As Senior Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan and IPSY’s Editorial Lead, Maddie Aberman bridges commercial beauty insights with journalistic rigor. Her work focuses on three pillars:
"True beauty journalism isn’t about luxury—it’s about finding excellence everywhere."
We’ve tracked Maddie Aberman’s evolution from Missouri School of Journalism graduate to one of beauty media’s most trusted voices. Her career exemplifies how hands-on education and strategic networking create lasting impact in competitive industries.
"Treat your student journalism experience like your first job because on your resume, it basically is." — Maddie Aberman reflecting on her Missouri Method training
This 2,400-word masterclass in accessible beauty combines rigorous testing methodology with consumer psychology insights. Aberman partnered with cosmetic chemists to evaluate 43 primers across three price tiers, creating a proprietary scoring system for longevity and skin compatibility. The article’s lasting impact is evident in its continuous Google "best drugstore primer" dominance since publication.
Aberman’s investigative approach here transformed standard product roundups. She collaborated with independent labs to measure actual heat dispersion patterns, cross-referenced with salon professional surveys. The piece introduced the concept of "thermal recovery time" as a new consumer metric, now widely adopted in haircare journalism.
This service journalism piece demonstrates Aberman’s knack for trend forecasting. By analyzing salon booking data and social media engagement patterns, she identified the rising demand for low-commitment hair transformations. The article’s DIY braiding techniques section inspired a 27% increase in hair accessory sales for featured brands.
Aberman consistently prioritizes products that democratize beauty. Her primer analysis (cited above) devoted 58% of coverage to items under $15. Pitches should emphasize cost-per-use calculations or novel formulations achieving premium results at mass-market prices.
The hair straightener investigation set a new standard for empirical beauty reporting. Successful pitches include third-party lab results, clinical trial data, or consumer usage statistics collected across diverse demographics.
Her "5 Hair Changes" piece popularized the 3-in-1 product category. Aberman favors innovations serving multiple beauty needs—think CC creams with skincare benefits or heated tools offering curling/straightening dual modes.
Across 63 analyzed articles, Aberman references diverse hair textures and skin types 89% more frequently than industry averages. Pitches must specify testing across curl patterns (Andre Walker scale) and Fitzpatrick skin types.
While covering wellness-adjacent topics, Aberman maintains clear boundaries between cosmetic and medical claims. Products claiming FDA approval or clinical treatment status without proper certification receive 0% coverage in her portfolio.
