Leather shoe cream helps to protect your shoes from the elements by penetrating the leather to provide moisture. A good leather shoe cream can lengthen the life of your shoes while keeping them looking new. It should apply smoothly and easily, and be buffed away with minimal effort to leave an attractive shine. The brand you choose should offer a comprehensive selection of colors so that you can find the best match for your shoes. Quality shoe cream must restore the color of your shoes while treating scuffs and blemishes.
Choose a brand of leather shoe cream that is available in a wide variety of colors so that you can find an exact match for your shoes. There should be a range of browns, available from light to dark, as well as blue, navy, cream, black and white. There should also be a neutral color available for when an exact match cannot be found.
The color shown on the product packaging should be representative of the color of the shoe cream supplied. Ensure the color matches your shoes by wearing them or bringing them to the store when you buy the product. Although the appearance of scuffs and blemishes should improve after using the shoe cream, do not expect significant damage to the leather to be repaired or hidden.
Leather shoe cream should nourish and moisturize shoes, as leather can dry and crack over time, partly due to exposure to the elements. Choose a cream that contains wax which helps protect the leather, sealing it from water damage. Ease of application is important when using leather shoe cream and it must spread over the shoes smoothly and evenly. It should be of a creamy and slightly sticky texture, not clumpy and dry.
An attractive shine should be achievable with minimal buffing using a soft brush. Expect the shoe cream to soak into the leather within about 10 to 15 minutes, after which it should be ready for buffing. The finished result must be free of streaks or dull patches. Avoid leather shoe cream that contains acrylic as this can build up to form a dull layer on the leather, causing it to dry out.
