Career Tips, Creativity and the Best Beauty Buys from RUSSH’s Beauty Editor, Emily Morello
“I actually think it's quite cool to care and go after what you want. 2025 is all about confidence for me.”
Introducing the first of many posts of my Creative Career series: interviews of founders and creatives in the industry on their experiences, tips and how they came to be where they are today.
It is fitting that my first interview is with my dear friend and beauty’s cool girl: Emily Morello. Whilst she may be seen attending galas with Dior, Paris with CHANEL, Tokyo with Jo Malone, Emily is one of the most hard-working and humble girls on the internet.
Name: Emily Morello (nee Algar)
Career Title: RUSSH Beauty Editor, Content Creator, Journalist and Editor of Substack: The Rich Creme.
On When She Knew She Wanted to be in Magazines: I've wanted to be a journalist since I was a teenager. Magazines felt like a good fit - beauty especially. I think there's something really special about print and the longevity of it.
On How She Got Here: I studied a communication degree at Newcastle Uni, double majoring in journalism and public relations. My first ‘big break’ was an internship at Girlfriend and Total Girl magazines, I think I cold emailed the editor because I didn't know anyone in the industry. From that point I interned at Beauticate with Sigourney who was the former beauty director at Vogue. I ended up working there part time for a few years, commuting from Port Stephens (where I grew up). I was eventually hired full time to work at Byrdie – I loved that job and was devastated when I was made redundant 4 ish years into it. I've held a few roles since, but quit full time journalism in the pandemic to spend more time copywriting and creating social content.
Now I am part time at RUSSH, part time everything else (a content creator, predominantly beauty, and I take on copywriting clients when I have capacity)! Also, I have a Substack - The Rich Creme.
A Core Creative Memory: While I wasn't the creative behind it, seeing the RUSSH beauty annual come to fruition last year was really rewarding; it's probably the most beautiful magazine I've had the pleasure of reading.
I've also had conversations with some incredible industry tastemakers - the most memorable ones are Peter Philips, Jessica Defino, Gregoris Pyrpilis, Dominic Roipon, Dianna Cohen, Pat MacGrath, Guido Palau and Randi Christiansen. Sometimes I can't believe I have access to these people.
On Getting Creatively Inspired: A long walk fixes almost any creative block. Also, reading the work of writers I admire. If I'm truly stuck, I'll flick through old copies of RUSSH, Gentlewoman, XO Jane or Into The Gloss. I actually find Substack really inspiring, too.
Something People Might Not Know: I am a terrible speller and a really slow writer: when I'm writing a longer feature I almost exclusively work late at night, like midnight onwards. I am a huge procrastinator and need a looming deadline to get my ass into gear. It adds to stress levels but I've accepted I'm just best under pressure.
The Biggest Impact on her Career Thus Far:
“Having a presence on social media has changed my career in a big way, both in terms of opportunity and financial stability. It's like running a small media platform. I also enjoy the diversity of work and creative element - beauty is very visual so it makes a lot of sense to me.”
Her greatest takeaways from being in the industry: It's a small industry, being kind and professional is really important. Personally I think diversifying your income is smart. Having complimentary skills (editing, photography, writing) is helpful. Influencers and content creators didn't exist when I was studying journalism at Uni. Who knows what it will look like in 10 years?
Shes most likely to respond to a pitch when: It's personalised, relevant and I have a relationship with the person sending it. If I see an email that says “Hi there” I will probably delete it.
Her biggest tip to those wanting to get into the industry: Be nice, professional and motivated. Network. Cold email if you have to. Get online - start an Instagram, a substack, a tiktok. Having a presence and personal brand will only help you.
On her wish for the industry in the next few years: More curation, honesty, thoughtful content - more substance. To be honest, this is why I love Substack. I saw someone post that Instagram is the shopping mall, and Substack is the library. Feels so true.
On a promise she wants to keep to herself: I actually think it's quite cool to care and go after what you want. 2025 is all about confidence for me.
Favourite Beauty Products
I have so many, but new favourites include -
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid - this is brand new but one of the best zinc sunscreens I've ever tried.
Rationale The Radiance Booster Serum - I'll always be a Rationale girl. This is so plumping for fresh, glossy skin.
Celine Le Rouge lipstick - these remind me of my grandmother. They're thick and balmy with a musky floral scent, like a real lipstick. They feel vintage. The colour payoff is also incredible.
Biologique Recherche Creme de Soin Conditioner - I try so many hair products but this is elite, a beautiful conditioner for shiny, hydrated hair without any weight. I have very fine hair and can't use most conditioners - this is definitely an exception.
You can find Emily on Instagram HERE and her Substack, The Rich Creme, HERE
PSA: I hope you have enjoyed the first month of Creative Direction. It would mean so much to me for you to like, comment, or share this post or others, to support my work.