Everyone knows that dry, cracked feet have no place in strappy sandals and flip flops, but you know what else? They have no place in your 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, or your cashmere socks, or your Jimmy Choo boots, either. Summer may be over for most of us, and you may not be faithfully visiting your neighborhood pedicurist every 2 weeks, but that doesn't give you license to let your feet go.

My tool of choice is usually the trusty little blade, but after creating a pedicure bloodbath one too many times (I tend to be overzealous with sharp objects), I was excited to discover the Heel Smoother from Artemis Woman.

This battery-operated pedicure appliance comes with crystal buffing tips in 2 sizes, to cover heels and toes alike. I remember having something like this a few years ago, but it never really worked; the tips spun round and round and my feet looked a little smoother, but nothing dramatic. I still needed to go back to the blade to get the results I wanted.

Not this time, though. The Heel Smoother quickly pulverized all the dead skin on the bottoms of my feet, leaving them smooth and soft. I had the blade at the ready but ended up putting it away unused! One note: do follow the instructions and keep a towel under your feet; you may also want to keep a Swiffer handy to go over the floors. This is just proof that the Heel Smoother really does whack the dry, dead crackliness right off those heels. With no bloodshed!

The Artemis Woman Heel Smoother Pro is only $29.99 and comes with a 1 oz. tub of Topaz Foot Butter; you can order 5 replacement tips for $5.99.