These days, whenever I bumped into old friends or acquaintances, they would tell me that I looked different now than years ago. I look much happier, much more confident and definitely much more beautiful than before. Apparently, I emitted a much more different aura these days and it is much more positive than before. I was told that I have somehow blossomed, and as cocky as it sounds, I can’t help but agree with people’s general opinion about me these days.

I have indeed changed; in the way I dress up and carry myself and also the way I speak and mingle.

I used to be that woman who couldn’t be bothered on how she look like or dress up in public provided she feels comfortable in the outfit that she is wearing, but now, you won’t catch me going out of the house without making an effort to doll up or at least putting up some make up on. Yes. I’m much more vain than before these days, as I come to learn that this world is very realistic. There is no point if you are brainy or talented but you don’t dress the part. Nobody is going to give you a glance what more give you the attention that you actually deserved if you don’t present yourself well.

The same goes with relationship. Men are very visual creature and they tend to gravitate towards beautiful sweet things rather than a plain Jane. Married for 12 years, and I learned that painful lesson the hard way, I’m afraid. I used to think that men will love you unconditionally once they are committed to you but sometimes, that is not the case and they get bored with you easily though they try not to make it show.

Would you believe me if I were to tell you that today, I am not the same person I was a year ago? Well, believe it, because I am not that woman anymore. When I said I’m not who I was a year ago, believe it. I’m a different woman now. I’m somewhat transformed. I believe that I am a better version of myself today than the same day last year.

A lot of things happened to me last year that triggered me to change. Both good and bad. 2013 was the darkest time of my life, but at the same time, it was also a blessing in disguise, as it marks a huge turning point for me where I had to make important choices that leads to somewhat a I dubbed, a ‘spiritual awakening’.

I had to choose between loving people or loving myself, and realizing that sometimes, at the end of the day,the only relationship that would matter is just the relationship with yourself, and not with somebody else, I choose to change and be a better version of me in whole and love myself more. And I’m glad I made that decision, as I discovered that if I don’t love myself and put myself first, nobody is going to love me the way I really deserved, regardless of what I do for them, regardless of my role in their life, and regardless of my sacrifices.

I learned the hard way that when it comes to relationship and marriage, nothing good ever comes out of self-sacrifice. Nobody will appreciate that and will only take things for granted. Take my advice ladies, do not make your husbands or you boyfriends the centre of your world. You will resent that and it will actually destroy the love that you have for each other.

It is important to love yourself first before others, and I’m glad I made that choice, because I’m much happier now, and my happiness no longer depend on the people around me or the people that I have different kind of relationship with.

Ladies, if you made the same mistake that I did where you allowed your role as a girlfriend, wife or mother to dictate your life, please stop, and take charge of your life, right now!

Marriage and relationships is supposed to enhance you, make you shine, make you be a better version of yourself, not the other way around. If you ever feel that hallow feeling that marriage has somehow stopped or restrict you from being that beautiful and confident woman that I know you are, then you are doing it all wrong. Marriage and love relationship is supposed to make you feel beautiful, confident and secure, not ugly or inferior.

You are worth it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Every woman is beautiful. If you have been making a habit to just play Plain Jane, then it is time to start dolling up and be Fabulous Mary. Not sure how to start? Easy, start by taking good care of yourself. Your body. Your appearances. Take care of your skin, put on some makeup. You’ll never believe how much such details could change your life for the better.

Not sure how to start? Well, then…There is plenty of trustworthy skincare and makeup brands out there you can invest in.

You can start with L’Oreal products. 🙂 L’Oreal products are all high quality with a fraction of the price. Easily obtained in selected pharmacies and shopping malls. L’Oreal products definitely a worthy investment, and if you’re just starting to buy them, I have some magnificent news for you where you could stand a chance to win a vanity table full of skincare products and cosmetics from
L’Oreal Paris . 🙂

If you or your loved ones have been purchasing L’Oreal Paris’s products totaling more than RM20, you can join L’Oreal Paris’s Beauty Countdown Contest. The contest will be running from 1st Nov 2014- 31st Dec 2014.

L’Oreal Paris is giving away amazing daily and weekly prizes over the next 10 weeks to reward their highest spenders! If you spend the most overall on L’Oréal Paris products by 31st December 2014, you stand a chance to drive away with their Grand Prize – a brand new car worth over RM100,000!

So, how to join this contest? It’s pretty simple, really. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1 : Go to www.lorealbeautycountdown.com.my

Step 2 : Sign Up and submit your entries

How to submit your entry :

Step 1 : Key in the total amount spent on L’Oreal products ONLY stated on your receipt.
Step 2 : Take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the website.
Step 3 : Select the correct answer. Please read the question carefully.
Step 4 : Click on the yellow box to tick the “I accept the Terms & Conditions“.
Step 5 : Final Step. Click ENTER to submit your entry.

Here’s a little highlight for those who intends to participate: The Terms and Conditions didn’t say anything about not allowing backdated receipts. So, go on, start fishing for your old receipts. You may submit as many entries as you can or want for this L’Oreal Paris’s Beauty Countdown Contest . Remember, the more entries you have, the higher the chance of you winning one of the prizes offered. 🙂

Worry that the submissions is not submitted? No fret. This contest is pretty transparent. You can keep track of your entries just by clicking on the “MY ENTRIES” tab on the top right of the website which is located in between “JOIN NOW” and “PRIZES“.

While you’re fishing those receipts, please allow me to motivate you a lil bit. 🙂 Here’s what’s up for grabs:

GRAND PRIZE : A car worth over RM100,000. 

WEEKLY PRIZES : A mystery prize will be revealed each week on their Facebook page. 

• DAILY PRIZES : 3 x L’Oreal Paris Hampers worth over RM100 each. 

Here are the line ups for the Weekly Prizes(Prizes given are at the Organizer’s discretions)

1st Week: Poh Kong jewellery
2nd Week: Poh Kong jewellery
3rd Week: Poh Kong jewellery
4th Week: Poh Kong jewellery
5th Week: Poh Kong jewellery
6th Week: Kitchen Aid Mixer
7th Week: iPad mini
8th Week: iPad mini
9th Week: Slow Juicer
10th Week: Slow Juicer

You may follow L’Oreal Paris on every social media platforms for live updates on promo, events, contests and offers:

So, ladies…what are you waiting for? Hop over and join the contest now. Remember, you are beautiful, so strive to be the most beautiful version of yourself everyday, because you’re worth it.

Cleffairy: I invest in myself to be beautiful. I changed…Because I’m worth it.