Bling Empire's Christine Chiu Swears By This Body Oil—and It's on Sale

The Netflix reality star opens up about family vacations, how she finds time for self-care, and more favorite things.

Bling Empire's Christine Chiu Swears By This Body Oil—and It's on Sale

Christine Chiu has a packed schedule, but what else would you expect from one of the wildly wealthy stars of Netflix's Bling Empire? On the reality series about a group of Asian and Asian American friends living their best lives, Chiu brings the glitz and glamour…and some drama. But that's just the surface of who she is.

Behind the scenes, Chiu is a co-producer of the series (which has been renewed for a second season). She also runs a business, invests in startups, and is writing a children's book in her free time. “I'm most looking forward to people and audiences seeing a different side of me,” she tells Glamour about season two, adding, “Or perhaps a more authentic side and a much more peeled-back side to me.”

So, who exactly is Christine Chiu? After chatting with her, it's clear she considers herself a family woman first and foremost. The 38-year-old multi-hyphenate is wife to Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Gabriel Chiu and mom to her toddler-aged son, whom she affectionately calls “Baby G.” And balancing her multiple professions with home life isn't as seamless as it may seem on TV.

“I am struggling a little, to be honest, because my son, in the last couple of days actually said,” she says, pausing to find the right words. "It broke my heart…I have been thinking about it non-stop. He said, 'Mama doesn't love me. Mama doesn't have time for me, and I don't love mama because mama doesn't spend time with me.' It's all variations of that sentiment that he keeps spurting out."

Chiu continues, “I really had to take a moment and figure out a better balance because nothing is more important to me than my time with my husband and my time with Baby G." One of the ways she's celebrating her son is by writing a children's book in his honor.

“I was sad to see there was a lack of Asian representation in children's books,” Chiu explains. “So, I'm working on a children's book series that will explore and celebrate Asian and Asian-Americans. The book series is for kids zero to six. I've broken it down into three stages within that age range. It's Baby G and his friends and their adventures and the things they learn.”

Read on for more of Christine Chiu's favorites here, with our latest installment of Your Fave's Faves.

I never had Barbie dolls when I was growing up. I never had dolls in general because my parents were so focused on books and academics. As an adult that suppressed energy all came out on me; and then when I had baby G, it all spilled over to him. I think anything miniature is so much fun to look at. Armani makes cute baby and toddler clothes. It's pretty understated.

Armani Stretch Piqué Polo Shirt with Striped Trim

My self-care is taking a long shower in the morning and having my water very hot. I do all of my most important thinking in the morning. In the shower is where you can't even be tempted to answer a text. You definitely can't receive a call. Even people at my gate buzzing can't come in. Then at night, I'm very blessed to have a pilates studio in my guest house. That's my treat to myself. I do pilates as much as possible and that helps, to kind of meditate during that time and reflect on the day. 

I'm very much involved and engaged in the beauty industry. Of course, I'm married to a plastic surgeon, so he vets everything for me and kind of declutters. It's easy to be drawn to the beautiful packaging and the really clever marketing. When you've worked in the beauty industry and you have a scientific medical professional at your side, you can dive through all of the ingredients and sift through the fluff. You end up with the best and most effective products, and time is money. I love SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel, and SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum. I also use Skinbetter’s InterFuse Face and Neck Treatment Cream and I use, I call it the saran wrap, but it's the U Beauty Resurfacing Compound. For the body, I use Mutha Body Butter and the best body oil ever. I swear by it.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel

SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum

Skinbetter InterFuse Face and Neck Treatment Cream

U Beauty Resurfacing Compound

Mutha Body Butter

Mutha Body Oil

It’s kind of interesting for me because I only enjoy shopping when it’s experiential, like shopping on vacation or shopping from fashion week after the show. I like to go into the showroom and meet with the designer, the team, and the people. I really like getting in there and understanding the vision and the process and asking questions about the materials. I'm a super fashion nerd and I really want to know more about where something comes from or what ignited this particular look and what does the designer envision. Who is the woman or man that the designer sees in this particular outfit? So whenever I have an opportunity to dive deeper into fashion, I enjoy it. But shopping for the sake of just getting something to wear on your body, I don't enjoy as much.

My husband and I have different travel styles, but the combination of the two of ours makes for the perfect trip. I love to learn and experience and try new things. My vacations are always very academic and active. It's a lot of museums. The first time we went to Rome, we went to the Vatican Gardens. We set up lunch because I wanted to meet the pope. I wanted to learn everything in the Vatican museum. He likes to park himself on a beach; it's because he has such a stressful, intense job every day. He likes to mellow out with a nice beer in his hand and watch me and Baby G run around.

We just came back from Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn. not too long ago, and we went fly fishing and did archery and clay shooting. Baby G loved Farmer John. We spent mornings with Farmer John, picking out veggies for the day and making our meals with the chef there and milking goats. It was so nice. That is the ultimate luxury—just having the time to enjoy nature and to think about nature too, to listen to the birds and to listen to the water and to listen to each other. Money cannot buy that.

I'm a sucker for Reggaeton. I turn it on blast all the time because it puts me in a really good mood. I am still listening to “Despacito.” It just brings me back to my husband's 50th birthday. We flew several couples out to Costa Palmas, a community in the Cabo area. We were there before everything was built. They had these little luxury huts for us, and we were blasting “Despacito,” drinking all-day, all-night. It was the best time, so it brings back that memory.

My biggest trick when it comes to culinary arts is that you have to master five dishes. If you just have to whip something up, you've got your five go-tos. My five that I’ve mastered along the way are so random, but: I'm really good with a bouillabaisse, osso buco, creme brûlée french toast, tiramisu, and I have a really good Italian meatloaf that's juicy but lean. I just rotate those five things and then people think I’m so great in the kitchen because I’m so quick and I can whip things up with my eyes closed. I’ve only been practicing for 15 years the same five dishes.

Paulina Jayne Isaac is a freelance writer based out of Philadelphia. You can follow her on Instagram @paulinajayne15.

This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Paulina Jayne Isaac