https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:41:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840986 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:48:23 +0000 Vix 840986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ms J --</p> <p>I'd avoid the dyes and just use the cream polish[es]. They only need to be reapplied if you scuff. IME the Tarrago dye is more of a plastic-y coating and once it chips or peels you're toast. </p> <p>You could use a base coat of cream polish in non-metallic, then the metallic if you wanted but I've generally either "dyed" mine by using straight non-metallic (to turn brown boots more plum, etc) or straight metallic layered with metallic/pearly. </p> <p>Hope that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840974 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:39:21 +0000 Jjsloane 840974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vix - thank you. I had seen some of your work in old threads when I searched. I'm now thinking of dyeing first and putting metallic cream over it Would that work? I saw a kit that had the dye and the metallic cream together so I think it would. I'm not totally sure of the difference between using the cream and the dye. Does the cream eventually soak in and have to be reapplied? </p> <p>I'll definitely post my results. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840875 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:23:11 +0000 Vix 840875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Jjsloane --</p> <p>Glad you mentioned getting 2 or so of the cream polishes because I was going to recommend you get a few/several so that you can layer them up if needed (IMO it makes the shipping more worthwhile, too).</p> <p>As another super-pale person who rarely finds the right "skintone" shade I've become a little addicted to turning my summer shoes metallic. </p> <p>I find it can be tricky to know how a shade will look on top of the base leather -- especially when starting with a light shoe, sometimes the lighter metallics are TOO light even with a few layers and I have to put on the darker one and then tone it down with a lighter. </p> <p>Each layer takes 5 minutes between coats, so it's not a big deal; unlike the paint-on dyes, which chipped for me, the polish wears well and is easy to touch up even if you have a layered effect.</p> <p>Since I lean cool I find layering a pearlescent mauve + a pearlescent grey or silver shade gives me a good skintone-y shade, but the cools complement my skin.</p> <p>Sounds like you might be warmer?</p> <p>If so, you might want to layer a pearlescent ivory with gold or platinum, or layer deeper gold/lighter silver (or vice versa).</p> <p>If it helps you can see a few of the metallic/pearly shades below against each other. If I had to pick JUST one shade for myself it would be the darker High Silver. I think that may be the minimum level you need to see a real change when starting with a very light shoe.</p> <p>Good luck and keep us posted!</p> <p><strong>Photo 1: </strong>Tarrago Shoe Creams pictured (front to back/box) -- all from (recommended vendor) Shoeshinekit.com : Pearly Cream Polish 743 Pale Mauve; Pearly Cream Polish 714 Steel Gray; Metallic Cream Polish 501 Silver; Metallic Cream Polish 106 High Silver; Shoe Cream Polish 24 Rose.</p> <p><strong>Photo 2: </strong>Original leather, then after layering with 2 coats 743 Pale Mauve + 2 coats 714 Steel Gray</p> <p><strong>Photo 3:</strong> (with flash, so shinier than daylight) Several coats of 106 High Silver over a steel blue shoe</p> <p>A few more photos in my blog post here:<br /> <a href="http://buildingacolorfullife.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/is-that-platinum-shoe-cream-in-your-pocket-or-are-you-just-happy-to-see-me/" rel="nofollow">http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....to-see-me/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840823 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:32:17 +0000 Janet 840823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that sort of rose gold tone would be great on you! </p> <p>There is also a metallic color I love that is more like a soft gold -- a shade that is right in between silver and gold. I think it may be "platinum." I like the way it blends no matter what other metals you wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840787 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:22:57 +0000 Deborah 840787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jj I am late but think Denise's suggestion would be brilliant! Perfect tone for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840755 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:43:13 +0000 Jjsloane 840755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Ladies. So many great ideas now I need more shoes :)<br /> pil you have a great memory, I do love my bronze booties and I was initially thinking bronze, but I really want to wear these more nude for spring and summer with skirts and rolled up jeans.<br /> Denise the peachy metallic is a fabulous idea too. I'm a magpie so I would reach for any metallic, but in spring and summer with bare ankles I'm really leaning toward a metallic nude for me which might just be the peachy color.<br /> Aida - I am leaning more gold this summer and since I have that covered I was thinking of the silver and the pewter was an option since I don't think I can achieve the really sci-fi mirror silver (and as you said those are everywhere but so cool)<br /> I'll have to pull out the summer shoes and see if I have another option so I can try multiple colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840542 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 03:33:39 +0000 Aida 840542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm I am recalling you looking better in gold than silver, is that right? I love the idea of a metallic, but certainly pick one that works best with your skin tone. If you can wear both, I think the pewter shade could be really fun (and not quite as mainstream as all the silver footwear I'm seeing so far). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840382 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:25:44 +0000 pil 840382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bronze? Although I seem to remember you having a pair of bronze boots? The lilac or the "purplish" seem fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840375 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:18:52 +0000 CocoLion 840375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Which shoes in your closet do you reach for the most? Why? What color are they? I would take a look at that.</p> <p>I like the thought of silver metallic but another thought is a peachy- metallic that would bookend your hair.</p> <p>ETA -- like the gold and copper metallics at the bottom of the page. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840343 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:43:57 +0000 Tanya 840343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really like the idea of metallic silver. That antique silver shade looks gorgeous! Good luck , I am very curious to see how it turns out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-choosing-shoe-dye---oxfords#post-840339 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:40:53 +0000 Jjsloane 840339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I have my GOLD (C3PO) oxfords and I have a pair of "nude" oxfords that are comfy (B.O.C. O'Keefe's pictured), but I have not worn because the color is even too nude for me (and I'm pretty pasty)<br /> I'm thinking a metallic silver? Maybe the Tarrago platinum (soft silver?) but am open to suggestions. There are som separate secdtions that could be different colors, but I don't hink I'm ready for that do you? heel, side, lace area)<br /> <a href="http://shoeshinekit.com/taseco.html" rel="nofollow">http://shoeshinekit.com/taseco.html</a></p> <p>I also have a purse that will be next. It's a Cole Haan tan with navy trim. The navy part is fine, but the tan is showing dirt. Metallic too? I figure if I'm buying one kit, maybe 2? </p>