You beauty! Annabel Rivkin samples This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm

There is a lady called Philippa Herbert who casts hands or feet in bronze, silver, glass or even solid gold. She recently did my baby’s tiny feet as he slept. The result — we chose glass — is exquisite: smooth, detailing every puff and crinkle, toes like minuscule beans and the smoothest heels; a cool, tactile glass translation of a foot that has never been crammed into a shoe, of a toe that has never been crushed or stubbed, of a heel that has yet to be walked upon.

Which led me, naturally, to peer down at my own gnarled hooves. They’ve seen some punishment: for the past countless years shoved into trainers, high heels, and barefoot the rest of the time, they are currently bashed constantly as I stumble around in the dead of night clutching a baby who wriggles like a salmon.

Painted toenails are only half the battle. Cracked heels read as old harridan. They are the foot equivalent of bleeding lipstick lines around the mouth. Come sandal season, you need something that both acts as a quick fix and plays the long game. Try This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm. It works cosmetically to make the trotter look presentable while at the same time reconstructing the skin. Rub a bit in before you go out (it’s not too slidey) and, later, whack a load on under socks and wear to bed. Sexy.

This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm, £16, at boots.com