Primp your ride: 31 things to stash in your car for style on the go.

62% of mothers spend less than 15 minutes getting ready in the morning, and many of us spend large chunks of our day in the car ferrying the kids between activities, attending appointments, and running errands.

So it’s little wonder our cars can sometimes resemble a mobile make-up bag (or a dump truck, depending on how you roll).

Fox in Flats persuaded 16 women to share what they keep in their cars to help them look presentable while on the go.

Take a sneaky peek with us into the consoles and glove boxes of mums around the country, and navigate the road in style.

 

31 things to stash in your car for style on the go:

 

Mobile make-up.

mobile makeup Top 50 Bloggers

 

1. Paw-paw ointment.

“Lips, eyes, cheeks, lashes, elbows, heels and cuticles. This stuff is the ultimate multi-tasker.”

2. Lip-gloss.

“I always have one or two rolling around in the console. It instantly makes me look fresh and made up.”

3. Concealer.

4. Red lip balm.

“I use NIVEA fruity shine on my lips, and it adds a fresh colour to my cheeks too.”

5. Eyelash curler.

“I’m not a huge make-up girl, but a quick curl with these and it really opens up my eyes.”

6. Tinted moisturiser with SPF.

“To reapply sunscreen on my face without that white chalky finish, I swear by Invisible Zinc.”

7. Box of tissues.

 

 

Wardrobe on wheels.

 

8. Spare sunglasses.

“I keep two or three pairs in my console so I can switch them around depending on my outfit.”

9. Large scarf or pashmina.

“Handy to dress up a boring outfit, to keep warm, or for extra discretion when breastfeeding.”

10. A spare hat.

“I stash a straw fedora from Witchery in my car to cover a bad hair day at school drop-off, or when running in to buy groceries on the way home”.

11. Plain large silver hoop earrings.

“I once heard Tyra Banks say you should always leave a pair in your car so if you are caught under-dressed they will immediately spruce up an outfit.”

12. Sarong.

“These come in handy as a beach wrap, impromptu beach towel, picnic blanket, or baby change mat.”

13. Spare pair of flats or thongs.

“I slip these on while I drive, and to save my heels from scuffing.”

14. Jacket or cardigan.

“I hate getting chilly standing around the playground!”

15. Rain coat and umbrella.

 

Freeway fresh.

Freeway fresh Top 50 Bloggers

16. Perfume.

“I keep it there in case I forget to apply at home. I probably end up using it most days…”

17. Deodorant.

18. Chewing gum, breath-mints.

 

Top Head Gear.Top Head Gear Top 50 Bloggers

19. Hairbrush.

20. Hair clips or bobby pins.

21. Hair ties.

“To do a quick pony tail when my hair goes feral.”

 

Express mani.

Express mani Top 50 Bloggers

22. Hand cream.

“When I hop into the car, it’s the first thing I do, apply hand cream. Mine contains SPF in a bid to avoid getting sun spots.”

23. Nail clippers and file.

“Handy to keep nails in check at the traffic lights.”

24. Nail polish.

“I’ve become a pro at applying it in the car. Great to cover up chips, and dries while you drive.”

 

Clearway Cleaners.

Clearway cleaners Top 50 Bloggers

25. Baby wipes.

“To remove stains from clothes.”

26. Hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes.

27. Lint remover roller.

“To remove random fluff and hair.”

28. Bleach pen.

“For stubborn stains that baby wipes can’t remove.”

29. Spectacle cleaner and sunglass wipes.

“My glasses always get so smudged, yet the only time I think of cleaning them is while in the car. Probably so I can see the road properly. Duh!”

 

Wax & polish.

Wax & Polish Top 50 Bloggers

30. Tweezers.

“The outdoor light makes it so much easier to see the little hairs I miss when I pluck my eyebrows at home. I use a small hand mirror and sneak in a quick tweeze while at the traffic lights – but try not to get caught by other motorists!”

31. A razor.

“For the odd hair on your knees that you miss, and you only notice while driving.”

 

Me? A quick scan in my car reveals lip gloss, perfume, 3 pairs of sunnies, tic-tacs, sunscreen, handcream, 1 bobby pin, a small hand mirror, baby wipes, tissues, and deep in my car console an aromatherapy mist purchased in 2005 claiming to “uplift, awaken and delight”. Wish I’d found that years ago…

 

 

 

Ok now spill! What do you keep in your car to keep yourself looking presentable?


