Compeed Cracked Heel Overnight Cream

RRP: £4.99

--What does the promo say?--
"COMPEED^®Cracked Heel Overnight Cream contains a unique blend of Urea and Lactic Acid and intensively moisturises to improve the appearance of cracked heels while you sleep."

--Packaging--
The blue and yellow packaging is summery and appeals to both men and women. The tube is also practical, with the lid closing securely enough that you don't have to worry about it leaking during travel. At 75ml, it's also suitable for holidays when you might be travelling with hand baggage only.

--Application--
Rub into clean feet at night before going to bed. If you like, you can wear socks after application to encourage even deeper moisturisation.

--Appearance--
The cream is white, but rubs in invisibly.

--Scent--
Clean without seeming artificial; perhaps slightly citrusy.

--Texture and consistency--
Sinks into skin quickly, and importantly lets skin breathe.

--Effects on the skin--
Soothes any itchiness that you may be feeling, and visibly reduces the amount of dry flaky skin within 1-3 weeks.

--Value for money--
One tube probably lasts 3-4 weeks, and it's one of the best I've used. Even though I was sent mine for free, I'd pay the affordable price tag to replace it once it runs out.

Akileine Regenerating Cream for Very Dry Feet

RRP: £5.25/50ml; £10.25/150ml (www.akileine.co.uk)

--What does the promo say?--
"Made of shea butter and horse-chestnut extract, this cream intensively moisturizes, nourishes, smoothes and protects dehydrated, dry keratinised and rough skin. It prevents the formation of calluses and gives back the skin's suppleness while maintaining its natural pH."

--Packaging--
Akileine cleverly but simply distinguish between different foot care needs using different bright colours. The range for dry feet is bright blue. No softly-softly pastel approach here; this is a company that knows what it does, what it wants to achieve, and how to get it - fast. The screw-top lid is easy to remove when you need it, but stays secure when you don't.

--Application--
Rub into clean dry feet, not forgetting to get right in between your toes, and rub in until fully absorbed. Nothing tricky about this - the cream is luxurious but fast-absorbing.

--Scent--
Shea butter is detectable but not prominent; the arnica used in the product is more obvious. Despite being packed with chestnut and peanut there is no real nutty odour.

--Appearance--
A white cream that rubs invisibly into skin.

--Texture and consistency--
Perfect in my eyes: rubs in quickly and well in spite of its thickness. Luxurious, creamy, and not at all runny or sticky. A joy to use.

--Effects on the skin--
Clears up dry body skin better than any other cream I have tried, including prescription stuff. That's on very hard layers of skin, too. Well impressed - these guys are definitely foot specialists.

--Value for money--
It's arguably not the cheapest cream out there - at £10.25 for 150ml, you're in the same realms as brands such as L'Occitane. Nevertheless, it's still effective and affordable - what more could you want? I would definitely buy again.

perfect partners
Hydra Defense Balm, from £7.50
Softening Lotion for Dry Legs and Feet, from £7.25
Foot Peeling Creme, £10.25
Foot File, £6.95 

Arbonne Pampermint Gift Set

RRP: £31.50
--What does the promo say?--
"Nourishing cream and gentle scrub pamper your soles and your soul — a gift of cosy comfort right down to the tips of your plush socks. Set includes FootWork Foot Scrub (Net wt. 12 oz.), SoleMate Foot Cream (Net wt. 9 oz.) and Signature Socks in a holiday gift box."

--Packaging--
Apart from the box being a bit bashed around the edges by the time it got to me (but that's the French postal system for you), I have no complaints. In fact, I find the packaging and overall scheme positively inspiring: the combination of the peppermint scent with the red and white stripes suggesting candy canes is a perfect fit for the holiday season. In addition, the foot scrub and cream pots (plastic, with screw top lids) also come with little red snowflakes drawn on them. Brava! All incredibly sweet and festive.

--Application--
Rub the foot scrub into wet or dry skin as you prefer before rinsing off. Apply the cream onto dry feet before bed and then slip on the socks to seal in the moisture as you sleep.

