It never fails that when you are out running errands, going to lunch with friends, or just traveling, that you inevitably need something you probably forgot to pack in your purse. Your nail breaks, you desperately need to use a public restroom, you discover a rogue hair on your face that needs to be plucked immediately, or you feel the beginnings of a headache coming on.

Thankfully you can be thoroughly prepared for everything that is thrown your way, without needing an extra large purse to haul it all around.Here is a top 10 list of items to keep in your purse besides the obvious wallet, money, change, and car keys.

Chapstick

It’s about as essential as air if you are a chapstick-aholic like most women. Having at least one chapstick with you at all times is vital. Chapstick is great for several reasons. First, it keeps your lips soft and hydrated. And secondly, it helps in the breath department (especially after a garlicky meal you’d like to cover-up).

Love My Drops

Poop drops are not something often discussed among women. But how embarrassing is it to have to use a public restroom, or even your friends bathroom when you have to go number 2? It’s embarrassing and gross and to avoid being mortified at the person going in after you smelling your doo-doo, always have Just’a Drop in your purse. Using just 1-2 drops in the toilet before you go, will eliminate poop smells and leave the bathroom smelling clean and fresh.

Hair Ties

Hair ties, hair clips, and even extra bobby pins are an easy way to be prepared, and help your fellow woman as well. Hair ties and clips can easily break on you at the worst time. Keeping a back-up is a great idea. They take up virtually no room and are seemingly weightless to boot.

Mirror

Unless you are comfortable doing a quick face check with the selfie mode of your smart phone, having a mirror in your purse it an easy way to make sure you aren’t sporting a leaf or piece of pesto between your front teeth. It also goes along great with the next item – tweezers.

Tweezers

We’ve all done it. You get into your car to do a face check and notice – to your horror – that you have a rogue eyebrow hair, chin hair, or another hair that simply needs to go before you face the world. Tweezers come in handy for times like these, but also work for first aid purposes as well. So you really can’t go wrong keeping a pair in your purse.

Pads/Tampons

This is probably not one that even needs to be discussed – but all women and girls over the age of 10, should have a pad or tampon in their purse just in case. You don’t want to be out and surprised. Especially if you are somewhere that you are unable to change clothes or get to a store to buy a pad anytime soon.

Gum

Bad breath is deadly. It can kill a relationship, friendship, and first date pretty quickly. Always have gum or mints in your purse for those times when you really need to freshen up a bit. Plus it’s great for sharing too.

Ibuprofen

Headaches, backaches, cramps, oh my! Ibuprofen is wonderful at combating all of them. Keep at least a few pills of ibuprofen in your purse just in case you need them. There is no faster way of ruining your day than having a headache sneak up on you, and zap all of your energy and mental capacity.

Hand Sanitizer

Going in public is gross. People cough, sneeze, don’t wash their hands after the restroom, etc. Keep hand sanitizer and even sanitizer wipes with you so that you can keep your own hands as clean as possible. Wipe down handles, doors, anything where your kids are going to touch, etc.

Nail Clippers

Getting a hangnail while you are out running around is miserable. It gets caught on everything stuck in your hair, and if you try to bite it off you can rip your skin and make it all much worse. Keep a pair of small nail clippers with you so that you never have to deal with this nuisance again.