Jessica Cruel
Editor in Chief
Jessica Cruel is the editor in chief of Allure, where she leads the development of multiplatform editorial content for print, digital, and video platforms. At Allure, she spearheaded the launch of The Melanin Edit, a new platform exploring all things relating to Black beauty.
In her decade-long career, Jessica previously served as deputy beauty director at Refinery29 and held editorial roles at SELF and Popsugar. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in multimedia journalism and sociology. Jessica currently resides in Newark, New Jersey. When she's not leading Allure, she can be found hoarding candles, slathering on serum, and avoiding Wash Day.
Get to know Jessica by checking out her first letter as editor in chief here.
In her decade-long career, Jessica previously served as deputy beauty director at Refinery29 and held editorial roles at SELF and Popsugar. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in multimedia journalism and sociology. Jessica currently resides in Newark, New Jersey. When she's not leading Allure, she can be found hoarding candles, slathering on serum, and avoiding Wash Day.
Get to know Jessica by checking out her first letter as editor in chief here.
JUST ONE THING
Chlöe Bailey Pairs This “Juicy” Gloss With Dollar-Store Lip Liner
“I'm a Black girl with full lips, but I love [to line them] because it gives a deeper pout.”
P(R)ETTY POLITICS
Representative Jasmine Crockett: “I'm Nobody's Punk”
The congresswoman dives into everything wrong with the infamous eyelash incident.
COVER STORY
Willow’s Bold Moves and Big Feelings
In music and in life, Willow Smith sees no limits: “I just have to trust myself.”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Beyoncé's Mom Gave Me a Haircut Using Cécred Products
Here are my honest first impressions of the singer's highly anticipated hair-care line.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Future of Beauty Is Being Built by Black Nerds
The latest edition of the Melanin Edit celebrates all those people who were told they couldn’t be nerdy — and the communities they built anyway.
ALLURE BEAUTY BOX
Spotlight on Black-Owned Beauty: Get $227 of Skin Care, Hair Care, and Makeup for Under $40
This limited-edition Allure Beauty Box features products from Danessa Myricks Beauty, BeautyStat, adwoa Beauty, and more!
THE BEY IS BACK
Beyoncé Wore $13 False Lashes for Her First Concert In Years
Her Dubai show look was drenched in glamour.
DIVERSITY IN BEAUTY
At the First Allure x Netflix Event, 4 Hair and Makeup Pros Talk Diversity in Hollywood
Linda Villalobos, Terry Hunt, Lucy Betancourt, and Jessica Smalls shared tips for building a lasting career — and lifting others up with you.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor's Letter: What It Takes to Be the Best of Beauty
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel celebrates everything that goes on behind the scenes of the testing process for our annual awards.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor's Letter: The Legacy of Black and Brown Beauty
Three Black beauty editors talk about sisterhood, visibility, and the beauty of storytelling.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor's Letter: What Global Beauty Means Right Now
In the time of war, Allure explores the importance of protecting a culture's individuality.
COVER STORY
How Amanda Gorman Uses Makeup as Poetry
Plus, why she's sick of people pointing fingers at Gen Z.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Introducing the A List From Allure
A new project that honors the people driving and shaping the future of beauty.
COMFORT AND JOY
This Is the Red Lipstick I Wear to My Most Important Meetings
Editor in chief Jessica Cruel explains how she conquers her imposter syndrome through beauty.
.jpg)
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Entertainment's Impact on Our Relationship With Beauty
What editor in chief Jessica Cruel is watching, reading, and listening to right now.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor's Letter: In a Dream with Jessica Cruel
In her first letter as editor in chief of Allure, Jessica Cruel shares her vision for the magazine's future.
Skin
How SkinCeuticals Advanced Scar Control Prevents New Scar Formation and Improves the Appearance of Recent Scars
Good news: There is a magic gel that helps prevent burns and cuts from turning into dark, raised scars. Below, one editor chronicles her experience with SkinCeuticals Advanced Scar Control.
The Bald & The Beautiful
3 Stories of Going Bald & Embracing the Beauty of Not Having Hair
Going bald is sometimes a choice, sometimes it's not. Either way, it's beautiful.
Full Story
This Brow Pencil Pulls Double Duty for The Best Full Brows
I keep this Winky Lux brow pencil in my desk pencil holder. Let me explain.
YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK
What It's Like to Be a Black Dermatologist in America
Even in 2021, textbooks lack images of conditions on dark skin, which means all dermatologists are missing out on education — unless they seek to learn more about brown skin.