Let’s be honest ladies, our purse is basically our best friend. It goes with us everywhere and holds all of our secrets.

Maybe not actual secrets, but if you dumped it out, it may be embarrassing to watch all the stuff you have fall out.

My purse is small, but there is a lot of stuff in it.

Some things are obvious, like my wallet and keys. But I have plenty of other things.

What other things should you carry in your purse?

These are 10 things I suggest you should carry in your purse.

1 – Hand Sanitizer

While at school or at the store, I cannot tell you how many things I touch without even thinking and then go to the cafeteria or the food court and eat lunch.

After visiting the ATM, I count out my money by touching it.

I may also happen to see someone and exchange a handshake, but I didn’t see them sneeze prior to shaking my hand.

For these many reasons, hand sanitizer is a must. It helps to protect me and others I come into contact with from spreading germs.

2 – Hair Products

What girl does not have bobby pins or hair ties in her purse?

First of all, you know you are going to be at school or at work and there is always going to be that one girl asking you if you have a hair tie.

OK, truth is, I do, but the one I keep on my wrist is my favorite, so for that reason alone I always keep extras in my purse.

Bobby pins are especially handy when my hair has been up after a long day of school or work and there is that one piece of hair that has left the party and has decided to do its own thing and fall out, completely wrecking my hair.

Luckily for me, I just pull out my bobby pins and restore order — good as new.

3 – Aspirin

A headache can completely put a damper on my whole day and make me extremely cranky.

And then there is the the real reason I keep aspirin: cramps. They are dreadful and they ruin my entire day, but luckily taking a few aspirins can soothe the cramps, or so I hope.

4 – Cash

I must warn you, keeping a $20 bill in your purse at all times is going to prove to be a challenge.

You are going to come across fabulous shoes at the mall or crave a latte that you want to buy. Don’t do it. This $20 is for when your car is low on gas because you are too lazy to stand out in the cold and pump gas when you need to.

It is also for when you must get food because you have no food at the house.

These are times when you will wish you had that extra $20.

5 – Feminine Products

I don’t know about you, but I cannot imagine anything worse than needing a tampon and not having one.

By keeping one in your purse you are always prepared, and not to mention periods have a mind of their own.

Even if you absolutely know you do not need one, bring it anyway. A lady in the bathroom might need one, and how much is she going to love you when she sees that you came prepared?

6 – Gum or Mints

How much do you hate it when you know you need a breath freshener but do not have one? Or when you’re going to your boyfriend’s house and you need gum? What about when you’re simply in need of the minty taste?

We all know how bad it is when someone is talking to you with bad breath. Do not make the same mistake yourself. Save yourself the embarrassment and keep this in your bag at all times.

“

They (my lips) are never dry, and I can go from classy to sassy in a pinch

— Makalia Jenkins, sophomore

7 – Lipstick / Lip Balm

I have about 10 different lipsticks or lip balms in my purse.

I could try and come up with an excuse for my addiction, but why? My lips love me for it.

They are never dry and I can go from classy to sassy in a pinch.

8 – Lotion

At the most random moments I find dry spots that need to be tended to immediately, especially during the colder seasons.

Every girl is guilty of this. Sometimes I just like the smell of my lotion so much that I rub it on my hands just for my own pleasure.

9 – Deodorant

This is a must.

Bring it everyday, everywhere, no matter what.

Deodorant is my lifesaver after a long day at school and busy mornings when I forget to put it on.

A lot of people hate running around in the hot summer days feeling self-conscious about their odor, so carrying a travel-size deodorant will help you feel refreshed.

10 – Perfume

Everyone wants to smell good but sometimes we tend to over do it. I’m guilty of it, we all are.

We love our perfumes so much that we think a few sprays are not going to do the trick. They will, so instead of loading yourself with perfume in the morning, bring a mini bottle of it to school or work and apply as needed. This especially does the trick if you are looking to take an extra step to freshen up.

There’s all of this, and plenty more, in my purse right now.