You may feel the need to freshen up midway through your workday but can’t find that blush you thought was in your purse. Or maybe you shortened your morning makeup routine for a few more hits of the snooze button. Here are six beauty products to keep you polished throughout the day, no matter what pinch you’re in.
A great collection of basic beauty back-ups can prevent you from looking like a mess after a rushed morning or glam you up for an impromptu night out after office hours. Stock these items in your desk drawer just in case:
- Blotting paper. For an oil-banishing product compact enough to fit in your purse or pocket, use blotting paper like Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens. One package contains 100 sheets that’ll keep your face shine-free without messing up your makeup. As a bonus tip, use the sheets to blot your lipstick, too.
- Hand cream. Hands go through the wringer on a daily basis: multiple washes, harsh temperatures and everyday dirt. So hydrate them with a hand cream like Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème that nourishes with ingredients like aloe vera, beeswax and sweet almond.
- Makeup color palette. Keep a cosmetic kit handy for touch ups and last minute glam demands. For a kit that covers your eye shadow, lip gloss, eyebrow and blush needs, grab Jane Iredale One 4 All Color Cosmetic Kit.
- Multi-purpose highlighter. InStyle recommends NARS The Multiple Multi-Purpose Stick for a makeup stick that offers sheer shimmer and highlight for your eyes, cheeks or lips. Have your pick of 13 easy-to-blend, beautiful colors.
- Under-eye concealer. Look bright and alert whether you just got to work or you’ve put in a full day. An under-eye concealer like Fusion Beauty IllumiCover Line Smoothing Luminous Concealer can perk you right up with its lightweight formula that won’t settle into fine lines.
- Dry shampoo. If a shower just wasn’t in the equation before heading out the door, grab a bottle of dry shampoo. A few simple sprays near the roots will absorb excess oil and add a touch of volume to your tresses. InStyle recommends brushing a small amount through your hair with a brush for an even application. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray Travel Size is the perfect size to keep in your purse or tucked in a drawer. Lastly, don’t forget a few extra bobby pins and hair ties for stray hair days.
A few beauty products can make your workday, and your skin, a little smoother. And, after you have these basics gathered together, consider tossing in an extra of your favorite cosmetic or a sample bottle of your most adored fragrance. And keep your products organized in a cute pouch you can throw in your purse on a whim.
Learn everything you need to know about workplace beauty and skincare for a professional lifestyle in our Office Beauty Handbook.