OK, so you blew your last paycheck on a sexy pair of strappy Choos... and the one before that on Manolo Blahnik pumps. But who can blame you when they look so fabulous? The important next step is caring for them properly. Follow these tips to keep your delicious foot candies complementing you for years to come.

Before first wear:
Weatherproof your shoes
The best way to shield your shoes from rain, mud and snow is to apply a protective spray. And you can do it at home -- get a leather and suede spray (such as the Meltonian Water and Stain Protector) to protect your new shoes before they're worn, and apply regularly about every six to eight weeks.

Before first wear:
Install protective tips and heels
Visit a repair shop to have rubber tips and heels added to your new shoes before any wear and tear. You'll extend your footwear's lifespan greatly and designer shoes are definitely worth this extra investment.

Care tips for leather
Take good care of your leather shoes by cleaning and polishing on a regular basis. Clean them with a shoe brush or wipe them to remove any embedded dirt or debris. Don't forget the soles -- bits of dirt can scratch them like sandpaper. Next, remove the shoelaces (if any) to avoid staining them; this also lets you clean the tongue of the shoe thoroughly. Then, use a pencil eraser to eliminate scuff marks.

Now it's time to shine. Select a polish that matches the color of your shoes. For best results, first rub the polish or cream into the shoe, applying evenly with a brush or soft cloth. Once the polish has completely dried, buff the shoes using a natural-bristle brush. Important: Use a separate brush and cloth for each color shoe -- one for brown, one for black, and so on.

No time for a polish? Apply a clear shine liquid (available at drugstores and shoe stores) to get your shoes gleaming in a flash.

Care tips for suede
Your suede and nubuck shoes deserve special attention. Clean and waterproof them regularly, and brush them before wearing so they will look their best. If your suede shoes get wet, stuff them with newspaper to keep their shape and let them dry naturally, away from heat.

Care tips for patent leather
Clean patent-leather shoes with a commercial patent-leather cleaner (found at shoe stores). Dispense a little and go over the entire shoe using a soft, clean cloth to rub away minor scuff marks. Then use a clean cloth to buff your shoes to a shine.

Maintain the shape
Store leather shoes on a shoe tree to maintain their shapes. For strappy shoes that won't fit on a tree, stuff the toecap with newspaper or tissue. For boots, use boot shapers for the shaft and stuff the toe with newspaper. Never store or dry leather shoes near a radiator or other direct heat, as this can damage the leather.
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