For obsessive list-makers, September is the best of times. As I said yesterday, this is the month of making plans for a new, improved version of oneself and that of course requires multiple lists. Lists of books to read, films to watch, languages to learn (OK, that’s not a very long list in my case), meals to cook, sports to do. The list of items in the perfect autumn wardrobe. The list of necessary lipsticks. The list of overpriced perfumes you want to try anyway.

What I like about this Office Essentials list is that it’s in fact feasible to implement. You probably don’t even need to buy much, just relocate some items from your home. And once you’ve done that, you’re set for months (with the exception of No 4 and possibly 3). You’ll feel in control and super organized. Result.

BORING STUFF

1. Dry shampoo. I don’t like to wash my hair, it almost seems to make things worse. But there’ll eventually come a day when I realize I should probably have gone through with this painful operation and that’s where dry shampoo comes in. If you are a hair-washing type, it’s also a great cure for limp hair.
2. Nail polish remover. Opt for the pre-soaked pads or one of these contraptions. Your colleagues will thank me for this.

3. Make-up remover. I’m with Caroline Hirons (again) – micellar waters are not proper cleansers. But, but, but. They are ideal for work, when something goes wrong and you need to get rid of your maquillage quickly and with minimum equipment. Bioderma and Caudalie both do adorable mini versions.
3. Nude tights. Always. You know your tights will ladder, it’s their nature.
4. Water and snacks. Also always. If possible, the snacks should not be biscuits. For me, this is almost never possible, though.
5. The stuff that is so boring that there will be only one number for a bunch of things. Cotton pads (because micellar water), band-aids (because Louboutins), whatever you use when you have a period (I’ve just seen those little cups, I’m both fascinated and a little scared), a nail file, painkillers, toothbrush and toothpaste. And hair grips, because COS does some seriously good-looking ones.

SLIGHTLY LESS BORING STUFF

6. Moisturizer. If you take that make-up off, you need to moisturize again.
7. Face mist. Even if you don’t take your make-up off, you need to moisturize and that’s why you need a face mist. It also just feels nice and this one is called Queen of Hungary Mist, so of course you need it.
8. Lip balm. See above – your lips need moisture, too. It’s a scientific fact that when you step into your office, you are in fact transported to Sahara, but because the AC is on, you don’t notice this and keep wondering why the air is so dry.
9. SOS make-up. I carry my everyday make-up in my bag, but sometimes I forget or I change my bags or there is some other type of force majeure involved. This is one of the very few occasions when I feel a palette is in fact a justified choice. This Aerin one has a nice selection of neutral tones and looks beautiful.

10. Blotting papers. This sounds extremely unattractive, but Tatcha blotting papers are actually a thing of beauty and also incredibly effective. I’m not seriously oily, but my resistance to powder means these come in handy in the afternoons.

11. Perfume. I always keep at least one bottle of perfume at work, plus several samples. This is my top tip for improving your office experience – use instead of/in conjunction with afternoon coffee or at any other time you feel tired/down/deflated. (My most used work bottle is Chanel Cristalle, but Narciso is more photogenic.)
12. A book. You never know, everyone might suddenly die and you’ll have time to read. Be prepared.
(13. Hand cream. It is the right thing to do to have hand cream on the list, but the truth is I almost never use it. But know that Tatcha, Philosophy, Byredo and L’Occitane have lovely small sizes.)

You can also always leave some Chanel items scattered on your desk. This has never made anything worse.

*When I say “you must”, I of course mean “you absolutely don’t have to”.