[Jeff Hail]

When leather dries out it gets lighter. Especially colored shoes.

Go get some mitt oil. Yes baseball mitt oil. Obenauf’s Leather Oil will also work well. Spread a very light amount on a cloth and then apply to shoes as if you were staining wood trim by hand. Light slow coats. Do not make it wet just slowly adding oil and moisture back in that has been lost. Dab if needed. Wait a day and do it again. Let them dry up for about 5 days. Then come back and use some Saphir Medaille. (you will figure it out). Let it dry for 2 days then give it a light rubbin.

If you don't have or cant find the mink oil that's fine. Get some neutral clear Kiwi polish in the can. Been used for decades on the cheap and looks good. Apply but do not buff off. Let it sit for a day or two to penetrate and harden. Then give it some hand buffin with some cloth.

You can give it a natural seal with beeswax. Apply like hard polish and buff to shine. I don't recommend beeswax unless its an acrylic finish. It gives a great short term shine but will dry out and magnify tan, brown or open grain leather cracks or scratches.