I like using a flat, synthetic brush for the initial application and laydown of the product but then either a fingertip or a fluffy synthetic brush to buff the edges. If it’s a darker/more contrasting shade against my skin tone, I prefer a brush.
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
I use my fingers for all over the lid and then a flat synthetic Sonia Kashuk brush to get into the inner corners.
Honestly, I prefer to use my fingers because the residue to hard to remove from my brushes and I am a lazy person when it comes to cleaning my brushes. OTOH, it is easy to quick rinse my fingers when done with liquid or gel. I generally avoid liquid e/s because I have a hooded lid and oil for days so even the most long wearing of those are going to be creased in a few hours on me no matter if I use primer or not. I have a texture “thing” also and I don’t like the feel of wet e/s. But I like the gel to powder ones like the Colour Pop ones so I will use one once in a blue moon.
Have you tried Ritual de Fille’s Eye Soots? They’re a drier cream formula that doesn’t stay tacky. I have hooded, semi-oily lids so I apply all shadows, but especially creams and liquids, over an eye primer (Nars Pro Prime and Hourglass Veil work best) and I experience minimal creasing throughout the day. Even during the gross swampy summer weather here in NYC, when makeup tends to melt off like the end scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, these shadows stay put!
I usually start by using my finger or a flat synthetic eyeshadow brush to put cream eyeshadow on my eyelid. Then I use a fluffy synthetic eyeshadow brush to blend up.
I do the same.
Almost all of my “cream” eyeshadows are ColourPop SSS’s, most of which I apply with just my clean ring fingertip. The ones that I used to use all the time that were either matte or satin were applied with a denser blending brush.
My only two liquid eyeshadows have been neglected for over 4 years! And those I placed on my lid with their applicator and smoothed into place with a soft flat shader brush or just my own clean fingertip.
I don’t use these types of products.
I also start with a flat synthetic brush. Then, if it’s a darker shade, then I soften the edges with a fluffy brush.
I don’t use liquid eyeshadows at all, but with the cream ones, I use brushes to apply the different shades. I never use my fingertips to apply eyeshadow.
I use my fingers for paintpots.
Depends on the look as I have hooded eyes without much lid space. For one and done looks, I typically use my finger to apply and a fluffy brush to blend but when pairing with powder shadows, I apply with my finger in the center of my lid and use a small pencil brush to blend into the inner corner and along the lash line. I’ll also use the pencil brush to add more if needed.