Tag: #FirehouseFatales

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The Aftermath of the Heel Hustle

My Toenails Have Entered Their Villain Era

Remember when I talked about surviving Firehouse Fatales in high heels? Yeah. Well. Turns out the story didn’t end when I took my shoes off.

I went to take off my toenail polish so I could redo it (because cute feet are forever, bruises be damned), and surprise: both of my big toenails were bruised. On one of them, the top layer of the nail peeled off completely with the polish.

I’ve lost these toenails before, so I know what that feels like. This isn’t that. Not yet, anyway. This is more like a horror short film called “Beauty Queen Feet: The Sequel You Didn’t Ask For.”

What actually happened?

It was the perfect storm.

High heels and a long day on my feet meant nonstop pressure. My feet slid forward in my shoes all day, pressing my big toes into the front of the toe box. That constant impact bruised the nail beds underneath.

Add to that the fact that I skate regularly. Between derby drills, edge work, and toe-stop starts, my feet take a beating even without the heels. Roller derby puts a ton of stress on the forefoot, and when you combine that with already-compromised nails, they don’t exactly stand a chance.

And I’ll be honest. I almost never let my toenails breathe. I always have polish on. So they were already dry, probably brittle, and definitely not ready for a 100-degree concrete catwalk moment.

The trauma pushed them over the edge, and when I went to remove the polish, the top layer of the nail peeled right off like it had been waiting for its final act.

Why this happens

This kind of injury is called a subungual hematoma, which is a bruise under the nail caused by pressure or repeated impact. When you cram your toes into tight shoes or take hard hits at the front of your foot (hello, skating and high heels), tiny blood vessels under the nail can rupture, causing a deep bruise. If the nail is already weakened from polish, trauma, or dehydration, it’s even more likely to lift, peel, or flake.

What I’m doing now

  • No polish for a bit. I’m giving my toes a chance to recover before I dress them back up.
  • I’m using a clear keratin nail repair treatment to reinforce the nail plate and protect new growth.
  • Epsom salt soaks and nail oil are officially part of my daily routine.
  • I’ve got open-toed shoes on deck for the foreseeable future and zero shame about it.

What might help next time

  • Rotate out of polish once in a while to let your nails breathe.
  • Trim your toenails short and smooth before any long day in heels or on skates.
  • Use anti-friction balm or even a small strip of moleskin on your big toes to reduce rubbing.
  • Look for heel grips or gel inserts that keep your foot from sliding forward in your shoes.
  • And if you’re skating on top of everything else, ice and magnesium are your friends.

Lessons from the battlefield

If you’re going full glam in vintage heels all day and also asking your feet to skate, sprint, squat, and recover, give them some credit. And give them a break. Especially if you, like me, have a long history of sacrificing your nail beds in the name of pinup glory.

Pain is temporary. Pretty feet are a full-time job.

xoxo
-S

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👠 The Day After Heels

When Your Toes Are Still Mad and the Pavement Was 100 Degrees

I just wrapped my very first pageant as a host, the inaugural Firehouse Fatales, and let me tell you, it was a flaming success in more ways than one. The vibe? Immaculate. The contestants? Absolute knockouts. The temperature? Oh, just a casual 100 degrees in late June in Wyoming.

We were out in the blazing sun all day, surrounded by vintage cars, concrete, and the kind of dry heat that sucks the hydration straight out of your skin. I wore heels basically all day, because of course I did, and I walked several blocks back and forth between venues, handled emcee duties, and made sure everyone had what they needed. I also smiled through it all like my toes weren’t actively trying to escape my body.

By the time I got home, I was sweaty, crusty (literally, I had a salt layer on my face), dehydrated despite gallons of water, and my toes… were numb. Not just a little. We’re talking weird tingles under my big toenails well into the next day.

So what was going on?

Turns out it was a perfect storm:

  • Hours of walking in heels on hard concrete
  • Scorching heat drawing every drop of moisture out of my body
  • Swelling that I couldn’t see but absolutely felt. I couldn’t even fit into a pair of shoes the next day that normally slide right on
  • Electrolyte imbalance despite drinking water and even a Gatorade
  • A good ol’ dose of nerve compression in my feet
  • Not to mention less that two hours of sleep the night before

I had forgotten how much your body can shout at you after the adrenaline of a big event wears off. And this time, it was shouting in Morse code through my toenails.

If this ever happens to you, here’s what to do:

Post-Heel Foot Recovery Checklist:

☐ Rehydrate, for real
Water isn’t enough if you’ve sweated out your minerals. Add in a real electrolyte (LMNT, Liquid IV, or a mix of salt, lemon, and a pinch of potassium powder or cream of tartar).
(Up next I’ll immediately post my favorite summertime electrolyte drink!)

☐ Take your magnesium
This helps with nerve repair, muscle cramps, and those middle-of-the-night Charlie horses I definitely had.

☐ Elevate your feet
Prop your legs up above your heart for 30 to 60 minutes and let gravity help out your circulation.

☐ Soak those feet
Warm Epsom salt soaks are your friend. Add a little peppermint oil if you’re feeling fancy.

☐ Gently massage and stretch
Use your hands or roll a ball under your arch. Flex your toes, roll your ankles, and gently scrub around the nail beds with a soft toothbrush to stimulate sensation.

☐ Wear forgiving shoes
Don’t shove your foot back into anything that compresses your toes. Let them breathe and decompress.

☐ Rest and watch
Numbness that improves over 24 to 48 hours is normal. But if it worsens, spreads, or sticks around too long, talk to a provider.

I’m sharing this not just because it’s helpful, but because I want you to know that even when you’re standing tall (in heels, in public, in a 100° inferno), the crash afterward is real. You can be proud of what you pulled off and take the time to recover properly.

I’m giving my feet the night off and tomorrow I’ll be back in my flats, planning the next big thing. Maybe a little wiser. Maybe a little more hydrated. Definitely with happier toes.

xoxo
-S

P.S. – This year’s Firehouse Fatales event was everything I hoped it would be. We had a full lineup of stunning contestants, a fantastic crowd, and a solid vintage car show to set the scene. From the Pin-up Pitstop to the judges’ scorecards, every little detail came together. My family helped, our sponsors showed up in a big way, and the community really showed us love. It was hot, it was a little chaotic behind the scenes, but it was beautiful. I’m so proud of what we pulled off and already excited for what next year might bring. I’ll be sharing a full recap post soon with more photos, the story behind the event, and how you can get involved next year, so keep your eyes peeled.