You know I’m all about cheap thrills…at the drugstore. 🙂
Like these neato mosquito Up & Up Cosmetic Applicators. I bumped into them at Target the other day, $1.99 for a pack of 75.
They’re basically custom, generic/Target-branded Q-tips made with makeup in mind. One side’s pointy, and the other is shaped like a flat paddle. Together, they’re designed to cover quite a few cosmetic tool needs, from applying and blending makeup, to fixing nail polish mistakes.
I probably couldn’t depend on them exclusively for complicated makeup looks or looks like smokey eyes requiring lots of blending and multiple products. For things like that I’d prefer brushes, but these have been fab for detail work. I’m surprised how easily they’re able to apply thin, soft lines of color in the outer V and crease or how well they smudge color along my lash lines — similar to what a pencil brush could do but with a softer effect.
And lipsticks love ‘em too. The other day, right after I applied watermelon pink MAC Impassioned, a very opaque shade, I grabbed one of these, dipped the pointy end into some foundation (just to grab a little), and used it to sharpen and define the shape and edges of my lips. Very crisp.
You get a big ol’ pack of 75 for just about two bucks ($2). TWO BUCKS!
Bravo, Target! 
What a great little multitasking makeup tool.
PRICE: $1.99 for a pack of 75
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Target stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Can I just give another shoutout to Target? Dang, I love that store!
How awesome ! I’m already an avid user of Q-Tips for makeup needs and this is definitely a plus to my doodads drawer !
LOL…I have a drawer like that too!
I love these types of applicators!! They are a godsend when you make a liner or mascara booboo! We finally have a Target open in town and I can’t wait go shopping!!
Half of your wardrobe is going to come from Target. Just wait. You will LOVE IT.
Don’t forget the bags and accessories! 😀
GURL, seriously don’t be surprised if you’re there, like, every other day. It’s practically my second home.
Awesome! I’ve been wanting to pick some cosmetic-style Q-tips up, to see if I can up my eyeliner game– I’ve been seeing some really cool tutorials lately that recommend a pointy q-tip with make-up remover for sharpening edges.
Yes! I like using the pointy ends for that too.
Ohhh I likey….Nice and disposable! lol
They’re so great for cleaning up messes and on-the-go touch ups.
Oooh, i never thought I would be excited about cotton swabs, but these seem really useful!
LOL, I know what you mean. I was ooh-ing and ahh-ing over them and El Hub was like, “I don’t get what’s the big deal.” Ahh, boys!
These look better than the ones I’ve seen at the drugstore: the flat part isn’t indented. Thanks for posting!
You’re welcome! I hope you can find them at your nearby Target.
i like! i am totally gonna grab a pack of these!
i also tried the up & up makeup remover wipes, and they are pretty good! i ran out ofmy kirkland ones and needed something in a hurry!
Oh, good to know! I just bought some Garnier ones that were on sale and ugh, they’re kind of awful. They don’t remove all the makeup and leave a yucky film. I’ll have to hunt down the Up & Up brand. Thank you for the rec. 😀
the garnier ones are indeed icky. i so dislike the film it leaves because it means i cant take my time washing my face … i have to do it immediately since my skin feels sticky and yucky!
Have you gals tried Clinique’s Take Off the Day wipes? Big fail for me. I found a pack hiding in the closet and, not only do they leave a sticky film, they burn my eyes like crazy. Which really defeats the point since I’m only using them to remove my eye make-up.
ohh i havent, and im glad i wont! thanks for the warning.
i really like the kirkland makeup wipes. theyre like 12 bucks for A LOT of wipes … and they dont sting!
Ooo I’m going to get my wife a pack of these. She goes through 3 Q-tips every morning when she puts on her make-up…maybe I’ll get her a few packs.
What a thoughtful little gift. I think she’ll really appreciate it.
I can never get behind applicators like this because of the waste they create. xP
Such nifty tools. These also work when you’re cleaning the eyes of squirming kitties. 🙂
Ahh! Speaking of kitties, how are Rocky and Jazz doing these days?
They are loving our new air conditioner! Rocky likes to curl up next to it on the window sill.
I love these (but I have a different brand) I use the paddle end to dip into my jar of face primer everyday instead of my fingers, to keep bacteria out of it. I use the pointy end with a little makeup remover to get eyeliner off 🙂
That’s a great idea, Melissa. I have a little bottle of eye cream and the paddles should work nicely to remove the last bits.
Yay for Target! I always have trouble removing makeup from my lower lash line and I think the pointy end would work great for that.
Hi Ruchita,
I’ve used the pointy end for that exact same purpose and it does a fabulous job.
I’m heading back to Target this afternoon and am hoping to find some more affordable beauty goodies.
How’s your Thursday going? Good, I hope.
i love these! they’re really good. i bought them last month and bought a back up pack last week before i’m off to classes again in a few weeks 😉
Hi Noemii,
They’re so great! I love that they’re super cheap and that they actually work really well. 🙂
that they are! they’re a nice little tool to have.
one thing i do continue to splurge on a bit though is cotton pads… i continue to purchase shiseido’s cotton because its the only kind that i’ve found thus far that is soft enough not to irritate my eyes and leave cotton residue all over 🙁
I have to check these out, the price is right!
I absolutely love the very first picture in this post! It’s so colorful:) And I know that BE and a few brands make cotton swabs with makeup remover in them, I found them especially helpful when I first started using liquid liners about 6 years ago!
It’s probably a really good thing that Target is on the opposite side of town from me. Otherwise I’d be there every day, and that could mean big trouble! I’ll have to grab these when I’m there next time.
“not for use in ear canal” LOLOLOLOLOL
Price is right. Hope they perform just as well as BE’s version!
I NEED these in my life and in my kit!! I’m gonna make a tar-gay trip this Saturday!
Have you tried the up+up foundation brush? Ahh, the joy of cheap thrills…
I’m glad to see that Target has started to carry these – didn’t see them in my TAR-JAY last time I was there, but it will be a pleasure not to have to hunt these down! I’ve been using them for years to clean up after putting on my eye makeup – and until now, they’ve sometimes been hard to find!
I’m the queen of Q-tips but think I would really prefer these guys for under-eye, liner softening. I’ll have to grab a bag the next time I’m at Target. On a random note, Consumer Reports rates Target’s Up&Up spray sunscreen as high as the national brands (like Coppertone). I bought a can last year and really liked it. Just in case anyone’s looking for a bargain spray sunscreen. 🙂 And since this seems to be random Friday for me, I’ll also add my opinion that spray sunscreen is awesome. I’m waiting for continuous spray moisturizer.
Great tip Karen!…these will work great to stock in our new Sterling Minerals retail displays for sampling our Mineral Makeup. Thanks!
You’ve had such good finds at Target that I am for sure going to check these out today. They look super convenient, especially when doing nails. Thanks for the tip!
These are multitasking ones.Perfect for makeup, manicure…
I found these a few weeks back.
So glad to see this- I work for Target Corporation and couldn’t be prouder to represent a company that also helps me spend a large amount of my paycheck in their stores 🙂
These look handy! I use a lot of stuff from Target’s Up and Up brand. The only thing of theirs I haven’t liked is their disposable razors. Even with lots of shaving cream, a brand new razor gave me bad razor burn and nicks. Won’t be using those again! I do use their makeup sponge applicators to apply my foundation every day. They are great and cheap!!
Target love!!