Perfectly styled outfit? Check. Unmistakably chic aura? Double check. But no matter how good the look, a cool fashion girl is nothing without a bag stocked with her essentials—which she’s likely carrying from appointment to appointment, perhaps even with a laptop in tow, for a long day of mixing and mingling. Figuring out what belongs in said bag, and what doesn’t, is both an art and a science—a balancing act that ensures you have everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Now imagine this: You quickly run to the bathroom after lunch and realize your lip combo has faded. In an ideal world, you’d have a tube of lip balm at the ready. Or, worse, it’s 4 p.m. and you are looking particularly dewy despite your best oil-controlling efforts. Wouldn’t it be nice to quickly mattify with a pressed setting powder? At dinner, your friend tells you you have spinach in your teeth. Instead of getting up from the table, you pull out the luxury compact mirror your boyfriend got you for Christmas and, discreetly, of course, extract the rogue green. You could rummage through the black hole that is your bag to find any and all of these accoutrements, however, wouldn’t it be nice if everything was neatly contained a pretty toiletry bag?
A Fashion Girl’s Favorite Beauty Accessories
Picture your tote as a canvas, and its curation your masterstroke: A pouch you can comfortably tuck inside your bag is your base; aesthetic hand lotions, cutie petite combs, and elegant compacts that snap shut with a satisfying click are your signature flourishes. Leave a little extra room, and least you’ll always feel prepared, no matter the day’s agenda.
Gilded Glances
Sure, you could just look in your iPhone selfie cam—but where’s the fun in that? A compact mirror adds a bit of luxury to the humble act of touching up your makeup. Whether you’re snapping it shut or sliding it back into a buttery soft leather pouch (we see you, Dries Van Noten)—these compact mirrors are eye candy, for you and everyone watching you reapply your lip liner.
Haute Hands
Whether the cold snap has your hands parched or holding onto the subway pole for your morning commute has you pressed about germs, it’s always helpful to have a lotion and sanitizer at the ready—even better when they’re reimagined as small luxuries. Take, for example, Chanel’s egg-shaped hand lotion (a long-standing Vogue editor favorite): its ergonomic design fits naturally in the palm of your hand while leaving skin baby soft. On the sanitizer front, try Noshinku’s refillable offering, featuring natural, botanically-derived ingredients housed in packaging so thin, it can easily slip into your jeans’ pocket.
Polished Portables
Nifty holders are for the one who wants to wield their beauty products at a moment’s notice. You’ve likely seen those card holders that stick onto the back of your phone, for ready use at any time. But what if you’re that deadly serious about your lip balm, too? In which case, Rhode’s phone case will make sure you never misplace your favorite tube again. Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta’s perfume holder makes sure your travel-sized scent never ever rolls around at the bottom of your bag, evading your grip hand again.
Hair Helpers
Chic travel brushes and mini combs perfectly illustrate how everyday essentials can feel like small splendors. When you need a quick hair touch-up—at work, in the back of a cab, or after a flight—no one is reaching for a giant paddle brush (honestly, where would you even put it?). Yves Durif’s vented brush makes detangling easy, while La Bonne Brosse and Altesse Studio offer boar bristle options for smoothing and shine. Crown Affair’s petite Italian resin combs, on the other hand, are great for fixing parts and look lovely, too.
Matte Magic
Glowy skin? Absolutely. But oily skin that puts a glaring spotlight on your T-zone and nasolabial folds? Not so much—especially after you’ve spent time perfecting your makeup. While it’s completely normal, ultimately, it’s not the look most of us want in photos. For quick touchups (without carrying your entire makeup bag), pocket-sized compacts and blotting papers are lifesavers. Westman Atelier’s cult-favorite setting powder comes in a travel size with the same powerful, skin-loving ingredients as the full-sized version—and let’s not forget the gorgeous gold packaging. Tatcha’s Aburatorigami blotting papers, meanwhile, are made with abaca leaf and real gold flakes, and they absorb excess oil without ever disturbing your makeup.
Shade Shift
If you’re interested in adding a bit of color to your look—think after-work makeup touch-ups, or a travel bag reducing your products only to the essentials—mini eyeshadows and versatile color products are the answer. After all, no one is carrying their 16-shade palette on a busy day (and if you do, you’ve just self-identified as an overpacker). Victoria Beckham Beauty’s eye wardrobe palette packs a punch in color payoff, all while fitting into the palm of your hand. Meanwhile, Sisley’s color cloud is a two-in-one blush or lip look.
Pout Pairing
In the beauty world, finding out someone’s lip combo is like discovering their astrological big three. The products, shades, and textures set the tone for their whole makeup vibe. After all, lips can define an entire look—just go fresh-faced with red lips, and you’re instantly bold. On the other hand, a true-to-skin liner and lipstick can give your pout a naturally pillowy effect. Try a bit of over-lining with the M.PH pencil by beloved makeup artist Mary Philips, dab on Fara Homidi’s multi-use lip compact, and—boom—you’ve created your personal signature.
Organized in Style
If you’re working with more space than a tiny Fendi baguette allows, slipping a travel pouch into your tote or carry-on is an easy win for keeping essentials close. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure, a quick overnight, hitting the gym before work, or just need to freshen up before dinner, these handy pouches are perfect for stashing all your beauty and wellness must-haves. For minimalists, Abasks’s smart leather bags come in gorgeous hues, and feature washable interiors. Though if you’re more keen vertical storage, Glossier’s is perfect.
Cold-Weather Cures
Whether you’re forgetful about your morning vitamins or just want to bring them along for a trip, on-the-go supplements make it easy to get a nutritional boost anywhere. Convenient pouches let you sprinkle potent formulas into a glass of water—like Lypo–Spheric’s liposomal vitamin C—or shoot them straight, as with Cymbiotika’s tasty gels. Portable choices make keeping up with your routine effortless, not like an added to-do list item.
