After you use a dauber to apply shoe polish you need to rub it evenly in to all the cracks and crevices of the shoe. The best way to do this is with a Shine Brush. There are many different types of these brushes, but the best are ones made from horse hair with a wood backing.
Using a shine brush will leave your shoes with a matte finish. You can use a shine cloth to quickly buff the shoes for a nice shine. Taking care of your shoes this way will give your shoes a water resistant (not waterproof) coat that also protects the leather.
Make sure you use a different shine brush for each color of polish you plan to use. This way you won't mix your black with your red. Get a shine brush for your shoes at CedarShoeTree.com. They come in natural and black.
