A purse is a girl’s best friend. You never leave home without it. But sometimes, we forget to include the essentials.
Not all of us can be Mary Poppins, what with a lamp and a houseplant, but if you've been caught in the rain on your way to an interview, I'm sure you were jealous of her umbrella. Purses vary in size from handbag to oversized sack and depending on your personal needs on the go, you might require different items. Meanwhile, you don't want to get weighed down by carrying your life's possessions with you everywhere, unless of course you're one of those people who has narrowed down their personal possessions to 100 — in which case, we salute you, dear nomad.
Life is full of unexpected moments. In order to prepare yourself for whatever comes your way, you have to think of your purse as a toolkit. A toolkit is nothing without the right tools. Therefore, you need all the correct tools. This may seem like common sense, but I bet if you were to open up your purse right now, most likely some of these items will be missing, and your BFF isn't always there to help you out.
So, don’t get yourself into a sticky situation — make sure to pack all of these necessities below.
Clean Up the Mess
Don’t let that runny nose get away from you. Clean up any mess with a travel size tissue. Whether you’re sneezing, crying, or blotting your lipstick — tissues are a girl’s best friend. Life can throw messiness at you, but with a tissue at hand, you’ll be better prepared.
Kleenex Pocket Packs Facial Tissues, $5.75, amazon.com
Mirror Mirror, Not On the Wall
With a mirror at hand, you can check to make sure you’re still the fairest in the land. Think you’ve got something in your teeth? Check your mirror. Feel a pimple coming on? Bust out your mirror. A lot of things can happen to our faces throughout the day. But with a mirror, you can face them head on. For desperate times, your cell phone can do double duty as a mirror as well.
Compact Pocket Magnifying Makeup Mirror, $6.38, amazon.com
Pucker Up
You’re never fully dressed without a smile — and lipstick. Keep your lips hydrated and feeling good. Whether it’s lip balm or lipstick, you and your lips will feel more confident. Nothing says, “Watch out, world,” quite like lipstick. And, a little bit of color can brighten up any day.
E.l.f. Moisturizing Lipstick, $4, amazon.com
Cover All Your Bases
It’s always good to be prepared, especially when it comes to sex. Carrying around your own condoms in your purse is by far the smartest decision. Be smart and be your own best advocate. Haven't you heard — safe sex is always the best sex.
Trojan Condom Her Pleasure 12 Count, $6.47, amazon.com
A Breath of Fresh Air
Freshen up by always having gum and/or mints in your purse. Your new fling calls and wants to see you after work. Now with those breath mints, you’re prepared. Or maybe your boss calls you in for an unexpected important meeting. One thing you won’t have to worry about is stinky breath. Gum and/or mints come in handy for a meeting, a date, or a chance encounter.
Lifesavers Mints, $6.98, amazon.com
Call Girl
Never go anywhere without your phone — and I mean anywhere. Not only do you need to be up to date on the latest Instagram feed, but you need it in case of emergency. Not having your phone on you can make you feel like you’re naked. And just remember, public nudity is illegal.
She’s So Flossy
Food in your teeth is never a cute look. Clean it up with a little floss. You never have to worry about kale in your teeth when you’re packing floss in your purse. Plus, who doesn’t like good oral hygiene?
Oral-B Mint Flavor Floss, $4.14, amazon.com
Mo’ Money, No Problems
A lady should always carry a credit card in her wallet for those unexpected moments. Whether she found an amazing pair of jeans on sale, or her date wants to go halfsies on dinner — she will be prepared. Also, cash never goes out of style. Remember to keep a couple of dollar bills on hand, just in case.
Period Protection
No girl should be caught without a tampon/pad in her purse. Life can throw some crazy things at you, including a not-so-expected period. There's only one way to feel like a 13-year-old girl again — bleeding through your underwear. You've learned from those middle school days, and hopefully are carrying some protection in your purse.
o.b. Pro Comfort Easy To Carry Tampons 40 Count, $5.91, amazon.com
