const regex = new RegExp('<div class="dotted-highlight">\\s*+(?!<strong>[^<]*</strong>\\s*<ul>)([^\\s<]*+(?:(?!\\s*<ul>)[\\s<]+[^\\s<]*)*+)\\s*<ul>', 'si')
const str = `<div class="dotted-highlight"> <strong>So, to sum up your own appearance:</strong>
<ul>
<div class="dotted-highlight">So, to sum up your own appearance:
<ul>
<li>Your hair must be neat and tidy.</li>`;
const subst = `<div class="dotted-highlight"><strong>$1</strong><ul>`;
// The substituted value will be contained in the result variable
const result = str.replace(regex, subst);
console.log('Substitution result: ', result);
Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for JavaScript, please visit: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Regular_Expressions