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Ask a Beauty Editor

People are always asking former Marie Claire beauty director Jennifer G. Sullivan their beauty questions, which makes sense because (a) she has learned a few things in her years as a beauty journalist and host of Fat Mascara, a podcast that takes a closer look at beauty culture, and (b) the internet is a soup of conflicting advice and Google ads that feeds our worst insecurities without providing much assistance. If there are two things Jenn loves, they’re calling out b.s. and helping people feel better about themselves. So that’s what this biweekly column is for. No concern is too vain, trivial, obscure, or embarrassing — she’s here to help. Send your questions to AskABeautyEditor@nymag.com.

beauty

The Best Straightener for Your Hair Type, According to Hairstylists 2024

 Experts suggest the best flat irons for everything from baby-fine bangs and double-process blondes to angled bobs and 4c curls. By Jennifer G. Sullivan
  • beauty Does CoolSculpting … Actually Work? If you’re at your ideal weight and just want to reduce stubborn fat, maybe. There are better things to do with your money though. By Jennifer G. Sullivan
  • The Cut Shop
    beauty How Do I Get Rid of My Nose Hair? You don’t want to remove it — you just want to trim it. This is the best nose-hair trimmer to keep your nostrils tidy. By Jennifer G. Sullivan

More From 'Ask a Beauty Editor'

