So you might've missed your early morning meeting today because you severely smeared your lipstick right before you walked out the door. That was bad, but you know what is worse? Missing the meeting in vain because by noon you're looking a mess again anyway. Don't be the victim of the midday beauty slump. To help you out, we've rounded up five of the products we like to keep stashed in our desk drawers for ultimate workday beauty perfection.


The Shine Eliminator

If you're anything like us, by about noon you've rested your face in your hands more times than you can count and your T-zone is shining like a glorious beacon. But with a translucent loose powder, you can zap that unwanted shine in no time. Bonus: If you are wearing a bold lipstick, set it in place by putting a tissue over your lips and using a powder brush to dab the powder on your lips with the tissue as a barrier.

MDC Product Pick:Dermablend Setting Powder

The Nail Fixer

It may seem silly, but there's nothing quiet like a chipped nail to ruin your mood for the day. While there's not much you can do in a pinch for a massive chip, a minor chip or snagged nail can be smoothed over with essie's Second Time Shine, which is a top coat specially formulated for a mani that's a few days old and in need of a pick-me-up.

The Scent Freshener

It's amazing how much scent influences our mood and the way those around us perceive us. A well-chosen perfume applied correctly can brighten your day (and disguise the smell of that tuna sandwich you had for lunch). But don't be the girl who sprays the perfume out in the air the rest of your co-workers have to breathe. Instead, keep a compact rollerball in your desk so you can discreetly apply a little perfume to your pressure points as needed during the day.

MDC Product Pick:Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Rollerball

The Frizz Fighter

Your hair looked super sleek when you stepped out the door, but now it's getting a little frizzy. Before you start to look like your neighbor's poodle, we highly recommend pulling out these the Carré Lissant Smoothing Sheets from Kérastase. Just rub them against your locks, and you're back to great hair. And your coworkers will especially appreciate that you didn't subject them to the scent of your aerosol hairspray, too.

The Lip Brightener

Any makeup aficionado knows that the quickest way to bring life to a tired face is a swipe of lip color. However, in the middle of a workday, the perfectly applied berry lip may be a little too time intensive for your schedule. Instead, try a moisturizing tinted lip balm in a peachy neutral shade. It's easy to apply because it's such a light shade. Also, if you want to add a pinch of color to your cheeks, the creaminess of the balm will double perfectly as a cream blush!

MDC Product Pick:L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Glossy Balm in Ginger Candy

What are the beauty products you must keep at work? We'd love to know your workday beauty secrets, so share them in the comments!