beauty

5 multi-purpose 'wonder balms' your handbag is crying out for.

Image: Brittany Stewart

I am not what you call a light packer. Even if I’m just going away for a night or a weekend, you’ll usually see me lugging around a huge bag packed with literally everything but the kitchen sink. After all, who knows when something will come in handy?

Unsurprisingly, my handbag is much the same. At the bottom lurks a debris of forgotten, broken and utterly useless items including (but not limited to) a single glove, three broken bobby pins, nine blue pens and an empty perfume sample.

RELATED: The secret to Kate Hudson’s fitness is in her handbag.

And that’s not even mentioning the giant makeup bag of moisturiser, lip balm (I swear by Carmex), hand cream and three different mascaras I carry with me everywhere because – as the scouts say – always be prepared.

My bag looks ALOT like this.

Or at least it was... until I discovered the magical wonder that are multi purpose balms.

Basically magic and dreams in a bottle (or pot), they're the beauty product that can do, well, pretty much everything. From lip balm to cuticle cream, eyebrow gel to household lubricant (seriously), they're the Beyonce of beauty products - i.e every other products wants to be one.

RELATED: Why balm stains are the lazy (and hungry) woman’s lipstick.

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We've found the five best that deserve a place in your clutch/handbag/car/pocket.

Lanolips

Don't let its size distract you - Lanolips 101 Ointment is small but mighty, making it the perfect product to take with you everywhere. 100 per cent animal cruelty free, vegetarian friendly and natural as well as fragrance and colour free, the ointment is super hydrating without being sticky and is quick to soak in.

RELATED: "How do I find the right lipstick for my ‘skin tone’?”

It's particularly good at treating chapped lips (as well as priming lips for lipsticks), but also works well on your cuticles, any patches of dry skin, and on sore or dry noses.

To sum up: Simple, creamy saviour in equally impressive packaging.

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi Purpose Palm, $17.95, buy it here (Post continues in and after gallery.)

We're calling it - these really are the superheroes of skincare. Unfortunately, while they're certainly high achievers, they won't clean your house for you, replace exercise or remind you when you need to buy more milk.

But never say never...we'll keep you updated.

Do you use multi-purpose balms? Which do you recommend?