5 Must-Have Eyeshadow Brushes

As a publicly-confessed makeup junkie, I have to admit that I have a huge stash of makeup brushes. Big ones, small ones, expensive and cheap, I love them all. Brushes are particularly important to eye makeup. You know those little spongy things that come in makeup palettes? They just won't do. But here are some of my favorite eye makeup brushes.

Eye application brush. This brush has a small, squarish shape and can be made of synthetic or sable bristles. It should be a little bit stiff, but still feel soft. A high quality brush will last you for a very long time. I have had my Mary Kay eye application brush for around ten years and it is still in great shape. This is the brush you'll use the most, so don't be afraid to invest in this brush. Lay the side of the brush into your eyeshadow color, and gently press the side onto your lid. This will get you the most even color with the least amount of eyeshadow fallout on your cheeks.

Eye crease brush. The eye crease brush is small, round, and sometimes angled. It is a pretty stiff brush. You may not use this brush all the time, so if you have to skimp on your brushes, this is the one. This is a great brush to darken your eye crease and contour your eye. Gently press the brush into your color, and press the color into the crease of your eye.

Blending brush. A blending brush is the right tool if you want a seamless blend of color from your lash line to your brow. It is larger than the eye application brush, the bristles are longer, and very soft. After you have applied your color, gently blend it across your lid with the blending brush. Use a light hand so you don't remove the color altogether. My favorite blending brush is from Robert Jones.

Eye liner brush. This brush is the stiffest. It is very small, and either square or triangle shaped. If you use it for cream eye liner, you want it to be synthetic so that it washes and dries quickly. It can be used for cream liner or it can be used to create liner from eye shadow. Just dip it in water, then into your shadow for a smudgey liner.

Smudge brush. My smudge brush is slightly rounded, small, and stiff. It has lasted me for pretty many years. It can double as a detail brush or a liner brush if needed. Apply your liner, then dip your smudge brush in shadow and smudge it over top. It creates a great, smokey look with lots of staying power.

No matter what your favorite eye makeup brushes are, make sure to clean them often. Your makeup will look better and be less likely to harbor germs.

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