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You’re at work, all but chained to your desk — hunched over your computer, furiously typing and scribbling notes with a free hand. Your nails are chipped, your nose is shiny, your lipstick has long since worn off and there’s a smudge on your new white shirt.
Out of nowhere, a coworker materializes, waving an invitation to New York magazine’s exclusive holiday party in the trendy meatpacking district … and it starts in 15 minutes. The names Matt Dillion and Derek Jeter are mentioned.
What to do? You’re in no shape to go out on the town, and you can’t possibly transform yourself into a dashing downtown diva that fast. Or can you?
Anticipating just such occasions can help you be ready for any event that pops up during (or after) another long day at the office - and they come fast and furious as the holiday season approaches. By keeping a few key items stashed in your desk drawer, you can avoid being stuck on short notice — and you might increase your chances of getting the Flamingo Kid’s phone number.
A few items you might want to consider adding to your workplace stash:
Assuming you don’t have the time or the resources to wash everything off and start over, consider oil-blotting papers, which remove excess facial oil and makeup build-up, usually without leaving any color behind. This allows for a fresh pat of powder (which you certainly have in your purse) that won’t turn orangey or look cakey on you. Some to try: The Body Shop, Bath & Body Works, Papier Poudre and Shiseido Pureness Blotting Papers.
A small palette with at least 6 empty ‘wells,’ which you can fill at home with small slices of your favorite products, also comes in handy. Think concealer or stick foundation, a cream eyeshadow (perhaps a shimmery highlighter for evening), and a few different lipsticks that you can mix and match. You’d be amazed at what you can fit into a space the size of a credit card. Japonesque (www.japonesque.com) makes reasonably-priced palettes in many different sizes, and some drugstore chains manufacture their own in-house brands.
If the palette theory doesn’t excite you, try a multi-use color product you can use for eyes, lips and face. Space-saving candidates include Nars Multiples, Stila’s Convertible Color and Jane One-for-Alls.
Don’t forget a toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste. Because no matter how good you look, if your breath is less than fresh, you’re sunk.
While you’re at it, grab a travel-size deodorant/antiperspirant: See above, substituting ‘body’ for ‘breath.’
Pick up a mini nail polish in a shade that’s close to whatever you most frequently wear, whether it’s a dark or red polish or a nude color, just to touch up the occasional chip or worn edge. Several drugstores and many discount stores sell tiny bottles for $1 or less.
Note: Nail polish does double duty as a stopper for pantyhose runs, but please, spare yourself the embarrassment and only dab it on where passersby can’t see it!
One of the tiny perfume vials we all have hundreds of can be a life-saver when you’re trying to get into holiday-party mode. Pick a fragrance you know you like, and apply it sparingly to your pulse points.
Single-use packets of Shout Wipes towelettes are invaluable for removing small spots and for decreasing the chances that a smudge will become a stain.
A few other things you might like to have on hand (space-permitting, of course) are tweezers, an eyelash curler, a neutral-colored elastic or hair accessory that can be used to change your look, tampons and an extra pair of nude pantyhose.
Now you’re primed and ready. Eggnog, anyone?