What do you keep in your purse? What are your purse must haves? I’ve always been curious as to what others keep in their purse.
I used to ask my friends what they have in their purse. I don’t know but I always found it quite interesting to see what others kept. It was also very nostalgic for me too.
When I was little, my grandma would always ask me to get something out of her purse for her. When I’d go through it, I remember just loving how her purse smelled. It was a mixture of leather, a powdery perfume, minty candy, and cash. She always had candy in her purse that she’d offer me. Just thinking about it now, I can smell her purse all over again and it just warms my heart.
As a mom to three girls, I’ve learned along the way what my purse must haves are. Now that they are adults and carry their own purses, the items I list out below are still very essential for me.
I list them in order of importance and the top 5 are essentially the things I never leave home without.
This post is all about purse must haves.
13 Purse Must Haves
1. Tissue
If there’s one thing I always carry with me, it’s tissue. I even invested in cloth tissues. I have allergies and if you’re anything like me, tissues at the ready are such a valuable must have. The feeling of having a slightly runny nose or teary eye and nothing to wipe with is really uncomfortable. I carry and use tissues so much that it’s become a running joke with my girlfriends and I. As much as they make fun of my tissue use, this definitely is my number one purse must haves. Plus, it comes in handy as a napkin for yourself and others when nothing else is available.
2. Lip Balm
This is another essential purse must have. I may start my morning wearing a lip balm and be good for a couple of hours. It’s when I leave the house, I tend to find my lips dry and cracked. Therefore, I also need to have lip balm at the ready. I actually carry two types in my purse. One with an SPF, and one that provides a little color.
After trying many lip balms (with SPF and without), I have finally settled on two of my favorites. For SPF, I use Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with SPF 25. This was actually introduced to me by my daughter who also was on a search for a moisturizing SPF lip balm. We’ve both tried so many lip balms with SPF from high to low end and none provided the moisture to our lips we needed. Until we came across Jack Black. I don’t know why but most SPF lip balms tend to be pretty drying, not Jack Blacks though. I bought mine at Sephora with a discount. This lip balm doesn’t feel like there’s SPF in it (because most of them do). After trying so many, you can start to notice which has SPF and which doesn’t.
The other lip balm I have in my purse is the Dior Addict Lip Glow in 01 Pink. I love this lip balm and this was also introduced to me by my youngest daughter. It moisturizes my lips and gives such a pretty natural color payoff. I don’t have to use a mirror when I apply it and love the color it provides my lips. Before using this lip balm, I heard so many great things about it but wasn’t convinced to try because of the price. I thought just by looking at it and its faint pink color, it would do nothing for my hyper-pigmented lips. I was totally wrong. It conditioned my lips and provided the most natural pretty color. It is pretty expensive but I only keep it in my purse for when I’m out and about.
At home, I use any lip balm. I was gifted Sunnies Face Lip Treat in Warm Pink by my middle daughter. She bought it while on her trip in the Philippines. I actually liked it so much that I finished it. I haven’t repurchased it because I’m trying to use all my old lip balms I have lying around the house right now. But when I’m out of the house, I’m not afforded as much comfort as I am when I’m home, so I try to bring my favorite lip balm with me where ever I go.
3. Sunglasses
Another purse must have are my sunglasses. I used to be really bad about not wearing sunglasses when I was younger which I regret. Now, I have a bit of sun damage in my eyes. My eyes are also really sensitive to light now. Sunglasses are definitely a must have no matter how overcast or gloomy it looks outside. Even if it’s not a sunny day, it still can be super bright out. Wearing sunglasses provides me with that extra protection.
4. Floss or Toothpicks
Again, part of my top 5 purse must haves are either floss or toothpicks. I usually carry both because one of my pet peeve is having food stuck in between my teeth. It is the most annoying feeling. If I don’t have anything to get it out, it could be stuck there for so long! The whole time, I’ll continue sucking at my teeth until I get it to move and even then there will still be a small piece stuck.
To eliminate that annoyance, I just keep floss or toothpicks in my purse. Some restaurants offer individually wrapped toothpicks. If this is the case, I’ll usually take a couple and keep it in my purse. As far as floss, I usually keep the ones that the dentist office gives me because they’re usually travel or sample size.
5. Hand Lotion
Last but not least, as part of my top 5 purse must haves is hand lotion. I definitely have dry hands because I wash my hands a lot. I literally was trained this way as a nurse. Even before then, I knew how important it was to have clean hands. Whenever I go out to eat, I always wash my hands first. If I have access to a restroom, I usually will wash my hands. I’ve gone out before, washed my hands, and didn’t have lotion available. My hands would feel so dry and cracked, especially during the winter.
This is why it’s part of my top 5 purse must haves. It also helps prevent me from getting hang nails too. Currently, I don’t have a favorite. I either am gifted hand creams by friends and family or they come in perfume sets that were given to me. If not, I’ll either buy some at TJ Maxx or Target. One day, I would love to have a luxurious hand cream, like Dior’s in my bag.
These 5 purse must haves are usually things I would carry with me at all times whether I have a big purse or not. If my purse cannot accommodate a lot, I will forgo the next set of items below but the top 5 are things I carry with me most times I leave the house.
Now, the next several items are not a part of my top 5 purse must haves but they pretty much travel with me a lot too. If I have a bigger purse and know that I will be out of the house for a longer period of time, I will usually bring everything listed below as well.
I carry all these items in a clear makeup bag that fits inside my purse. Using a clear makeup bag helps make it easier for to pull from when looking for things you need. I recently just purchased a new one from Ulta.
