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Meet Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Editor: A Day with Jessica Matlin

Go behind the scenes with Jessica Matlin, Cosmopolitan’s beauty editor, exploring her career journey, daily rituals, insights, and signature advice.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Go behind the scenes with Jessica Matlin, Cosmopolitan’s beauty editor, exploring her career journey, daily rituals, insights, and signature advice.

Meet Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Editor: Jessica Matlin

Ever wondered what it’s truly like to live a day in the life of a Cosmopolitan beauty editor? Jessica Matlin lifts the curtain and reveals the real rituals, inspirations, and daily routines that fuel her passion and keep her at the peak of the beauty world. Join us as we go behind the scenes with Jessica: from her morning moments to her favorite products, career milestones, and must-know advice for beauty lovers and industry newcomers alike.

Who is Jessica Matlin?

Jessica Matlin is a celebrated beauty expert and editor who has shaped the modern beauty conversation through her editorial roles at top publications and as a co-host of the influential Fat Mascara podcast. Her impact stretches across platforms, from magazine spreads to viral podcast episodes and beauty industry panels.

Current Roles: Director of Beauty and Home at Moda Operandi; co-founder and co-host of the Fat Mascara podcast.
Editorial Background: Former beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Allure, W, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Industry Recognition: Recipient of the Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award, The Fragrance Foundation Editorial Excellence Award, and more.
Podcast Influence: Fat Mascara has over 12 million downloads, introducing audiences to candid conversations with major names in beauty.

Jessica Matlin’s Beauty Philosophy

Jessica believes in an approachable, realistic approach to beauty. Her editorial voice champions exploration, inclusivity, and confidence. She sees beauty as deeply personal, an ever-evolving journey for everyone to enjoy. For Jessica, beauty is not just about products—it’s about self-expression, creativity, and the power of transformation.

Simplicity Over Perfection: Jessica’s beauty routine is effective, yet unfussy, grounded in essentials rather than endless steps.
Curiosity Drives Innovation: Staying curious is her number one tip, both for career growth and mastering beauty trends.
Empowerment Through Self-Care: Jessica emphasizes the importance of carving out daily rituals for well-being, joy, and connection.

A Day in the Life of a Beauty Editor

From first light to the evening wind-down, Jessica’s days are a blend of creativity, collaboration, and curation. Her calendar balances meetings, product testing, editorial planning, and industry events. Here’s a closer look at what a typical day unfolds for her.

Morning Rituals

Jessica’s day begins early, often with a quick meditation or a moment of mindful gratitude.
A nutritious breakfast and a hydrating skincare routine follow—her way of setting the stage for a busy, focus-driven day.
She keeps her a.m. beauty ritual streamlined: cleansing, applying serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and topping with SPF.

Editorial Meetings & Creative Brainstorms

Mornings are filled with editorial meetings, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative calls with writers, photographers, and beauty brands.
Jessica’s leadership style values input from every team member, encouraging creative sparks that drive award-winning content.

Industry Immersion

The rest of her day rotates between product launches, industry networking, and the continuous discovery of new beauty innovations and trends.
Jessica often attends virtual or in-person events, connects with influencers and makeup artists, and participates in panel discussions.

Podcast Prep & Interviews

A key part of her routine is prepping for Fat Mascara podcast episodes—researching interview guests, developing questions, and recording sessions.
The podcast lets her explore stories behind the biggest names in beauty and bring new voices to the forefront.

Winding Down

Evenings are often reserved for catching up on reading or reviewing new product samples at home.
She makes self-care a constant commitment, often ending her day with a book, a face mask, or spending time with family and her beloved cat.

Career Path & Lessons: An Editor’s Journey

Jessica’s professional path is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the willingness to carve your own lane in a competitive industry.

Creative Roots: From her earliest days, Jessica had an eye for style and a curiosity about how beauty shapes culture.
First Break: An internship at Jane Magazine opened her eyes to the exhilarating pace of life in an editorial beauty department, from overflowing product samples to high-energy launch events.
Building Experience: Her career grew through roles at Allure, W, Lucky, Teen Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, where she shaped content for millions of readers.
Innovation through Podcasting: The launch of Fat Mascara, alongside co-host Jennifer G. Sullivan, brought her voice to an even wider audience, sparking candid conversations about trends, insider stories, and beauty’s role in society.

Most Influential Advice

Jessica credits a former boss for the life-changing advice: “Run your own race.” Staying focused on her unique vision and resisting comparison with others has liberated her creativity and helped her thrive in a saturated industry.

