Eyeshadow should be applied exclusively with brushes, and it’s best to use brushes that are designed specifically for eyeshadow. Never use sponge-tip applicators—they drag across the eye and tend to blend colors in streaks. Once you get used to good brushes, you will never go back to the sponge-tip applicators again.
When applying eyeshadow, use the flat side of the brush against the eye. Gently wipe the brush across the eyeshadow, tap the excess off the brush, and apply it with long, stroking motions across the eyelid, crease, or under the eyebrow area. This motion of laying strips of color that overlap and blend together over the eye as opposed to beating the brush back and forth across the eye is the way to achieve an even, well-blended design.
Remember that the size of the brush should match the size of the eye area you are working on. If you have a large eyelid area, use a brush that is wide and full. If your eyelid is small, use a smaller brush that’s the same width as the lid. The same rule is true for the crease area (if a specific color is being placed just there) and the under-eyebrow area. Using brushes that match the job is essential to applying makeup effectively and efficiently. Do not purchase or use brushes that have hard, coarse bristles or you will end up with hard edges where the eyeshadow can’t be blended, not to mention irritated skin.