Let's get the obvious out of the way, shall we? I'm a busy person. You're a busy person. That's just the life of a gal that wants it all. If I'm not slugging away at my desk, then I'm creating flat lays (case in point, photo above), photographing content or actually being photographed, or running around town, completing errands and attending meetings. Quite frankly, we wouldn't have it any other way. Although, word on the street is that our skin would tell us differently. After all, there's only so much 4-hours of sleep and a takeaway cappuccino can do, even for us go-getter types.

With my handbag in tow and heels laced-up, there's no knowing what will appear when my oversized sunglasses come off (especially when I've been working on a deadline all night). Well, that is, until now. I'm so excited to share with you this miracle product that has joined my collection of handbag essentials that ensure I'm ready for whatever the day may throw my way, sleep or no sleep.
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MY HANDBAG ESSENTIALS:

1. Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream. When it comes to skincare products, it's unrealistic to notice a difference instantly, but there is an exception to the rule. Introducing my latest and greatest handbag essential, the new Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream, which quite literally adds an extra few hours of sleep to my eyes within minutes. Applied with skincare, applied over makeup, applied whenever you like, this is an Eye Cream that truly embodies our on-the-go girl-boss lifestyle with its simple, smooth and effortless application. And hey, who am I to say no to a little de-puffing, brightening, awakening and refreshing? Let's just say, my Pep-Start isn't going to get lost floating amongst the loose coins and old receipts anytime soon (and not just because of its bright orange packaging).

2. Phone and portable charger. Let's be honest. Our mobile phones have become a second skin attached to our hips hands at all times. There's something that just isn't right when you're without it; an uncomfortable uncertainty mixed with a swish of awkwardness and a dash of FOMO. Sad, but true. And don't even get me started on when our phones go from 30% to 1% in five seconds flat! Let's just say that I learnt my lesson on Day 1 of MBFWA last year and haven't left the house for a day without a portable phone charger since.

3. Sunglasses. With 300 sunny days in Perth each year, sunglasses are a year-round handbag essential (preferably not just thrown into my bag as usual, but packed away carefully in their designated case). Plus, they look pretty damn snazzy too. I also almost always carry my optical glasses as well, just in case I'm feeling overly tired and can't read the brunch menu at my favourite café without scrunching up my face and inducing some serious frown lines.

4. Lipstick and lip balm. How I end up with multiple lipsticks and lip balms in my bag beats me, but I always reach for them. For those of you that know me, it probably comes as no surprise that the Clinique Chubby Sticks Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm make up most of my stash. While the Pep-Start Eye Cream brightens, a swipe of colour on my lips really livens my face and makes sure my lips are never flakey and dry.

5. Notebook and pens. I don't know about you, but a zillion ideas pop into my head daily and then, before I know it, they're gone, never to be thought about again no matter how hard I try to remember. This is precisely the reason I keep a notebook handy at all times, so I'm always prepared to jot them down before they disappear into the unknown.

6. Sunscreen. There's nothing like a hot Aussie summer to inspire you to slip, slop and slap throughout the day, which is why I have made a habit to carry around a tube of SPF with me full-time. I always go back to the Clinique Sun Body Cream SPF 30, since it doesn't leave an uncomfortable greasy residue or overly 'sunscreen-y' scent.

7. Purse. Packed with my cards, cash and an embarrassing amount of faded receipts (I swear I'll file them away someday), there's no way I'd ever leave home without my wallet. How else am I going to pay those outrageous CBD parking fees and, more importantly, for my daily cappuccino? Priorities.

8. Mini purse. I always have a mini emergency bag packed with things I might need, like sanitary items, cotton buds, bandaids, hair ties. I feel like the moment I don't have it on me, something happens where I desperately need to prevent a blister, wipe off smudged eyeliner or tie back wind blown hair. I definitely recommend keeping something like this kit in your handbag at all times. You never know when you'll need it!
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Don't forget to enter the Clinique Australia #BagSpill Instagram competition, where you can win a $1000 Westfield Gift Card and Clinique Pep-Start Prize Pack by simply posting your very own bag spill flat lay, tagging @Clinique_Oz and the hashtags #pepstart and #bagspill. T&Cs apply.

Thank you to Clinique for sponsoring this article (and giving me a few extra hours of much needed faux sleep!).

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