Open toe, i.e. The FINAL FRONTIER

[bambam]

So I have been wearing heels for years at this point, including the sexiest pumps I could find, but haven't worked up the gut to wear my favorite pair of open toe Pleasers, or any of my open toe shoes. It's not that I have big manly feet, quite the opposite I find, I just haven't been able to give myself a proper pedicure, and I refuse to wear those shoes if I don't at least have well kept toes. Any advice on doing this at home? I know going to a salon is a decent idea, but I really want to do it myself, and for some reason, coloring in the lines is still a problem for me. However, I love these shoes too much not to keep trying.

Edited January 25, 2022 by bambam

[SF]

My strict rule....  If you (me) are going to wear sandals - guys or gals - your feet should look nice, and that include some type of a pedicure, professional or do it yourself.  I do both, depends on my schedule and situation.  I give my wife pedicures on a regular basis and sometimes we "splurge" and both go to a salon, it's fun.  

Doing your own pedicure is not that difficult, just takes time.  I use cuticle softener and trim then file my nails.  The last step is a buffer file to smooth the surface of the nails it gives a nice shiny - glossy base for either a clear coat or color.  I started with a clear coat long ago, but for the past few years have been using color exclusively.  It looks nice.  

As for "coloring in the lines" it just takes practice.  When I paint my or the wife nails I always have a cotton ball and paper towel with polish remover handy for mistakes.  Some nail salons use a small artists paint brush that is dipped in acetone for final corrections and touch up's when even they get out of the lines.  I have not tried that but it works well.  Again, practice, practice...

Nice sandals BTW, but not for me, the heel is way to high, but if I were to wear them, as with my other sandals,  I would have a nice pedicure....  

Have fun...   Enjoy your shoes and sandals...   sf

 

[Cali]

If you going to wear open toe sandals you need to have nice nails.  If they look at your feet, and they will, nasty looking toes will distract.

Most of the time I have my toes done at a salon, in fact tomorrow is my next appointment. I get a leg and foot massage with it.  Its not easy for me to do a pedicure and takes me hours to do it right.

I would suggest you go to a salon at least once and watch how they do things.  This will help you to learn how to do it yourself.

Nice Gladiator sandals.

Edited January 26, 2022 by Cali

[chesterx]

6 hours ago, SF said:

...I always have a cotton ball and paper towel with polish remover handy for mistakes.  Some nail salons use a small artists paint brush that is dipped in acetone for final corrections and touch up's when even they get out of the lines...

 

Best tool I have found for self polishing, a box of cotton swabs, in particular, the ones that come to a sharp point. They are made for polish work. One end for dipping into polish remover & the other end for cleanup. Works great for getting into the crevices on the sides of your nails...

[mlroseplant]

All right, I'm going to throw this in here, as sandals are my preferred footwear, and I appear to be in the minority. It is not necessary to paint your toenails to have nice looking feet. I personally prefer unpolished nails on both men and women. Howeveah.  .  . It IS necessary to do some maintenance, and I would advise a professional pedicure if you truly don't know what to do, and while you're there, don't completely bask in the indulgence, pay a little attention to what they're doing, then you can decided later on which route you'd rather go.

Couple of caveats: 1) I realize that many can't go bare for whatever reason, be it fungus, injury, or some other problem, like being a ballerina, that causes the unpainted nails to be unattractive. This segues rather neatly into number 2) Just because you've had a professional pedicure doesn't guarantee you'll have attractive feet. Unfortunately, genetics is unkind to some, kinder to others. Good luck!

Edited January 26, 2022 by mlroseplant

[Gige]

On 1/26/2022 at 4:26 AM, mlroseplant said:

All right, I'm going to throw this in here, as sandals are my preferred footwear, and I appear to be in the minority. It is not necessary to paint your toenails to have nice looking feet. I personally prefer unpolished nails on both men and women. Howeveah.  .  . It IS necessary to do some maintenance, and I would advise a professional pedicure if you truly don't know what to do, and while you're there, don't completely bask in the indulgence, pay a little attention to what they're doing, then you can decided later on which route you'd rather go.

