choos!

 1. Invest in good heels. That’s right, the experts say to splurge on shoes! “If your shoes are no longer supportive, you are also more likely to experience arch and heel pain as a result,” says Dr. Zong. These soft tissue aches can be avoided by making sure your heels are still supportive and not worn down.  The money you spend on good shoes will be much less than the money you would spend on visits to the doctor.

2. Trade quantity for quality. You don’t necessarily need to squander your entire life savings on a collection of high heels. Expensive shoes are not necessarily better and cheaper shoes are not necessarily bad. Dr. Zong says when buying high heels, look for a rubber sole for better shock absorption and reasonable heel height (1-2 inches works best). In terms of shoe material, “Try to find a shoe that is leather, they will last longer and conform better to the shape of your foot,” says Dr. Zong.

3. Don’t wait to buy new shoes. Your feet take you everywhere. Dr. Zong warns, “If your feet hurt, it will only make commuting more difficult.” If you are interviewing for a job for example, you will be distracted by how much your feet hurt if your shoes don't fit well.

4. Always stretch your lengthened legs. This tip is especially relevant for fashion addicts. Whenever you wear heels, “Try stretching exercises to avoid soreness at the end of the day,” recommends Dr. Zong. You can do all sorts of leg stretches while sitting at your desk, waiting in line for coffee, or even while standing in an elevator.

5. Treat yourself to a foot rub! After walking in heels all day, foot massages and pedicures can do wonders for tired, achy feet. If your budget doesn't allow for that, you can always give yourself a pedicure or ask a friend to do it for you – Just offer to let her borrow your sexy high-heels! 

“I’m in the business of saving soles” says Dr. Zong.  “My job is to keep my patients walking so they can enjoy their lives.  No one should be in pain, especially if there’s something you can do about it.”

Image Courtesy: PeopleStyleWatch/Startraks

Everyone's favorite Guidette has lost her signature locks. She's looking chicer than evs. What are your thoughts on  the f*cking princess of f*cking Poughkeepsie's new do?

Does anyone else love when she goes "Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Cannot wait for Season 2 peeps.

Makeup can be a mess in the summer. It's either melting down your face or looking caked on.  Check out Carmindy's tips on how to fix common summer makeup woes like how to cover sunburn without turning yourself into a ghost.

Sunburn – to cover sunburn, tap-don’t rub – liquid foundation onto the skin using a non-latex sponge.  Dust on a yellow-based powder to reduce redness.  Since you’re skin is red, avoid using blush, instead choose a tawny or neutral lip color, without a hint of red or pink, to tone down the redness.

Tinted Moisturizer – create your own tinted moisturizer by simply mixing foundation with an SPF-infused moisturizer and blending it in.  Apply a face primer before to even out your skin’s texture and create a perfectly smooth canvas for your makeup.  

Recommendations: Your Skin Foundation, Truly Translucent Powder, Luminizing Face Primer, Color Comfort Lip Color in Champagne Rose or Seashell Nude

Eyes

For an instant eyelift use a brightening concealer to draw a line from the outer tip of your brow to the outer edge of your eye and blend it for a beautiful finish. 

Cream Shadows can melt off of your eyes or crease in the summer’s h eat.  For staying power, choose sheer washed of powder shadow.  Try jewel-toned shadows – I love using an emerald shade on the top lid and smudging an amethyst shade along the lower lash line.  If you like to wear eyeliner use these jeweled tones in a waterproof formula so they do not slip off in the humid weather. Finish with mascara.

Recommendations: Forever Stay Eyeliner in Jade, All Over Brightener, Metallic Eye Palette, Amethyst Eye Palette, Earth Eye Palette, Ocean Eye Palette, Lift and Define Mascara  

Lips

Don’t load on a load of lipstick in the spring/summer; if it looks thick, it looks wrong.  Get a blossom-fresh look buy first putting bright lip color on your finger.  Press it into the lips for a stained, natural finish.  For a party smile with extra punch, apply a clear gloss.

Recommendations: Forever Stay Moisture Gloss in Sparkling Nude

Cheeks/Bronzer

When wearing bronzer, don’t finish with a face powder; your skin will appear rusty – use only a loose translucent powder on top.  Use a terra-cotta colored blush to mimic a lightly tanned cheek.  Sweep it across the temples, sides of face, and under the hallows of the cheeks.  For an earthy look, sweep bronzer only on the temples, cheeks and the bridge of the nose. 

Create a peachy cheek by applying highlight on the top part of the apples, a peachy pink on the apples, and a bit of bronzer right under the apples. 

Recommendations: Sun Glow Powder Bronzer, Natural Powder Blush in Fawn/Orchid

B.I.G. be Flossing… Remember that song? Amazingness. I love you 90's rap. Anyway…

This article basically is telling y'all to get flossing pronto! When you don't floss you're leaving tons of bacteria in between your teeth to rot! Ick!! So do yourself (and probably your partner) a favor and floss! It'll keep you looking younger too. I mean having rotting bacteria in your mouth can't be good!

Lemons are full of amazing magical powers! Even better? They're super cheap!

Lately I've been using them as acne medicine and just putting lemon juice on my face after I wash it before bed. I swear this has been keeping my skin impeccable. I also made a sugar/lemon scrub last week that I used in the shower. It was a little sticky but my skin was so smooth after.

