Emily Algar on The Art of Intentional Beauty

June 18, 2025

EMILY ALGAR

Beauty Editor at RUSSH & Creator of The Rich Creme.

In a world saturated with beauty content, some voices stand apart not just for what they say, but how they say it. Emily Algar has spent nearly a decade developing that voice - honest, intimate, and refreshingly practical, across publications including Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, and now as Beauty Editor at RUSSH.

Each week through her substack The Rich Creme, Emily offers a perspective on beauty that feels like advice from a knowledgeable friend rather than an untouchable expert.

Her approach cuts through industry noise with conversational clarity and genuine enthusiasm that transforms product discussions into storytelling.

In our latest PALME Journal, we explore how someone who professionally navigates the sensory world creates personal moments of calm and intention beyond the page.

BEAUTY BEYOND PRODUCTS

How do you separate the beauty practices you write about professionally from your personal evening wind-down routine?

I genuinely love beauty, I always have. I enjoy it from a work perspective, but also as a consumer…I can talk to anyone about skincare or makeup for hours because I’m such a beauty girl, I think that helps.

Writing is more about research and story-telling. I curate information, interview experts and sift through news to share what’s interesting, innovative or inspiring. It’s typically less about me… unless I’m creating for a personal platform, like Instagram or Substack.

MORNING + EVENING ROUTINES

What do your morning & evening routines look like when you're not professionally evaluating products? How do you handle products that don't work for you?

It’s probably a lot less elaborate than people would think. I also keep it pretty consistent, especially when it comes to skincare. I’ve used mostly the same products for the last 8+ years. I do try new things because I want to, and sometimes it’s necessary, but I’m very discerning and have a pretty good sense of what’s good or what will work for me. But trying new launches is so much fun - I live for it.

Most mornings look like:

I get up around 6, oil pull (I started this habit after spending a week in Bangkok at a health retreat in January, an Ayurvedic doctor recommended I take it up and now I’m addicted to the ritual), and do my morning pages. They kind of end up resembling a to-do list but at least I try…

Then I’ll have warm water with lemon, The Beauty Chef Glow Powder, followed by a double espresso. If I have time, I’ll go for a walk or to a Yoga/Pilates class. Once all that’s done, I’ll check social media. I am chronically online from that point so I am pretty diligent with staying off Instagram and TikTok first thing.

Skincare-wise, I splash my face with water and use an antioxidant, moisturiser and sunscreen.

If I’m tired or flat I’ll use my ice roller and LED mask as well. I love Rationale products, Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream, and anything from Skinceuticals, Biologique Recherche or Emma Lewisham. I am also a diehard Cicaplast fan and love it under makeup. I rotate a little, but right now I am using Rationale Serum 1 and 2 religiously (IYKYK). I love Actinica sunscreen, as well. I’ll only put makeup on if I’m going out.

Most evenings look like:

At night, I double cleanse (I love Rationale 4, but also enjoy Drunk Elephant Mello Marula, it’s so creamy and plush) and will either exfoliate or use Retinol. I am very loyal to P50 or Rationale Serum No. 5, but also love the Vintner’s Daughter Essence. As for Retinol, Rationale No. 6 has been my holy grail for years. I keep it simple with just moisturiser some nights, too.

As for winding down, I’m not as disciplined as I am in the morning. I often work late, but on a good night I’ll watch something with my husband, have a spearmint tea, magnesium and get to sleep by 10:30 ish… I do scroll in bed but kind of love it. I sleep fine, so I don’t punish myself.

For more details on Emily’s routine read this substack.

WRITER'S REPOSE

How does your approach shift between writing for publications versus your personal project, The Rich Creme? Do you have rituals that help you transition between different creative spaces?

To be honest, not really. The only mindset shift is when I’m writing for RUSSH print. I spend a lot more time questioning and re-working every single sentence. I also need to lock my phone away/eliminate any distractions. Writing for online is a lot easier, probably because I can fix mistakes after the fact.

Working on personal projects, like my Substack, is fun because it’s open-ended. I decide on topics intuitively and don’t rely on data or trends. The platform also feels quite different to traditional publishing mediums, so it guides the tone, style and subject matter.

Overall, I am very easily distracted and scattered (lol). I work best under pressure or a firm deadline.

SENSORY STORYTELLING

What textures, scents, or tactile elements feature most prominently in your rest rituals? What sensory cues signal to your body that it's time to rest?

I love this question - I am a huge scent person and love smells. I love to put essential oils on my wrists when I practice yoga, burn sage at home or use fragranced body products.

In terms of beauty rituals specifically I love oils, too. A hot shower and slather of body oil is the easiest way for me to reset. I don’t like them on my face, but I always put essential oils into my body products. I love clove, eucalyptus and patchouli.

Peek into Emily's remarkable fragrance world via her ‘256 ways to smell good’ substack, her personal library houses an astonishing 256 different scents.

CULTIVATING QUIET

In the fast pace of your day, what unexpected practice has become essential to finding genuine stillness? Has anything surprising become vital to your sense of calm?

My friends and husband will attest to the fact that I am always over-committed and terrible at time management, but I find I fare okay when I’m busy. I’m good with consistent movement though; I practice yoga 1-2 times per week, walk everywhere and never skip my Tuesday morning Pilates.

Not checking my phone the second I wake up is also one of the best habits I’ve picked up. It sounds ridiculous but I’m someone who is behind a screen for 10+ hours a day, so the small break makes a huge difference.

I also love to swim!

NON NEGOTIABLES

In an industry that is constantly evolving, updating and changing, what are your never shifting, non negotiables?

The obsession with newness is one of the things that bothers me most in this industry, actually. Innovation is exciting but the trends are incessant, it’s exhausting and promotes over-consumption.

My non-negotiables are pretty simple:

Morning: Oil pulling, water, caffeine, movement, ideally some fresh air, hydration and sun protection.

Evening: Double cleansing, a hot shower, hydration, magnesium.

THE NOTES

Emily's substack, The Rich Creme, has become an essential part of my weekly reading ritual. Her approach to beauty feels refreshingly honest, never prescriptive, always thoughtful.

She cuts through the noise of endless product launches and trend cycles, offering instead the kind of considered perspective that feels both timeless and deeply personal. I often find myself returning to her archives, discovering new layers in pieces I've read before too. It's the rare beauty writing that feels as nourishing as the products she writes about.

I have lost countless evenings happily absorbed in her Substack, The Rich Cream, and could not recommend it enough.