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Kylie Jenner once revealed the intense lengths she’d go to for a seamless red carpet look. At the 2025 Met Gala, she took fashion advice from a famous designer and “taped” her feet into her heels. While the taped-in heels may have kept her look intact for the cameras, the aftermath revealed how precarious such fashion hacks can be. Here’s what a beauty, hair, and nail expert thinks of the trend.

A beauty expert warned against Kylie Jenner’s heel hack ahead of the busy holiday season

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At the 2025 Met Gala, Kylie Jenner revealed that she followed advice from designer Maximilian Davis, the creative director behind her custom Ferragamo gown, who suggested she “tape” her feet into her pointed-toe stilettos to prevent slipping while strutting the red carpet, according to E! News. After the event, however, what was meant to be a fashion fix turned into a painful mishap. Jenner filmed a behind-the-scenes video showing a team struggling to pry the heels off her feet, spraying liquid to loosen the hold. She could be heard exclaiming, “Ow!” as the shoes were slowly removed. In a follow-up Instagram Story, Kylie shared a photo of her bare feet, visibly red but intact, captioning it “They’re okay!!!” to reassure fans.

Danielle Louise, a beauty, hair, and nail expert on the Fresha platform, warned against the hack.

“People see Kylie do it for one red carpet and assume it’s a secret insider trick,” Louise stated. “But taping your feet into shoes actually forces them into an unnatural position. You’re putting intense pressure on the toes, arch, and ankle — and that can lead to blisters, tearing, bruising, and even nerve compression.”

Louise noted that celebrities have custom-fitted shoes, and they’re typically only wearing the heels for a few minutes at a time. This isn’t the case for most others. “Everyone else is wearing them on cobbles, dancefloors, icy pavements and taxi queues,” she said. “Completely different scenario.”

Here’s what fans should do for their heels instead

Taping one’s feet into shoes can cause blistering, circulation issues, nerve problems, and an increased risk of falling, as the foot can’t naturally move within the heel. Couple this with potentially icy streets during the holiday season, and fans hoping to utilize Kylie Jenner’s heel hack could be in big trouble.

So, what should heel-wearers do instead? Heel grips or gel pads can be useful, as they keep the foot in place without restricting movement. Additionally, block heels and platforms can more evenly distribute the weight of the foot, reducing pressure. And a quick visit to a Fresha salon for a pedicure can make a massive difference in comfort. It’s never a bad idea to break in shoes well before they need to be worn for a holiday party.

“Party season should be fun,” expert Danielle Louise added. “You shouldn’t be limping home or dealing with blister plasters for a week afterwards. Kylie has a glam team. Most people just have a taxi booking and a busy dancefloor. Your feet will thank you if you avoid this one.”

Kylie Jenner has a favorite pump in her heel collection

Kylie Jenner’s footwear collection is strikingly versatile, ranging from high-fashion heels to coveted sneakers. She’s built an extensive sneaker collection featuring rare and luxury pairs such as limited-edition collaborations and high-end designer releases, making her a bona fide sneakerhead as much as a style icon. At the same time, she doesn’t shy away from heels. Pumps, strappy sandals, and bold heeled boots regularly appear in her outfits.

In an interview with a shoe brand during a campaign, Jenner explicitly named the Sam Edelman “Hazel” pump as one of her favorites. She praised the shoes as “minimalist, yet bold and insanely comfortable,” according to Elle. Jenner described that pump as her go-to for a night out, showing that even among high-fashion heels, comfort and wearability matter to her.

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