Make-up brushes / applicators

[Boleh]

I'm not the greatest user of makeup but I use eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara daily and I have foundation and blusher for 'occasions'. The brands I have are (I think) reasonable, Clinque, bare minerals and Benefit but they just never seem to end up having the coverage and definition that the adverts would suggest is possible. Would this be helped by better brushes / applicators? I currently have the little brushes that came with the kits and some ancient body shop ones from when I was a teen! If so, what brand should I go for?

Oh and how are you supposed to apply cream eyeshadow?? A finger kind of works but ends up with eyeshadow under my nail, I'm sure it's not the advised way...!

Real Techniques are great brushes and inexpensive. Their website has video tutorials explaining how to use them. I use the Real Techniques Base Shadow brush (in the eyeshadow brush starter kit) or Shader brush (sold separately) for cream shadows.

I have 4 Bobbi Brown brushes- 2 for eye shadows one fat for sweeping shadow and 1 smaller for in the creaseline,( 1 doubles as a brow brush), a blusher brush and a free smaller size foundation brush that they gave away on offer.

I swear by them. The coverage tends to be more diffuse/ lighter than with cheaper brushes, so it looks more natural. Not convinced about a foundation brush - it's nice for giving a good finish as a 2nd application- but fingers work almost as well.
They were not cheap but after using for 2 years now they are as good as new.