10 Best Shoe Polishes in the Philippines 2025 | Kiwi, Mr. Quickie, and More

If you're thinking about shoe polishes, a wax-based variant is most likely the first one that will come to mind. The wax-based shoeshine, which is typically packaged in a small shallow tin can, remains to be the norm for polishing footwear.

It has a higher wax content than the other types of shoe polish to achieve a glossy finish when you are polishing your leather shoes. However, higher wax content means less oil content than others, making them a bit harder to buff.

Suppose you just want a clean, matte finish when polishing your shoes- to use for casual or semiformal events, in this case, we recommend a cream shoe polish. It has a higher oil content than a wax-based one making it easier to buff and control. However, it is not as glossy as wax-based.

 
Cream-based shoes are also great in conditioning the shoes for longer service life. Shoe conditioning means that the polish is not only for shining the shoes but also for protecting the shoes from cracks and damages, especially during weather changes – for instance, the random and sudden rain showers during summer.

 
Cream-based shoe polish typically comes in a small round jar instead of small round tins. It is used as the first coating because it lays a nice and even layer over the leather. Nonetheless, you can use it as is.

A liquid-based shoe polish is a double-edged sword of sorts. Yes, it is very convenient since most come in an easy-squeeze bottle with a sponge tip. It also adds a somewhat solid color to your shoes when you are coating them.

 
However, liquid-based shoe polishes can be challenging to handle and difficult to control for several users. Most people avoid using them as their primary shoeshine as they can be a hit or miss in squeezing the right amount of polish.

 
Beginners usually put too much liquid shoe polish and end up with a very dark layer- potentially wasting the shoeshine itself. Nevertheless, we recommend it for a quick fix solution in case of late notice during events or impromptu meetings and presentations. 

A horsehair shoe brush works well in both wax and cream-based shoe polishes. Its bristles can also remove any dirt, and small debris stuck in the shoes; hence, many prefer this brush.

With the proper technique, you can achieve either spit shine or regular buff - name it, and the horsehair brush can do it. Spit shine refers to a high gloss coating while a regular buff has a semi-glossy or matte finish.

However, keep in mind that it can be challenging to use when polishing textured leather. Using it on textured leather may cause excess shoe polish to go into the nooks and crannies and result in dirt build-up and unevenness. Still, we recommend picking up a horsehair brush as a primary brushing tool for boots and shoes. 

When you are looking for a liquid shoe polish, you'll mostly see a sponge brush as an attachment or inclusion in the package. This type of brush works very well with liquid shoeshine as it can absorb and maintain a somewhat even coating on the surface of the shoes. However, as it doesn't have bristles, it can't shine your shoes.

 
Most users utilize it as a tool for applying shoe polish to the leather, whether if it is wax, cream, or liquid-based. For best results and shinier leather, use a sponge to spread the shoe polish, and after which, polish it with a horsehair brush.

If you are in a rush going to your work or school and there is no time to shine your old shoes, then an automatic shoe shiner can save your day! It comes in 2 main forms- a handheld electric brush and a big shining machine. Just turn on the button and, voila- you'll have well-polished shoes without any sweat.

Handheld electric shoe brushes are handy and can be operated using either direct electricity or chargeable batteries. It comes with different brush attachments to serve specific polishing or buffing needs. Use this when you are on a business trip, so your shoes remain presentable and ready in any meeting.

For big electric polish, you only need to stick your shoes inside the machine, and you can shine your shoes even while wearing them. Take note that this type of electric shoe polish is quite expensive. It's an excellent investment if you're into the shoe-making or shoe cleaning business.