Living in Brooklyn, my days rarely look the same. One minute, I’m squeezing onto a crowded train, the next I’m meeting a friend on the Lower East Side or popping into the West Village to see my favorite nephew. I love being able to say yes to spontaneous plans, but when I’m out all day, the last thing I want is a purse weighed down by things I don’t need. I’ve learned to be more intentional about what I carry, keeping just the essentials that help me feel good, stay on top of my routine, and get through whatever the day brings. Here are the essentials that have earned a permanent spot in my bag.
My Daily Supplement Routine
I’m pretty religious about taking my Viviscal and HealthyCell supplements every day. I started taking Viviscal after getting a perm and noticing significantly more hair coming out when I washed and brushed it. My hair was getting tangled more easily, so I suspect some of what I was seeing was breakage from working through the knots. That’s what prompted me to try Viviscal—I wanted to help my hair feel stronger and fuller again after a pretty harsh treatment.
I was introduced to HealthyCell by my colleague and I love that it comes in a drinkable supplement format. Most supplements come in the form of capsules, so having a portable liquid supplement to complement and be used to wash down others make the two an easy pairing in my daily wellness routine. It’s one less thing to overthink before starting my day.
So keeping these two in my purse has become an easy way to stay consistent. My purse stays in the kitchen when I’m home so that whenever I walk into the kitchen, I have an easy reminder to take them. And if I’m heading out for the day, they’re already packed and ready to go. It’s a simple system that helps me stay consistent without having to think twice about it.
Beauty Essentials I Always Keep in My Purse
I’m not someone who carries a full makeup bag everywhere. I’m constantly moving things between my purse and bathroom counter, only to forget where I left them. That’s why these two products stay in my bag permanently: they’re compact, versatile, and perfect for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
Toppik’s Fill Me In fiber mascara is handy for those moments when my hair needs a quick touch-up but I’m nowhere near ready to wash and restyle it. Especially after an F45 class, I’ll smooth down the flyaways and add a little color around the areas where I want extra coverage. It’s also easy to pull out before dinner when my hair has been up all day and needs a little attention.
Jones Road Beauty’s Mini Miracle Balm is my quick makeup refresh. I can tap a little onto my lips, cheeks, and eyelids with my fingers without pulling out a makeup bag full of products. It’s especially convenient when I’m going straight from daytime plans to dinner and want a little color without redoing my makeup.
Both are small enough to live in my purse, so I don’t have to plan ahead to have them with me. A couple of quick touch-ups, and I feel a little more pulled together.
My Everyday Hydration Essentials
When I’m moving between the office, restaurants, and workout classes, staying hydrated inside and out takes a little extra thought. I’m in and out of my purse all day, so keeping a few essentials within reach that remind me to take care of myself in those in-between moments.
My 12 oz MiiR water bottle is compact and easy to carry, so it doesn’t take over my bag. It holds enough water to keep me sipping throughout the day without adding too much weight. I’m often drinking water at my desk or at restaurants but having my own bottle nearby is a simple reminder to keep sipping throughout the day.
I also keep hand moisturizer and a sunscreen stick in my purse. My hands tend to feel dry after frequent washing, so I can reach for lotion whenever I need it. Sunscreen is another thing I want to remember to reapply, especially when I’m out all afternoon. Since I’m reaching into my bag so often, each time is another little opportunity to check in: Do I need a sip of water, a little moisturizer, or another layer of sunscreen?
Why This Works For Me
I’ve realized I’m more consistent when there’s less setup involved. If something takes ten steps or requires rearranging my morning, I’ll probably skip it when I’m busy. But if it’s already within reach or fits into something I’m doing anyway, I’m much more likely to keep doing it. Leaving things where I actually use them, getting something ready the night before—small changes like that make a difference. Before I try harder to stick to a routine, I look at what’s making it inconvenient.
If there’s a habit you keep putting off, look for one step you can remove. Keep what you need nearby, prep it ahead of time, or pair it with something you already do. Make it easier to get started, and see if you do it more often.
