It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a . . . Q-tip? Now since my makeup application with this product didn't go quite so smoothly [1], I decided to focus on ways this little swab can swipe all your problems away. (Well, maybe not all of them, but quite a few.)

• Stop nail polish from sealing shut. One of my favorite tricks is to dip a Q-tip in vegetable oil and do a once-over on the rims of my nail polish bottles. The oil coats the top and prevents the polish from stopping my painting plan by sticking the tops on tight.

Get more quick beauty fixes from Q-tips [2] when you .

• Prevent lip color from bleeding. To achieve a polished look that lasts, dip the cotton swabs in translucent powder and apply it along the outer edge of the lips, helping to keep the lipstick where it belongs . . . on your lips. You can even dab lipstick from your teeth with these, too.
• Correct minor makeup flaws. Q-tips dipped in makeup remover can help fix a mascara smudge, eyeliner that's turns out a bit too smoky, or shadow that's all out of line. Similarly, dipping a swab in polish remover can correct a small error without putting your other painted fingers at risk.
• Conceal blemishes without fingers. Pimple? No problem. Dip a tip into liquid concealer or the concentrated liquid makeup along the rim of a foundation bottle and dab over the affected area. This keeps your dirty fingers off your face and your fingers clean, too.
• Mix your own makeup with leftovers. Got just a stump of lipstick that you can't quite get onto your lips? Instead of tossing, remove the cotton swab and dip the tip into the tube to get the excess out. If you're feeling extra DIY [3], you can dig out several shades, mix them together, and add some gloss to a leftover jar all with this stick for a custom creation.

Source [4]