They’ve become my go-to gift this year…
Last winter, my mom gifted me The Honeycomb Capsule System from Cadence. This year, I’ve been paying it forward by giving all of my favorite people their own collection of capsules.
Essentially, the “capsules” come in 3 sizes and are:
- Magnetic
- Leakproof (!!!)
- TSA-approved
- Customizable
- Come with interchangeable labels
- Chic
Cadence is the more sustainable, $-saving alternative to buying travel-sized items of your favorite products (and paying the subsequent markup). Plus, they’re built (out of recycled plastics, mind you) to be virtually indestructible and last a long time.
In particular, the screw-on, leakproof lid is a design feature I’ve yet to see anywhere else. In the past, I’ve used fllimsy 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.
Enchanté, Cadence
Let me slow down for a sec—first of all, what is Cadence? They’re a new(ish) brand, brought to us by young female AAPI founder Steph Hon in 2020. Her mission was to create a highly functional product with (a) clear purpose and (b) longevity. Spoiler alert: she succeeded on both fronts.
After nearly 5 years, 207 prototypes, and 4 patents, Cadence Capsules have proven themselves to be portable-sized lifesavers that (literally) pack a punch. TIME named them a “Best Invention” in 2022, and in the same year they received a NY Product Design Award for “Sustainable Design.” So unfortunately, I can’t claim to have discovered Cadence first…
Here’s How I Use Them Daily
I swear I should get some sort of commission for the amount of people I’ve put on to these ingenious little containers. But that’s neither here nor there. Here are the many ways I’m using my Cadence capsules.
On My Commute (And at Work)
On my pre-Cadence office days, I used to curse myself for “forgetting” my essential products at home. Toner to freshen-up at the end of the day, body lotion for dry knees/ankles/elbows (IYKYK), hair oil to keep the flyaways in place. But who was I kidding? There was no room in my work bag for those giant tubs… now, I fill a capsule with each product, toss ‘em in my bag, and I’m ready for anything.
Errands
Maybe it’s just me, but there are a few core essentials that I feel naked leaving home without—think, body lotion, medication, etc. I used to keep a plastic baggie of Advil in my purse at all times, but the pills ended up crushed, and I once bought a mini version of my favorite body lotion, but spent 5x the normal price for the “travel-sized” bottle. By refilling my ever-durable system of capsules, I know that (a) the contents are safe and sound, and (b) I can source product from the value-sized bottles I have at home.
Long- (And Short-) Distance Travel
This scenario in particular is largely why these babies were invented, hence the name “travel capsules.” Indeed, I’ve found myself completely indebted to my Capsule System on every trip I’ve taken over the last year. Vacation? Long weekend? Impromptu escape to my parents’? Check, check, check.
Sleeping at a Friend’s
I don’t care how comfortable I am in someone else’s space… I have a nightly skincare routine and I intend to stick to it. If I know I’ll be out overnight, I always bring my Cleanser, Toner, and Moisturizer capsules, so I won’t miss a beat.
Gym Bag
The only way I get myself to the gym is by promising myself I can run a fun errand afterward. You can imagine, then, why I’d need a few *products* on hand to freshen up before I reenter the world. I don’t always shower at the gym, but I bring my Shampoo, Conditioner, Cleanser, and Body Lotion capsules on every gym trip. Just in case.
I’m Thinking of Expanding My Collection…
It should come as no surprise that I’m likely going to invest in more. Each of my 7 capsules look as good as they did on that fateful winter day when I unboxed them, so wear/tear isn’t the problem. It’s just that ideally, if I have a few in each bag, I’ll be set for (no exaggeration) life?!
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).
The beauty of Cadence Capsules is that, in addition to being physically sleek and gorgeous, they present a solution to the age-old question: How can we maintain the cadence of our life routines while on-the-go? (See what I did there?)
…And that’s exactly why these make a great gift for the holidays—they make your life easier. And I’m the proof that they do a darn good job at it.