--Appearance--
The socks are quite clearly the most dazzling thing appearance-wise about the entire set; even just looking at them makes you feel comfy and cosy with their baggy, fuzzy cheer. The foot scrub is an off-white, grey-green colour, in which flecks of exfoliant can be seen, and the cream is white and stiff, rubbing into the skin invisibly.

--Scent--
The peppermint smell is there one hundred per cent and really helps to wake you up on those cold winter mornings, as well as helping to calm you down on winter nights.

--Texture and consistency--
The cream is a bit 'blobby' and difficult to get hold of, coming out of the tub in white lumps. While it's still easy enough to blend in (even though it looks and feels stiff), I think most people would still prefer a more luxurious, creamier sensation. The foot scrub is better at this, and still washes off easily to boot. The socks are joyfully just as heavenly as they look, making you feel as innocent and comfy as a child waiting for Santa.

--Effects on the skin--
The socks alone are a really comforting and calming experience, possibly claiming the crown of being the softest, nicest socks I've ever worn. The cream and scrub, used together, also really help to minimise dry skin and restore softness.

--Value for money--
While this appears expensive at face value, it is better value for money than some of Arbonne's other gift sets, with the high-quality products evening out to be around £10 (and a few pence) each, which is no more than you would pay in other more widespread outlets such as The Body Shop. For a unique and wow-factor gift for the special lady in your life this Christmas (or hey - even just yourself) this Christmas, I'd say look no further. Tis the season!

perfect partner
Mint Latte Eyeshadow Palette, £42

Liz Earle Foot Repair Moisturiser

RRP: from £4.50/15ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Our refreshing peppermint-scented Foot Repair Moisturiser uses a blend of shea butter, skin-softening wheatgerm oil and avocado oil to intensively moisturise the driest of skins. Best of all, it sinks in fast so won't leave feet feeling greasy."

--Packaging--
The cool blue is lovely and, as usual, in terms of information on the tube, the company keeps it simple while still telling you everything that you need to know. However, the positive comments stop there: the company was probably trying to be clever and innovative with the incorporated pump action thing at the end of the tube, but it's totally nonsensical. The pump action seems to lead to a lot of air being trapped inside it, meaning that you can be going swimmingly one minute only to be pumping futilely the next, waiting for more lotion to struggle its way out.
[A spokesperson from Liz Earle, Laura Allard, adds the following advice, which I have not yet tried, but will do: "We would recommend that the pump is stored upright, on its lid, to ensure that the product is dispensed smoothly, and that the product is also dispensed in an upright position. If these measures do not work and you still continue to experience problems with the pump then please do let me know, and we will pass your concerns on to our product development team." So if you have problems with the pump too, feel free to comment about it here!]

--Application--
When the pump action is behaving itself, pump/squeeze out some lotion onto your feet (8-10 pumps for really dry feet; about half this if you're just maintaining already smooth feet) and then either rub your feet together or use your hands to massage the lotion in.

--Appearance--
A white, quite stiff lotion that doesn't leave any visible residue on skin.

--Scent--
The peppermint smell is the most obvious in this conglomerate of scents, and it's lovely and refreshing.

--Texture and consistency--
Sinks in quickly as promised and is not at all lumpy. Easy to rub in and does not leave hands or feet feeling greasy.

--Effects on the skin--
Improvement is almost certain, although perhaps don't expect perfection.

