Owning Manhattan’s Jade Shenker on the Real Cost of Reality-Show Glam—and the Skin Injection That Gets Her the Most Compliments

In a city where ambition is the ultimate currency, real estate mogul Jade Shenker is proving, once again, that she’s a force impossible to ignore. Premiering Friday, December 5, the highly anticipated second season of Owning Manhattan brings her back alongside Ryan Serhant and the powerhouse SERHANT team for another reality-show run. As the series enters its sophomore year, it pulls viewers even deeper into the world of ultra-luxury real estate—with Shenker shaping the conversation across fashion, beauty and lifestyle, all while negotiating multimillion-dollar deals.

It’s a big week for you. The cast has the press, the premiere and the events. How are you feeling right now?

“It’s so crazy. Last year, I was super nervous… this year, I think it hasn’t hit me yet because I’m so busy. I’m very tuned into work still and the time is just flying. Yesterday, we had the VIP screening at Zero Bond that I helped host and that’s when I actually watched Episode 1 for the first time. And it was good. I’m excited because you get to see a version of me that’s the real me—not the me when I’m going through the hardest time of my life. I’m excited to just be able to inspire other women and people.”

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Is there anything you have to change about your day when you are filming?

“I honestly forget that the camera is there. It’s just like we’re talking on this Zoom right now. It literally does not feel like there’s a camera there. It feels like I’m talking to another person. The only thing that’s a little bit different is…it’s definitely very expensive when you start filming—the glam, the outfits, the hair, the makeup! It’s not free. I learned pretty early on during Season 1 that I should either just do light glam or hire someone, because I’m not good at doing my own makeup unless it’s very simple glam where I have my basics.”

Are there any beauty looks you know work for you that you love to wear on camera?

“Oh, my gosh, yes. My thing is I love a lip liner, a lip-liner stain. It’s the first thing I do when I wake up—I go to the bathroom, and I put my lip stain on. I also love Tatcha. They have a really good under-eye balm that I’m obsessed with. For me, less is more. I think we’re all very naturally beautiful. I don’t do foundation, typically, even when we’re filming. I think it’s awesome to see real skin, real texture, anything. I’m a huge supporter of that. As for what I wear on camera, I didn’t realize it, and I didn’t do it on purpose, but I wear a lot of latex. I guess it’s a statement. It’s edgy, but it’s also sexy. It’s not showy, but I love it.”

_{Photos by Assel Malazarte}

It’s working for you. When you close a big deal, how do you treat yourself?

“A lot of people ask me that! I have never gifted myself with things when I land. In my head, I always think: ‘Well, it’s my job to do that.’ It’s hard for me to pat myself on the back. The times when I do… it’s so boring, but I put money in the stock market or buy Bitcoin, which is so nerdy. But there’s something really cool about being financially independent and not talking to someone else about, ‘Oh, I’m thinking about putting money into this or that.’ I don’t need to run that by anyone. It’s really empowering to be able to do that on your own. I like doing that…I have the bag, I have the shoes, I have the watch. I don’t really need more…I don’t know. I think it’s more empowering to grow a portfolio of investments.”

I don’t think any of us need more stuff. Since you know New York so well, are there any really cool wellness spots you love right now?

“Yes! As far as spas, I love QC Spa on Governor’s Island. I can bring my laptop. You can sit by the pool and work. It’s one of New York’s hidden gems because it doesn’t feel like you’re in the city. It’s really cool. As for facials, I go to a place called Skin by Susan. A huge fan of Susan. She has been doing my facials for a while now, whenever I do get them done.

I also love what I think is the best-kept secret in the world—it’s called Skinvive. It’s an injection of hyaluronic acid. It’s pretty much like applying all of your moisturizers, but it’s an injection. I get so many compliments on my skin whenever I get it. It lasts for six months, and it’s not super expensive. I’m a huge fan. Then, I go to a place called Faces, and I love Unfiltered Aesthetics on the Upper East Side. Those are my places.”

I know that you have a busy week, but what else are you looking forward to doing before 2026 hits?

“The real excitement for me this month is Season 2. I am so excited to share how it unfolds. But, wait! I’m also launching a denim collection. We have a music video showcasing the jeans, launching on December 12. It’s the first time I’ve designed jeans myself. It’s a low-rise jean that really caters to the short-torso girl—it elongates you. I actually physically designed it myself. I scrunched in the inner thigh, so it gives you a little inner thigh gap and lifts your butt a little bit.

I’ve never sold jeans before, only buildings. So creating a jean that I would want to wear that looks good on me and a bunch of other bodies has been really cool. I deal with a lot of business owners, and it’s so crazy to me that there are so many business owners who are men, but then they’re creating women’s products, when women are 80 percent of consumers. Long story short, I am excited to get this one out there!”