Chriselle Lim On Her Everyday Wellness And Beauty Routine

I always use my Phlur Body Wash, because the scents really awaken my senses when I’m half asleep. I lather it on and then use a Korean scrub on top of it – this gets the product into my skin and makes it feel super-smooth. I listen to music when I’m in the shower; it’s the one time I have to myself, when I can listen to songs that make me happy and get me going in the morning.

I do so much throughout the day that I rarely have time to reapply my scent, so I make sure to use the same fragrance of body wash, body lotion and scent and layer them on top of each other in the morning. It really works to lock in the scent so that it becomes part of you.

…which begins with a serum that I’ve used forever – Clé de Peau Beauté The Serum. I grew up with my mom using it, too, and although it’s been reformulated over the years, it always gives me the glowiest skin. Next, I use Augustinus Bader The Light Cream and Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Niacinamide Serum, and I never leave the house without SPF. Right now, I’m using Summer Fridays’ ShadeDrops. I just love how light it is.

…so I’ve been using a prescriptive topical cream called Winlevi. It has really helped my skin, and it doesn’t dry it out at all. I use it in the morning and evening, after my entire skincare routine, usually on the chin area. I also have tiny wrinkles developing, which is fine – I’m embracing them. But I do use the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED mask two or three times a week, which helps to reduce both the acne and the wrinkles. I also use NuFace for lifting and tightening. It really does make a difference if you’re consistent with it.

I wear my favorite oversized Saint Laurent baseball cap and sunglasses. If I have to go to a meeting indoors and can’t wear sunnies or a hat, I usually apply a hydrating foundation. Right now, I’m obsessed with Clé de Peau’s Radiant Cream Foundation. I apply it with my fingers, like a moisturizer, because it gives a dewy effect with amazing coverage. I also use a brightening under-eye concealer, such as Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I go one or two shades lighter to really brighten the area. Then I apply Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, which has a bit of a sheen to it, to give my skin a little ‘pop’. I really focus on making my skin glow and my cheeks rosy, because once skin glows, you instantly look put together and alive.

She’s 90 years old but she still focuses on looking and feeling beautiful – and she always says that what you eat shows on your skin. Korean culture really focuses on collagen-heavy food, so I eat lots of bone broth and bone marrow. My grandma also taught me to use good skincare on top of my makeup. Sun damage is real, so I’m all about sun protection, too. I am that girl who sits under a parasol on vacation, because I just don’t want my skin to see the sun. I always wear a hat when I’m driving and put SPF on my hands, too. It’s also important to keep your skin hydrated. Women in Korea hydrate throughout the day, which means applying moisturizer and spritzing your face all day long – almost every hour. Your skin eats up all that moisture, so it needs more than we think.

…so, to get over jet lag, my trick is sleep, water and sweat. I always, always travel with Dream Water (a natural sleep aid), which is sold at most airports. I don’t know if it really works, but it seems to make me feel a little drowsy so I can fall asleep on the plane quite easily. As soon as I’ve arrived at my destination, I’ll go to the gym, because I bloat quite easily on the plane and sweating that excess water out really helps. I also swear by a massage, or I’ll sit in the steam room, if the hotel has one. After sitting on an airplane for several hours, it’s important to reset and relax your muscles, to boost blood flow and allow your body to rest and get a proper night’s sleep.

…but my body doesn’t react well to dairy. I still eat an ice cream every now and again, because who can resist ice cream? I’ll occasionally eat cheese, too, but I know what’s going to happen: my skin immediately breaks out, I bloat, and I just don’t feel good. So I try to cut out as much dairy as I can. I also try not to eat any sugar or carbs after 7pm if I’m at home, but I don’t restrict myself when I’m traveling or out for dinner.

When I was going through my divorce, it was something that helped me navigate the emotional rollercoaster and get me back on track to a healthy mindset. I didn’t realize how important therapy is to help create a balanced outlook. As far as my daily wellness is concerned, working out is everyday therapy for me. I’m not in the right mindset if I don’t get some cardio in. I do a mixture of Barry’s Bootcamp, Pilates and the Peloton. I also listen to a podcast called The Affirmation Pod with Josie Ong while I’m going through my skincare routine in the morning. She does the best affirmations. They really help with anything you’re going through, whether you’re prepping for a big meeting and feeling nervous or you’re trying to be hopeful and want to feel more grateful.