Jennifer G. Sullivan Author Archive
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Jennifer G. Sullivan

Columnist, the Cut
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Jennifer G. Sullivan is a Cut contributor and author of the “Ask a Beauty Editor” column. With over ten years of experience in beauty and wellness journalism, she is the host of Fat Mascara, an award-winning podcast that takes a closer look at beauty culture. Previously, she was the beauty director and features editor at Marie Claire.

  1. beauty
    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.
  2. beauty
    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.
  3. beauty
    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.
  4. ask a beauty editor
    Will Drinking More Water Improve My Skin?Nearly every celebrity says ‘water’ is the key to their good skin. Are they lying?
  5. ask a beauty editor
    ‘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.
  6. beauty
    ‘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.
  7. beauty
    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.
  8. beauty
    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.
  9. beauty
    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.
  10. beauty
    How Bad Is It to Brush Wet Hair, Really?The answer depends on your texture. Here’s how to detangle without causing damage.
  11. beauty
    What Is Lip-Blushing?It’s a tattoo — on your face. Here, some things to consider before you get it done.
  12. beauty
    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.
  13. beauty
    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.
  14. beauty
    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.
  15. beauty
    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.
  16. beauty
    Ask Us All Your Questions About Retinol!And beauty editor Jennifer G. Sullivan will answer them.
  17. beauty
    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.
  18. beauty
    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.
  19. beauty
    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.
  20. beauty
    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.
  21. beauty
    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.
  22. beauty
    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.
  23. beauty
    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.
  24. beauty
    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.
  25. beauty
    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.
  26. beauty
    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.
  27. beauty
    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.
  28. beauty
    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.
  29. beauty
    How Can I Get Rid of Bug Bite Scars?Those spots are actually hyperpigmentation, and the trick is sun protection plus spot-fading ingredients.
  30. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  31. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  32. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  33. ask a beauty editor
    Should I Get a Semipermanent Tattoo?If you’ve been considering a made-to-fade tattoo, here’s what the experts have to say.
  34. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  35. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  36. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  37. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  38. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  39. ask a beauty editor
    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.
  40. peak dupe
    Beware Counterfeit Skin CareHow to tell the difference between a good deal and a fake product.
  41. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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. ask a beauty editor
    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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