Jessica Cruel

New York

Editor-in-Chief at Allure

A young Southern belle attempting to find beauty in the big city. Editor in Chief at @allure_magazine. Tweets are my own!

Articles

Editor's Letter: How Should SELF Talk About Weight in the Age of Ozempic?

4 weeks ago | self.com | Jessica Cruel

I grew up accompanying my mother on her endless quest to be a different size. My formative years were a cycle of step aerobics classes, Weight Watchers meetings, Curves gym sessions, Nutrisystem meals, Atkins books, Tae Bo tapes, reduced-fat yogurts, and back to Weight Watchers points…again. This yo-yo style was imprinted on me. I don’t usually lead with this when introducing myself.
How Should SELF Talk About Weight in the Age of Ozempic?

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jessica Cruel

Zam OjukwuI grew up accompanying my mother on her endless quest to be a different size. My formative years were a cycle of step aerobics classes, Weight Watchers meetings, Curves gym sessions, Nutrisystem meals, Atkins books, Tae Bo tapes, reduced-fat yogurts, and back to Weight Watchers points…again. This yo-yo style was imprinted on me. I don’t usually lead with this when introducing myself.
Chlöe Bailey Pairs This “Juicy” Gloss With Dollar-Store Lip Liner

Aug 16, 2024 | allure.com | Jessica Cruel

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. How did your beauty “thing” become your beauty “thing”? That’s the question we’re posing to celebrities in our new series, Just One Thing. Of course, journalists that we are, we’re also taking the opportunity to ask about the one beauty product that helps keep their thing… thing-ing.
Representative Jasmine Crockett: “I'm Nobody's Punk”

May 22, 2024 | allure.com | Jessica Cruel

When it comes to being pretty in politics, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Late in the evening of May 16th, a Congressional committee hearing descended into something akin to a streetside rap battle with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on one mic and Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) on the other featuring a verse from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). If we’re taking score according to my social media feed, Crockett took home the golden mic.
Representative Jasmine Crockett: “I'm Nobody's Punk”

May 22, 2024 | yahoo.com | Jessica Cruel

Getty ImagesWhen it comes to being pretty in politics, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Late in the evening of May 16th, a congressional committee hearing descended into something akin to a streetside rap battle with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on one mic and Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) on the other featuring a verse from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Willow’s Bold Moves and Big Feelings

May 2, 2024 | allure.com | Jessica Cruel |Zhong Lin

My first introduction to Willow Smith is her voice. I step into the nondescript studio where we are meant to meet, and I immediately hear a warm, deep, calm tone filling the room. Smith is recording an audiobook and slipping in and out of characters seamlessly, the intonation changing to become more gruff or forceful or excited or sad depending on whom she is looking to portray. Then, she pauses and runs it again with the emphasis on slightly different words or syllables.
Where There’s a Willow There’s a Way

May 2, 2024 | yahoo.com | Jessica Cruel

My first introduction to Willow Smith is her voice. I step into the nondescript studio where we are meant to meet, and I immediately hear a warm, deep, calm tone filling the room. Smith is recording an audiobook and slipping in and out of characters seamlessly, the intonation changing to become more gruff or forceful or excited or sad depending on whom she is looking to portray. Then, she pauses and runs it again with the emphasis on slightly different words or syllables.
15 Best Foundations and Concealers for Every Skin Type

Mar 7, 2024 | self.com | Jessica Cruel

There is a revolution happening in the foundation section right now. Traditionally, brands would release somewhere from 15 to 20 shades, which typically means only two or three shades that cover darker skin tones. Now, some brands are expanding their collections to include 30 or 40 hues or more. While there's more work to be done, I can say that as a brown girl, I’m doing an inner tap dance at being able to walk into a Sephora, drugstore, or department store and easily find my milk chocolate shade.
The 12 Best Hairstyling Products for Curly, Straight, Fine, and Natural Textures

Mar 7, 2024 | self.com | Jessica Cruel

It doesn’t take long to know if you are impressed or underwhelmed by a hairstyling product. One spritz of a dry shampoo or texturizing spray and you have a good idea of the smell and effect. In testing for this year's SELF Healthy Beauty Awards, I discovered that love at first style goes for hot tools as well. I had several testers come back to me after one day, raving about a curling wand that bends and a blow-dryer that automatically shuts off when you put it down.
Our Favorite Shampoos and Conditioners for Different Hair Types

Mar 7, 2024 | self.com | Jessica Cruel

Getting down to hair basics seems simple—shampoo and conditioner, NBD, right? Not so fast. We know the essentials are different for everyone, which is why we’ve broken up the SELF Approved Beauty Award winners in our hair-care category by hair type. Fine? Thick? Curly? Colored? We got you covered. Scroll on to find the right regimen, handpicked by us for you. nexxus.com1Best Shampoo: Nexxus City Shield Shampoo for All Hair TypesWhen it comes to combatting frizz, it starts in the shower.