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What are your small daily essentials to keep in your bag?

30 replies

TragicMuse · 22/03/2026 20:07

I have a small pouch I keep in my bag but I feel it’s getting far too crammed. A lipstick, small scent, powder compact and brush, pills, nail file, and on and on. I need help refining things down, reducing bulk and weight and clutter.

What are your essentials and how can I convince myself to lose a heap of things I never use?!

Thanks!

OP posts:
ChillingWithMySnowmies · 22/03/2026 20:11

Tissues, a pen/small notepad, small tape measure, spare meds, pain relief and snack bar in case i need the pain relief (cant take on an empty stomach) emery board & a couple of plasters.

It isn't often i need more than that.. and if i do.. it's probably in my car somewhere, lol.

Huckleberries · 22/03/2026 20:13

What are you using?

I have a lipstick and pills

That's it for beauty or personal stuff.

MakeMineAMilkyTea · 22/03/2026 20:15

I have a car pouch as well as a handbag pouch x 2. Car pouch has meds (pain relief and Imodium), lip balm and some change for shopping trolley. Pouch 1 in my bag has meds, lip balm, powder and puff and sudacreme. Pouch 2 has drinks and snacks, extra tea bags, little diluting juice, cereal bar or two.

MakeMineAMilkyTea · 22/03/2026 20:16

Oh I always have a first aid kit in each car so plasters etc are always on hand.

Morepositivemum · 22/03/2026 20:19

Pen, kindle, notebook, concealer, eye cream, chewing gum, Vaseline, phone and charger, tissues and paracetamol

hexsnidgett · 22/03/2026 20:19

So much stuff! I am out of the house for 11 plus hours, public transport and like to be prepared.
Sometimes I go through and take out things I haven't used in a while and then wish I hadn't.Hmm

ChillingWithMySnowmies · 22/03/2026 20:19

if we're bringing the car into it. i do not travel light xD

That's where my spare ketchup/sugar packets, cutlery/napkins, sunglasses, gloves, chargers, med kit, spare shoes, sanitary stuff, spare socks...etc all live.

FiveMetresUp · 22/03/2026 20:24

Phone
Meds
Lip balm
Tissues
Notebook & pen

user593 · 22/03/2026 20:24

Lip colour, perfume (travel size), sunscreen. Sometimes concealer, moisturiser mist (Laniege Cream Skin), and a pen.

TragicMuse · 22/03/2026 20:27

Apart from my makeup bag I also have notebook, pens, chargers x4…

OP posts:
Nopayrise · 22/03/2026 20:37

Paracetamol, Gaviscon, mints, tissues, pen, spare hairband, mini lip balm, mini hand cream

GameOfJones · 22/03/2026 21:43

In terms of style and beauty stuff just a tinted lip balm, compact mirror, tissues, a plaster and a mini perfume.

Other than that I carry a small purse, ear pods, a sanitary towel and spare pair of knickers (thanks endometriosis periods!), keys, charger and phone.

Therecordplayer · 22/03/2026 21:44

I have small deodorant, liners, hand sanitizer

mynameiscalypso · 22/03/2026 21:48

In my bag, I generally have a powder compact, breath spray, a small perfume, concealer and more lip balms/sticks/glosses than one could ever need in a day. I generally have a nail file too and some painkillers and an emergency diazepam. I also keep a full kit in my locker at work (cleanser, moisturiser, second set of make up, deodorant, tights and knickers, sanitary products, toothbrush and paste).

I’ve also been carrying around a toddle snack bar (DS is 6…) and one of his socks for about a week now.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/03/2026 21:49

All I have is a couple of lip balms, one with a mirror and 3 or 4 lipsticks plus a brush.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/03/2026 21:50

Oh and hand cream for smoothing hair and for hands.

Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 22/03/2026 21:50

Tampons
pain killers
lip balm
power bank
£20 note incase contactless ever doesn’t work

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/03/2026 21:50

And perfume.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 22/03/2026 21:50

I have a pouch I move from bag to bag which has tissues, painkillers, folding hairbrush, tampon/liner, pen, tiny little power bank. I tend to put my lipstick and AirPods case into the internal pocket of my bag, phone and keys in my pocket. I also carry a very small umbrella and a beanie hat because I live in Scotland, plus a card holder.

hahabahbag · 22/03/2026 21:51

I have ibroprofen, antacids, lip balm, tissues, plasters, a sealed antiseptic wipe, a pen and a couple of sealed decaf /fruit teabags as I can’t have caffeine

Gowlett · 22/03/2026 21:53

Mostly ancient receipts, bits of tissue & ketchup or sugar sachets. Plus my wallet & keys.

PublicHare · 22/03/2026 21:55

Lip balm
Mini hand cream and nail file
Hair tie
Xylitol mints and interdental brush
Packet of tissues
Paracetamol and antihistamine
Pant liner, sanitary bag and spare knickers
Pen & mini notepad

LoserWinner · 22/03/2026 21:56

Hearing aid batteries, MagSafe phone charger, pen, stuffable shopping bag, tissues, spare £10 note.

nochance17 · 22/03/2026 21:58

Make up, tissues, paracetamol, a pen, hand cream, body spray, cough sweets, phone charger, glasses, lip balm, bottle of water, knee/ankle support in case I need them (I’m on my feet a lot & long shifts) I never travel light really.

henlake7 · 22/03/2026 22:18

I also have a pouch filled with 'useful' bits.
I think the only things I actually use regularly though are lipstick, hairbrush and tissues.