The key is the prep.
Use a decent pad (I like the Lake Country ones) with a light cutting agent like a Lime Prime, and then wipe off using a good microfibre. Apply your favourite wax by hand, then wipe off again. That'll give you a pretty decent start, at least.
Buffing after a waxing isn't needed really, at that point you're just removing excess wax. All you need is a decent MF and you'll be sorted.