Getting Started with Purse Essentials

The world is starting to open back up after a long quarantined 2020 and while we were all at home, a lot of girls decided to be their true selves and are now going to be going out, dating, shopping, and just generally trying to get out of the house.

The problem is that women’s clothing generally lacks pockets (beautiful silhouettes, serious lack of storage) and having a big purse for just a phone, keys, and wallet is a serious waste of all that beautiful purse space!

I like to be over prepared, so you may find that this is too much to carry everywhere with you, but I cannot count how many times all of the items in my bag have saved me. I’ve included links for easy shopping and I will be deep diving into each essential on this list!

1. Compact mirror
   It’s always nice to have a mirror on hand to check if there’s something caught in your teeth or to touch up make up! Or even to signal help if you’re stranded on a mountain top somewhere.
2. Tissues
   Travel tissues are a must especially during winter when cold and flu season is upon us and during spring for those who suffer from seasonal allergies! They are also a godsend if you are ever trapped without toilet paper in a public bathroom.
3. Hand sanitizer with clip
   Should go without saying why this is a necessity. These bottles are easily refillable and you can attach the clips right onto your handbag’s strap or onto a zipper or clasp inside your purse for easy access.
4. Small cosmetics bag
   I personally have two of these small cosmetics bags in my purse, one is for actual cosmetics and the other is for small items that I don’t want lost in my bag. When I am buying new makeup, I like to ask for a sample size, if I like the product, I buy it full size and I toss the sample size into my bag for touch ups. I also put my old almost used up makeup products into this bag to get as much life out of my products as possible. Traveling with all of my makeup would be a real hassle, and over the years I’ve trimmed down my list to just these products.
   - Pressed powder compact/oil blotting sheets
   - Lip Liner
   - Lipstick
   - Mascara
   - Eyeliner
   - Blush
   - Eyelash Glue
   - Blemish Cream
5. Lotion
   I like to use the perfume-y stuff that comes in a small squeeze tube. Public bathroom soaps can be very harsh on your skin and you can rub any extra hand cream onto your neck for a boost of fragrance.
6. Perfume
   I have my preferred perfume that I keep at home  and spritz for before I go out, but I also keep a travel sized version of that same perfume in my bag. If you have not yet chosen your favorite perfume, I suggest buying a variety pack online and sampling all of them until you find the right one. I usually do this whenever I get bored of my current perfume and I put my favorite samples into my bag. I would usually keep these in my cosmetics bag to keep them organized.
7. Tide-To-Go Stick
   Nothing feels worse than going out and getting a stain on your favorite outfit. Tide-to-go stain remover sticks are a great way to tackle and remove stains before they ever set, saving your favorite outfit for another night out.
8. Nail Kit
   A broken nail is a bothersome injury, with jagged edges that catch on everything. I like this set because it also has a pair of tweezers, nail file, and small multipurpose scissors. Not only can you fix a broken nail, you can also pull out a splinter with the tweezer, or cut a loose thread with the scissors.
9. Coin purse
   I usually keep a dollar or two worth of change in here. I don’t use cash much, but I find that keeping a few quarters for parking or any small purchases is useful.
10. Battery pack/travel charger
    Everyone has been caught at least once with a dying phone and an inability to call a ride, having an extra battery charger is a life saver! Just don’t forget to also bring a usb cord!
11. Pen & notebook set
    In case you ever have an idea that you need sketched out, or a list to be written, or a note to be left, having pen and paper available is a must have. I like this one in particular because there is pen storage.
12. Gum/mints
13. First Aid Kit
    I like to at least carry bandaids with me, specifically the fabric kind instead of the plastic waterproof ones. These are great for when you’re breaking in a new pair of shoes and need blister protection. The fabric ones tend to stick better than the plastic when it comes to blister prevention.
14. Hair ties/bobby pins/safety pins
    I usually keep these in a small bag to keep them from floating around my bag. Bobby pins and hair clips can be especially useful to pin back unruly strands of hair or to keep a hat in place on a windy day. Safety pins are useful if a button ever pops or the zipper on your dress breaks.
15. Pill box
    Bring an extra dose of any medications you may be taking as well as any allergy pills and pain relievers.
16. Feminine Wallet
    I like these clutch style wallets because it offers the option to just bring the wallet and tuck my phone away in the zippered compartment. This is especially handy during a lunch break where you just want to grab a quick bite or at the club or bar and don’t need to bring your entire purse with you.

An optional kit I also keep with me, I like to call my “Slut Kit” For the days that you don’t quite make it home, but you still have things to do the next morning. All kept in a nice toiletry bag for easy access

1. Condoms
2. Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
3. Travel deodorant
4. Make up remover wipes

I know it seems like a lot, but when it’s all laid out, having every one of these items is definitely doable, and has been helpful to me in the past! I will admit that my bag is rather large in order to fit my laptop comfortably. Mix and match and find what works best for you!

Mind your Mistress and remember to always stay beautiful!

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xoxo,
thelibrarian