Business leader Candy Chuang’s on balancing professional success and me-time with Chanel Sublimage

Chanel’s integrative approach to beauty goes beyond appearances, guided by a holistic vision of comfort, confidence and elegance, a blend of innovation and craftsmanship, sustainably sourced natural ingredients and the power of beauty rituals to foster mental resilience.

As Gabrielle Chanel, founder of the house, once said, “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” For Chanel, achieving timeless beauty also begins with self-care—turning daily routines into mindful rituals of self-love, embracing your authentic self and creating moments of personal renewal and inner harmony.

To bring this philosophy to life, Chanel hosted an exclusive event in a suite overlooking Victoria Harbour at The Peninsula Hong Kong, inviting guests to explore the house’s approach to integrative beauty through a sensory journey of its Sublimage skincare range, which promises to provide rejuvenation and ultimate pampering. From hand massages to the soothing sounds of singing bowls, the experience celebrated self-care as a vital component of beauty.

The event also featured a fireside chat with Candy Chuang, executive director of a Hong Kong-listed company, who shared her own journey of balancing self-care with a multifaceted life.

Chuang opens up about balancing her roles as a leader, mother and daughter at the Chanel Sublimage event (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)

Chuang uses on Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit, Chanel’s serum that supports skin’s natural overnight rejuvenation (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)

For Chuang, true beauty lives in balance and harmony. As a leader in her family’s property and hospitality business, as a daughter, sister and mother of two, she seamlessly shifts between these roles while remaining rooted in her authentic self.

“I think I’m a very genuine person,” she said. “I might look quite girly, but I’m actually quite boyish because I grew up with three brothers. I’m a loyal person—and I’d like to think I’m quite nice too,” she laughed.

For Chuang, beauty is “a state of mind”, echoing Gabrielle Chanel’s belief that it should begin in the heart and soul (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)

Chuang emphasises the importance of carving out space for oneself and nurturing self-care amid a busy life (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)

She recalled that when she first entered the family business, she felt the pressure to prove herself in a leadership role. “You want to impress your parents, siblings and earn their recognition—but it’s not easy,” she said, especially when family bonds and work overlap. “When they validate your work, you feel so rewarded. But if they don’t, you feel extra let down.” As she gained experience over time, she learnt to navigate between these worlds and approach her work with greater calm and maturity.

Beyond the office, her other full-time role is being a mother to Darius and Andrea. While the many responsibilities can be overwhelming, Chuang emphasised the importance of self-reflection. “No matter what role you play, it’s already great when you’ve fulfilled your responsibilities and are at peace with yourself. Then, to take it a step further, think about what you can do better,” she said.

We need to learn to love ourselves by creating space and voicing what we need

By - Candy Chuang

Amid her busy schedule, Chuang finds calm in small, simple rituals, especially since privacy at home can be scarce. “As a mother, you’ll know that the moment you get home, the kids have a hundred questions for you. Even when you’re in the bathroom, they’ll rush in,” she laughed.

Her favourite way to unwind and shift from work mode to self-care is to remove her make-up and wash her face, a habit that can take as little as five or ten minutes but helps her reset completely. “When I’m washing my face, I prefer to keep it thorough. Sometimes, I take a moment to really look at my face, give it a gentle massage and then finish with a mask.”

Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit is a serum designed to support skin’s natural overnight rejuvenation (Photo: Chanel)

Sublimage L’Essence de Teint Cushion foundation provides buildable coverage that evens, illuminates and smooths the complexion while hydrating the skin (Photo: Chanel)

Another act of self-care takes place at night when she applies skincare products. One of her essentials is Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit, a night serum that aims to accelerate the skin’s natural rejuvenation process while she sleeps, leaving her complexion rested and radiant.

“It’s truly me-time, when you can just think about yourself,” she said, adding that this can happen while watching television, listening to music or simply resting your eyes in the car. “We need to learn to love ourselves by creating space and voicing what we need.”

The founder of Chanel believes that beauty should begin in the heart and soul—a sentiment that resonates deeply with Chuang, who views beauty as “a state of mind.” To her, timeless beauty isn’t something you wear—it’s something you live by, shaped by self-awareness, deepened by compassion and shining brightly when you’re simply in sync with yourself.

Explore the La Fascia De Chanel. An exceptional rejuvenating and repairing treatment that acts on the look of all the skin’s youth parameters, enhanced by the signature La Fascia De Chanel massage. Contact a CHANEL Client Care Advisor to book an appointment by phone: +852 3622 5281, for more information: https://www.chanel.com/hk-en/skincare/les-soins-fascia-de-chanel/