Nike Women's Shox Ballo in black Size 5 $99.99

I can confidently say that these are one of the worst pairs of shoes I’ve ever owned. (To provide a little perspective, the worst shoes I've ever owned were handmade and decades old). Upon first slipping them on, the arch insole made my feet feel like my weight were being balanced on the corners of my feet, not distributed evenly as they should be. The inner corners of my feet felt like they were forced into a higher surface area than it should’ve been, which is unusual for me because I have high arches. Admittedly, recently my arches have started to collapse, but they’re still fairly higher than the average person. If you inspect the insoles, it looks as though it’s climbing up the sides of the shoes and needs to be grounded more. Every time the foot of my heel lifted off the ground, my ankle felt as though it was separating from the shoes because they weren’t properly secured. I do have very small ankles, but this is the first time I’ve come across sneakers that didn’t proper hold them in place. These shoes make running impossible and walking a greater challenge than it should be. Rather than using the heel of my foot to lift off, I had to keep my feet as flat as possible. In a futile attempt to secure my ankles in place, I tied my shoe laces on extra tight. It left my ankles feeling heavy. The circulation was being cut off, and it was a constant reminder that I was wearing shoes. Even with my small ankles, considering how this is the first time I've come across this deficiency, I can't help but feel like it's the structure of the shoe's design that's flawed. It's dubious to create sneakers, especially cross-training sneakers, that doesn't offer ankle support. It makes the product useless for its purposes. Unless I tie them that uncomfortably, within two hours of walking, the laces come loose. I never feel barefoot in sneakers, but I’ve also never felt so burdened by them before. When I took my shoes off, the skin around my ankles felt sensitive and sore. It left my feet feeling stiff long after I took them off, as well. The contrast between a matte black and cheap shine is tasteless and tacky, even for two shades of blacks. I thought I could stomach the unattractiveness of the design because of the comfort, but they feel awful. Shoes should provide you with the freedom and range of motion to move the way you please. They should feel light, comfortable, and secure, not heavy, tight, and loose all at the same time. I can’t imagine these sneakers working well for cross training. Perhaps my complaints are unique because of the condition of my arches and narrow ankles, so I recommend anyone with flat arches and small ankles to stay away. I made the mistake of purchasing these online because shoe stores such as Lady Foot Locker, Foot Action, and Nike no longer carry size 5s in their stores. Trying on the next size has never provided me with insight into how a size 5 will feel, so I proceeded to purchase them online, only to be gravely disappointed. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to keep these shoes because my previous shoes fell apart during a fire. These shoes are intact, but immediately I could tell how much I would dislike them. These were a regrettable $99.99. I can't imagine anyone finding comfort and usefulness out of these sneakers, but be my guest and evaluate them for yourself. This review is only intended to express my experiences and inform any interested consumers. After all, it's equally important to familiarize yourself with inferior sneakers. It's the most informed way to detect superiority.

PERSPECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: I've been a size 5 for quite some time now. My body weight's been stable for several years. To the best of my knowledge, the size of my ankles haven't changed. Size 5s are usually comfortably snug and secure without suffocating me. I've owned size 5 Nike's in the past without a problem. They've provided me with the necessary support and recommended durability. I walk frequently on a daily basis. I'm diligent about replacing them after a year. So, I feel that I'm making an informed decision when I express that these are the first pair of sneakers I've had a problem with. In my experience, it isn't unique to the brand.

A + D Original Ointment

This is used to treat diaper rash, but it’s amazing how well it works on cuticles. There are so many cuticle products available that range from poor quality to Holy Grail. The truth is that sometimes the best source is packaged in a dirt cheap, unsuspecting product. No one ever thinks, “Hey, I’m going to try the product that’s used to treat butt rashes.” I would’ve never considered trying this ointment for this purpose if it weren’t for a magazine suggesting it. I’m really glad I tried it because it’s super cheap and really effective. When you think about it, it makes sense. A + D ointment is much richer and creamier than any other cuticle treatments out there because it’s ointment. It isn’t water based. The drawback is that it doesn’t have the best absorption, but you can rub it in. Just understand that it’s not a clean task. FYI: If you don’t make sure to rub it in before bedtime, it may stain your sheets. But this is a realistic concern with cuticle oils, as well, so I don’t consider it a major drawback. I know people are disgusted by this concept, but keep in mind that no baby actually used this ointment. For the price, you might as well try it for yourself. You use it like any other cuticle treatment by gently applying a little ointment onto each cuticle and rubbing it in. If used daily, you should notice significant changes within a week. Not only does it go for a couple bucks, but this tube can last well over a year. And you can use it for other purposes such as treating diaper rash, minor burns and cuts, chafed skin, and dry lips.