I use a small ziplock bag. I get the cotton ball and stretch it and flatten a little. Then I put a glob a PJ in the middle and fold the cotton ball so the outside is dry and the inside has the glob of PJ. To use it I massage the ball of cotton to spread the PJ then fluff it a bit. Not that messy!. And if you get a bit of PJ in your fingers is not too much. Just spread it on your hands.