 

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  • Anonymous

     I have so many hair ties in my car. I have tried, twice, to carry  a hat in the car but both hats have ended up on the floor and squashed by the child. 

    • Anonymous

       Cars should come with a hat rack…Ford, are you listening?

  • http://twitter.com/norlinm Norlin Mustapha

    Hahahah I loved how you said BOX of tissues and not packet of tissues because we certainly need a whole box stashed in our bag if we’ve got kids! ;)

    • Anonymous

       Ha! Actually, meant Boxes…

  • Pene

     Lipgloss, tissues, pen and paper, deodorant, hair elastic, a stubby holder (I kid you not!!!  You never know when you need a traveller!! Kids will do that to you! But I promise you I only drink when Craig is driving!!) :-)   I also keep an umbrella and my canvas shopping bags in the boot.  Also a pair of old flats that sit under the seat for when I am wearing heels – cos I cannot drive in heels!!
    Sometimes I think that I would like to (or should have..) gaffer tape  in there too to use for stopping mouths from talking…
    I always carry a travel size of one of my fav perfumes in my handbag too for a quick spritz too.
    Golly that sounds a lot but I use off of them.
    Also in the car there are always always some books for Charlie to have to keep him occupied at times.

    When I sold my last car that I had owned for15 years it was like an archialogical dig – sultanas and old crackers turned up in places I honestly didn’t think could be possible!!  Three babies had been through that car and although it was occasionally (and I do me OCCASIONALLY!!) cleaned I am not one to be precious about my car – nor do I have the time to clean the insides of it – nor can I be stuffed really.  There is enough to manage without worrying about the bloody car!!!  So old wagon made me think of my three babies and all the life they had had in that car!!  Funny!! Car’s are like mobile homes really!!
    Pene xx

    • Anonymous

       Oh Pen you crack me up. You are spot on about food in the car though. I think I could gather ours all up in a basket and redistribute it loaves and fishes style to a crowd of people…

  • Pene

    Oh PS Foxy Lady – I love your photos!  Gorgeous.. 

    • Anonymous

      Thanks Pene. I actually had a whole other set that I took on the road. But after starting to sweat bullets over being run over, moved it to the sidewalk. 
      Cute car huh? It’s a vintage Ford, and was a gift for my second son for his baptism by some of our closest friends. They are into cars ;)  

  • http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com/ Maxabella

     Seriously? That’s more stuff than I have in my actual house! But I definitely support the paw-paw ointment, baby wipes and a scarf… if only for wiping down the fogged up morning windows! Tops post. Good luck in the Kidspot comp!! x

    • Anonymous

      Hey thanks Maxabella, that’s very kind. 
      I asked 16 of my buddies what they kept in their cars, so the list is everything they all had. Jeepers, I don’t think even our family wagon would take the whole haul… Great ideas though huh? 
      I’m thinking I might just look 10% prettier if I stash a spare eyelash curler in the console…All the better to bat my eyelashes at my son’s teacher (Hi, Miss Rose!) . 

  • Kylie

    Just wondering if your reader who wears Invisible Zinc has noticed a change in the product recently? I’ve been using it for years and the last couple tubes I’ve bought have been a bit… funky..! I’ve stopped using it as a result and I miss the old IZ. A bit off topic, sorry! But really, what to do when companies take away or dramatically change our favourite products! New blog idea?
    By the way, congrats on Fox In Flats! I’m not even a mum but I still love your handy hints and entertaining writing style!

    • Anonymous

       Thanks Kylie – that’s given me the best start to the day! x
      Funny you mention about Invisible Zinc being ‘funky’. I’ve been using it for years and years and have noticed it seems to be slightly more viscose and quite a strong smell. They did change their marketing campaign a few years ago, and maybe there was product tweaking then? I’ll follow it up & see what we can discover. 

      • Anonymous

        Hi Kylie, I shared your concerns with Invisible Zinc, and they are keen to follow up. This was their response: 
         Re: changes in formulation, we can certainly follow that up with your reader- if they can drop us a line on info@invisiblezinc.com with the product name (e.g. Tinted Daywear) and any other info on expiry or batch number that they have- then we can check and let them know about any particular changes in formulation/ingredients/smell/feel etc! Thanks again xx

        • Kylie

          Awesome, thanks so much! I will definitely follow this up via the email address you provided. It’s such a good product (the original!) and I’d love to be able to use it again.

