In 1991, I was an awkward teenager, dabbling in Noxzema creams and black kohl eyeliner, unsure about my place in the world, let alone where I fit in the culture of beauty.
Back then, beauty was the sprig of parsley to fashion’s main entrée. Makeup artists and hairstylists were a presence behind the scenes at runway shows, but actually reporting on what they were doing? It simply wasn’t a thing. Magazines highlighted makeup and hair, but as window dressing for the clothes. The mega beauty stores were only a twinkle in their creators’ eyes.
Then in March of that year, Linda Wells launched Allure, which treated beauty inventively, like a subject worthy of sharp, insightful writing, deep reporting, and a spotlight all its own. The premier issue (a steal at…