Why is it especially important for women to upkeep themselves?

Many years ago, Asian women were seen as family caregivers.  She looked after the family while he brought home the bacon.  As the society evolved, more women stepped into the society to work and became more independent, emotionally and financially.  The family planning process slowed down.  Even when a family is formed, fewer children are born.  The priority changed.

When a woman meets a man and gets married, her social life, personal family, plans and even beliefs take a backseat.  She starts ‘losing herself’ in the marriage/relationship.  A friend who works in the beauty and skincare industry told me she stopped putting on makeup the moment she was pregnant.  Aren’t pregnant woman supposed to be the most beautiful and should be looking at more beautiful things and photos, which includes herself??

Being in the Pageant industry for the last 2 years, I have met and heard from increasing number of women, especially the married ones (Mrs Singapore contestants) that they cried during their pageantry journey when they saw their makeover photos, they realized they found themselves! The Makeover Inc created beautiful pictures!  These women started grooming themselves as they go through a grueling 2 months training/events including press conference, grooming classes, makeup course, meet the sponsors etc.  Their friends started to show them support, the children feeling proud of them and the husbands showing their love in various ways.  Some had their husbands expressing their love in youtube videos, singing love songs and even one was grateful that her husband started holding her hands again! 

We live in a very visual society.  Women can’t think that they have found THE ONE, start a relationship and can be complacent in grooming themselves.  It gets worse when you form a family and the excuse of caring for the kids and household leave you with no time for yourself.  Ladies, you have to ask yourself, what was my dream before? Before you met your partner?  Before you were married or before you had children?  You used to take pride in yourself but what made you stopped halfway? Remember, you need to love yourself again before you feel the love around again! 

About the Author : Sherrine Teoh is the Principal Image Consultant with Image and You Consultancy.  She runs regular training for corporations and institutions as well as Individual Consultations on Personal Grooming, Dressing and Social Etiquette.  She is also Mrs Singapore Queen of Hope 2012, Mrs Asia International All Nations 2012 and Mrs Photogenic 2012 (Mrs Asia International).