There are some things a woman just can't leave the house without! Regardless of where you're going (work, interview, date, brunch, sight-seeing, etc.) you know you have your bag jamp-packed with vital items that assist you in staying fresh throughout the day or make you look like you robbed the local drug store! Today, I'm going to share my favorite essentials that I always have in my purse (even when I switch purses). To my surprise, I carry a total of 17 items within in my compact "Charming Charlie" bag!
But before we begin, I'd like to invite you ladies (and fellas #manbags) to chime in by sharing your everyday "on-the-go" necessities in the comment section below (and if you carry more or less than I do).
So...let's get right to it, shall we?
~WALLET~
Now, this is an obvious must have wherever I go. Storing identification, cash, cards, CVS coupons, and such. I own several different-sized wallets depending on the size of the purse I want to carry. The one pictured above is LV and it's one of my favorites because it's compact in size and fits in a smaller hand bag. I like to match it with my vintage LV monogram tote that my mom gave me from when she first visited NYC in the late 80s/ early 90s.
~MAKE UP~
Depending on if I'm wearing powder on my "t-zone" then I will carry my "Maybelline: Fit Me" press powder compact in the shade mocha. On days where I am "makeup-free" then I carry my "Neutrogena" shine control powder along with my "E.L.F." total face brush. Pertaining to my lips, if I am wearing lipstick, then I will carry my chaptsick with me because unfortunately too much lipstick causes my lips to peel. So before re-applying (and initally applying) my lipstick I apply my chapstick. Right now I am using "Carmex" lip balm in the tube ( I prefer the round container and my favorite chapstick is "Burt's Bees tinted lip balm in red dahlia). If I'm not wearing lipstick then I am wearing lipgloss and lately I have been using "E.L.F.'s" basic lip gloss which is $2 at Target and contains vitamin E. If I will be out all day then I carry along with me concealer to touch up any blemishes that try to reveal themselves and my eyeshadow palette if I am wearing eyeshadow. My palettes are small and easily fit within a compact purse or clutch.
~LOTION~
I MUST HAVE LOTION IN MY BAG!!! Being a black woman, it's not negotiable. And the lotion must be legit. Bath & Body Works doesn't "work" for my skin. My skin is like a sponge and it needs constant moisture especially after washing my hands upon using a public restroom! Thick, but not heavy, cocoa butter or coconut oil cream work the best for me. Right now I am carrying coconut oil cream in my bag. I purhased a jar from Dollar Tree for only $1 and I purchased travel-sized containers from Dollar Tree as well for $1. I filled one of the containers up with the coconut oil cream and I like this method because it saves money. All I have to do is refill when I run low.
~EXTRA CONTACTS/CONTACTS CASE~
You never know if your contact will rip while in your eye , pop out, or it's late and your eyes are weary from wearing your contacts all day. So, just in case, I carry the essentials with me so I'm ready! I keep my contact case filled with solution and I clean it every few days so it stay fresh even if I don't utilize it while I'm out.
~EYE GLASSES~
This is a new thing I'm doing because I've noticed that after a certain period of time my eyes begin to tell me to give my contacts a break and pop my eyeglasses on. And I'd rather be safe then sorry because I've had times where I go to use a new contact fresh from the package and it slips off of my finger on to the floor disappearing into carpeted/title floor oblivion!
~PANTY LINERS~
That "time of the month" can be unpredictable at times...be on guard and gird your loins, ladies.
~TISSUES~
One night, I was on the L train heading back to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and a woman let out a huge sneeze that resulted in an embarassing moment of boogers making a cameo! I didn't have tissues on me and one lady was kind enough to "help a sista out". So you never know when you or someone else may need that small act of kindess.
~SMALL "TOTE" UMBRELLA~
What is up with the weather, yo? I've learned from my mom to carry an umbrella on me #ALWAYS because it could pour down cats and dogs for 10 minutes unexpectedly then stop randomly. Trust me, it's happened before.
~IBUPROFEN~
Headaches happen. Cramps are real. And this mini medicine cabinet is an easy way to prevent an oncoming cold.
~HAND SANITIZER~
I think this is self-explanatory. You can connect the dots, lol!
~PHONE CHARGER~
Male, female, child, teen, adult...we all need this to keep our phones alive. I have to charge my phone on average 3x a day (not always, but a close estimate).
~BANDAIDS~
Once, while at the park with my sisters (when they were younger), a child got hurt and their parent didn't have a bandaid, but I was ready to help! Also, papercuts are real and really random, too!
~TRAVEL-SIZE DEODORANT~
Mid-day sweat, anyone? Personally, I like to stay fresh, thus periodically "touching-up" here and there to do so!
~"PALLADIO" RICE PAPER~
These are for emergencies if it's really hot and I need to keep my face "matte" (#oilyskin) or I've ran out of my "Neutrogena" rice powder and need back up. It contains 40 tissues and I purchased it at Sally's Beauty Supply.
~ROLL-ON PERFUME FROM "NY&CO"~
It was on sale for $8 and it fits perfectly in any size purse (especially a clutch). Like I said, I like to stay fresh throughout the day, and having good perfume on you will help to accomplish that. The fragrance I keep in my purse is called "Iconic".
~KEYS~
Um, da! If I want to enter the house.
~USB FLASHDRIVE~
I'm ready at any given moment if I need to print off my resumes, head shots, a copy of one of my screenplays, you name it!
Now, it's your turn! Share in the comments section if you carry anything similar in your bag or any other "aesthetics" you can't leave the house without. But, first and foremost: SUBSCRIBE~LIKE~SHARE (and much love to those of you who have already; merci beaucoup).
Sante
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