A Sydney beauty guide
Eyebrows to acupuncture
Hi and welcome to my Substack. The Rich Creme* is about beauty — what it is, what it means, how things work, what’s good, what’s not, unexpected recommendations, habits, rituals… and lots of tools to help you navigate it on your own terms.
Beauty is also about community so you can expect lots of profiles, contributors and interviews. If you have something to add on a post, please comment! Some of the best recommendations I’ve ever received have come from strangers on the internet.
I thought I’d start with any interesting news (I’ll make this a regular thing), some 2025 predictions because I couldn’t help myself, an exhaustive Sydney beauty guide, and finally a product of the week.
Enjoy x
Headlines and saves:
Skinceuticals got Tranexamic Acid approved with the TGA in Australia, so you can now buy the Discolouration Defence Serum.
Lara Worthington posted she’s finally bringing back her ‘The Base’ tinted moisturiser this year and it’s part of a wider colour cosmetics brand launch.
Gracie Abrams in a CHANEL bow, creative direction by Sofia Copolla… so good.
Celine are releasing 14 new shades of its Le Rouge lipstick, including a black one called ‘nightclubbing’…
Charlotte Tilbury launched a campaign about being ‘undupable’ (as she should).
Cheap shampoo is back because of Alix Earle.
Kim Kardashian’s VC company bought a minority stake in 111Skin (the brand famous for its sheet masks).
And now, some 2025 trend predictions, diluted with my own opinions :)
I’m calling this ‘Yes’ and ‘Less’ instead of In’s and Out’s —
YES
Chic hair brushes (Maison Pearson, La Bonne Brosse, Hair Mate, Altesse, Yves Durif, Officine Universelle Buly)
Packaging that doubles as an accessory, like this CHANEL charm or Bottega comb with a leather sleeve or Celine lipstick case that I desperately need… credit where credit is due to Elsa Peretti
Growth factors. Elizabeth Hands of Stallë Studios told me Bioeffect EGF is her favourite serum, so did ‘things.i.bought.and.liked’ on Instagram (best account, by the way). Also, look at Dr. Diamond Metacine. Manifesting my name on this PR list…
Bare nails. I wish I had this nailhorn buffer :(
Alternatively, CHANEL FUGUEUSE navy is the only colour I’m interested in.
Food scents and perfumes — not coconuts and caramel but weird stuff, like Loewe mushroom
DIY face masks, like Manuka honey
Sulfur (it’s the best spot treatment)
Mandelic Acid
TirTir Cushion foundation (it’s crazy good)
Spearmint tea
Facial osteopathy — I tried this in Paris last year
Having a sunscreen wardrobe; different formulas for different occasions
Monastery Made (love this brand)
Fueguia perfumes
Air drying your hair
Pastels (mint, lilac, peach). Have you seen this purple CHANEL shadow?
Cadillac Pilates
Oil Pulling
Wellness tourism (retreats, detoxes, hiking)
LESS
Filler
Latte, mocha, blueberry, strawberry, tomato girl micro trends
Glazed nails (sorry)
The morning shed, it’s weird
Gatekeeping procedures (just tell us)
Blatant beauty dupes
Counterfeit beauty products (Dior Lip Oil on DHGate? Not good)
Brands launching new products all the time. Slow is okay.
Sydney Beauty Guide: Where I Go
10 years of road-testing has prepared me for this…
Brow Love by Jules (brows)
Julia is my person and just gets my eyebrows. I do a wax and tint and while they look very sculpted for a day or two, when they settle they’re fluffy and even.
Rationale (skin)
Rationale is a religion and the facials are like communion: rewarding, educational (I recommend the Visia skin analysis to start) and a perfect harmony of relaxation and results. They use their classic skincare but also clinical formulas that aren’t for sale. Massage, LED light and gentle peels are all part of it, depending on the treatment you choose. I like the cryo one — it’s freezing cold and leaves your skin void of pores. We all deserve this!
