I find it unacceptable that a person can spend hours getting ready in the morning, leave for work absolutely fresh-faced only to spend a brief stretch of time at his or her desk before it was all for nothing. During August in New York a need for frequent touchups makes sense. But during all other times, I just can’t seem to understand how sitting at a nice desk by a nice window with some of my favorite colleagues should make my eyebrows shrivel up and my eyeliner run down my face. I need answers!

Since Glossier moved offices last month this is what’s been on my mind. It’s because each of our desks has a small drawer for keeping the essentials in. The size of the drawer—a significant downsize from what we were working with pre-move—forced me to get my priorities straight. Gone are the days of multiple hand creams for multiple moods. There's only room for one mood now. I also had to make room for actual office supplies. I made my choices and assembled them neatly into my tiny drawer. These things have me covered for now:

Susanne Kaufmann Hand Lotion: It’s just the right size, it smells like bananas, and it’s light enough I can apply at my desk without greasing up my electronics.
A scrunchie: Do you ever put up your hair and feel like you’ve just woken up? When I’m finding it impossible to concentrate, which is often, getting my hair out of my face almost always works. PLUS when I take it out of its little knot I’m left with a natural-looking wave. Two-in-one.
Hair clips: For when my bangs are driving me crazy. I find these in particular to be very cute.
Muji pens: Technically one could substitute any brand of pen here, but Muji’s 0.5 mm are the best. Most especially this multi-colored pack. It’s like the refined, adult version of a Crayola 24-Pack.
A notebook: Leather will last forever, look more like an accessory, and its cover won’t give you a papercut. Red leather—even better.
Glossier Wowder: Perfect for a little midday refresh and EOD refresh and however many more refreshes you need in the case that you, like me, prefer to stay matte all of the time.
Dior Addict Lip Glow: Duh. Because it’s lip balm, but it’s tinted. In case you’re headed somewhere after hours. A pretty packaging win too.
A comb: Like a brush but flat! Who knew. This Yves Durif one fits into my drawer nicely and does the job just as well as anything.
Glossier Boy Brow in Clear.
Tweezers: I mean...you never know when you might need them. This Tweezerman set is adorable and really get at whatever it is you’re trying to extract.
A mascara, eyeliner, and/or a lipstick: So you can change up your lewk at any given moment.
A single dose of Tylenol or Advil: Perfect for those mid-week hangovers or when your coworkers become a real headache.
Fragrance: The size of the individuals in a Diptyque fragrance discovery set are just right for travel or for stowing in a small desk drawer. The set is $98 and you get five fragrances. I’d say it’s a pretty good deal. Tam Dao is the one in my drawer right now—smells like sandalwood.

—Anna Jube

Photographed by the author.