Women’s bags are a complete enigma to everyone. Remember how you would get everything you ever needed from your mom’s purse? It almost seemed like a vortex that would never end!
Well, ladies, having things at hand and on the go, takes some serious skill. It’s also the mark of being a responsible and organized woman. And now that you’re an adult, it’s time you stepped up your bag game as well.
So here’s a list for all the essentials a woman should have in her bag. Check these off and you’ll be ready to take on the world!
Beauty Essentials
Women need to carry a lot of extra things for beauty, hair and fashion purposes. That’s why pockets just aren’t enough for us. The trick is to get everything in travel sized bottles and packs. This makes it easier to fit in your bag and carry around all day.
Basic Makeup Items
Every girl should have a small bag full of basic makeup. Now, that doesn’t mean you should carry your full beauty routine everywhere you go. Just put in things you’ll actually use. For me, it’s an eyebrow pencil, a hand mirror, and some lip tint. But if you’re already blessed with beautiful eyebrows, you might want to pick something different. The lip tint I’d suggest to keep because it works as an eyeshadow as well as a blush. But if you have space to spare and a more happening lifestyle, it’s wise to add a few more things. If you wear lipstick, make sure you have the same shade in your bag. You should also keep a small compact powder case with you. We all know how important those touch-ups are.
Perfume
Spritzing perfume once in the morning just doesn’t cut it when you’re running around all day. By the afternoon, most of us end up smelling like exhaustion and sweat. You can solve this problem by carrying a nice smelling perfume in your bag. Luckily, you’ll get lots of mini-sized options that take up no space at all. This way, if you’ve got a meeting or a date after work, you can still smell awesome.
Hair Accessories
Unfortunately for girls, our hair never really stays the way we want it. Within two hours of styling, it’s sure to turn into something completely different. So it’s best to keep a small hairbrush in your purse. This way, if you have somewhere important to go, you can always do a quick fix. Also, for some of us, going through the day with hair on our face is not ideal. If you belong to this category, pack some hairbands and clips as well. Then, you’ll be able to tie up your hair anytime it gets too annoying. And definitely keep some extras around because these pesky things always end up getting lost!
Extra Jewelry
Some of us girls don’t really like wearing jewelry every day. Or perhaps you’re always in a rush to get out and you never really get the chance. In that case, it’s wise to keep a few extra earrings and bracelets in your bag. Pick items that go with all colors and clothes. This way in case of emergencies, you have a backup!
Wet Wipes
Even if you walk out of the house looking flawless, dust and grime from the air will definitely stick to your face. And in hot weather, you’ll surely end up being a sweaty mess. To deal with these situations, always carry wet wipes with you. These are like tissue, but better, because they are infused with gentle cleansers. Using these wipes on your face will keep you refreshed, clean and feeling great. They’re also really handy for wiping away food and drink from clothes. So, the next time you drop ice-cream on your top, you don’t have to worry about the stain.
Hand Cream
Hand creams may sound fancy, but they’re definitely something every woman needs. Dry hands do not feel or look good. And since we use our hands the most, shouldn’t we take extra care of them? Moisturizing your hands throughout the day will make your hands soft and supple. What’s more, hand creams smell pretty amazing as well! Personally, I like to massage my hands with hand cream whenever I’m feeling anxious. It really helps to calm me down and works as a stress relieving activity.
Safety Pins
We’ve all faced a fashion disaster at least once in our life. And in those situations, we’re always looking for safety pins from someone. So why not just carry some yourself? Got a broken bra strap? Have to go to class with torn sandals? Safety pins will save the day! The best part about these is that they’re small and come in large numbers. But they’re also probably the most useful item you can have in your bag.
Non-Beauty Essentials
Contrary to popular belief, a woman’s bag doesn’t just contain beauty items. We’ve got other things to worry about as well! Whether we’re going to class or work, having a functional bag is important. On that note, here are some non-beauty essentials you shouldn’t forget.
Snacks
When you’re out and about, you’re bound to get hungry. Of course, there are tonnes of restaurants and shops around. But sometimes there’s just no time to stop what we’re doing and grab some food. Here’s the thing though – no matter how focused you are, you can’t rule the world with a growling stomach and a weak body. So, you should always keep a convenient snack at hand. A bit of chocolate, biscuits or even an apple will give you the strength you need to power through the day. And no, this isn’t weird. I even carry packets of my favorite coffee mix, just in case!
Powerbank
We use our phones all day and they’re very likely to get drained out of charge. In fact, I can’t begin to tell you about the countless times I’ve suffered because my phone died at a crucial moment. To make your life easier, take a power bank everywhere you. They are portable, convenient and a very good investment. This way you can avoid the hassle of carrying around a charger or looking for plug points. Always make sure to charge your power bank with your phone overnight. You can also get wireless power banks that don’t need any cables.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is an absolute essential wherever you go. There are so many disgusting things we touch unknowingly when outside. And to make matters worse, how many of us really wash our hands before eating? This is not entirely our fault. Washing hands outside is just too much of a hassle. It’s not cool and you don’t really get basins and taps everywhere. That’s where hand-sanitizers come to the rescue. Sure you might be known as the germaphobe in your friend group. But rest assured, they’ll be queuing up for a squirt of your precious hand sanitizer in no time!
Headphones
For your daily commute to work, or when you want to avoid conversation with strangers, headphones are a total life savior. With a simple pair of headphones, you can catch up on your favorite tv shows in the subway, without bothering anyone else. You can also use your commuting time to relax by listening to some music. The possibilities with headphones are endless! So be sure to pack a pair in your bag.
Medication
Being prepared for the worst is always advised. This doesn’t mean you have to keep your whole first aid kit in your bag. Just make sure you have some essential medicines packed for the go. For instance, if you’ve got breathing problems, an inhaler is mandatory. And if you’ve got migraines you should have painkillers ready for whenever they strike. Having medicines for allergies and gastric issues at hand are really helpful as well. Why suffer throughout the day, when you have a simple solution?
Final Thoughts
Once you have all these items in your bag, you’re good to go. There should be no obstacles that you can’t tackle anymore. You’ll now officially be the lady who has it all together! The items mentioned here are just some of the general essentials every woman should have. But of course, your bag should be catered to your personal needs and lifestyle. In fact, what you take is going to depend a lot on where you’re going. Try not to get carried away with filling your bag up, just because you have a lot of space. Remember, you’ll be the one carrying it around all day, so keep it light!