Couple of caveats: 1) I realize that many can't go bare for whatever reason, be it fungus, injury, or some other problem, like being a ballerina, that causes the unpainted nails to be unattractive. This segues rather neatly into number 2) Just because you've had a professional pedicure doesn't guarantee you'll have attractive feet. Unfortunately, genetics is unkind to some, kinder to others. Good luck!

First of "Howeveah" took me a moment to figure it out....(reminiscent of Mr. Ronald James Dio - sooooo showing my age!).

I had always believed that open shoes, regardless of heel height and style, SHOULD (not could or can) not be worn with either tights (nylons, hose, etc) or unpainted toenails.  Likewise, I automatically assumed that toenails should be painted with open toe shoes, especially with pumps worn for a "dressy" occasion or event. Well, yesterday, I noted that my immediate supervisor was wearing a pair of Toms - "Monica" slingback wedges and her toenails was not polished/painted. Thus, this gave me the inspiration I needed to try it for myself. As, I will pick-up some open toe sandals and see how it looks! 

[Cali]

I wear open toe sandals all the time. And almost always the toes are painted. I get my toes (and fingers) done every 3 - 4 weeks. I know how to do it myself, but I don't have all the tools. My thumb is artifically supported, so it is very hard to work on my toes. Besides, I also enjoy the foot and leg massage.

[mlroseplant]

18 hours ago, Gige said:

First of "Howeveah" took me a moment to figure it out....(reminiscent of Mr. Ronald James Dio - sooooo showing my age!).

I had always believed that open shoes, regardless of heel height and style, SHOULD (not could or can) not be worn with either tights (nylons, hose, etc) or unpainted toenails.  Likewise, I automatically assumed that toenails should be painted with open toe shoes, especially with pumps worn for a "dressy" occasion or event. Well, yesterday, I noted that my immediate supervisor was wearing a pair of Toms - "Monica" slingback wedges and her toenails was not polished/painted. Thus, this gave me the inspiration I needed to try it for myself. As, I will pick-up some open toe sandals and see how it looks! 

Neighbor to the east, you know what the weather has been like lately, and it doesn't show any sign of letting up. You won't catch me wearing enclosed shoes (outside of the workplace and when safety requires it) until September. As I said before, I have never used nail polish or varnish of any sort, ever. I also do my own pedicures ever since my favorite nail tech left the biz. No one else is touching my feet. One trick I have discovered is to rub just a tiny amount of petroleum jelly on your toenails before heading out. It gives them a little bit of shine without the hassle of painting them. Also, have you tried a buffing block? That will give your nails shine that will last quite a long time, especially on your toenails.

[Gige]

Well, I never thought it would happen, but I have started to warm to open toe sandals. I was reluctant because it seemed like such a fuss to do "correctly." Well, without getting into all the nitty-gritty of it, it tried it and I was quite surprised by the outcome! I would be inclined to believe that the maintenance to ensure that the look is desirable is much, but, in the end, worth it for the summer. So, here is my first try at it. 

[mlroseplant]

Inasmuch as we can see anything in this picture, I think everything looks great! Your shoes are very cute, I have a similar pair, though I don't often wear wedges. I do think it has to be pointed out that with this outfit, the first thing people are going to notice is your wildly uneven sun exposure, and not your pedicure/manicure. I get it. I tend to have the same problem myself.

[Gige]

3 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Inasmuch as we can see anything in this picture, I think everything looks great! Your shoes are very cute, I have a similar pair, though I don't often wear wedges. I do think it has to be pointed out that with this outfit, the first thing people are going to notice is your wildly uneven sun exposure, and not your pedicure/manicure. I get it. I tend to have the same problem myself.

'Tis True! Living in a farming state automatically gives one the "farmer's tan!" The sun has not necessarily been kind to me over the years. Growing up in the suburban Chicago area with a large yard, a swimming pool, and a neighborhood full of kids my age meant a lot of time outdoors during the summer recess. As a result, I have had several basal cell carcinomas (always benign) removed from my legs and back. In fact, if you look closely at my left thigh just below the hem line, I have one that has to be removed - when I can find time to get to the dermatologist.   

