Have you ever wondered how celebrities walk the red carpet in heels? From Margot Robbie to the Princess of Wales: we reveal their secrets

The Oscars are the highlight of awards season, and all the celebrity guests did their hair, makeup and wardrobe for the ceremony.

But while they arrived at the Academy Awards in chauffeured limousines, many still faced the challenge of navigating the red carpet in high heels. So, what tricks do celebrity stylists have up their sleeves to help the stars cope?

Claudia Joseph asked podiatrist Dipesh Raja from Footopia in London’s Chelsea to review their tips and reveal what to try on your next night out.

THE FOOT SPRAY

TIP: Barbie star Margot Robbie jetted around the world to promote her hit film, posing for the cameras in a series of Manolo Blahnik stilettos to complement her sugar pink outfits. But before leaving her hotel room, the star reportedly uses $20 Still Standing foot spray to prevent swelling.

TV producer and writer Lyn Butler created the spray, a combination of cooling menthol, arnica, aloe and ilex, which are ‘proven natural anti-inflammatories and pain relievers’, along with vitamin E and tea tree oil, to give your feet a magical ice bath.

It can be difficult to find Still Standing in Britain, but Haute Heels Soothing Foot Spray, with arnica, aloe and ilex, is an alternative (£6.99, hollywood fashionsecrets.co.uk).

PRONUNCIATION: Clearly, some people find comfort in using this spray. It certainly contains anti-inflammatories, which are proven and can soothe pain and sore feet. But that does not eliminate the problems of regularly wearing high heels. 6/10

THE INSOLES

TIP: As one of the most photographed women in the world, the Princess of Wales knows she has to spend a lot of time on her feet. That’s why she invested in a pair of £18.95 leather insoles from Alice Bow, which are designed to mold to the shape of her feet.

Rachel Bowditch, a graduate of Cordwainers shoemaking school, founded the brand because she couldn’t find a pair of black patent heels that “looked good, fit my feet well and had padding.”

PRONUNCIATION: I think this is a good idea if you wear high heels. They’re a happy compromise between wearing custom orthotics – which are clearly better but too big for stilettos – and wearing nothing. 7/10

THE BUNION BUSTERS

TIP: When Julia Roberts stepped out in New York City last December, she opted for a pair of £249 bunion-busting Ronda boots from British brand Sole Bliss. She also has gold platform sandals from £199. A-listers Dame Helen Mirren and Olivia Colman are also fans of the five-inch Sole Bliss Remy sandals.

Mirren wore a silver one to this year’s Golden Globes, while Colman walked the red carpet in hers at the Great Expectations premiere.

Designer Lisa Kay created the brand for people with bunions: bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of your big toe.

PRONUNCIATION: If you must wear high heels, these are a good choice. Their construction is suitable for your feet. However, that doesn’t give you carte blanche to wear them every day. 8/10

The Princess of Wales invested in a pair of £18.95 leather insoles from Alice Bow, which are designed to mold to the shape of her feet

THE LARGER SIZE

TIP: As a former actress, the Duchess of Sussex knows many tricks of the trade and often wore shoes that were too big for royal engagements. Pop icon Jennifer Lopez and Twilight star Kristen Stewart also go up a size to avoid blisters on the red carpet.

But because the shoes could slip, they place silicone pads in the heels or stuff the toes with tissue or cotton wool.

PRONUNCIATION: You shouldn’t go for width by adding length. You’ll get foot movement in the shoe no matter what you stuff it with, and there’s a chance you’ll walk out of the shoe or injure yourself. 1/10

THE MEDICAL TAPE

TIP: An unusual catwalk trick comes from supermodel Marie Helvin, who tapes her third and fourth toes together with medical tape to ease the pain.

Apparently there’s a nerve that splits between those toes, which causes pain when you put pressure on it, and the tape takes away the tension.

PRONUNCIATION: This idea does not make clinical sense and I do not recommend it. It goes back to the era of foot binding and look what happened there! Do not do it. 0/10