One of the most overlooked routines a man can do that can greatly elevate their style and pinache is shoe care. Shoe care products such as creams, conditioners and waxes not only help with the presentation of your leather dress shoes, but it also helps with the overall longevity of your shoes. I personally have noticed when shining my shoes at home, not only does it help with the overall sartorial presentation, it is very relaxing and therapeutic. Shoe shinning has it’s history in military, when presentation and self-respect is at the forefront. Shoe shinning not only a display discipline, it also makes a good first impression. 

1. So the first step when shinning shoes is the prep. Insert a shoe tree in both your shoes.  Get a good quality shoe conditioner and use a ripped piece of old t shirt to massage it into the leather of the shoe. This helps hydrate the leather so when you put the polish on it does dry the leather and crack it later. 

2. After waiting about 10-20 minutes for the conditioner to dry, apply the shoe polish of your choice to your shoes. Try to get it the exact color of your shoes. when you apply the polish in small amounts over the shoe, it will distribute easily. Put the first shoe down, and go on to the other shoe. The time it takes to apply the polish to the other shoe, the first shoe will dry. 

3. Once the polish dries on the shoe, take a shoe brush that is attributed to whatever color the shoe is (black or brown) and begin to buff the shoe with the brush until a light shine comes from the shoe. The reason why it starts to shine is because the dried polish flattens and creates a layer over the leather, and the friction helps bring out the shine. If this is your first time ever shining your shoes, it will not be as shiny, due to the layers developing and building up on the shoes. 

4. After both shoes are shined, check to see if it is the desired shine for you. For the military style shine, also known as spit shine or mirror shine, you have to use was one the toe and the back heel of the shoe. This requires much more time and technique, but the results are unparalleled. 

Mirror Shine

1. For the mirror shine, you will need a wax, ice water with a splash of rubbing alcohol, and a clothe for buffing, either a chamois or an old t shirt. 

2. Apply the wax onto the toe and back part of the shoe. One tip I personally have done is using a much darker color for the mirror shine than the shoe itself. It helps shine be more reflective. 

3. When you apply the wax onto the shoe do it in circular motions. Start to add more little by little building layers. After about 4 layers of wax start to use the cold rubbing alcohol and water mixture to create the shine. Wrap the clothe around your fingers taught and use the flattest part of your fingers to rub and buff in circular motions. Between each layer of wax you are building from this point add small sprinkles of water to help with the friction. The alcohol in the water mixture will help the wax evaporate, and with the friction of the water and buffing will help the layers shine through the next. 

4. Continue to build on top of the layer alternating water, wax , water wax. This entire process will take about 20-30 minutes per shoe. Once you have achieved the desired shine, you are done. I always keep the shoes in their box and/or their dust bag. 

Shoe shinning is not only for aesthetics, it can also be a hobby. The different types of shoe care products are made to keep your quality shoes have a longer life, and keep you looking presentable.