  1. ‘Why Is My Scalp Suddenly So Oily?’I talked to experts who recommended some tweaks to your current routine and shampoos that are great for greasy hair.
  2. Should I Get Lip Filler Or a Lip Flip?Or maybe nothing at all … Here’s how different cosmetic injections will affect your lips — and how to tell which is right for you.
  3. Can My Acne Products Cause Cancer?It depends on your health, the products you use, how you store them, and how much of them you apply. Here’s what you need to know.
  4. My Med Spa Prompted Me to Tip. Should I?Thanks to med spas, drop-in Botox chains, and high-tech beauty treatments, tipping has gotten confusing. I asked experts for some updated guidelines.
  5. Will Drinking More Water Improve My Skin?Nearly every celebrity says ‘water’ is the key to their good skin. Are they lying?
  6. ‘I Have Sensitive Skin. Can I Skip the Sunscreen?’If you’re spending money on treatments, or you’re just trying to stay healthy, wear sunscreen. These work for even the most sensitive skin.
  7. ‘Whenever I Overline My Lips, It Looks Obvious. What Am I Doing Wrong?’Use a light touch and targeted approach, then take your time. Here’s how the pros do it.
  8. Can My Perfume Really Attract a Partner?There’s no evidence that humans respond to pheromone-laced perfumes, but you can’t underestimate the seductive power of fragrance alone.
  9. How Do I Get Rid Of My Chin Hairs?If you don’t want to pluck or shave, you should look into laser hair removal or electrolysis. Here’s what to expect.
  10. Can a Facial Massage Really Change Your Face Shape?If you saw it in a viral video, it’s probably too good to be true. Here’s what facial massage can (and can’t) do.
  11. How Bad Is It to Brush Wet Hair, Really?The answer depends on your texture. Here’s how to detangle without causing damage.
  12. What Is Lip-Blushing?It’s a tattoo — on your face. Here, some things to consider before you get it done.
  13. Can Burning Scented Candles Spark Health Issues? Experts Explain.A few ingredients in scented candles have been linked to health issues, but these natural candles make for a cleaner burn.
  14. Are Medical-Grade Brands That Doctors Sell Better Than the Skin Care in Stores?Products sold by doctors typically have better evidence of their benefits than in-store products, but that’s not the same as saying they’re better.
  15. How Do You Buy Lipstick Online When You Can’t Try It On?Train yourself to notice how digitally rendered colors compare to their IRL counterparts — and then have an open mind.
  16. How Do I Know If My Hair Has Breakage or New Growth?Here’s the trick stylists use for determining why you have fly-away hairs. Plus: a few of their best tips for styling them.
  17. Ask Us All Your Questions About Retinol!And beauty editor Jennifer G. Sullivan will answer them.
  18. Why Do Beauty Brands Post About Politics?Being silent or neutral isn’t an option for many companies. The good news is you don’t have to buy from brands you don’t agree with.
  19. Should I Be Concerned About the Long-term Effects of Face Filler?Concerned? Yes! I think people don’t take filler seriously enough. But scared? No, not if you go to a provider you trust.
  20. What Can I Do About Crepey Eyelids?The options range from absolutely nothing to plastic surgery — with stops at occlusive eye patches, topical products, and devices in between.
  21. Do I Need to Figure Out My Hair Type (1a–4c) to Buy Products?The hair-typing system tells you about your strand shape, but stylists think about many other factors when they’re caring for your hair.
  22. How Can I Tell If a New Product Is Causing My Breakout?Even if you stop using a product and your rash goes away, you still can’t be 100 percent sure of the cause. Here’s how to get to the bottom of it.
  23. Why Is Color Correcting Hyperpigmentation So Complicated?Green cancels red and orange cancels blue, but how do you hide the gray, taupe, purple, brown, and black shades of acne scars? We asked the pro MUAs.
  24. Are Essential Oils Bad for My Skin?Essential oils aren’t good or bad — they’re potent actives, just like acids and retinoids. Here are some guidelines for using them safely.
  25. Why Is My Concealer Always Creasing Under My Eyes?Makeup artists have been hearing this complaint a lot, and they think it’s because we’re using too much product. Here’s why — and what you can do.
  26. Is This Allergy Season Giving Me Under-Eye Wrinkles?It might be. Here’s how to head off the inflammation and irritation that may be prematurely aging your skin.
  27. What are The Best Body Oils for Fall?The body-oil girlies have spoken, and these are the best blends to repair your sun-parched skin and transition you into autumn.
  28. Can Drinking Electrolytes Make Your Skin More Hydrated?A new beauty beverage’s marketing implies there’s a connection between electrolytes and hydrated skin, but the link is tenuous at best.
  29. Are My Hair Ties Causing Breakage?A reader wonders if her telephone-cord-style elastics could be causing hair damage — and the experts I consulted think she may be onto something.
  30. How Can I Get Rid of Bug Bite Scars?Those spots are actually hyperpigmentation, and the trick is sun protection plus spot-fading ingredients.
  31. Will Getting Botox in My Traps Slim My Neck and Make Me Look Younger?Botox injections in your trapezius (a.k.a. trap tox or Barbie Botox) can elongate your neck but may also make you look older. Here, the pros explain.
  32. Liquid Exfoliants and Self-Tanner Don’t Go Together, Do They?They don’t. But if you want to exfoliate your face and make it look bronzed, there are other ways to do that.
  33. My Natural Red Hair Is Getting Duller. What Can I Do?Here’s how to prevent fading and enhance your color without changing the base shade too much.
  34. Should I Get a Semipermanent Tattoo?If you’ve been considering a made-to-fade tattoo, here’s what the experts have to say.
  35. Are Perms As Damaging As They Used to Be?It all depends on the type you get. Here’s a primer on the latest treatments, including the “boy perm” that’s still going strong.
  36. Should I Get a Tooth Gem?If it’s safe enough for 7-year-old Saint West, it’s safe enough for you … right? I asked dentists to weigh in on the risks.
  37. Should I Stop Waxing and Switch to Laser Hair Removal?In general, yes — but it all depends on where you go to get it done.
  38. Why Do My Nails Look So Unhealthy?The problem could be fungus, water exposure, a medical condition, or something that happens at basically every nail salon. Find out here.
  39. Can I Tighten My Saggy Neck Without Surgery?Neck creams and cosmetic procedures can definitely improve lax skin. Here are all the options — and some advice for deciding what’s right for you.
  40. Are Vaginal Supplements or Products Ever Necessary?Experts explain the right way to wash your vulva, which products are safe to use — and why other people’s choices shouldn’t be your concern.
  41. How Do I Style My Hair While It’s Regrowing After COVID-19 Hair Loss?With products and patience. Here are a few products and styles that will help you manage your regrowth.
  42. Is Tap Water Bad for My Skin or Hair?Depends on where you live. Experts say hard water and certain chemical additives can cause dryness, alter your hair color, and even lead to acne.
  43. Should I Be Icing My Face?Freezing water and ice can cause more harm than good, but cold therapy has all sorts of skin benefits. Let’s talk about the difference.
  44. Are There Still Beauty Brands Testing on Animals?If you’ve read that most European and American companies don’t, that’s not true. Here’s how to find products that align with your standards.
  45. I Use Retinol on my Face. Should I Be Using it on My Body Too?Retinol isn’t a cure-all, but it helps with a few specific body concerns you may want to correct before summer.
  46. What’s a Low-Maintenance Way to Enhance My Brows?If you don’t want to fill in your brows every day, get them tinted by a pro. Or, better yet, do it yourself.
  47. Is At-Home Dermaplaning the Same As Shaving?Both processes remove hair, but there are some differences to be aware of before you take a traditional razor to your face.
  48. What’s the Best Site for Looking up Beauty Ingredients?I asked doctors, chemists, and aestheticians where they research ingredients. These are their go-to resources.
  49. What Products Treat Rosacea?The ones you use after you figure out your food triggers. Here’s how to do that — and which products help.
  50. I’m a Woman and My Hair Is Thinning. Is Rogaine for Me?Rogaine is an answer, but it’s not the only answer. Here are some other hair-loss treatments that may be easier to use consistently.
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