After I use lemons for my green detox smoothies in the morning I pour a little baking soda on the used squeezed up fruit and scrub the counter down. Not only does it leave the counters sparkling, but it smells amazing and I don't have to worry about hazardous fragrance fumes.

Then I read this ingenius article by Cheap Jap that lemon juice fixed up her ailing soles! I'm going to have to try this one STAT!

OMGGGGGGGGG!!! I'm sorry, look at my hair. So this pic above is when the amika stylist did it for me but amika home styling tools are where it's at. amika's focus is on letting girls do their own hair at home.  I don't know about you guys but I usually watch the Hills and the City and drool over Olivia and Audrina's big beautiful waves that look natural but that we know are the product of some serious styling behind the scenes.

The stylers come in a range of bold, high-design patterns from giraffe print to tatoos. 

If you're like me you thought that the Chi was the highest level of quality you could get.  I learned, however, not so! amika's flat irons and curlers use professional-grade technology.  Their stylers are made with 10% ceramic plates-not just athin coating like most others (and don't even try to go to the drug store you'll get straight up metal, which will really damage your precious locks). amika stylers feature infared heat, which seals moiture into your hair and protects the cuticle and also softens your strands. I'm telling you, I haven't seen my hair shine like this even after leaving the salon last weekend. My favorite part though is that the heat gets right to the root of your hair so you don't even need hairspray (which is my nemesis).

The curlers are clip free and are ready to use in 15 seconds.  And the curler is tourmaline, which provides a natural source of frizz-eliminating ions.

Let's talk girl talk. Remember the game girl talk growing up? Uch so amazing.  I digress. So check out the pic below. This is a pic of me attempting to curl my hair after being inspired by Olivia Palermo's perfect locks on the city.

Me(to myself): Wow, O's hair is so gorge. *Lightbulb* la la la! I own a super awesome curling iron after attending the amika event that is just dying to get out of its adorable little giraffe covered box. 

So, while Rossy-poo was in the bedroom on the phone with his friend I decided to attempt to do my hair super quick so I could surprise him when he came out. Now for those of you who dont know me, I have a massive amount of hair. Like, hairstylists can't even believe it. It's thick. That's just to give some street cred to how quickly amika got the job done. In 14 minutes flat I had styled my entire head into curls. Yes, they're not perfect. It is a learning experience. I did learn that you need to make sure to hold the hair up to the very tip otherwise the ends are straightened out. I also learned that I don't need to go all the way up to the roots because I look a lil Shirley Temple-esque. That aside, I mean it doesn't get much better than that.

Ross was also thoroughly impressed as was I.
Oh yeah and the iron comes with a glove so you don't burn your fingers holding the hair up to the iron (since it is clip free! so it can be crimp free too. Don't you just hate those little crimpies you get when you close the thingy down on it?)

Okay, so here comes the damage: The Curling irons start at $105 and go up from there.  They're not cheap but they actually work. Like I would actually wear my hair out even the first try I had at curling my hair. My Conair iron is literally going in the trashh!!

Check out amika at  loveamika.com

PS: The curls lasted all the way until I went to the gym the next day and even after–WITHOUT any hairspray!! And hairspray is terrible for you so I eliminated all those toxins from my life and lungs!

Disclosure: Please be advised that Smartypanties attended an event for and received samples of this product for review. Our reviews are always honest, which is why we always want you to know all the facts!

If you are a fan of Burt’s Bees products, then you are going to love this deal!  Head on over here where you can snag the Burt’s Bees premium grab bag (a $50 value) for ONLY $24.99! This grab bag contains 5 full-sized products, 14 mini-size products, and 5 special gifts including an assortment of lip balm, lip shimmer, lip gloss, body lotion, facial cleanser, hand cream, face cream, and more. And shipping is only $5! This can make a great gift or a way to stock up on products!  Hurry, because this deal is for a limited time only! 

I went to a fabulous wedding on Saturday night at the Mandarin and I felt like how often do I get to go to such a beautiful venue, I felt like it necessitated a visit to the salon.  As much as I love my stick-straight locks, I needed a change.  Being a blogger you know I do get the opp to review salons, beauty products, restaurants, hotels, etc.  I had heard such great things about Warren Tricomi that I felt what better time to try it out. 

The salon is located in the shopping area that's attached to the Plaza Hotel.  The second you step inside you feel like you're about to get pampered.  There is an adorable little coffee shop that sells pastries, etc. as well as some nice shops that carry sunglasses, makeup, jewelry, and perfume. 

The salon itself is beautiful from the moment you ascend the marble stairs leading to the entrance.  The entire place just screams luxury and you get the feeling that you're in good hands from the moment you sit down.  I got my hair done by Leah who did, if I do say so myself an amazing job.  She really seemed to know what she was talking about.  She gave me advice on cut and part even though I was just getting it curled. I was going for the effortless curls that looked like I didn't even do my hair and she totally knew what I meant.

Warren Tricomi Salon is definitely on the pricier side but I think that if pampering yourself is what you're in the market for that this is an excellent choice.  You won't feel anything but relaxed from the moment you step inside.

Click here for a menu of services or here to visit their general website.  There are 3 locations: NYC, LA, and CT.