The highest shine (on all leather including the belt) I ever had was when I was on Honor guard in the US Army (two week duty). I bought those items from the former Sgt. and sold them to my replacement. Those were the days.

I brush and wash my brown boots and shoes now and oil them instead of polish. For my black shoes I use a paste wax on the uppers and a liquid "scuff-proof" polish on the sole edges. I'll take a new pair of shoes and seal the seams using an old tooth brush and oil before I put polish on.

I dare not try for the mirror finish I learned in the military but like a shiny satin overall. A good shoe brush, a rag soaked in polish, a buffing rag and five minutes per shoe gives me the "ready to dance" finish I'm after.