Who says smudge tool is not good? Ever tried the scattering option on it? Works perfect.
Sure you can go low opacity and low flow, but this scattering smudge is easy and looks good ( don't try it with hair tho, doesn't work on that).
There are lots of different ways to create your shades, and almost everybody has their own method they like, and you'll see, one time you're gonna like smudging, then you're gonna like low opacity and flow, next you're gonna be into the airbrush, and then you're gonna go scattering smudge, until the next thing comes along. The ONLY method wich does NOT look good is the burn tool.
Just my 2 cents.