Women of Excellence: Mahnaz Lee

The founder of Women Helping Women Hong Kong shares the secret to timeless beauty

Inner beauty is just as important as what you see on the outside, a fact that Mahnaz Lee knows well. The founder of domestic-violence aid group Women Helping Women Hong Kong achieves the glow you get from doing good by campaigning on behalf of underprivileged victims, while making sure she takes care of herself on the inside and out. After all, you can’t help others unless you help yourself first.

Whether she’s dealing with NGO partners, leading her daily life or getting ready for a charity gala, Lee strives for the best of the best – that’s how, in fact, she was introduced to the “secret” of La Mer, some 20 years ago. It’s still an integral part of her routine today.

Above Mahnaz Lee is the founder of Women Helping Women Hong Kong (Photo: Moses Ng/Hong Kong Tatler)

You're heavily involved with charity organisations such as Women Helping Women. How did you become involved with the cause?

I am the founder and managing director of WHWHK and my main goal when I established this NGO was to give battered women in Hong Kong a second chance to live their lives free from violence and abuse as well as to give them a voice and encourage them to be the best they can be. Domestic violence is a crime and this is a subject no one can easily talk about. In an Asian society it can be considered shameful to show that the husband is abusive to the wife and that many of these women stay in such relationships for so many years not knowing how to cope.

Above Mahnaz Lee admiring the Genaissance de la Mer collection (Photo: Moses Ng/Hong Kong Tatler)

Why is this cause important to you?

We believe women are the heart of the family and we like to encourage women to be strong, to empower them to be the best of the best, and take part in the workforce and be productive in the community. Women play important roles in life; they are mothers, daughters and wives. It is important that we take care of this segment in our community as government can only do so much and there are gaps where underprivileged women have no access to consultation and therapy to overcome their negative emotions or know how to deal with violence in their everyday lives.

What does luxury mean to you?

I think appearance is very important, especially the face as that is the first thing everyone sees. It shows your age and your health. A healthy lifestyle is very important and that to me is exquisite and the ultimate luxury in life. To stay healthy from the inside out it is all about eating healthy, sleeping, drinking water and being able to balance the mind and body. And this balance is created over time, it takes effort to curate a healthy lifestyle but in the end it provides a state of great comfort for me.

Above Genaissance de la Mer collection consists of The Infused Lotion, The Essence Serum and The Eye & Expression Creme (Photo: Courtesy of La Mer)

What is your relationship with La Mer's skincare products?

I started using La Mer almost 20 years ago! A make-up artist introduced it to me as a trade secret at that time. She told me to apply the cream 10 minutes before applying my event make-up. Their Crème De La Mer is an amazing product, and it has been part of my daily routine ever since. It goes on smooth and deeply moisturises the skin. Make-up goes on flawlessly without creating fine lines and wrinkles.

I love La Mer products and have been using them for many years. The high-quality ingredients they use in the product which is from sea kelp, and the feel and texture of the product are amazing, leaving skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. As we age the skin needs the right nutrition and additionally the right product to maintain its youthfulness.

Above Mahnaz Lee with the Genaissance de la Mer Collection (Photo: Moses Ng/Hong Kong Tatler)

Genaissance de la Mer is a product that hopes to give timeless beauty to women. What do you consider to be elements of timeless beauty?

Timeless beauty means to be the best you can be at any age. Taking care of ourselves, eating well and using the right products for our skin is very important. Everyone can improve their skin and their appearance by just a few simple steps a day. A simple routine of cleansing and moisturising is key and the Genaissance de la Mer collection does just that, it helps provide an instant glow and leaves me feeling rejuvenated. The infused lotion feels luxuriously smooth and super-nourishing against the skin, and the products are easy to use and apply.

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Mahnaz Lee Women of Excellence La Mer Best Of The Best

Tatler Asia

Women of Excellence: Mahnaz Lee