Inside my work bag (The Essentials)

I only go into the office once a week, so maybe that’s why I do the most, but every single thing in my bag has a purpose..

These are the non-negotiables. The things that are always in my bag when I go to work.

1. A Tampon (Front, Centre, and Unapologetic)

Tampax

My tampon lives proudly in my transparent pouch, where anyone can see it.

And honestly? I love that for me.

Teenage me would have been mortified walking into a shop to buy sanitary products. Fast-forward to 2026, and I’m casually placing it on my desk like, yes, this is life.

That confidence didn’t come overnight, but it came. And I welcome it.

2. Makeup Touch-Up Kit (aka 2a, 2b, and 2c)

I always carry makeup, and it’s not about vanity. It’s about freshness.

Lippy

During lunch, I like to reset:

• A makeup brush to dab away oil

• Mascara and eyeliner for definition (I love a black eye moment)

• Lipstick, because tea, coffee, and water are constantly fighting it

I freshen up before lunch, sometimes again after, and definitely before heading home. I don’t question it. It’s my ritual.

3. A Mini Perfume

I always carry a small perfume, usually a mini around 10 to 15ml.

Just before lunch, when I’m refreshed, I lightly apply it to my hands and hair. It’s subtle, personal, and grounding. A tiny luxury in the middle of a workday.

4. My Transit Mug (A Budget Queen’s Best Friend)

Transit Mug

This one is serious.

My mum clocked that I was spending way too much money buying coffee

Her solution?

“Why don’t you just get a transit mug?”

Game changed.

I make tea at home every morning, take it with me, and I’ve cut down spending massively. Since I don’t have shares in coffee companies, it only makes sense to keep my coins where they belong

5. Hand Cream (Absolutely Non-Negotiable)

Caudalie

I don’t know what it is about this season, but I am obsessed with my hands.

Your fingers age faster than anything else, and I protect them accordingly. Creams, gloves when needed, and intentional care.

My hand cream stays with me at all times. No excuses.

6. Sunglasses (Desk Approved)

Sometimes by mid-afternoon, the light feels too loud, especially after early mornings.

I keep sunglasses at my desk and pop them on when I need a little visual break. Functional, chic, and slightly mysterious, exactly how I like my afternoons.

7. A Pencil (Because I’m That Girl)

I love pencils more than pens. I don’t even try to explain it anymore.

I write with pencils. I think with pencils. One is always in my bag.

Always.

Final Thoughts

These are my work bag essentials, the little things that make me feel prepared, grounded, and like myself, even on the one day a week I step into the office.

With Love,

Ayo