Comments on: Office Staples: Toiletry Edition

By: PamA

PamA — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:37:37 +0000

Do you guys really have time to “touch up” let alone re-do your eye makeup when a partner or C-level exec calls (or sends their assistant) to drag you to their office or a meeting (unplanned) ASAP? This used to happen to me all the time and I barely had time to refresh my lip stick/gloss before I had to sprint down the hall to another floor. Can’t imagine having to change hose or remove and re-apply makeup and still make it “in time.”

I second the saline eye drops and the Visine–for the eye redness as well as other redness–but only infrequently for the eyes. Definitely some light or clear nail polish for runs in the nylons.

By: Res Ipsa

Res Ipsa — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:15:26 +0000

These are all great ideas. I would say, though, that if you are experiencing dry eyes due to staring at your computer all day, you are damaging your eyes and you might want to invest in a glare screen or possibly even “computer glasses.” These magnify just slightly so that you don’t have to strain your eyes so much. I used to get tons of headaches at work from staring at my computer and I haven’t had one since I got my computer glasses. So, ask your optician!

By: Bad mommy

Bad mommy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:56:36 +0000

I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste (sometimes tapas is a great lunch idea, until you have a big meeting an hour later). Also useful for all nighters.

I also keep a deodorant for all nighters.

A container of clear nail polish (for runs in the hose)

Hand lotion (those papers also suck moisture out of your hands)

A nail file – I keep breaking nails on bankers boxes.

Tide pen

Big container of tums

A bottle of dayquil. Actually, a partner I work with has come begging for dayquil once. You just never know when you will start off the morning feeling just slightly off, and by hour 14 you are in complete death spiral.

By: casey

casey — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:14:37 +0000

Additions:

Deodorant (also for all-nighters);
clear or very light nail polish for high runs in my nylons plus extra nylons;
nail clippers (how annoying is a hangnail ALL day!);
a change of undies AND an outfit that hangs wells at work (poly blend dress pants and a sweater, if I need to pretend I went home);
hair products (I have curly hair and can’t take a shower w/o them at the end);
extra contacts;
emergency gum;
face lotion;
a pair of comfy, work acceptable flat for all-nighters (so appreciated when you are wearing tough shoes to work)

By: K

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:52:24 +0000

I also second the nailpolish remover, I totally noticed a huge, embarrassing chip in my dark polilsh right before a big meeting and used the remover to take it all off so I was appropriate for the big meeting

By: K

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:50:34 +0000

My firm keeps all the basics stocked in our pantry (pain medication, stomache meds, bandaids, rubbing alcohol, throat drops) but what i find most handy at my desk is 1. Mouthwash (sometimes you don’t have the time to head to the bathroom for a full brushing but this can be a lifesaver) and 2. vitamins (my food habits go to hell when I’m working a lot and this way at least I know I am getting some vitamins)

By: S

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:55:09 +0000

Spare pair of tights/hose, spare knee highs (i keep a box of the el-cheapo drug store ones in a drawer), toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hand lotion. Also a spare pair of undies. (You will be very grateful for these if you have to pull an all-nighter.)

By: rw

rw — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:53:03 +0000

I haven’t seen nylons on anyone’s list, and, for me, an extra pair (or two) of these are ESSENTIAL desk drawer items. (Maybe these are essentials in only certain parts of the country.) I also keep a pair of flats handy and a favorite scent in the form of a roller ball (or roller ball & lip gloss) tube. Finally, (in addition to K’s comment about lotion) I keep one of Sephora’s “nourishing cuticle oil” pens handy. I have struggled with dry cuticles for the last two years simply due to the paper cuts and massive amounts of paper and old files I handle. This pen is a quick and handy solution. I keep it with my other pens in a top drawer, and, when I spot it, it’s a little reminder to take two minutes and use it.

By: alexandria789

alexandria789 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:35:18 +0000

Pump hair spray with no scent! btw, New Skin is a great idea and I will go buy some this week.

By: K

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:16:52 +0000

I fully second the above comments. I also make sure to keep hand lotion at my desk, especially in winter. There’s nothing worse than going to shake a client’s hand and realizing my skin looks like an alligator’s.