--Value for money--
As usual, Liz Earle has done well to provide an affordable travel size. The 100ml full size is £12.25, which isn't so bad for a luxurious and natural product. However, for a real miracle, spend a few pence more on the company's Superbalm, which will leave you scraping your jaw off the floor.

perfect partners
Foot Scrub, £4.50-£10.25
Cotton-rich socks, £4.50
Foot Spritzer, £7.00

Le Couvent des Minimes Hikers' Foot Healer

RRP: €12,90 for 75ml
retails in France (Marionnaud), Belgium (Ici Paris XL), and Canada (Jean Coutu); for stockists see www.lecouventdesminimes.com

--About the brand--
"The Minimes Convent, situated in Mane in the Provençal Alps, is a historic environment where since 1862 a love for plants and natural ingredients has traditionally flourished. The terraced gardens which surround the convent are overflowing with hundreds of botanical species that are studied, cultivated and used year after year by the convent's residents. Today the recipes of the Minimes Convent pay homage to this long tradition of care and well-being using plants with products for home and body."
original text from www.marionnaud.com; translation mine

--What does the promo say?--
"This cream unites 9 plants that have been carefully selected for their recognised healing properties. Its rich, non-greasy and emollient formula is rapidly absorbed to intensely nourish dry feet, soften the skin, and calm hot and tired feet with its perfume coming from essential oils."
original text from www.marionnaud.com; translation mine

--Packaging--
A spin-off of the L'Occitane brand, Le Couvent des Minimes offers similarly traditional and simple packaging. The foil tube is very appealing as it not only offers an unusual look away from the plastic and glass of several foot cream tubes and jars, but also presumably means that it's recyclable. The red label and box used for this product is also a nice touch.

--Application--
Apply liberally to dry feet and leave to soak in.

--Appearance--
A pale white cream that leaves no visible residue on the skin once absorbed.

--Scent--
Simply gorgeous; reminiscent of lemon sherbet sweets in a very natural way.

--Texture and consistency--
Smooth, creamy and luxurious. As promised, it is absorbed easily without being greasy.

--Effects on the skin--
Offers tangible improvements. While skin is not immediately as smooth as a baby's, the difference detected between uses, particularly the first time, is significant, with itchy feelings reduced and dry skin smoothed out. It provides similar effects to Liz Earle's Superbalm, which is about £3.50 more than this at today's exchange rates.

--Value for money--
This is an effective, attractive and affordable product. Though a little less expensive than Liz Earle's Superbalm (its nearest comparable competitor in terms of ingredients and results), it comes very close to the wow factor that the Liz Earle product delivers. However, perhaps what you really get for your money here is the exclusivity: with it only available in France, Belgium and Canada, and virtually impossible to purchase online (especially if you live outside of these three countries), it is "une vraie exclusivité" that you can treat yourself to with pleasure, or bring back with delight as a gift for family or friends.

perfect partners
Creamy Foot Exfoliant, €13,30
Honey & Shea Butter Calming Foot Cream, €15,20

Boots Gorgeous Feet Reviving Overnight Rescue

RRP: £2.19/50ml; £6.49/150ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Boots Gorgeous Feet Reviving Overnight Rescue works to melt away dry skin & renew texture. Take a step in the right direction and give hardworking feet a pampering overnight treat. Simply massage this deeply restorative cream into feet before bed and wake up to skin that’s soft, smooth and renewed. This incredible formulation works to dissolve hard skin and regenerate fresh new skin while you sleep."

--Packaging--
A see-through, squat glass jar with a shiny pink lid. This is all set off by the pink label, which only tells you what you actually need to know. Lovely. Comes in a pink box for ingredients information and suchlike, though I'll tell you here that it contains grape seed oil, cacao butter, bilberry leaf extract, sugar maple extract, lemon peel, and lemon flowers. Delish.

--Application--
"Apply a generous amount of cream to clean dry feet before going to bed. Wear cotton socks overnight to seal in the treatment." Not a problem - in fact, you don't even really need to use cotton socks with it as it sinks in so well on its own.

--Appearance--
A thick creamy white lotion. Leaves no visible residue on skin.

--Scent--
Lovely! Like vanilla and white chocolate.

--Texture/consistency--
Does not leave feet leaving greasy, and rubs in very well, leaving feet feeling smooth and soft.

--Long-term effects on skin--
Excellent - I was having real trouble with my feet, with a truckload of dry skin that just wouldn't shift (even with the help of a Scholl foot cream). Still not perfect yet, but there's been a huge improvement, which I'm sure will continue.

