
I’ve been struggling with this, but it feels like the inevitable has happened.
I no longer have the time to maintain MWS 🙁
I’ve tried about 5 times this past week to write this post, which really tells you how much of a struggle it has been, both to find time to write, and to find the right words to say.
It isn’t to say that I’m pulling the plug and closing down the site for good. Reviews of discontinued products aside, I believe that there are some posts with useful tips shared over the 17+ years that I’d been writing & maintaining it, that will still be helpful to someone. Perhaps I might even return to write the odd post, just to keep the wheels oiled and the hand in.
However, the reality is that I have struggled to find the time to write in an in-depth manner as I used to. When I wrote my 4000th post, I told myself that I would try to write a little more regularly. I have been using quite a few new products in this time that I’ve been away from the blog, that I wanted to talk about. And then, I realised that I’d scraped out the last bit of cream, squeezed out that last bit of cleanser, opened up a new product, am about halfway through, AND STILL HAVE NOT YET EVEN PHOTOGRAPHED THE FIRST!
That has been the biggest challenge for me – finding the time and place to take photographs, transfer to the computer, edit and then upload. It has been the biggest challenge I’ve faced in blogging all these many years, and it might just be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back. Those of you on Instagram will also have realised that I am far less active on there than I used to be. I make time to be on Instagram for work, but not much more than that.
Writing has always come fairly easy to me, but juggling the time to write has also been a challenge lately. Each time I open up my dashboard, I’ve found myself distracted by the other 238429 things I need to do elsewhere for my growing business.
It is interesting (for me) to have this realisation now, as my birthday approaches. I usually write something thoughtful for the occasion, and I was not intending to this year. But it being a milestone year, I suppose a bit of introspection is necessary.
About 10 years ago, I shared that I had turned 40. Unlike many bloggers who started blogging out of school, or in their 20’s, I only started in my 30’s. I came to a love for beauty products later in life, only after I had started working and having my own money to splurge. Blogging was then relatively new, and I found it to be a great outlet for me to talk about and share my thoughts on products and the industry.
Blogging opened doors to a world I would never otherwise have been a part of, allowed me to meet the most interesting people in the industry, brought me a core group of friends I would never have otherwise met, and brought me places & gave me experiences I might never otherwise have had the chance to enjoy. I had an amazing 17+ years in the industry and I always thought it would be one I’d eventually ‘retire’ in.
10 years ago, if you had told me that I would today, as I enter a new decade, not be blogging as much, not be travelling as much, have a pup around which my life is centred, and have left my professional job and turned into an entrepreneur in the pet industry, I would have laughed and told you it was an alternate universe. It was unthinkable for me back then. I was in a decent career, footloose & fancy free, and living life large.
10 years ago, I studiously avoided going outside, I hated any form of exercise, and I enjoyed a lot of little life luxuries. Today, I still hate exercise, but I make it a point to go out for walks because my dog needs it, and he can’t walk by himself. I go out in the sun, and my skin has developed more hyperpigmentation than before (although far less than I thought I’d have, thanks to good sunscreen!). Luxury these days is a little time spent away from the clingy little pup – I have not visited a mall in months!
10 years ago, I would be out in my heels and fancy leather bags, visiting malls to ‘research’ the latest beauty brands and products, going for media events and generally having a good time being feted. Today, I prize lightweight, plain, nylon crossbody bags that leave my hands free, sneakers, and comfortable active/casual wear that allows freedom of movement to walk the very active dog, and work in the kitchen. The only events I go to are pet bazaars or pop-ups where I get to meet very enthusiastic little pups that bring me so much joy.

If you’d asked me back then, what I would have expected as I turned 50, I would have told you that it would likely have been more of the same – travel, life’s luxuries & being more involved with the beauty industry. Instead, partway through, we experienced lockdowns, movement/travel restrictions and quarantine, and in the midst of it all, I discovered a new passion – canine nutrition.
Today, as I turn 50, I am a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist, I am elbows deep in raw meats & strange organ parts daily, I’ve discovered a whole new world of product sourcing and packaging, and I operate a semi-professional kitchen producing dehydrated, freeze-dried & baked dog treats. In August, we took the plunge and invested in a freeze-drying machine, that has opened up a whole new world of potential and allowed us to be just 1 of 2 Malaysian made freeze-dried dog treats. It had fulfilled a long-held ambition of mine, to delve into the world of freeze-dried dog treats, and I was so happy to be able to fulfil it sooner than expected.
10 years ago, if you had told me the highlight of me turning 50 would be to own a gargantuan machine that is noisy AF, instead of a new Hermes bag that costs the same, I would have laughed. Give me that bag any day! 😀
Today, I am thrilled to take delivery of an industrial-sized meat grinder, and am lusting after a few bigger, newer machines instead, to continue growing the business; and we are working towards meeting that goal. So much of my life has changed in the past 5 years since the lockdowns began, and keeping up with beauty trends and new products has been low on my priority list.
