I’m beauty addict, but the truth is that I wear very little makeup to work. I’m not a morning person…so in the AM, it takes all of my cognitive abilities just to shower, get dressed, and grab my bag before running to catch the bus.

I may leave the house with basic hair and makeup, but don’t be fooled. I always come prepared. Trust me…there’s nothing worse than going to work looking a hot mess – figuring you’ll just be in your office all day and no one will see you – only to find out that a last-minute meeting has been scheduled or your co-workers are organizing an impromptu happy hour.

And even if you’re content to hide away at your desk looking like a bridge troll, it’s still a good idea to stock your work bag with a few beauty essentials. Here are some that I recommend:

*In the summertime, it’s very unlikely that your hair is going to go awry at some point in the day. If you’re blessed with perfect hair, I’m jealous…we’re no longer friends. I kid…great for you. But for those of us who aren’t so lucky, a purse-sized brush and comb might not bring perfection, but it’ll help tame your mane so that it looks polished.

*It’s also a good idea to carry an emollient hand lotion. If you shake a lot of hands in your line of work, your colleagues and customers might appreciate it if your skin is soft and smooth. It’s also a great way to make friends and allies at your job…I don’t know about you, but people are always asking to borrow my hand cream. If I lend them the good stuff, they’re indebted to me forever. Plus, hand lotion also comes in handy (pun intended) when your hair starts acting up; just rub a tiny bit between your hands and smooth away flyaways.

*Then there are the times when your hair is seriously misbehaving and needs a time out. That’s when you pull out your purse-sized comb and/or brush and tie it back with a snag-free elastic. Depending on the brand, a whole bunch of these hair ties will cost less that $5. Carry some in your purse and throw some in your desk drawer, just to be on the safe side. I happen to carry a cavernous handbag with black interior, so here’s how I do: wrap a couple hair elastics around the handle of your brush. That way, you always know where to find your bad hair day redeemer.

*For many women, summer is the time when the shine monster starts rearing its ugly head. You might have gotten away with powder during the colder months. But in the warmer months, powder can cake and settle into fine lines. Blotting papers absorb oil without disturbing your makeup.

*One of the obvious additions to your summer makeup arsenal is waterproof mascara. One or two coats of mascara on your upper lashes lets you get away with wearing less makeup on the rest of your face. And a waterproof formula gives you peace of mind that the pigment will stay put.

*Finally, every woman needs a lip product in her purse. Personally, I’m an advocate of tossing a variety lip products in there…different colors and formulas depending on the occasion, your outfit or mood. But remember you’re at work…leave the Jezebel shades at home.

Today is day one of Spoiled Pretty’s In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week. And to get this party started right, I’m giving you the chance to win a beautiful Aleya New York handbag. Whether you wear a suit to work or your job’s dress code is a little more lax, the Aleya New York Allie Hobo is the perfect compliment to your ensemble. This a-line patchwork purse has enough room for all of your products and other incidentals, is extremely comfortable on the shoulder, and wonderfully unique. The double flap is graphic and functional.

For the winner, this bag will be accompanied by the following goodies:

Goody Mosaic Ouchless Purse Brush: The ultimate in snagless styling. This brush is smaller sized – perfect for travel or on the go styling.

Goody Mosaic Mini Versa Comb: This 3-in-1 comb is small enough to fit in your purse, but large enough to maintain your style.

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara: This lash-enhancing mascara instantly builds lash volume by 400%. The patent-pending formula with a touch of olive oil penetrates and helps plump the core of each and every lash. The Visible Volume Brush coats and builds even the smallest lashes with rich, volume-building color. No clumps, smudging or flaking…and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing LipSheers in Sparkling Nude, Peach Sorbet, and Plum Kiss: Instantly soothe dry lips with sheer, cooling color. Moisture-infused formula contains SPF 20 to protect lips. The advanced formula contains moisturizing emollients and vitamin E to instantly soften and hydrate, while SPF 20 guards against sun damage. A unique cooling sensation soothes on contact.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: Instantly blot away excess oil and say goodbye to the shine. Oil-Absorbing Sheets soak up excess oil and remove shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind a residue. Softer than paper, these silky smooth sheets can be used easily around your nose and other areas of your face. Use them anytime, anywhere to remove oil and shine throughout the day.

DentaBurst “Be Ready To Shine” Kit: DentaBurst Freshening Teeth Cleaners are an effective way to clean teeth and freshen breath on-the-go. Unlike mints or gum, they remove plaque from the surfaces of teeth, leaving them feeling smooth and clean. The kit contains 72 individually-wrapped Dentaburst, a business card case, and a calendar/planner.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read “Aleya New York Handbag Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 29th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, June 30th, I’ll announce the winner’s name. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.

And be sure to check out the other bag giveaways. You can enter all of the giveaways, but you can only win once. Good luck!