Here’s my extended purse must haves list in order of importance:
6. Eye Drops
Again, I have allergies and it affects my eyes as well. I usually carry two types of eye drops one for red eyes, Lumify, and one for allergies. For allergies, I really like Target’s Eye Allergy Relief Drops by Up & Up. I’ve used Pataday before and it doesn’t work as well for me. Plus, Pataday is pretty expensive. I try to use eye drops before putting on my contacts when I get ready. This is why I usually don’t need to carry them around with me because I usually prefer to only use them once a day. But there are times, when my allergies will get the best of me, especially when I’ve been out all day. My eyes can get so itchy and having that extra comfort in eye drops will bring me instant relief.
7. Antibacterial Wipes & Gel
I prefer to wash my hands but there are times when I don’t have access to soap and water. Having antibacterial wipes and gel are super convenient after a long day out when your trying to enjoy a meal, at let’s say, the park.
I used to ride my bike around San Francisco a lot just because it was easier to get around in than a car. When my partner and I picked up sandwiches to eat at a local park, antibacterial wipes or gel would come in so handy.
Plus, having antibacterial wipes are so convenient to have when traveling. I usually wash my hair the day of travel. However, I noticed my hair would get so oily after a plane ride. Now, I disinfect the headrest of my seat and have noticed a difference. My hair will stay fresher longer. I also disinfect any other areas where my head may rest or food will touch.
The antibacterial wipes I really love are Purell Hand Sanitizer Wipes. After using Purell wipes to clean my hands, they leave my hands feeling soft and clean unlike Wet Ones. The travel size is pretty convenient and slim enough to slip into your purse too.
8. Nail Clippers & File
I usually regret it when I don’t carry these things with me. I usually have natural short nails. At times, even with short nails, they can break and snag. I don’t like thinking about having to rip my nails off if it breaks which I’ve had to do before. Also, because I wash my hands so much, I tend to get a lot of hang nails which I peel. I know, I know. That’s so not good for you but hey, I’m only human. Having nail clippers, eliminates the need for me to rip my nail or hang nail. Plus, nail clippers can act like a mini scissor when necessary.
I also carry a tiny travel size glass nail file. I like carrying one around because if my nail does break, there are times when just having a nail file to smooth out any rough edges will suffice.
I’ve found that Sephora carries the best glass nail file. I’ve tried a few different glass nails files but prefer Sephora’s over all others because it’s thin enough to fit under your nail. Unfortunately, they don’t have a travel size version.
9. Allergy Medication
Again, I have allergies. I’m usually hard headed and don’t like taking medications. But I always appreciate it when I have an allergy medication on hand. When I’m out and about, I’ll catch myself having a cough attack and that’s when I’m really grateful that I’m not that stubborn and have allergy meds on hand.
I’ve been in situations before where I went on an impromptu hike which triggered such a bad cough attack, I thought I was turning blue. As soon as I took my allergy medication, I was totally fine. Make sure you consult with your medical provider first to see if there is a need and what works for you.
10. Tampon & Panty Liners
I don’t usually where tampons. As I’ve gotten older, pads have been more comfortable for me. But it’s too bulky to hold in my purse. Instead, I have a tiny tampon I fit inside my clear makeup bag along with a couple of panty liners.
Again, these are one of the items which if I’m carrying with me, I always appreciate it. There is always a need for it whether if it’s for me or someone else. Carrying at least one tampon is convenient enough for me to either get home or purchase more if necessary.
11. Instant Stain Remover Pen
I never understood the value of an instant stain remover pen until I started using them. Having this as a part of your purse must haves is a life saver to your clothes. How many times have you dropped something on your blouse while at dinner worried that it would stain the material? I worry less about my clothes when I know I can quickly pull out this pen and use it to remove whatever oil stain landed on my silk blouse.
I like using Tides Instant Stain Remover.
12. Contact Lenses
I usually will have an extra pair of contacts as part of my purse must haves. I started carrying an extra pair because I was scared one of my contacts might accidentally pop out. That has only happened to me once since I’ve been wearing contacts for the past 20 years.
However, I have used my extra pair of contacts when I’ve randomly slept over a friend’s house which has happened to me more times than the random contact popping out scenario.
There have been times when my girlfriends and I would go out for drinks and dinner, and I had the intentions of returning home. But we sometimes would get back so late, it was just easier for me to stay the night. Having an extra pair of contacts would come in so handy during those moments.
13. Tweezers
Now, I must say, I don’t use this as often anymore. But because of history, I usually like to carry these around with me. There have been times, when my daughters or I would get a tiny splinter in our hands and tweezers would come to the rescue. I didn’t list this as my top 5 just because I don’t use it as often as other items I’ve listed above. But again, when I do use them, it’s usually been such a great thing to have on hand. It also barely takes up space in my makeup bag and is super tiny if you get a travel size. I like using Tweezerman mini tweezers.
All Other Essentials
Here, I list all other purse must haves I carry with me but you don’t have to. I list them here more so to provide ideas for you. In my makeup bag, sometimes I will also carry a sample packet of face moisturizer, sample packet of face wash, an alcohol wipe (got it from my press on nail kit), a bandaid, lighter, pen, a hair tie, travel-size foundation makeup brush, and sometimes candy. I usually don’t like carrying candy around because I forget about it and then it gets old. I also carry a small sewing kit. It hasn’t been used it yet but it’s smaller than a credit card. I got it from a hotel I was staying at in London.
Again, I always appreciate when I look through my purse and find that I have skincare samples for nights at my friends or just days when I’m over someones house and want to wash my face, or alcohol wipes and a bandaid when someone gets a little nick. Lighters are just handy for more than lighting a cigarette (which I don’t smoke). There have been times, when we want to light a candle on a birthday cake and always forget about the lighter.
What are your purse must haves? How do you carry all your items? Please share, as I would love to hear what works for you. Thanks for reading!
Love, Sutivi
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