skin(shoe) care

since it has been all about shoes. the final post for today will be for your 'skin' shoes or rather leather shoes. care of leather shoes is not just about making your shoes look good, which would be reason enough to take care of them. it is also about preserving and adding to the life of your leather shoes. whether you spend a lot on your shoes or don't have much to spend, taking care of your leather shoes makes sense. you are either protecting your investment or removing the need to buy new shoes for every occasion. without proper conditioning and care, leather can dry out until it eventually cracks and falls apart.

Gucci woven leather boots 

there are four steps to protecting your leather shoes and keep them looking their best: clean, condition, polish, preserve or weatherproof. before doing a full and thorough session of leather shoe care, you'll need the following items: soft cotton cloths or rags, soft shoe brush (optional), shoe cleaner, leather conditioner, shoe polish or a shoe polish alternative. be sure the products you buy are recommended for smooth leather shoes. 

world's most expensive: A. Testoni shoes

first, remove dirt by cleaning with a leather cleaner made specifically for smooth leathers. you can use saddle soap or a smooth leather shoe cleaner. shoe cleaners come in gels, foams, sprays, liquids and creams. many leather cleaners come with an applicator top or you can use a soft shoe brush to aid in removing dirt from the surface of the shoe. this will also help to remove dirt from any cracks in the shoes. after cleaning, let the shoes dry for a few minutes and begin shining the shoes with a soft cotton cloth - either a shoe shine cloth, or even an old t-shirt, as long as it's soft and made of cotton. conditioning your leather shoes will help soften and moisturize the leather, and protect it from drying out and cracking. certain types of leather, and shoes worn in dryer climates might need to be conditioned more often. some shoe cleaning products will clean and condition your shoes, but if you want your shoes to get the full treatment, or used a product specifically for cleaning, the next step is to condition your smooth leather shoes.

image from kyivpost

use a conditioner made for the specific type of shoe you're working on. also, look for a natural conditioner that is absorbed into the material of the shoe, as opposed to a synthetic conditioner that sits on top of the surface. rub small amounts of conditioner into the shoe, until the entire shoe has been covered with conditioner. after a couple of minutes, wipe any remaining conditioner off of the shoes, as the leather will only absorb what it can.

Versace black leather croc

shoe polishes are available in liquid, cream or paste. liquid shoe polish dries quickly, but is not readily available in a lot of colors and does not last as long as the other options. shoe polish paste is the longest lasting but is very messy and slow to work with. shoe polish cream is a great compromise and is available in lots of colors. get the appropriate color of polish for you shoes. apply the polish to a small, less conspicous area of the shoe to test and be sure the color is right. rub the polish into the shoe with a soft cloth and allow it to dry thoroughly. after the shoe polish is dry, shine your shoes by buffing them with a soft cloth or brush made specifically for shining shoes.

Versace metallic leather platform sandals

weatherproofing your leather shoes will help to protect them from water and other elements that can ruin the finish and shorten the life of your shoes. different weatherproofing products serve different purposes, so you should choose wisely. for example, if it is essential that your shoes are waterproof because you spend a lot of time in wet or messy conditions, and a pretty finish is not as is important, a beeswax product would be a better choice than a protective spray. beeswax products form a protective layer over the surface of the shoe or boot instead of being absorbed into the leather. this provides a better barrier against water, but the additional layers can alter the appearance of the shoes.

the next time you buy a pair of leather shoes, condition them before ever wearing them. this will help insure that your shoes are best protected from the start, and will save time on future cleanings.

fash'on... BAM!