Find out what really dwells inside a woman's purse

It has been a topic of much discussion and innumerable jokes over the years, with everything from ten-year-old receipts, to the lost city of Atlantis predicted to be found within. Today, we solve that age-old mystery and reveal what really dwells inside a woman’s bag

From wallets and sunglasses to extra bottles of water and snacks for those random food cravings, there’s almost nothing you can’t find in a woman’s handbag. Sure, they’ve been the target of countless jokes and ‘black hole’ references over the years, but when it comes down to carrying around daily essentials, no accessory is as useful — or stylish. We talk to some lovely Dubai-based women from all walks of life, to discover just how much a bag can reflect its owner’s personality.

Mona Morshedy
English Teacher at Dubai National School
Packing my handbag in the morning is not a difficult task, but I have to pay attention to make sure I have all my essentials. I start with my pencil case to ensure I have all my markers with me, as well as my red pen for all the correcting I do. I use this marker on a daily basis, for about two or three hours at a time, so I always need hand wipes and hand sanitiser to wipe the marks off. My mirror is also pretty important, to ensure I have no marker stains on my face!
I also keep a fancy little makeup bag — an essential if you are a woman in Dubai. In the middle of the day, you are often yelling quite a bit to maintain order in the class, so I also carry some Panadol, just in case I get those rare headaches. There’s always a book in my bag, in the off chance I get a little time to read during breaks. And, of course, my purse — that is an absolute saviour! It’s where I keep all my cash, and it gets me through the day.
I also keep a notebook which I actually got from an ex-student a few years ago. It’s really useful to jot down notes quickly. There’s also a body mist and a perfume with me at all times as it gets so hot during the summer. And I absolutely cannot do without my shades.
As a teacher, I also have to keep up with the times, which is why I carry a powerbank all the time, as well as a hard disk — sometimes my students send me their projects as power point presentations, and the like...

Anna Gedman
Founder and Managing Director of Beauty Solutions Trading and Consulting
I like having bags that are for all occasions, as I go straight from the office to business dinners and events sometimes. Handbags that can be used for day events as well as evening occasions are definitely the best kind for me!
My daily essentials include my phones, first — an iPhone and a BlackBerry. Besides those, I always carry my Kindle around. I currently have almost 300 books downloaded on it, ranging from biographies of people that inspire me, to business models and books on spirituality, healthy eating and recipes. I read them whenever I can spare a minute, like when I’m waiting in a queue at the bank or while getting a pedicure.
Of course, I carry my makeup essentials for quick touch-ups, just in case I need to dash somewhere after work. Other beauty products in there include my Rahua body lotion, Rodial hand cream and Sachajuan hair perfume. I also keep a tiny bag of energy mists, which smell divine and works wonders in enhancing my mood. It reminds me to breathe and take time out.
Other than my beauty must-haves, you’ll generally find a pink notebook and a pen, which I take with me to meetings. And you’ll also find my passport, which I need for all my last-minute travels.
I’m usually just running around to different meetings or various trade shows or launch parties — all in the same week sometimes, so things are usually put into my handbag and forgotten, until I change bags... although that rarely happens during the day. My current Prada bag is a gift from my fiancé, and it will continue to have the same must-haves. That is, until a new favourite beauty product comes along — then it shall be updated!

Taisa
International Model with Bareface
The most important thing in my bag is actually my iPad! It contains all my books, my contacts, even my pictures — both professional and personal. I love my phone, as it is like a smaller version of my iPad. But in the end, there are days I leave the house without my phone, but never without my iPad.
Of course, it is essential to carry around a few makeup products. I even carry nail care items, and tweezers (you never know when those are going to come in handy!). Another beauty must-have is my thermal water spray. It’s useful whether you are wearing makeup or not, as it freshens your face instantly, and suits my skin. I also keep my passport with me at all points of time — that is just something that comes naturally when you travel a lot. My stuff has to always be neat and clean and so, it’s all tidily arranged within my bag. When I’m on the run, I want to be able to find everything instantly!

Wajiha Ather
Homemaker
The first thing I had to think about when picking the right bag was that it had to be big enough, because my bag is not just for me, but for my kids, and my husband. I have two kids — a three-year-old and a nine-month-old — and I can’t carry a separate diaper bag along with my handbag when I have a baby with me, so my handbag, by default, becomes a diaper bag. Sometimes, my husband ends up giving me all his things as well — so I will be carrying his wallet and keys!
Some of the things you can usually find in my bag are diapers — I usually put in two for my little one when we go out. Then there are always packs of biscuits, just in case they get hungry, and small toys to distract them with. Besides my glasses and my sunglasses, I also have shades for my older son (sometimes when he sees me wearing my shades, we wants to wear his as well!).
Then, of course, I have other essentials. There are beauty products, because every woman needs those. My wallet is an absolute necessity, as is a separate card wallet, just in case I need to go out for groceries (they have all the cards with points to be availed). I don’t really need to carry around my medicines, but I feel better having them with me. And of course, a hair clip to pin up my hair during these hot months.
The handbag, with all its contents — the whole thing — is important. I can’t step out without any one of them!

Anita Buys
Media personality
My handbag is something that goes wherever I go! This one is my ‘work bag’ — I wanted one that was big enough for my daily essentials, but not too big to be mistaken for a suitcase.
Things I absolutely have to carry around are my hand cream (because rough and dry hands bring on a bad mood), a mirror, lipstick and perfume. Besides that, must-have essentials in my bag include sunscreen for the hot weather here, my prescription glasses and two phones (a BlackBerry and an iPhone). There’s usually a book nestled in there as well, and it changes every two or three weeks. Right now, I’m engrossed in Mrs Moneypenny’s Career Advice for Ambitious Women by Mrs Moneypenny and Heather McGregor. And of course, there’s my wallet and my coin bag (I really love having a coin bag because I prefer keeping my coins separate — plus it’s super helpful when you want easy access to a dirham or two).
I strongly believe in ‘an uncluttered environment is an uncluttered mind’. So when it comes to what’s in my handbag, the lesser the better!
Photos: Leslie Pableo
janice@khaleejtimes.com