Not only does shining your shoes look good, it is a necessary part of properly caring for and maintaining a nice pair of leather shoes or boots. The polish itself helps moisturize and waterproof the leather, lengthening the lifespan of your shoes. And the buffing and shining ensures a clean, pulled-together look no matter the occasion.

This article provides the complete multimedia guide to shining your shoes. There are a number of methods for shining — the pictorial guide below is former AoM contributor Cameron Schaefer's preferred method which he learned in the military; the video and illustrated guide show Brett's favored method. Experiment and see what works for you. And at the very end, you'll find a bonus project for injecting even more masculine vibes into this satisfying footwear ritual.