The Beauty of Working.

So.. it's been a while.
My life has changed quite a lot in the past couple of months - I've started a new job that I love, which has brought with it, studying to become a chartered accountant, and living in Paris during the week. I'm also getting closer and closer to my wedding day.
There were some days when beauty and the thoughts about blogging was on pause. I've noticed that I don't remember the last time the end of the month provoked me to think about monthly favourites. But I also have continued to buy and try different products, and there are some press samples that I've received over the past few months that I really want to review for you guys.
It came to about mid-January when I thought: I really miss blogging. But because of how my life has changed, I don't think I'll be doing it with the same purpose as I did before. I feel like having got rid of that pressure to 'grow up' will let me be more free and independent with this blog, and I really hope that comes across. I'm also no longer a student in the most basic interpretation of the word, and the way I see products and how they play a role in my everyday life will change as well.
The best example of that is the amount of travelling that I've been doing, which is why this first post (after the long ramble that you may or may not have skipped - don't blame you at all) will be about some of the things I've been bringing to France. And because I am now travelling with my brand spanking new ASUS Transformer which, despite being a great product, has a camera that can only be described as of a 'dated' quality - my photos may not be as great but let's just pass that off as a genuine, err, example of my life? Who knows.

So these are some my favourite products that have been crossing the Channel with me, week in week out.
My go-to scent for work has been the Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche, which I see as quite an inoffensive and sophisticated smell that isn't sweet or floral. The Urban Decay NAKED 2 Basics has also been a staple, and it contains cool-toned matte colours that hit the nail on the head for me in terms of work looks. Their formulas are still not my favourite, but you can't beat them for great, practical palettes.
The newcomers include the Maybelline LASH Sensational Mascara and the MUFE Aqua Shadow in 28E (can you tell I've been visiting Sephora on my lunch hour?). The former has blown my mind at how it separates the lashes and gives you a full effect, and it's not so bad for curl-holding either despite not being waterproof - which, coming from me, means it'll most likely be fine for you. The MUFE Aqua Shadow DOES. NOT. BUDGE. It's also a great shade, and given I've run out of primer, this has been slathered all over my lids since last week.
I've also recently purchased the Anastasia DIPBROW Pomade in Dark Brown which I've absolutely adored for it's flexible ability to create exactly the shape and darkness you want on any given day. My DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX is a repurchase after receiving it as a press sample a few years ago. My eyelids do not like sponge tips, and this brush tip liner is super fine and and easy to use.
Lastly, I can't possibly go without mentioning my new go-to winter lipstick - the MAC Blankety. I bought it to replace my MAC Faerie Glen, and I've fallen in love with this cool-toned nudey pink shade. The Amplified formula makes it even more lush for the winter cold (and let me tell you - Paris has been FREEZING). It had been a very long time since I bought a MAC lipstick, and I got to experience that amazing feeling of a new lipstick - what is it about them that does that?!
Yu