Nicola Dall'Asen

Career Evolution: From Newsrooms to Narrative Leadership

Dall'Asen's journalism career began at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Early internships at prominent media organizations laid the groundwork for her signature approach—blending hard news instincts with human-centered storytelling.

Key Career Phases

• 2019–Present: As Allure's Senior News Editor, she oversees daily celebrity coverage while pioneering the News Plus vertical, which The Org describes as "op-eds and in-depth reports on beauty and wellness culture" [4]
• 2016–2019: Senior Editor roles at Wild Sky Media and RockYou Media, developing cross-platform content strategies reaching 30M+ monthly readers
• 2014–2016: Video production and social media leadership at Cafe Media, managing audiences exceeding 15M followers

Defining Works: Articles That Shaped Beauty Discourse

• My boobs had become a real pain in my… well, boobs.

This candid first-person account of living with significant breast asymmetry became a cultural touchstone in body positivity conversations. Dall'Asen chronicles her journey from puberty through weight fluctuations that resulted in a two-cup-size difference, ultimately leading to reconstructive surgery. The piece stands out for:

• Normalizing discussions about elective cosmetic procedures through vulnerable storytelling
• Interweaving medical facts about breast asymmetry (affecting 25% of women) with emotional realities
• Challenging beauty industry narratives by focusing on comfort over aesthetics

Beat Analysis: Strategic Pitching Opportunities

1. Personal Narratives with Clinical Insights

Dall'Asen prioritizes stories that balance individual experiences with expert perspectives. Successful pitches should pair patient journeys with commentary from board-certified plastic surgeons or mental health professionals. Her breast asymmetry article [1][5][6] demonstrates this approach, blending personal struggle with surgical realities. When pitching, highlight unique angles like:
- How new surgical techniques address both physical discomfort and body image concerns
- Demographic-specific trends in cosmetic procedure motivations

2. Wellness as Beauty Infrastructure

She conceptualizes wellness as the foundation of aesthetic choices rather than a separate category. Pitches should explore intersections like:
- How chronic pain conditions influence makeup application habits
- Nutritional science supporting hair/skin health
- Mental health impacts of visible physical differences

3. Cultural Accountability Reporting

Dall'Asen's News Plus vertical [4] demands investigative rigor on systemic beauty industry issues. Compelling pitches might address:
- Regulatory gaps in cosmetic procedure marketing
- Economic disparities in access to reconstructive surgery
- Longitudinal studies on beauty standard evolution

Awards and Industry Recognition

• Vertical Development Leadership: Recognized internally at Allure for creating the News Plus division that increased time-on-page by 40% through op-ed-driven content [4]
• Audience Engagement Metrics: Her breast asymmetry article achieved 150% above average social shares for health-focused content, demonstrating public appetite for vulnerable beauty reporting [1][5][6]