An applicator can have an ampoule body for holding a medical liquid; a tab extending away from the ampoule body and being twistable or deflectable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ampoule body; and a frangible region in between the tab and the distal portion of the ampoule body, the frangible region being breakable in response to twisting or deflection of the tab. The applicator can have a resilient structure extending between the tab and the ampoule body and configured to allow the twisting or deflection to enable breakage of the frangible region while remaining intact and providing axial rigidity in response to a deflection pressure exerted on the tab during application of the medical liquid. The applicator can have features such as a thumb rest, a bubble portions, a pyramidal body construction, an offset frangible nodule, and various tab and head constructions.