The premise was deceptively simple: What’s the single most important beauty item that you “die-die” must take along to the office everyday, and why?
But there was hemming and hawing from all. How can I possibly narrow it down to just one?
Hey, that very predicament – the difficulty of stripping beauty to its basics – was, I suppose, the whole point of this thought experiment. Also perfect as part of your detox prep for the new year ahead, come to think of it.
So. After much cajoling, here’s the herworldPLUS team’s reluctantly curated list of office essentials. (Unexpected revelation: If the products we’ve tapped are anything to go by, it appears the team has more in common than we thought we did.)
Have fun seeing if you agree with us and oh, while you’re at it, we want to know in return: What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
#1 LIP BALM, THE GAO-GAO ONES
“Tinted lip balm to double up as lip colour! Just not the sheer formulas. I swear by Maybelline’s Baby Lips, which moisturises while adding an office-appropriate rosy hue.” – Xinying
#2 LIP BALM. AGAIN!
“For me, it’d be Burt’s Bees lip balm. I avoid touch ups as much as possible but with all the crisps and chocolate lying about the cubicle, you can't avoid snacking and getting dry smackers in the process.” – Bernice
#3 MULTI-PURPOSE K-BEAUTY GEMS
“I seriously don’t think I could survive a day without my trusty cheek blush from 3ce! Just a tiny dab will suffice, plus it doubles up as a lip stain on days when I’m too lazy for lippie.” – Mich
#4 LOOSE POWDER (WITH SPF, NATCH)
“My makeup must-have? Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF45. With this little baby, I don't have to worry about re-applying liquid or cream sunscreen over makeup. Bonus: it doubles as a loose powder and keeps my T-Zone matte!” – Sabrina
#5 INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH CONCEALER
“Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics is my quick fix for dark circles. An absolute necessity for fending off people who won’t stop asking why I haven’t slept, or if I’ve accidentally applied plum eyeshadow under my eyes (yes, true story!)” – Celine
#6 INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH CONCEALER. OH, AND FACE MIST. WAIT, I NEED HAND CREAM, TOO …
Yup, it takes an army for yours truly. Sorry, don’t lynch me. I can’t do this!