And changed my entire year for the better…
Last winter (as in, winter 2023) my mom gifted me a travel capsule system from Cadence. Over the course of the next 12 months, I fell into a rhythm of routine that I’d never known before… and I can trace it all back to my travel capsule system.
Enchanté, Cadence
As a New Yorker who was constantly (classically) on the move, Steph Hon found herself wishing she had a sustainable way to streamline her day-to-day life. She set out to create a highly functional, time-saving product with (a) a clear purpose that (b) delivered on all of its promises. In 2020, after nearly 5 years of development, 207 prototypes, and 4 patents, Cadence Travel Capsules were born.
The capsules come in 3 sizes (0.56 fl oz, 1.32 fl oz, and 2.75 fl oz) and are:
- Magnetic
- Leakproof (!!!)
- TSA-approved
- Customizable
Every capsule has an interchangeable magnetic label, which gives each system a pick-your-own-adventure vibe. My mom bought me 8 capsules, half in the color Sand and half in the color Eucalyptus, with the intent that I could use color-coding to further personalize my experience. I took that suggestion and ran with it…
My Life On Cadence
Right off the bat, I decided that the Sand capsules would be for my haircare routine, and Eucalyptus for my skin. Even though I’ve moved out, my mom knows my habits pretty well, so she was spot-on in her label selection for me. The haircare portion of my capsules read as following: Shampoo, Conditioner, Oil, and Curls (short for my favorite curl cream). As for skincare, I had a capsule for Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer, and Serum.
The first time I used my capsule system was during a weekend trip in the end of January. Previously, I would’ve popped to my local chain pharmacy and been forced to buy whatever brands of face wash, shampoo, etc that they had on hand. But this time around, I used my (already owned) full-size bottles to fill my travel capsules and I was set. No extra $$ on overpriced minis and no random brand substitutes (that last one is a big deal for me, because I have finicky curls that are highly resistant to change).
Cliche as it sounds, that trip was the beginning of it all. Every time I use my travel capsule system, I uncover a new feature to love.
Falling in Love with My Capsule System
In particular, the screw-on, leakproof lid is a Cadence design touch that I’ve yet to see anywhere else. In the past, I’ve used flimsy travel containers with lids that flip open and closed, and 9 times out of 10 they “flipped” open and spilled their contents throughout my entire bag. Nightmare. I’ve never had that experience with Cadence.
Plus, they’re composed of recycled plastics and designed to be virtually indestructible. I don’t say that lightly–I’m notorious for cracking any product with the capacity to break, but at this point my capsules have withstood many a bumpy ride/fall/transit, without any meaningful damage to show for it.
Perhaps the biggest curveball was the frequency with which I use my travel capsules when I’m not traveling. I’ve taken to bringing a few to the gym, the office, and my boyfriend’s apartment. (Basically any place where I know I’ll need to freshen up and/or complete my hair or skin routine.)
I cannot express how convenient it’s been to have miniature, refillable–and leakproof, no less!–versions of my non-negotiables on hand whenever I need them. I’ve saved myself money, time, and stress by grabbing the colored capsules that correspond to my needs that day and leaving with the confidence that I’ve got everything in my bag.
My Next Cadence Order…
At the time of writing, I’m actually about to place the first Cadence order of my own. Each of my 8 capsules look as good as they did on that fateful winter day when I unboxed them, so wear/tear isn’t the problem. Over the course of the year, my routines have expanded, and I’ve recognized new uses for travel capsules that go unmet in my current system. This time around, I’m planning on snagging a few capsules for medications, and for the haircare steps I added to my routine last year.
I’ve also got my eye on The Parcel, Cadence’s proprietary dopp kit that shuts itself into a bag or opens up as a tray (and fits 1 qt worth of capsules). Early this month, Cadence released four new colors of the Parcel. That news was the straw that broke the camel’s back (if you will)… I decided it was time to expand my collection, once and for all.
If my gushing isn’t enough, you should know that TIME named Cadence Capsules a “Best Invention” in 2022, and in the same year they received a NY Product Design Award for “Sustainable Design.” Cadence Capsules represent the height of sustainability and innovation, and I could not recommend them more.
