Emma Lewisham Takes Us Inside Her Beauty Bag

This Kiwi cult beauty label has built quite the following since its founding in 2019 – with the likes of Margot Robbie, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett all counting themselves as fans. Eponymous founder Emma Lewisham has given her brand an edge in the beauty market by prioritising natural formulations with a skin physiology-first approach, tapping into up to 25 active ingredients per product. And with its circular approach – which has earned the Emma Lewisham label both B Corp and Climate Positive certifications – the brand has become a world leader in sustainable beauty. ‘For me, it is always the principle of quality over quantity,’ says the woman behind it all. ‘I’m really mindful of cleansing my face properly in the morning and evening.’ Below, Emma Lewisham takes us through her beauty bag and daily routine, and shares her personal beauty philosophy.

What’s Inside My Beauty Bag? With Emma Lewisham

Emma Lewisham

Let’s start with the bag itself – describe it for us?

It’s my grandmother’s vintage Hermès – a beautiful piece that reminds me of her. There’s something meaningful about carrying something that has its own story and history. It’s perfectly sized for my everyday essentials.

Do you have any non-negotiable beauty rituals?

For me, it is always the principle of quality over quantity. I’m really mindful of cleansing my face properly in the morning and evening. But the most important one for me is daily SPF 50 use. We’ve just launched our Sunceutical range, which has been eight years in the making – we set out to create an SPF range that was luxurious and desirable using the highest quality ingredients, but also had the highest performance and certifications in the world.

Tell us about your morning skincare routine – cleanser?

Thorough cleansing in the morning is important. I believe cleansers should not only take away from the skin when they cleanse, but be actively adding back to support the skin barrier – through hydration, nourishment and antioxidant protection.

Serums?

Either our Supernatural Vitale Elixir, which is a revolutionary age-defying treatment that both reduces and strengthens your skin’s long-term wrinkle resistance, or our Skin Reset Serum, which targets hyperpigmentation and brightening in a novel and powerful way. It was our very first product. It’s been the most powerful hyperpigmentation product for me.

SPF?

I always finish with our Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème, which is a beautiful and luxurious product on the skin. I look forward to using it each morning, it has elevated SPF to being an enjoyable part of my morning ritual, rather than an obligatory, functional step.

Anything else pre-makeup?

Our SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum. It can act as a primer and replace makeup as it gives skin a real glow and refinement to the complexion.

Which item instantly makes you feel ready to tackle the day?

There’s no one product, it’s honestly my morning routine as a whole. Starting with the process of cleansing and priming my skin for the serums and crèmes that will follow. Then some lipstick and an eyelash curler. It’s this complete ritual that makes me feel prepared and put together.

What’s the one beauty item you always carry in your handbag?

Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum for touch-ups during the day. Also, my Sisley Hairbrush.

Tell us about a beauty trend you love?

Going back to less is more – moving away from 10 or 12 step routines to something more minimal. Quality over quantity. I also love the move towards refills, although we as an industry need to go one step further and implement circular take-back programmes to keep materials in circulation. (You can find out about the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle programme here.)

And one you can’t wait to see fall out of fashion?

This idea that more ingredient concentration equals more results – the race to higher percentages and the focus on single ingredients. It’s not how the skin works. The skin works in such a coordinated way. People are starting to see that higher dosages of active ingredients are actually compromising skin barriers, rather than helping them.

What’s something you did beauty-wise in your youth that you’d never do again?

I used to lighten my hair and it really dried it out. When you’re working against something that’s not natural to you, there comes a compromise. Now being 40, I’ve come to peace with my attributes and qualities and really embracing who I am.

The best piece of beauty advice you’ve been given?

It sounds cliché, but my mother and grandmother always modelled to me that beauty is someone who’s interesting and intelligent and kind and thoughtful. Those qualities really do shine through, and we should spend more time working on those attributes than our aesthetics.

What’s your beauty philosophy?

Very much holistic. It’s 360 degrees – what I put on my skin, but also what I feed my body with whole foods. I rarely drink alcohol, I exercise every day, I sleep well, I meditate, I feed my mind with great books, time with family and friends. It’s so much about what you do – not just your skincare, but everything being in alignment. I really prioritise clean, natural, high-quality whole foods, and that’s also in alignment with what I put on my skin.

What item do you think should be in every beauty bag?

A high-quality SPF that you actually enjoy using. Protection is essential, but it should feel good and look good too.

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