I understand that so many of you have followed my writings over the years, because of our shared love for beauty, and at this point, I’m at peace with anyone who chooses to no longer keep up or check back in, because our interests no longer align. I have informed the brands who still stay in touch that I’m stepping back, and I am so very grateful for the relationships I’ve had, and the many wonderful people in the industry who has shown this aunty so much grace and given me so many opportunities.
Turning 50 has not been at all how I imagined it would be. I think I imagined it would be just like 40, but with more grey hair 😀 I never imagined it would involve this much raw meat, strange organs, and creating recipes. I never imagined I’d be writing this, because I honestly thought I’d be writing here forever 😀
If there is one thing I’ve learnt from this introspection, it’s this: That life evolves, and we evolve along with it, and we just never know where we might be from one moment to the next.
Thank you for joining me on my beauty journey, for all your emails, texts, and chats we’ve had in the comments and on Instagram. I am humbled by your support all through the past 17+ years. I don’t intend to stop writing, but it will be very sporadic and far in between. It is only fair to warn you of this 🙂
I guess I’ll see you when I see you.
xoxo
Paris B
omg the END OF AN ERA ????. I never thought this day would come but as someone who is currently going through a major change in life, I absolutely get it! Thank you so much for being the OG Malaysian beauty blogger we all trust and love (still do) and can relate to. I am so glad your reviews will still be here so we may peek back at what we missed. Congrats on all your milestone and I look forward to see what the future holds!
This is definitely something that I do not expect to see! I’ve been following your blog for at least a decade and though I do not check in as religiously, I do pop by at times and check on what I’ve missed. Somehow what you mentioned got me thinking alot, so many things have changed in my life and nothing has been stagnant, I just didn’t get to see it from the others’ perspective. Life does evolve! Though I will miss your writings, I am proud to hear of your achievements and me can’t wait to see what else you can accomplish! See you around real soon!
I’ve read your blog since the beginning of my reading of blogs. You’re wonderful and you should know you’ve added so much to the beauty review community. I also think it’s so brave of you to take the plunge and embrace a new chapter. Congratulations!
First of all, happy birthday! 50 is an exciting year. I hope yours is wonderful.
As others have said, I found your blog long ago (probably 15 years or so) when I was searching for foundation reviews from people whose skin color was somewhat similar to mine. (I buy primarily online, and figuring out shades without seeing them in person is a challenge.) Your skin color seems about a shade more fair than mine, but how helpful that was! If a color suited you perfectly, I knew it would be too light for me, and I could adjust my online purchase accordingly. As I read more of your content—beyond foundations—I appreciated your thoughtful, thorough reviews. You never jumped on the bandwagon by praising a product without having fully examined, tested, and tried it for some time. As a result, I made many, many great purchases helped by your insight and learned a ton in the process.
But life evolves, as you said. My own interest in makeup and skincare has diminished (I’m older than you!). Now I only follow one other blogger (because you and she might be the only ones left from 15+ years ago, ha!) and just a couple of people on Insta. Those I follow, like you, have mostly shifted their focus over time. (Remember when you discovered recently that Temptalia, of all people, was now raising dogs or something?! Talk about seismic shifts.) So this is a very long way of saying it’s been a pleasure to see how your life and your interests have evolved, and to cheer you on—and, once again, learn from you—as you explore and master a new industry. I look forward to each time you post about your pups and your new business—but no pressure to do more, you clearly have plenty to do as it is. And any time you come back here to leave the occasional beauty-related thoughts, they will be treasured.
Best of luck with everything! And thank you so much for all you’ve shared and taught us over the years.
Happy Birthday ? been a long time reader and follower. It was your blog that got me started on the beauty journey. Truly happy for you with what you are doing with your treats biz and making it bigger and more successful! The best is yet to come ????
It should not be question marks but celebratory emojis
Thank you so much for sharing with us the readers… may you continue to do what you love.
Ps. Happy birthday to you
Happy 50th!
Congratulations on the success of your business.
I wish you all the best.
And thank you for introducing me to the world of Guerlain Meteorites.
Happy birthday! I was new to work and needed all the review what to buy.
Thank you for always having an honest opinion. I’ve also grown up and now approaching my 40.
I know I have changed since then and of course you have. May your new pursuit continue to bring you much joy and happiness.
Just casually found your article on sunscreen because I wanted to see how many bloggers are active on IG (research lol). Then, I saw this post under latest and I feel like all of us going through the same shift. Lately, so many of us have been feeling like taking a break or stopping putting in the energy. I love my blog but I no longer have the energy for social media. Thanks for your sharing your emotions too 🙂