Summer is here, but before you slip your feet into your favorite pair of sandals, make sure your feet are as summer-ready as the rest of you (no one wants to see yellow nails, blisters, and dry, crusty heels!).

When the sun shines, your feet are always on display, whether you're barefoot on the beach or wearing the sexiest of footwear out on the town. That's why we've compiled a list of the most common foot gaffes and the best ways to avoid them.

HEELS THAT ARE DRY AND CRACKED

Summer sandals and flipflops, as cute as they are, don't provide much in the way of cushioning and support. As a result, the heels become hardened and dry, with layer after layer of dead skin on top.

What is the solution? Invest in a heavy-duty, nourishing moisturizer that will penetrate the skin's barrier and deeply moisturize. Throughout the summer, apply nightly to keep your heels looking and feeling soft and beautiful!

TOES WITH BLISTERING AND SUNBURNT

When it comes to applying sun cream, many of us forget to include the tops of our feet, resulting in unsightly sunburn blisters that are sure to sting when dipping in the sea. To avoid this, make sure your sunscreen has at least SPF 30 and that you apply it from head to toe throughout the day.

CALLUSES THAT ARE DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL

Callouses are unsightly raised bumps that form on the big toe, the back of the heel, and along the bottoms and sides of your feet to protect your feet when your shoes rub up against your skin. They are most commonly found on the big toe, the back of the heel, and along the bottoms and sides of your feet.

To remove a callous, use a foot file to gently smooth it away, preferably while you're in the shower so it can soften a little.

To prevent callouses from forming in the first place, invest in well-fitting shoes and wear socks whenever possible to reduce friction.

YELLOW NAILS, BRITTLE

While there are several causes of yellowing nails, one of the most common is overuse of nail varnish. But that doesn't mean you can't have bright summer toes this summer; instead, treat yourself to a non-chip pedicure that will last much longer.

You'll spend less time reapplying your latest smudged or chipped nail and more time sipping a cosmopolitan. You'll also feel less self-conscious about wearing your new open-toe sandals to a summer gathering.

SWEATY FEET, SWOLLEN FEET

When it's hot outside, swollen feet, also known as oedema, can occur. Swollen feet and ankles occur when excessive body heat causes blood vessels to dilate, allowing fluids to enter the surrounding tissues.

To avoid this, you should increase your circulation and stretch out any tight muscles. This is easily accomplished with full-body massages that focus on relaxing you from head to toe, leaving your feet as supple and smooth as they were before.

FOOT ODOURS, FOUL

With the summer sun comes sweat, and with sweat comes stinky feet, but thankfully, this ailment is easily remedied!

Feet become stinky when they are housed in non-breathable shoes and socks. Bacteria degrade sweat, resulting in a less-than-desirable odor. To avoid foot odor, keep your feet dry and avoid wearing the same pair of shoes on consecutive days (to give your shoes a chance to dry out as well). Wash your feet every day and thoroughly dry them afterwards.