Fenn (skin)
Fenn is the place to go if you want that transcendent post-facial feeling. Lots of massage, steam and deep breathing, but also LED and brands like Lesse and Rationale. I love to gift Fenn vouchers to friends + family.
Nicole Manning (skin)
Nicole actually co-founded Fenn and before that, Onda. Now she performs treatments out of a space in Mosman. Nicole is such a gifted facialist, her massage will change you. Everything she does is customised, you just book a period of time. She’ll do extractions, LED, the whole thing.
Ageless Clinics (skin, injectables, aesthetics etc)
I am not really into injectables or heavy-duty treatments like salmon sperm but Ageless and Dr Maryam is where I would go if I was. I’ve had a few rounds of masseter Botox with her. She’s honest, discerning, careful, subtle and super knowledgeable.
Melanie Grant (skin)
I love all of Mel’s facials, but I recommend the Biologique Recherche remodelling treatment. It’s so good, so lifting, you’ll want to FaceTime everyone you know straight after. Perfect pre-event.
Venustus (massage)
The best massage you’ll have in Sydney (probably Australia) is at Venustus. Each treatment is intuitive, thoughtful and nourishing — also a little bit spiritual so be ready for that. The treatments happen in these steel pods or ‘cocoons’, and you wear headphones to block out distractions. The founder Jeannie and her team really want you to take care of you, most of her clients have been with her for decades.
Jackies Sports Massage (massage)
For a cheap and cheerful but not scary massage.
Dr Lesley Kuok (TCM)
Traditional Chinese Medicine really works for me. I’ve been seeing Dr Lesley in Haymarket on and off for years for urticaria, acne, missing periods, hair loss, general hormone health… She’s never let me down.
This place sits underneath my chiropractor (Dr Des Deen) and it’s where I buy my Bach Flower Remedies, herbs, pure skin oils… all that witchy stuff.
Framework by Miranda (remedial type massage)
I only met Miranda at the end of 2024 — she was treating me at a work event and I was so tight she messaged me to invite me back to her clinic in Bellevue Hill (lol). She’s kind of under the radar but incredible. I suppose it’s a massage, but Miranda has a diploma in remedial therapy and spent most of her career working with physiotherapists so has a lot of experience and knowledge of the body. If you get stiff, tight or achy she’s the one (and she is STRONG, don’t be fooled).
One of the best things that happened to me from a wellness perspective in 2024 was meeting Laura Halls. She’s a Pilates instructor who teaches Cadillac classes out of her terrace in Woolahra. The workouts are hard but enjoyable, she’s attentive and she’s always got a Trudon candle burning. Love her.
For the best bone broth and other wholefoods. I fear people that drink bone broth glow more.
Made for Mothers (food delivery service)
This isn’t a destination but the best meal service for when your life is a mess but you don’t want to eat weird scraps. Everything is delicious but I especially love the congee.
The Nimbus Co (sauna + ice bath)
I love a little sauna/cold plunge and my favourite is the outdoor space at Nimbus & Co in Bondi. It’s airy, private and clean. Plus the sauna is hot, and the cold plunge is cold.
Raw Anthony Nader (hair)
Anthony has cut my hair for the last six or so years. He is a master at effortless, easy cuts that look and feel cool but are actually manageable at home.
Pearly White Smiles (teeth whitening)
For at-home teeth whitening that makes a visible difference. No pain or sensitivity for me, either.
USA Nails Bellevue Hill (mani + pedi)
I’m off gel nails right now but I can’t pretend this isn’t my favourite spot. It’s cash only :| For a nicer at home manicure you need to know about Tulin Coban.
Got a secret spot? Please share it with the group below. I would LOVE to know a good derm….
Product of the week
CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Body Wash
I took this home over Christmas and it’s so fragranced that I could smell my husband in the shower from down the hall.
Next week: Skincare routine basics + a detailed Google doc with ALL my recommendations in every category.
Also coming: A personal fragrance index, unsexy products for clear skin, the products + procedures my friends love plus more Google docs...
So happy you’re here 👋🏼 🤍
Thanks for this post. 🤍🙌🏼