--Value for money--
Even the dinky 50ml pot lasts ages and ages (I've been using mine for weeks and have barely made a dent in it), so it's worth every penny of the £2.19. Buying three of these in a row, rather than getting the 150ml pot, barely costs you a few pence more, so if this is easier on young spenders' purses, don't hesitate to do it that way. A fantastic foot cream that should be by every girl's bedside table.

perfect partners
Gorgeous Feet Amazing Anti-Rub Stick, £3.91
Gorgeous Feet Deeply Intensive Moisturiser, from £1.99
Gorgeous Feet Fantastic Foot File, £3.49
Gorgeous Feet Heaven for Heels 2 pack, £3.49
Gorgeous Feet Plaster Combination Pack, £3.49
Gorgeous Feet Feet Powder Soft Refreshing Lotion, £4.99
Gorgeous Feet Rapid Cracked Heel Repair, £4.99
Gorgeous Feet Sensationally Smooth Foot Scrub, from £1.99
Gorgeous Feet Soft Step Insoles, £1.99/pair
Gorgeous Feet Soothing Foot Soak, £4.99
Gorgeous Feet Flip Flop Cushion, £3.99/pair
Gorgeous Feet Toe Nail Conditioner, £4.99
Gorgeous Feet Ball of Foot Cushion, £3.79

Efasit Intensive Moisture Balm

RRP: £2.99/80ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Active care for active feet. Conditions, softens and gently deodorises over-dry and rough feet. With natural jojoba and rosemary oils and vitamin E. It penetrates deeply to help smooth and soften dry skin and to protect against moisture loss."

--Packaging--
The tube uses a green, yellow and white colour scheme, which makes it look fresh, revitalising and young. Colours are unisex too, though the diagram of a hand massaging a foot makes the body parts look distinctly womanly. The positioning of the diagram, brand name etc is well laid out and the practical white lid allows you to stand the tube up or lie it down as necessary without liquid seeping out. The lid closes securely and the tube is approximately 12cm in height.

--Application--
After rubbing your feet with a pumice stone and/or exfoliator during your bath or shower, apply a few pearl-sized drops of the cream to clean dry feet and massage in. The cream sinks into the feet easily without too much effort.

--Appearance--
The cream is an attractive pale green colour that looks very natural and not a far cry from various aloe vera products. There is no visible residue after using this product.

--Scent--
I couldn't quite put my finger on what it smelt of until I looked again at the list of ingredients. As well as the ingredients already stated, the cream contains menthol and camphor, and it's these that you get a slight whiff of. However, none of the ingredients seem to have an overbearing scent.

--Texture--
The cream is quite stiff but I would prefer this to a runny cream any day. Despite the cream's apparent stiffness it rubs into the feet easily.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Immediately the skin on your heels and the balls of your feet feels smoother.

--Longevity--
The above effects can be felt throughout the day, and this I was impressed with as you can often lose the effects of a cream as you go about your daily business.

--Does it do what it says on the tube?--
Oh yes. I noticed a difference within a day or two of using this product, and my feet were in a pretty sorry state (probably owing to a combination of previous athlete's foot, walking everywhere I go, and having just started pointe work in my ballet classes). Soon my heels and the balls of my feet were smooth again and I'm continuing to use it for preventative care. It also stops your feet from being all stinky, so yay :)

--Value for money--
This product is excellent in terms of value for money. 80ml doesn't sound like much for your £3 (or $6 to our American friends) but you only need a small amount each day to see a significant difference.

perfect partners
Efasit Super Relaxing Leg Lotion, 200ml
Efasit 18-hour deodorant spray

--Available from:--
Available from Boots, and from a variety of online retailers, including:
http://www.mobilispodiatry.com/
http://www.mobilishealthcare.com/
http://www.petersfieldchiropody.com/
http://www.britsuperstore.co.uk/
For other UK stockists, call 0191 370 9466.