The beauty essentials you need at your desk

We all know the polished, fresh-face that waltzes through the office door at 8am isn’t the same one that leaves in the afternoon, so it’s a good idea to keep an emergency beauty stash at your desk.
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Whether it’s an impromptu meeting that requires a bold lip or the office air-con has got the better of you again, it pays to have your drawers stocked with the essentials that’ll keep you looking your best all day long. Here are nine beauty products that every working woman should keep at her desk:
Hand cream
We’d be surprised if you didn’t already have one stashed in your top drawer - it’s an absolute lifesaver when the air con is pumping. Save the rich, sometimes slippery hand creams for home (especially if you type at work!), and opt for Burt’s Bees Almond Milk & Beeswax Hand Créme. Its waxy, non-greasy texture is a godsend for dry, chapped hands.
A bright lipstick
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve whipped out a lippie at work, I’d probably be a millionaire. Keep a lipstick (or two, or three) at work for those times when you need to perk up, or instantly amp up your presentation for a meeting (and earn brownie points with the boss). The Bobbi Brown Art Sticks are every beauty editor’s new obsession; they’re creamy and allow for expert application.
Hydrating mist
Office air is about as refreshing as that on a 14-hour flight, so it’s nice to have something to freshen up your face when it’s starting to dry out. A spritz of the AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist will give your skin a quick hydration boost, leaving it feeling rejuvenated (and your colleagues wondering how your skin looks so damn good).
Fragrance
While you don’t want to wear your most sensual fragrance to work, it’s definitely worth having a scent on hand, especially if you’re regularly mingling with clients. The Elemis Eau de Parfum is a uplifting fragrance that guarantees compliments but won’t overpower the office.
Make-up wipes
When you’re going straight out after work and need to re-do your make-up, you need Johnson’s Daily Essential Cleansing Wipes for Sensitive Skin on side. These babies not only moisturise your skin, but with just a quick swipe, they’ll remove any grime from the day so you’re ready for round two.
Cuticle oil
Mulling over that meeting, or thinking about how you’ll open that preso? Why not be a multi-tasker and massage in some cuticle oil at the same time? For bonus points, try the Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil - it'll change the way your cuticles and nails look, so it’s a great one to keep within reach.
Dry shampoo
Sometimes, there’s just no time to do the whole hair washing thing in the morning. That’s where dry shampoo comes in! The Batiste Dry Shampoo range combats greasy strands, and gives hair that roughed-up texture we all know and love. Definite desk essential.
Deodorant
Work can be stressful, and sweating is a side-effect of that. Nobody wants to be known as the smelly office girl, so pop a can of Dove Original Anti-Perspirant Aerosol in your drawer and pull it out when needed. You (and your co-workers) will thank me for this one.
Straightener
If you could only see how much the bh girls use the office straightener… It’s clever to have a heat styling tool on hand - a quick once-over with the ghd IV styler before after-work drinks is a sure-fire way to make you feel like new again.
Moisturiser
You actually haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser. Seriously. Say goodbye to dry legs and elbows, because one spray is all it takes for the lotion to work its way deeply into the skin, sans the sticky residue.
What beauty products do you keep at your desk?
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154 Member Comments
I always have hand cream, nail oil, and lip balm with me! Everything else - I don't have the room!
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haha that is ALOT of stuff to have at your desk. I do always have hand cream & perfume though.
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I have never seen the vasoline spray moisturer. Going now to check out the link.
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I swear to god, all you need is lipstick, and an eye brow pencil. That duo works wonders!
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Hand cream and about 500 chapsticks. And all the things mentioned above! And then some.
Except the straightener, but I dont even have one at home.
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I have some nice hand cream at mine. Lifesaver
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I have heaps of lipsticks inside my wok drawer. I also have several tubes of hand cream. Also essential is nailpolish and nailpolish remover-make sure you use it outside the office during breaks. Don't want your colleagues complaining. These items have been lifesaver for me especially when ,my nailpoish have chipped and I have a meeting .
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I dont have a desj anymore. I have a nappy bag :) I have, for some reason, 4 lipsticks and 2 lipglosses, a hand cream, a concealer/mirror compact, and a perfume vial :)
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If I had a desk, it would be: bright lippies, hair serum and GHD hehe
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want them all! but always have hand cream
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Im pretty much homebased so I dont have to worry about spending all day in a work situation but when im overseas and spending a lot of time on the road each day I always carry lip balm, lipstick, spray mouth freshener, perfume, hydrating mist and sunscreen.
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A tube of hand cream, cuticle oil and a lip balm are my side table essentials.
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I wouldn't recommend that Burt's Bees hand cream for you desk. I found it to be really greasy, probably better suited by the bed for night time.
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definitely getting into the mood for some bright colours!
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I'm always carrying around hand cream, lip balm and deodorant.
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I keep a hand cream and use it often. I also keep perfume, deodorant and a nail filer along with a stash of chocolate.
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The only things I keep at my desk are hand cream and hydrating mist.
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I get ready at the gym these days so I have the lot with me ..but what makes it into my handbag for the day are..deodorant, perfume, bronzer, mascara. I also carry my foundation because its too hot up here to leave in the car. In reality I only ever use the perfume during the day. everything else pretty much stays put.
On another note..I am also not a fan of dry shampoo. Bad hair for me = big bun!
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oops and lip balm! How did I forget that!
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I always have a lipbalm,handcream,mirror,tweezer ,lipsticks and lipliners hiding inside my office drawer.
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Not carrying a sreaighter around every day. But I always have mist, I forget to use it
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Hand cream, lip balm and fragrance. All essentials
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I tend to have stuff in my bag, but then i don't have a desk at work just for me.
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Dry shampoo is a must (use in restroom tho). Hand lotion, lip balms and wet wipes are good too.
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I carry a hand Cream, cuticle oil, lip balm and perfume in my handbag so I always have them with me, including at my desk.
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