I’ve Risked It All for Love… And Lost Quite a Bit Along the Way
During my first six months dating Michael, I accidentally spilled full-sized skin and haircare products in my bag on three (3) separate occasions while en route to his place. I tried leaving a bottle of curl cream in his bathroom, but that ended in casualty when Michael’s oblivious roommate pitched it. That’s when I transitioned to only travel-sized necessities. Unfortunately, the cost of 1.5 years’ worth of mini Pantene and Ceravé bottles was obscene. Not to mention, I broke the rhythm of my personal routine every time I stayed with him… something had to change.
I thought I had no other choice—the distance between Manhattan and Brooklyn isn’t getting any smaller—until I was blessed with one of those perfectly targeted Instagram ads. It was for a brand called Cadence that makes these (virtually) indestructible, leak-proof TSA-approved travel capsules designed to hold essentials (jewelry, meds, hair products, skincare, etc) while on the go.
Cadence: How the Long-Distance Pros Pack
Cadence capsules are an alternative to the parade of travel-sized products most long-distance GFs swear by… they can be filled again and again with the products that you already have/love/trust.
It’s not just people in relationships who love Cadence, either. Everyone from casual vacationers to revered travel publications (think Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler) has been raving about these magnetic, modern, minimalist capsules for years. New York Times Wirecutter just featured them in a glowing review. I had a lot of catching up to do.
I stay at my boyfriend’s apartment every weekend. I’m the type of person that absolutely needs to have all my skincare with me every night. [Cadence] has been an absolute lifesaver for consolidating.” –Emily R.
Betting that so many legitimate sources couldn’t all be wrong, I decided to buy my own Bestseller Set and give Cadence a go on my next Brooklyn rendez-vous. This set has predetermined labels to cover all the bases: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Cleanser, and Moisturizer, plus a pill icon and a sun (I keep my toner in there).
Now, many months later, I simply can’t believe there was a time when I didn’t have Cadence. I’ve since grown my capsule collection and taken to keeping a few in every bag I own: my purse, my work bag, my gym bag… and of course that first set stays in my overnight bag. There are a million reasons to love these award-winning capsules, but here are my top five:
The Only Truly Leak-Proof Option
If you’ve ever opened your carry-on to a shampoo fiasco after a long flight, you’ll know that “mostly leak-proof” is very different from actually leak-proof. One major innovation that sets Cadence apart is a screw-on lid that is 100% leak-proof, air-tight, and water-tight (nice if you plan on bringing them into the shower).
They’re also pretty much indestructible. You can drop them, step on them, and toss them in your bag with the confidence that they’ll neither break nor leak. And even though these capsules are tough, they’re lightweight and easy to open with one hand.
Beautiful AND Functional
From the minimalist design to the chic, understated colors—rich brown, soft pink, subdued sage—Cadence capsules are gorgeous to look at…but more importantly, they have both form and function. Unlike cheap single-use toiletry bottles from the dollar store, Cadence’s made-to-order capsules have a wide mouth opening that makes filling them quick, effortless, and mess-free, with drop-proof magnetic lids that stick to the sides when they’re not screwed on.
Plus, they feature interchangeable labels which means you always know what’s inside. Cadence offers pre-set labels (like the ones I got in my first order) but they can also print days of the week or assorted icons. Pro Tip: If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Cadence will custom-print any word you’d like!
A Space-Saving Dream
I was beyond happy to part ways with the mismatched travel-sized bottles that took up half of my bag. I used to wait for the Subway to Michael’s and feel my mini contact solution rolling around with my mini shampoo next to a bottle of wine and my work clothes for the next day. Cadence’s sleek, magnetic capsules were designed to minimize the footprint of bulky bottles in your bag, freeing up space for a book, more wine, some snacks… whatever your destination (or date night) calls for.
With volumes ranging from 0.56 to 2.75 oz, these capsules are compact, yet they fit a surprising amount—and they don’t have any corners for my product to get trapped in. I’ve found that even the smallest capsule easily holds a week’s worth of cleanser or moisturizer, a month of serum, or 15-20 pills. (For my trips to BK, I probably refill my cleanser and conditioner most often).
Romantic Getaway Ahead? Sail Through TSA With Ease
Most people don’t realize that TSA guidelines require all containers to be “marked” less than 3.4 ounces. This means that without a proper label, any container can be confiscated by TSA. Cadence thought of everything, though—their capsules are TSA-compliant and clearly marked. Pro Tip #2: 7 medium-sized capsules (1.32 oz) fit perfectly in a quart-sized Ziploc bag.
This summer, Michael and I visited his family in San Francisco, and it was the easiest pre-flight packing I’ve ever done. Thanks to Cadence, I didn’t have to worry about being held up in the security line, or TSA confiscating my beloved products. I will say that I was stopped briefly… but it was because an agent wanted to know what they were so she could get her own set.
See Ya, Single-Use Plastic!
The sad reality is that most travel-sized containers end up in the bin after a trip. This isn’t just bad for the environment—it’s a waste of money, too. Travel-sized products average 3x more expensive per ounce than full-sized bottles. Most of the time, they get tossed half-full anyway, because people can’t be bothered to use the rest.
Not only are Cadence’s durable travel containers made to last years and years (reducing the need for single-use plastic), but they’re also made with a blend of BPA-free, non-leaching, recycled ocean-bound plastic. This means Cadence is keeping more plastic from the oceans AND actively working to clean them up too.
Cadence Improved My Relationship Satisfaction
…And this is not an exaggeration. If you feel like your routine is interrupted every time you see your partner, I cannot recommend Cadence enough. Their leak-proof, durable, and impossibly easy-to-use capsules are a long-distance lover’s best friend. From the intuitive screw-off lids to the magnetic features, it’s clear that Cadence thought of everything!
While the capsules are an investment, the peace of mind they provide is more than worth it. Not to mention, saving even one capsule worth of product from spilling (or in my case, being thrown away *eye roll*) makes Cadence an immediate win. These days, my relationship is stress-free, the way it should be. I love grabbing my bag and running down to Brooklyn with the knowledge that everything I need is at hand. I might even gift my boyfriend a set for the days he comes to me…