Biggest Challenges

Tight Deadlines: Magazine production and digital content are fast-paced worlds. Coordinating creative teams across time zones and workflows—especially in remote settings—is a constant challenge.
Constant Change: Navigating the rapidly evolving beauty and media landscapes keeps her sharp and teaches her the value of adaptability.

Jessica’s Must-Have Beauty Essentials

With access to the industry’s best products, Jessica still keeps her skincare and makeup routine surprisingly simple. Here are her all-time favorites and why she swears by them:

Cleanser: The first step in her ritual, prepping her skin for actives and hydration.
Serum: Delivers targeted ingredients for glow and resilience.
Eye Cream: To fight fatigue and prep under-eyes for makeup.
Moisturizer: Locks in hydration, smoothing and protecting her skin.
SPF: A non-negotiable to safeguard against sun damage.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream: One of her enduring favorites for its instant moisture and glow.
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate: An overnight boost that refreshes and repairs.

Making an Impact in the Beauty Industry

Jessica’s influence stretches well beyond the page. On her watch, Cosmopolitan’s beauty coverage has become ever more inclusive, innovative, and in touch with real women’s needs. Through the Fat Mascara podcast, she amplifies diverse voices and reveals the untold stories behind cult products and groundbreaking movements.

Empowering the Next Generation: Jessica actively mentors aspiring editors and shares wisdom on building careers with authenticity and heart.
Championing Diversity: She prioritizes inclusive coverage, showcasing underrepresented brands and talents.
Bridging Editorial and Digital: Her work helps modernize beauty journalism across print, web, and audio platforms.

Her Best Advice for Aspiring Beauty Editors

Stay Curious: Explore both the history and future of beauty. Curiosity is your edge.
Listen First: Great editors are great listeners—to readers, audiences, and colleagues.
Build a Network: Foster genuine connections with others in the industry—collaboration fuels creativity.
Adaptability Matters: The industry is always changing. Embrace new platforms, tools, and trends without losing sight of your unique perspective.

Editor’s Picks: Jessica Matlin’s Beauty Recommendations

Jessica’s job is to scour the market for standout products. Here’s a quick table of her iconic go-to’s:

Product	Why She Loves It
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream	Delivers instant hydration and a radiant glow; perfect for skin prep.
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate	Restores skin overnight for a refreshed morning look.
SPF (broad-spectrum)	Daily protection against sun damage—a non-negotiable step.
Cleansing Balm	Thoroughly removes makeup without stripping skin’s moisture.

The Fat Mascara Effect

Through her Fat Mascara podcast, Jessica demystifies beauty trends and brings listeners closer to industry insiders. The show features unvarnished interviews, practical advice, and funny, relatable stories from both famous and unsung beauty innovators.

Past guests include Bobbi Brown, Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Tilbury, Jane Fonda, and Kim Kardashian.
With 12+ million downloads, Fat Mascara has become a key source for inside information, product reviews, and career stories.
The podcast’s mission extends to breaking down barriers, challenging beauty standards, and spotlighting mental health and self-worth topics relevant to its diverse audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How did Jessica Matlin get started in beauty journalism?

A: Jessica began with an internship at Jane Magazine, where her passion for the editorial beauty world was fully sparked by witnessing the hustle and creativity of the beauty department.

Q: What is Jessica Matlin’s essential skincare routine?

A: Her daily routine includes cleanser, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and SPF—simple, effective, and consistent, with occasional masks for extra care.

Q: Which products can she not live without?

A: Jessica swears by Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and any high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen for everyday radiance and protection.

Q: What’s her best advice for getting into beauty editing or creating a podcast?

A: Stay curious about every facet of the industry, connect authentically with others, and don’t be afraid to forge your own path instead of following a traditional playbook.

Q: How does she stay inspired in her demanding role?

A: Jessica credits the energy of her colleagues, the constant evolution of beauty, and the stories of real women for fueling her creativity and sense of purpose every day.

Connect with Jessica Matlin

Instagram: @jessicamatlin
Podcast: Fat Mascara (co-founded and co-hosted by Jessica Matlin)

Jessica Matlin’s journey is an inspiring testament to the power of self-belief, adaptability, and remaining authentic in the ever-exciting, ever-changing world of beauty editorial. Her story is proof that with curiosity and a sense of purpose, you can make a meaningful impact—one product review, podcast episode, and life-changing piece of advice at a time.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb