15 essentials that should be in every woman’s handbag

These handbag essentials will get you out of many a stitch. There's a reason we carry the kitchen sink, you know!

1. Baby wipes
You don’t need a baby to need baby wipes. These are handy for any spills on your clothes, smudging make-up and are really handy if you need to apply make-up in the car.

2. Hand sanitizer
Because you never know when you might have to use a public bathroom. Or shake someone’s hand when you really don’t want to. Or sneeze. Or get sneezed on. The list is endless.

3. Pen and paper
If you’re anything like us, making lists is a way of life. Grocery lists, reminders or an idea for that book you want to write that you know you’ll forget – having a pen could literally change your life. Or something not quite so dramatic…

4. Tissues
At your boyfriend’s friends house having a few pre-game drinks and there’s no toilet paper – we’ve all been there. No woman likes to drip-dry so pack some tissues.

5. Sunglasses
Unexpectedly, the sun comes out and you are left squinting over your coffee – so not chic. Sunglasses will always be the epitome of glamour so keep them safe in your handbag. Oh, and they’re good for protecting your eyes too, or something like that.

6. Tampons
The horror of realising you have gotten your period while in a public place alone can never be underestimated. Keep some tampons in your bag and never be caught in the lurch again. Plus, you know your not-as-organised friends will be thanking you when you can lend them one.

7. SPF
Looking after our skin is really important and although your make-up may have protection in it, keep some high SPF in your bag too for top ups.

8. A small umbrella
Because we live in Ireland, it could be the hottest day of the year and you may still end up thanking your lucky stars you packed an umbrella.

9. Mirror
You just ate the most amazing spinach salad – now let’s make sure it’s not in your teeth.

10. A hair bobbin
It’s a lovely sunny day and you get a 99 (with a Flake) when suddenly a gust of wind blows all of your hair into the ice-cream. Avoid this disaster by making sure you have some hair bobbins in your bag.

11. Safety pins
For those awkward moments the zip pops – oops! 

12. Pain killers
If you get a bad headache, always reach for the water first. That said, having some pain killers on hand can also be a good idea. 

13. Clear nail polish
Dabbing some clear nail varnish on a small tear in your tights will stop it from getting worse and takes up less room than a spare pair. 

14. Hair brush
Neaten your look in seconds with a quick sweep of a hairbrush. 

15. Mints
Garlic breath right before your date? Not cool.