What to Consider: Both shapes perform the same functions, such as helping to remove makeup and nail polish. "Cotton pads give you more of a surface, so you can use fewer of them, and they shed less of the fiber," says Joanna Schlip, a makeup artist in Los Angeles. Cotton balls are typically thick and absorb more liquid. All the experts agree that it comes down to a matter of personal preference.
Bottom Line: Choose one — they do the same thing.