• by Ray Schultz , August 27, 2021

Cruel is replacing Michelle Lee, who will now serve as a global VP at Netflix.

Condé Nast has promoted from within, naming Jessica Cruel as editor-in-chief of Allure. She replaces Michelle Lee, who has left for Netflix as global vice president editor and publishing.

Cruel joined Allure in 2019, first serving as features editor, then as content director.

She has worked to develop content in print, digital and video, and in "The Allure Podcast," the Allure Beauty Box subscription program, and other special projects.

“It is no small feat to follow in Michelle Lee’s footsteps, but I have no doubt that Jessica can do just that — she is a natural leader and a brilliant journalist, and she exudes a positive energy that is felt by all those lucky enough to work with her,” states Anna Wintour, global editorial director, Vogue, and Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast.

Cruel served as deputy beauty director at Refinery29 prior to joining Allure, and has also worked in editorial roles at SELF, PopSugar and New York magazine.

She says Allure’s next chapter will be focused on “making industry-wide impact, spotlighting the many communities that use beauty as a form of self-expression, and celebrating how these practices connect us all.”

Allure claims a 5% increase in traffic YoY, and a 13% hike in time spent. It has 5 million followers across all platforms. Lee served as chief editor at Allure for five years and is credited with diversifying the publication's beauty coverage.