[bluejay]

Farmers tan, I have the same problem, but I just grin and bear it. Great pedi and mani. too. I always have my hands and feet with polish on. That's why I like to wear my sandals to show off my pedi

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

[mlroseplant]

I have to admit at this point that in the past, I have actually gone so far as to tan my legs separately to get them to "catch up." There is a certain spot where I can sit a read a book while having my legs out in the sun, but my upper body in the shade. I avoided that problem this year by covering up head to toe while I am at work. It's easy this year because I'm outside. When I'm working mainly inside, I find the sun that I get from "incidental" exposure does add up after a while, i.e., going out to the port-a-john, standing around waiting for a delivery, walking to the parking lot. We won't even get into "sandal tan" or the dreaded "sock tan" that I used to get back when I played tennis a lot.

Edited July 1 by mlroseplant

[HappyinHeels]

Mlroseplant,

Started to make an effort to do more outside in shorts to get a tan. My shorts are quite short and have run many errands in them with no issues. Have tried shorts with wedges a few times and really liked it. Don’t think I’ve gone as many places as you in shorts and heels. However I’ve never worn open toe shoes without a pedicure and I do my own 95% of the time. You do look very natural inside your church so keep it up. HinH

Edited July 3 by HappyinHeels
Word omitted

[Cali]

I tan my legs while sitting in bikini bottoms so my tan lines are not visable in shorts, even my 3" and 4" styles. I sit for at most 30 minutes each day to get that nice bronze look without the burn. I almost always have professionally done fingers and toes. There are certain things my thumbs don't want to do (can't - missing the bone) so doing my own nails takes hours upon hours plus I need acyrlics because of damaged nails. My thumb nail has split into two independent nails. 

I been wearing my shorts with wedges 40% of the time, but tomorrow its one of my classic "mess with your mind outfits": shorts and JS stilettos with a Hawaiian shirts. 

Should be 102F at work tomorrow.

[mlroseplant]

For some reason I have always found it mentally easier to wear wedges with shorts. Of course it's all an illusion. I don't think it matters one bit, within reason, what heels one chooses to wear with shorts, one is still going to get some attention from the general public. Part of it may be the noise. If people can hear you coming from 20 meters away, they're probably going to take a look well in advance. I do think the most important thing is to stand up straight, own the outfit, and walk with an easy gait, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Appearing to walk and move carelessly is a lot harder than you'd think.

[Shyheels]

I think owning whatever look you choose to present - whether its heels or an idiosyncratic hat or waistcoat or livelier than usual colour combination - is the key to passing unnoticed. If you make it natural, that's how it will ultimately appear to others, even if they are momentarily startled  

[Bubba136]

2 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

For some reason I have always found it mentally easier to wear wedges with shorts. Of course it's all an illusion. I don't think it matters one bit, within reason, what heels one chooses to wear with shorts, one is still going to get some attention from the general public. Part of it may be the noise. If people can hear you coming from 20 meters away, they're probably going to take a look well in advance. I do think the most important thing is to stand up straight, own the outfit, and walk with an easy gait, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Appearing to walk and move carelessly is a lot harder than you'd think.

Wearing shorts usually presents a warm weather casual look which would call for sandals.  Whether wearing high heels, wedge heels or flats is a matter of preference.  Wearing shorts automatically attracts attention to your feet.  In some of your past pictures you are wearing wedge and high heel sandals.  In all instances, the choice is appropriate for the function to which you are attending. In all cases, in my opinion, you present a positive appearance.  

[Gige]

Well...I did it. Open toe heels (sandals?) at work. Toe nails painted blue to match the blue espadrilles worn to an art exhibit at SLAM (St. Louis Art Museum) the past weekend. Heels - A.N.A. (Another New Adventure - found on eBay). 

Edited August 21 by Gige
Added info about the heels

[mlroseplant]

See, it wasn't that hard, was it? Free the toes!

[Jkrenzer]

19 hours ago, Gige said:

Well...I did it. Open toe heels (sandals?) at work. Toe nails painted blue to match the blue espadrilles worn to an art exhibit at SLAM (St. Louis Art Museum) the past weekend. Heels - A.N.A. (Another New Adventure - found on eBay). 

Well done. I'd do if I had decent toes