'Choke up' on the q-tip, holding it closer to the business end such that your fingers prevent it from being inserted further than intended. That's what I do an

'Choke up' on the q-tip, holding it closer to the business end such that your fingers prevent it from being inserted further than intended. That's what I do anyway. YMMV of course, particularly since earwax consistency is apparently something that varies considerably between different populations.