I thought it was time for another deskside beauty check-in. It has been a while since my last instalment and now I’ve got a more permanent set-up and a desk (!?!! – exciting stuff, though it’s squashed in next to the kitchen bin which makes for an interesting aroma throughout the day), there’s a MUJI box brimming with some of my most utilised beauty bits…

As with stereotypical deskside beauty bumf supplies, the majority of my pile concerns nourishment. Keeping my mitts, cuticles, face and any miscellaneous dry patches flake-free is top of the agenda. For hands, I’m currently squeezing my way through Clarins’ Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, which does the job. Sweet smelling and doesn’t leave my fingertips so greasy they slip all over the keyboard (though sometimes I wish it did so I’d have something to blame for my spelling errors). I like to keep an oil within arms reach for any areas which need a more ramped-up treatment and at the moment a mini sample of the Clarins Lotus Face Oil* is tending all-over despite its name. Spritz-wise I’m all about Elemental Herbology’s Flower Harmonising Mist, which aside from delivering a hydrating blast of rosewater smells awesome. And then for lips I’m been slicking on the Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid with Lemon Oil – though I’m sure more ends up being licked off then actually ends up on my lips.

Slightly more random additions to the stash include Isabella Smith’s Insect Repellent which I use not only to smell a little bit fresher throughout the day but also bring in to fight away unwelcome wasps (oh the glamour). To stop myself picking away at nail colour I leave a few of Priti NYC’s Soy Nail Polish Remover Wipes in the drawer just in case and for moments of limited headspace I crack out Aromatherapy Associate’s Support Breathe Essence which I could quite happily sniff from the spout all day long. Finally – earplugs – for when the neighbour who lives above decides to sing D-I-S-C-O and stamp his foot rhythmically while he wails. True story.

*PR Sample