          Keep up the great work and thanks for your blog! I love it! Xxx

          • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

            No worries. Let us know the result if you get the chance. It is such a great product. Andrea 

  • http://twitter.com/maidinaustralia bronnie marquardt

    Wow, I wouldn’t even be able to fit all this stuff in my car! The one thing I always carry is water, so if I get thirsty I’m not tempted to buy diet drink; hand cream, because it’s easy to apply when I’m in traffic; and sunscreen and hats – because you never know!

    • Anonymous

       Oh Bronnie, excellent add, water! So true. And it’s such a waste of money to buy when out & about. A

  • http://checksandspots.com/ Clare

    Ooodles of bobby pins, about 5 different lip glosses that I rotate between, mints and Baby Wipes for the rug rat. 
    Really loved this post…it’s funny the little routines and habits we have without really thinking about!

    Have a happy weekend
    x

    • Anonymous

      Thanks Clare. It was fun researching it…mostly people keep the same items, but then someone will say they store something like a bleach pen and it’s like, whoa!  Wish I was that organised. 

  • SarahMc

     Handcream, lip gloss, hair band, chewing gum. Oh…and baby wipes to clean little smudgy fingers. Always have biscuits in the car to keep the little munchkins quiet!

    • Anonymous

      mmmm, bickies! Also good to keep my tummy quiet… ;)  

  • Ross

     I need more than a lint remover roller or bleach pen (by the way…who does this???) 

    I need a contraption where when you get out of the car, it hoses you down, to remove all of the goop and sticky fingers the kids cover me with.  Wonder if a car company could make this? 

    • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

      Ha ha ha, good idea! I’ll pass that onto Ford. 

    • Katie

      Ha ha I love this! I’m right handed so my left shoulder is always covered in crap from kids wiping mouths/ noses!

  • Jo

     Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream. Great for lips, cuticles etc, and also little scrapes. 

    • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

      Great tip, such a good product. Will try that.  

  • Georgie McInerney

     some Eye stuff (scuse cant remember name ;) and its cold and dark out there ;) ) from benefit…the kids call it my not looking old cream! :) I rub it in generously as I drive to school or to an early activity…makes me feel better even if I dont look any better ;)  

    • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

      Hey that is a great idea. ‘Not looking old cream’, must get me some of that. I reckon I’ve aged 10 years since having kids!

      • Bron

        Yep – I’ve aged at least 11!

  • Cathy

     I think bobby pins and hair ties are breeding in my car. Love that toy car! Sublime. 

    • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

      Mine too. Car was a lovely gift to my son from a friend. Too nice to play with though..

  • http://edenriley.blogspot.com/ edenland

    This post is goddamn gold. GOLD I TELL YOU. So much good shiz in here .. I have to go back and read it again.

    I use tweezers in my car for my chinhairs.

  • http://edenriley.blogspot.com/ edenland

    This post is goddamn gold. GOLD I TELL YOU. So much good shiz in here .. I have to go back and read it again.

    I use tweezers in my car for my chinhairs.

    • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

      Ba ha ha ha. Thanks @7921880f87840d810b819d861adfdf01:disqus 

  • Jennifer Reid

    I tend to keep some nuts or a muesli bar handy to snack on…always thinking of food!! :)

    • http://twitter.com/FoxInFlats Andrea

      Oh yes, me too. Snacks on the go – that’s probably a whole ‘nother article.

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  • Angiebarbour

    Breath mints always ( have 3 varieties at the moment ). Nail file for filling in time at the traffic lights  and band aids . Every time we go some where someone needs a band aid ! 

    • Anonymous

      Good tips about the bandaid – will pack some more in the car now! 

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Welcome!

Andrea Zanetich Editor of Fox in Flats
Hi I'm Andrea, and Fox In Flats is my baby.

I'm also the mother of two little boys, who I credit for the motherhood induced fashion rut that I fell into sometime between the labour ward and now…

Here, we're sharing tips, ideas and inspiration to make it much, much easier to navigate motherhood in style.

Enjoy!

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