I personally don't like using 'cocktail sticks' and I like even less using anything wrapped in cotton fibres ...any Fibers near gel are a no no for me
. Cocktail sticks and the like, I find, just smear the product thinner on the skin rather than really removing it from the skin.
As many others have discovered, using a soft little brush, dipped in D-Sperse or IPA is quick, safe And effective and also looks very neat and professional at the same time as well as being much less drying to the skin than Acetone.
If you've really messed up, then you can take a birch-wood manicure stick and get the thicker gel off the skin first and then follow it by using your little brush and alcohol to be sure you have removed all gel from the skin.