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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.

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How to Make Sure Your Empty Beauty Products Get Recycled

 Three key tips to make sure they don’t end up in a landfill. By Jennifer G. Sullivan

More From 'Ask a Beauty Editor'

  1. How Does Lip Filler Work? Tell Me Everything.We explain how much it should cost, how not to end up looking like a duck, and where to find the best injectors near you.
  2. Does ‘Reef Safe’ Actually Mean Anything?Here’s how to choose sunscreens and beauty products that are less likely to harm marine life.
  3. How Do I Layer Blush Without Looking Like a Hot Mess?You don’t need six shades, but layering two blushes looks pretty great. Here’s how makeup artists do it.
  4. Perfumes Give Me Headaches, But I Want to Smell Good. Help!It’s impossible to predict how anyone will react to a fragrance, but these perfumes are generally well tolerated by most people.
  5. Does the Facial-Fitness Gum Teen Boys Love Actually Work?Looksmaxxers have entered the chat—and they’re hawking tough-to-chew gum as an alternative to jaw surgery.
  6. Are Pricey Sunscreens A Gimmick?Not if they get you to use sunscreen as often and as liberally as you should (most people don’t).
  7. What Is Skin Care With Growth Factors?Will it cure all my skin problems or give me cancer?
  8. How to Start Using Self-TannerThese are the best self-tanning brands and the easiest formats to apply. Choose wisely and proceed with patience.
  9. Do I Need Whole-Body Deodorant?This new type of deodorant is suddenly everywhere — but it isn’t for everyone. Here’s who might benefit.
  10. What Beauty Products Should I Buy in Europe?Here’s what I buy in bulk when I visit Europe — and where to buy in the U.S.
  11. Are Any YouTube Beauty Tutorials Appropriate for Preteens?Positive messages, polite language, and beginner techniques — here are the best beauty creators for kids 9 to 12.
  12. The Best Straightener for Your Hair Type, According to Hairstylists 2024Experts suggest the best flat irons for everything from baby-fine bangs and double-process blondes to angled bobs and 4c curls.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. ‘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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. Will Drinking More Water Improve My Skin?Nearly every celebrity says ‘water’ is the key to their good skin. Are they lying?
  20. ‘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.
  21. ‘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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. How Bad Is It to Brush Wet Hair, Really?The answer depends on your texture. Here’s how to detangle without causing damage.
  26. What Is Lip-Blushing?It’s a tattoo — on your face. Here, some things to consider before you get it done.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. Ask Us All Your Questions About Retinol!And beauty editor Jennifer G. Sullivan will answer them.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. 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.
  35. 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.
  36. 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.
  37. 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.
  38. 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.
  39. 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.
  40. 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.
  41. 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.
  42. 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.
  43. 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.
  44. How Can I Get Rid of Bug Bite Scars?Those spots are actually hyperpigmentation, and the trick is sun protection plus spot-fading ingredients.
  45. 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.
  46. 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.
  47. 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.
  48. Should I Get a Semipermanent Tattoo?If you’ve been considering a made-to-fade tattoo, here’s what the experts have to say.
  49. 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.
  50. 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.
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