Bare and Beautiful: Michelle Chen Of RARE SkinFuel Is Not Afraid To Put Her Bare Face Forward

It turns out, confidence is the secret to glowing skin.

We get it, not everyone likes to be seen bare-faced. Whether we like to admit it or not, many of us have skin issues—be it dry skin or hormonal acne—that make us feel self-conscious. Taking care of our skin can be fun and rewarding, but it can sometimes be overwhelming with so much information about skincare out there. 

What makes good skincare? If you ask Michelle Chen, founder of RARE SkinFuel, she’ll answer without a second thought: “100% cold-pressed and natural”. Anyone who’s met Chen would tell you about her flawless, eggshell-looking skin. The #mumtrepreneur doesn’t need to convince anyone that her products work—her skin is already the best testimonial.

Chen started RARE SkinFuel for a very special reason—her daughter. The Taiwanese-American #bossbabe believes in the power of skincare as an empowerment tool that encourages women to “reveal, not conceal”. So she started her daughter young with RARE’s natural skincare made in Australia, which is 100% safe even for kids.

Michelle Chen and her daughter Danica. (Photo: Courtesy of RARE SkinFuel)

Have you always wanted to have your own business?

I started working at 16 years old. I started my career almost 10 years earlier than most people in Hong Kong.  After working in various jobs for over 15 years and being a full-time mother to raise my 6-year-old daughter Danica. I learned both ownerships of being a good employee and an employer. 

To enjoy what I do—it was essential to combine both my passion and love into the business model, thus I built a brand that consist the skincare products that works for anti-ageing and a spa service I am happy to go to for work.  

If one thing I did learn from my entrepreneur journey—always treat yourself as your first customer and ask “Would I buy the product and the service myself?” 

What defines a modern woman in 2021 to you?

To me, a modern woman in 2021 is definitely a woman with superpower. She can be a working mom, a new mom, a woman who just started dating or to be married. All of us have encountered difficulty in every aspect of our life.  Although these responsibilities can be uneasy, these superwomen make it seem like a breeze.  

I always choose to see the good in everything that happens in my life. I learned better time management, patience and mostly the way I react to situations. No longer to be afraid, just trust.   

RARE SkinFuel’s 100% cold-pressed produces is made with certified organic and native Australian ingredients. (Photo: Courtesy of RARE SkinFuel)

What’s one accessory every woman must have?

I think one accessory that every woman must have is “Be a girl with mind, a woman with attitude, and a lady with class”.  It is more powerful than any expensive pieces to own in her closet.  It speaks about the power you have as a modern woman. It is classic and never go out of style. 

What does your self-care routine look like?

Self-care routine for me is to fill in the missing pieces. Being a business owner, a women boss, and a full-time mom, I don’t get a defined day like weekdays or weekend. I live everyday like every other day.

What keeps me going is my self-care routine. As the saying goes, “You can't pour from an empty cup”.  So I take care of myself very well from the food I eat, the workout I do, the beauty treatment I get. In order to deliver the best quality of my own for the people I need to take care of.  

Always remember you can’t help others if you don’t help yourself first. 

At this moment, what does ‘beauty’ mean to you?

At this moment, I have just redefined the meaning of “beauty.  I am now 38 years old and I am proud to say that I am at the most beautiful stage of my life. Because I have built an ownership of my own defined beauty.  

Even just few years ago, I still believed “beauty” comes from what size of clothing you wear and how many flaws do you have to conceal in order to look beautiful on the outside.

Throughout my entrepreneur journey, I transformed myself from a stay-home mom now to a woman boss. I could only say that owning your mind and executing your determination is what makes you very beautiful and sexy, and nothing is able to conceal the confidence you have developed from building through hardships.  

What’s your favourite female-owned brand(s) at the moment?

My favourite female-owned brand(s) at the moments are Womanboss, AndFit and The Ski Project.  

These brands are built and owned by the most amazing hardworking women I know.  These women are not just the brand(s) owners who only talk. They are executors and doers.  Sometimes I can’t help but wonder why we women are so strong. We are able to play different roles in life and still able to deliver the work so well. It is no wonder women in 2021 = super women. 

We rock as Chikas!

Who’s your Chika?

That would be my grandmother. She is my rock and my supporting system.

I am forever grateful to have her as my mother and my grandmother.  She is the one who raised me to have the right value of a traditional woman. She is also an example of women empowerment that if you feel right, then you go get it. (She eloped with my grandfather in the 50’s which was brave and bold).  Having recently lost her be-loved husband, she also taught me to not be afraid even if you are alone. 

Most importantly, she is the only reason I am a great mother to my daughter, Danica.