7 Smart Alternative Ways to Use Cotton Balls and Q-Tips

1. Portable Perfume

Instead of lugging around a perfume bottle, lighten your load and reduce the risk of spillage by spritzing a few cotton swabs with your favorite fragrance, then store them in a plastic bag and stash in your purse. When you’re ready to apply, simply swipe one across your skin (two key spots that hold onto scent well: inside of elbows or behind the knee), then toss.

2. Root Touch-Up

Stretch out your dye job between salon visits by using a Q-tip to dab on a matte eyeshadow in a similar color to your hair to conceal pesky grays.

3. Simplified Smoky Eye

Tightly line your upper lashes with a shimmery black kohl liner, like Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Kohl Kajal Eyeliner ($10,drugstore.com). Then use a cotton swab or Q-tip to smudge it upwards until you reach the crease of your lid. Finish with a few swipes of mascara and you’re done.

4. Jewelry Organizer

Wrap your delicate necklaces and bracelets around the middle of a Q-tip, then store in a plastic bag to prevent them from getting tangled or lost.

5. Zit Sticks

Derms recommend not popping pimples. But if you’re in a pinch, here’s a less damaging way to do it. Cleanse your face with warm water so the skin is soft. Then place a cotton swab on either side of the pimple and push them toward each other. If it doesn’t easily pop, don’t force it (try again a day later). Doing it this way prevents germs and bacteria from your hands getting into your pores and causing more breakouts.

6. Eye Makeup Remover

Coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal, and a great makeup remover. Dip a few cotton swabs in the oil and store them in a plastic bag for portable eye makeup removers (that are carry-on friendly).

7. Spot Corrector

Use Q-tips to apply acne medications and concealer. They’re more sanitary than your fingers and makeup brushes, plus they’re the perfect shape and size for targeting a problem spot. The best part: you won’t end up with dry skin around the zit, since you’re treating only the spot.

This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com

Contact us at letters@time.com.