Cotton swab
19
MENTIONS
10
EPISODES
10
PODCASTS
Search complete. 19 mentions across 10 episodes found for "Cotton swab".
Oct 29, 2026
Chris HillHOST
Crystal cut her teeth at big shops like DDB, BBDO, and Publicis before betting on a scrappy startup agency.
Chris HillHOST
Over a decade later, Three Headed Monster is a two-time ad age small agency of the year, working with Valvoline, Instant Oil Change, Freddy's, Q-Tips, and so many more brands.
Chris HillHOST
In this conversation, we get into why her riskiest career move turned out to be her safest, why focus groups lie, and how brands can make faster, gutsier decisions.
Chris HillHOST
So, without further ado, here's my conversation with Crystal Anderson from Three Headed Monster.
speaker_0HOST
That's why tape testing should usually be viewed as a confirmation tool rather than a comprehensive investigative tool.
speaker_0HOST
Swab Testing While it may seem very similar to tape strip testing, swab tests are actually quite different due to the different testing methodology used.
speaker_0HOST
How it Works A sterile swab, similar to a medical cotton swab, is rubbed across a suspected surface.
speaker_0HOST
The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
speaker_0HOST
The lab may use microscopy, culturing techniques, or DNA-based analysis.
speaker_0HOST
What it can tell you.
speaker_0HOST
Swab testing can identify microbial growth on surfaces and help determine which molds are present.
speaker_0HOST
It's often used on irregular or textured surfaces where tape sampling may not work well.
Geoff ThomasHOST
for cotton buds.
Geoff ThomasHOST
It's hisopos de algodón, for those who would like to know.
Geoff ThomasHOST
Yes.
Lucy FreemanHOST
Okay.
Jess PettittGUEST
That's when you've earned the room.
Jess PettittGUEST
When someone can say, uh, cotton swabs, and you know the brand name Q-Tips.
Cait DonovanHOST
Yeah.
Jess PettittGUEST
We don't...
Matt Money SmithHOST
[laughs]
Nomar GarciaparraGUEST
... and I'm gonna go use some Q-Tips.
Nomar GarciaparraGUEST
Don't worry about it.
Petros PapadakisHOST
Oh, good.
speaker_2NARRATOR
Стетоскоп.
speaker_1NARRATOR
Cotton swab.
speaker_2NARRATOR
Ватная палочка.
speaker_2NARRATOR
Ватная палочка.
Adam TollefsonHOST
Yeah.
Adam TollefsonHOST
You got Q-Tips, right?
Matt MarburyHOST
[laughs]
Adam TollefsonHOST
Now-
Lisa WatersHOST
But now I'm going to talk about the tools.
Lisa WatersHOST
So first tools that are on my SMA, I have cotton swabs.
Lisa WatersHOST
These are going to be two cotton swabs that are held between your thumb and index finger, pressing down on both sides and rocking gently.
Lisa WatersHOST
You want to think of the cotton swabs as almost like an appendage.
Lisa WatersHOST
You're not sticking them out too far from the edge of your index finger because you're not going to get a safe or stable connection with that.
Lisa WatersHOST
You want them to just go right to the edge of your fingertips.
Lisa WatersHOST
These cotton swabs are going to be really great for tight spots, the sides of the nose, around the nostrils, the ears.
Lisa WatersHOST
Same principle as fingers.
Lisa DuckHOST
And just the same thing, the thing you clean your ears out with, what are they called?
Susan LarimerHOST
Q-Tips.
Lisa DuckHOST
Yeah, those are Q-Tips.
Susan LarimerHOST
Yeah, and that's a brand.
Lisa DuckHOST
But they're not always Q-Tips.
Susan LarimerHOST
Right.
Susan LarimerHOST
Yeah.
Ryan SeacrestADVERTISER
Now through November third, shop in store and online, and save ten dollars when you spend twenty-five dollars or more on participating products like Dove shampoo and antiperspirant, Skintimate razors, L'Oréal conditioner.
Al HelferSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
conditioner.Q-tips cotton swabs, Tresemme hairspray, and Jergens moisturizer.
Al HelferSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Offer ends November 3rd.
Al HelferSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Restrictions apply.