Eye shadow applicators - what is your solution?

I hardly ever use the applicator that comes with the eye shadow. I use q-tips instead. No cheap off brand Q's mind you but good q-tips. I use them, then toss em. I used to use my finger tips, and honestly I find there is so much more control when you use your own finger, but what happens is the oils from your fingers then transfer to the shadow making it hard and you have to scrape it to get the color again. I like to blend colors and the q-tips let me do that with out worry that maybe the next time I will not want to do that. Well thats what works for me :)))

I don't use the double-sided applicators at all. I bought an eye shadow brush a couple of years ago. I use it for one color and blow the excess off before I use it again for another color. This works for me because I only use neutral colors of eye shadow.

I keep a little drawer organizer in my makeup drawer. It has little cubicles where I store the applicators and the different blushes, brushes, and eye shadows. My drawer organizer was made for organizing paperclips, and things like that, in an office drawer. I like to use it because every day I put on my makeup in the same spot in the house, and it's just more convenient that way. If I travel (overnight or a trip or something) I use a little plastic divided sewing organizer. (The one I use came from tupperware and keeps it all organized and spill proof while traveling. No more surprises in my suitcase!!) I get a package of eye shadow applicators, usually 10 to the package. When I store them in my organizer, I keep lighter shades in one cubicle, darker ones in another, etc. That way I don't have to look through all of them to find one that won't mess up the true color of the shadow I'm putting on. Another nice way to keep the applicators with the shadow they're used for is to keep them in those tiny little zip-lock baggie type things (the kind that they sell costume jewelry in.) That way you can put the whole shadow box in there, and the applicators that go with it. Each one can have it's own little baggie and applicators with it so they never get mixed up. (That's the method I use with them when they're in my purse in my makeup bag)

I don't wear makeup and never liked it but the few times I did I always used q tips as applicators for almost everything. My daughter also started doing the same thing since she wears makeup every day.

I usually buy a pack of applicators. I find the ones that come with the shadows tend to fall apart easily. I put the applicators I am currently using in my grandmothers old change purse. It has kept up beautifully. And it has mini holders for little pencils. The applicators fit snugly there. And are nicely and neatly kept seperate.