Curious what a day in the life of a magazine editor looks like? Keep reading to find out what advice Emily would give to those who are entering a creative industry, her tips for establishing a capsule wardrobe, and her favourite beauty products (you’ll never guess how many lipsticks she has)!
Has fashion always been your passion? Can you tell us how you started your career?
I went to makeup school in Toronto after returning from living in Australia. After graduating the year-long program, I worked in the industry for 6 years as makeup artist, working at MAC, and in film and television. I was very happy but I was starting to lose my passion for doing makeup, so I started looking for other options. I still wanted to stay working in beauty so I interned at FASHION Magazine for 8 months, and I got into editorial and worked at a couple of different magazines. I’ve been a contributing beauty and fashion editor at Chatelaine for over a year now, and it’s been a great opportunity. I’ve met some amazing people and I’ve been loving it so far!
What does a typical day look like for you?
It depends on the day. Mostly I have 1-2 events to attend per day. I go to the office twice a week, so the other three days I’m working from home. Every day is different, and that’s one reason why I like this job so much. I’m never bored and I’m always doing something that’s interesting. It’s hard to think of a typical day, but the majority of the time it’s just me writing with my dog on the couch. It’s a balance - some days are very exciting, some days are more relaxing.
"Beauty is such a small industry, and it’s kind
of like a family. It's all about making
connections and bonding with people."
What advice do you have for readers looking to enter the fashion industry?
Working in beauty and fashion is very challenging and competitive. I have this female mentor who really helped me get a job in this industry, and she’s always looked out for me. I’m here today because of her. In terms of advice, hard work is the most essential thing. Especially in this industry, you get what you put in. To stand out from everyone else, you have to be hyper-organized and always meet your deadlines. Also, being easy to work with will take you really far. Schedules are always changing, and the job entails a lot of traveling, so being flexible is very important. Finally, you need to make connections. A lot of my friends in this industry are people that I met when we were all getting into it. Beauty is such a small industry, and it’s kind of like a family - it’s a very tight community. So it’s all about making connections and bonding with people who you work with, that will really help you in the long run.
What are three clothing items you’d recommend for our readers looking to establish a capsule wardrobe?
That’s tough because I feel like a lot of people would say blazers or pumps, but I don’t own any of those, and I don’t necessarily think you need to. The most important thing is for people to embrace their own style. For myself, it’s really about having those couple of key pieces that I know if i had a big meeting I can throw that on, but I still wear Converse most days and rarely wear high heels. So it’s about having those key pieces that you feel comfortable in, finding those items that you can rely on and that fit you properly. You can be creative with your outfits by exploring different accessories and shoes if that’s going to make you stand out, and that’s more important than trying to fit the mould of whatever you think you’re supposed to wear to a business meeting.
My three key pieces are a black silk jumpsuit, a good pair of low heels or flats or mules, and a bright lipstick or statement earrings. I would always carry a bright lipstick in my bag - lipstick ties everything together.
Emily pictured wearing her new favourite lipstick, Sunset Lover from Charlotte Tilbury
What’s your favourite lipstick?
That’s a very tough question - I probably have close to 500 lipsticks! I always have a red on me, MAC’s Ruby Woo is a classic and essential red that I think everyone should own. I really like NARS’s Audacious Lipstick in Kate, it’s a nice deep purple that’s not too red and Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Leche. I also like Charlotte Tilbury and Stila too. Maybelline has some great lipsticks too! Those brands are typically my go-to. If you need a long-wearing lipstick, NARS Powermatte Lip Pigments are amazing. They set but they don’t dry out your lips.
Do you have any morning routines or evening rituals to keep you balanced?
I try to go to spin class as much as I can because it keeps my mind sane. I also take my dog out for a nice walk in the morning and try to start my day off outside. It can be hard when your schedule is all over the place, but I try to get at least one nice long walk in.
What’s one skincare product you can’t live without?
SPF. It prevents aging and protects you from sun damage. I usually use 50+ from Drunk Elephant, La Roche-Posay , and MAC Face Protect. I also have oily skin so a good scrub or exfoliating peel are other ones that I cannot live without. A few of my faves include T.L.C. Framboos from Drunk Elephant, Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Peel and Goop’s Exfoliating Instant Facial.
