Spring Deskside Beauty Essentials
Master deskside beauty with these essentials. (Photo: Getty)
Longer days and warmer weather means giving Netflix a break and resuming from-work-to-wherever-the-day-takes-us social schedules, so I’ve been devising discreet ways to coif and primp at my desk. Now I can go directly from desk to drinks or gallery receptions without having to lug a cumbersome makeup bag or stop off at home for an overhaul.
The art of mastering deskside beauty is all about finding complexion and spirit-boosting items that require minimal fuss, are small enough to fit in a desk drawer, and subtle enough to appear as if you’re not primping at all.
Look for multi-taskers like Tata Harper Love Potion ($40), which combines 10 essential oils (like jasmine and violet leaf) thought to be aphrodisiacs from around the world. The little rollerball provides a decadent way to do fragrance in the office, without knocking your co-workers out with overpowering scent — and the hydrating oil can be used to smooth cuticles or rough skin patches, too.
Use time spent on a conference call to massage the carpal tunnel out of your hands with a cream that doesn’t leave fingers too greasy to type with, like the heavenly-scented Tocca Stella Hand Cream ($20). The tube is pretty enough to leave out on your desk and the lotion inside not too thick, making it a great stand-in for body lotion when used to brighten arms and legs.
Another essential to keep stocked at the desk? A hydrosol mist. It not only adds moisture to the skin, helps set makeup, and gives skin a healthy flush—its serve as a refreshing pick-me-up after staring at the screen for hours on end. Kat Burki Beauty Elixir ($42) delivers a microfine mist and smells just like the cucumber water ubiquitous at spas.
When you’re finally ready to break free from your cubicle, take a few final minutes for a skin and makeup refresh. An unsettling degree of gunk can make its way onto your face throughout the day (whether its from handling tacos at lunch, or touching your less-than-clean keyboard or desk phone and absentmindedly touching your face), so de-griming with an exfoliating no-water cleanser, like Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment ($39) is a must.
After the quick cleanse, add a natural flush to the cheeks — I like the sheer and hydrating La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush ($70) which comes in a chic leather case. Next apply a light sweep of buildable mascara. Ellis Faas Mascara ($34) not only keeps lashes clear of clumps after added layers, but comes in desk-friendly packaging that could be mistaken for an executive pen.
Seal the deal with the minty Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant ($16) followed by a knockout red lip, like that delivered by the universally-flattering MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick ($16) and set yourself free; it’s a look that will prime you to own the night—wherever it may take you.
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