Basics for Beginners: Eyeshadow | Brushes

This is Part II of my Basics for Beginners: Eyeshadow series. Click here to read last week's post about eyeshadow primers!
Now that we know all about eyeshadow primers, it's important to talk about brushes. I firmly believe that your brushes can easily ruin an eyeshadow look. My favorite are the EcoTools and Real Techniques eyeshadow brushes. Both brands have kits you can buy specifically for eye makeup that include all of the brushes for applying eye shadow. 

EcoTools ($17.99 at Ulta)

I bought these brushes in a set a long time ago, so the exact kit isn't available anymore, but the link will take you to the closest thing that is currently available (the blush brush included in this kit is wonderful as well and is a brush I use every day). This brand can be found at most drug stores and at Ulta. The handles are made with bamboo and recycled aluminum and the bristles are made with a synthetic fiber called Taklon. These brushes are great for applying shadow all over the lid and for highlighting the brow bone with a light, glowy color such as Virgin from the Naked 1 palette, or Bootycall from the Naked 2 palette. The description lists the larger flat brush as a concealer brush, but I use it as a shadow brush for all over the lid. 

Real Techniques ($17.99 at Ulta)

This kit comes with 5 brushes, but the 2 pictured above are the ones I use the most. This brand is at Ulta and at some select drug stores. The bristles in these brushes are also made with the synthetic fiber used in the EcoTools brushes above and are super easy to clean. The "base shadow brush" is a bit fluffier than the EcoTools flat shadow brushes and I use it for blending a medium color into the crease of my eye lid. The "deluxe crease brush" is round and has a lot of bristles that is perfect for blending. I usually use this clean in order to blend any harsh lines out of my eyeshadow look. This brand of brushes is so great and I own a lot of their other brushes as well. They are very versatile and are very easy to clean because of the material they are made out of. I truly believe that these brushes are the best value for your money. 

Brushes are a very personal thing, so if you try these out, please let me know what you thought of them. Do you have some different brushes that are your favorites? Please share them with me in the comments below.