As we increasingly spend more time at our workplaces, they are slowly becoming our second homes. With so many of us going to the gym, meeting up with friends or attending other social events straight from our office desks, having a few makeup essentials in our drawers has become a must. We reveal our day-to-night makeup must-have list in this handy guide.
Eyeliner and MascaraDepending on how much makeup you usually wear to work, having an eyeliner or a tub of mascara could be a lifesaver if you suddenly have an unexpected evening invitation. If you usually wear mascara for your day look, you can simply pop eyeliner into your top drawer to have it just in case. If you decide on keeping a mascara tub in your desk, always make sure it is not passed its use-by date, which is 2-3 months, and 6-12 months for eyeliners.
Hand CreamMost offices are air conditioned which makes skin dry. Our hands suffer the most because we are likely to use hand dryers after we wash our hands when we are at work. Thankfully, this is nothing to worry about as you can simply keep a hand cream in your drawer and apply it any time you feel your hands are a bit on the dry side.
Dry ShampooIf you have an event after work, or you love going to the gym during your lunch break, it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of dry shampoo in your desk. Simply spray it on to your roots to refresh those strands. The dry shampoo will soak up all of the excess oils and prevent the roots from getting greasy – it’s perfect to use between hair washes too.
Hand SanitiserIf you commute to work or don’t always have time to give your hands an extra wash – antibacterial hand sanitiser can prove to be very useful. Remember, don’t use hand gel as an alternative to washing your hands, and rather use it in times when soap and water are out of reach.
Deodorant and Your Favourite ScentDid you know that the highest sweat rates of an adult can be up to 2–4 liters per hour or 10–14 litres per day? Although this extreme doesn’t happen daily, we still sweat throughout the day, so having a desk deodorant is key especially in the summer or if you commute in stuffy, crowded trains daily. It’s also handy to have a small bottle of your favourite scent in your drawer – or you can put some perfume samples in there instead – in case you have to run to an event straight after work, or you have an important meeting to attend. This doesn’t mean that you need to spray a lot of it, a light spritz of perfume can boost your mood as well as confidence.
Oil Sheets and Face WipesWe all have days when we need to take our makeup off and feel fresh-faced. This is why face wipes can really useful. They also are a lifesaver if you are not happy with your makeup and you just want to start over. Oily skin in particular can get really shiny in an air-conditioned office, so oil sheets can be really helpful to keep the unwanted glow at bay.
Lip balm with added SPFJust like skin, your lips can get dry and dehydrated. Your skin produces natural oils throughout the day to help it stay hydrated, while your lips don’t. Another reason you can get chapped lips easily is not protecting them from the sun’s harmful rays. Luckily, all you need to do is have a lip balm with added SPF handy, either in your desk drawer or in your bag.
LipstickHeading out straight after office hours? Nothing beats a lick of lipstick when it comes to transforming your look with a single stroke. It’s a good idea to keep your favourite lipstick shade in your drawer, it will prove to be a confidence booster, and generally will save the day for when an after work event pops up unplanned.
PowderKeeping a compact powder in your drawer can be a lifesaver, especially if you have oily skin. Simply cover the T-zone to prevent unwanted glow, or you can apply a light dusting to your whole face for extra coverage.
