One would expect a newly-single woman juggling businesses and motherhood to overwhelmed, what with a million things on her to-do list and zero time for herself. But not California-native Chriselle Lim. Recently in town for the debut of Skin Inc‘s +SABI AI, the world’s first 360 wellness and skin health coach app, the 37-year-old fashion favourite and TikTok sensation appeared radiant, confident and comfortable in her own skin that fine Thursday afternoon at the Skin Inc Institute at Scotts Square. So we needed to know how she has kept herself sane, sorted and under control despite having her children and businesses like Bümo and Phlur to maintain.
What are your favourite mantras to set the tone for the day and why are these words meaningful to you?
My favourite mantra is: “Enjoy where you’re at now. You’re right where you’re supposed to be. We’re all guilty of getting wrapped into where we should be. And all that does is cause stress and anxiety. Stay here. Stay present. Love this moment. Love yourself as you are. Stay engaged in the now.” This mantra is really important to me because, like a lot of people, I think about the future a lot instead of being present in the moment.
This mantra was my screensaver for a good six months or so, when I was going through my divorce. I was always trying to figure out what my life was going to be like, so I was in a constant state of anxiety.
Thankfully, I had a lot of support from my friends and family during this period. And this mantra reminded me that I had to be present to enjoy and cherish those moments with them.
It’s great seeing that you’re in a much better place than before, focusing on your business ventures like Phlur and Bümo while being a mum. Where in this crazy schedule do you find the time to focus on yourself?
For me, it’s always in the evening, after I’ve put my kids down to bed. I say this because it’s always chaotic in the morning. They have school and I have all these motherly duties I have to fulfil, like ensuring that their bags and lunches are properly packed. I’ m sure a lot of mothers out there will agree that there’s very little “me time” in the morning.
So after I’ve put the kids to bed, which is usually around 8.30pm, I’ll get all the work that needs to be done wrapped up within an hour. Then I’ll start on my bedtime ritual. This includes a shower or bath, using products with textures and scents that calm me down. After that, I’ll light a candle and unwind with reading a book. This is also the moment where I’ll pamper myself with skincare, masks, and facial devices. I’m very disciplined with my bedtime ritual, otherwise I’ll get back into planning mode. It’s important that I respect the boundaries that I’ve created for myself.
Do you have any SOS skincare products that you turn to to help you look your freshest in the morning after the occasional sleepless stress-induced night?
Honestly, it would be Skin Inc’s My Daily Dose Cocktail Serum. I’ve used it for many, many years and I love it because it’s customised specifically to my skin. Mine also contains vitamins A and B3, as well as licorice, that help with brightening, nourishing and clarifying my skin.
I also love that gives my skin an extra boost of hydration unlike a lot of other serums that I’ve tried. Hydration is particularly important to me because I drink too much coffee and not enough water!
It is also said that fragrances and aromas have the ability to influence your mood. As Phlur’s owner and creative director, what are some of your favourite fragrance notes and how do they make you feel?
Fragrances have a special place in my heart, and Phlur is greatly inspired by my personal journey, including my divorce and finding myself again. Actually, a lot of my favourite fragrance notes can be found in the Phlur fragrances. In one of the brand’s most viral scents, Missing Person, you can find a unique musk scent that smells like very yummy skin. A lot of people, including those who don’t even like fragrances, love it because it’s sheer, it’s comforting and feels almost like getting a warm hug. There’s also sandalwood in it, and I love how warm and sweet it is. Another one of Phlur’s fragrances, Not Your Baby, contains cardamom which is I find to be a little bit spicy and masculine, yet it’s sexy and wearable.
Nutrition is also very important for a modern day working woman to function. Do you have any go-to snacks to get your engine running in your “Feel Good” stash besides coffee?
It’s always important for us to incorporate full and healthy meals in our schedule. But on days where I really can’t because my schedule is too packed, I’ll have protein bars that has fruit and no added sugar in them. It keeps me full, and I know that at least they have some form of nutrition and provides energy for me sustainably as I run from one appointment to another. I always have these, as well as nuts and dried fruits like dates stashed away during fashion week. I also drink a lot of kombucha because it calms me down and is good for my gut health.
You’re widely known as “Rich Mom” on social media. Why is that so, and do you have any styling or beauty tips that make you look and feel like a million bucks?
I think the kids on TikTok call me Rich Mom because they think that I’m this fabulous person. But I’m really just playing that role for entertainment.
My number one tip for looking like a million bucks is to remember that you don’t have to be drenched in designer things head-to-toe. In fact, that looks kind of tacky, sometimes. To me, it’s all about the silhouette. All you need is a crisp blazer with clean lines for example, to create structure. Things like well-tailored slacks and a belt to cinch your waist are also must-haves. You can drench yourself in designer everything from head-to-toe, and you still won’t look sophisticated if there’s no structure in your silhouette. A bold red lip and sunglasses are also a great way to accent your outfit!
I must say though, that besides just looking put together, dressing up does wonders in boosting your confidence and elevating your self-esteem.
@chrisellelim Queen of boring chic fashion . I don’t know what to post on this app anymore. #ootd
Speaking of elevating one’s self esteem, how do you rebuild your kids’ confidence when they’re having a bad day?
So my oldest daughter is almost eight-years-old now. And she goes through a lot of different emotions on any given day. When she acts up or does something “bad”, I always tell her this: “You are not a bad girl. You’re a great girl who’s having a very bad day. And it’s okay, because we all have bad days.”
I think a lot of us just want our kids to be happy again. Instead of dismissing them, I allow them to process their emotions and allow them to feel crappy. This teaches them about how to process their feelings and be okay with them. It’s part of growing up and it’s part of being human, and it’s something that we can all practice too.
