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For as long as I can remember, I've been traveling with reusable toiletry bottles. It'a a waste of money and plastic to buy new mini shampoo and body wash bottles every time I travel, so instead, I used to fill up tiny reusable bottles and pray to the travel gods that they wouldn't leak in my carry-on. That all changed when I discovered Cadence Capsules a few years ago—it really was love at first use. When I got my hands on the original small capsules, I quickly realized this was the upgrade of all upgrades in the toiletry bottle department and that I'd be ditching those $5 plastic bottles for good.
In 2023, Cadence launched the Flex System, an upgraded model to its original design—since then, I've been using them nonstop to transport my toiletries and more. I recommend them to every traveler—they're a thoughtful gift for anyone on your list. Now, let me explain what makes them so great.
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How do Cadence Capsules compare to other toiletry bottles?
Cadence Capsules are unlike any other reusable toiletry bottles I've ever used (and I've tested out plenty over the years). What really sets them apart is that these TSA-approved, BPA-free capsules are magnetic—so they cling to one another in any Dopp kit, reducing the space taken up. They also feature interchangeable, magnetic labels, so you know exactly what product you're reaching for, whether that's shampoo or makeup remover. Best of all, they are 100% leakproof. All travel bottles say they're leakproof, but Cadence has really mastered this. Simply twist the top on the capsule and it seals completely shut. I've traveled with these on long-haul flights, bumpy car rides, and have even left them upside down in several bags, and they haven't let me down yet.
The woman-owned brand gets most of its hype for its clever magnetic and leakproof design. And while I do love those features, my favorite thing is actually how easy they are to clean. My main qualm with other toiletry bottles on the market is that they are nearly impossible to clean; either I can't get all of the product out of the plastic bottle or they retain the smell of whatever conditioner or hair serum I had inside. Cadence Capsules are designed without any right angles and with a wide opening at the top, so you have full access to the interior, making cleaning simple and foolproof. This means you can actually reuse them trip after trip, and change out what's in what, whether it's hair products or skincare.
Are these only for liquid toiletries?
Another major pro for these reusable capsules is how versatile they are. I use them just as much for non-beauty products as I do for classic toiletries like shampoo and conditioner. They are a great size to hold my daily medications, vitamins, jewelry, bobby pins, and more, depending on my travel needs. The Flex Capsules are food safe, but I'll admit I haven't used them for this purpose. You can customize your labels to fit your travel routine, too—I have one labeled “Tums" and another for micellar water.
And I'd be remiss not to mention the sleek look of these capsules—they look so clean and tidy stacked together on any bathroom counter. Choose from a dozen colors, like slate, charcoal, mocha, lavender, pearl, blush, and more; the light pink shade called petal and beige hue sand are my favorites.
What sizes are available?
There are three standard sizes available: The Flex Small, The Flex Medium, and The Flex Large. The Medium is the size I use most often while traveling; I put shampoo, conditioner, and makeup remover in these ones. I also keep one of these in nearly all of my purses and work tote filled with Advil and Benadryl (peanut allergy girl here!). The Flex Large is perfect for holding products I typically need more of and use daily, like face cleanser and moisturizer, or when I'm traveling for longer than a week. The Flex Small is ideal for eye creams, hair oil or serums, and medications. I also use this size to hold miscellaneous things like safety pins or earrings when I travel.
You might be wondering: What if I need more space? That's where the Flex Extender comes in handy. It can be twisted onto any Flex Capsule, no matter the size. So, if you're traveling for two weeks and need a little extra shampoo, just add the Extender onto the Flex Medium or any other capsule and voila! You now have room for another ounce and a half of product.
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Any cons?
Okay, I'll admit, I do have one small con: the price! They are much more expensive than your typical plastic toiletry bottles. But, for good reason: The quality speaks for itself and they really do last. I've used mine dozens of times, for everything from a weeklong trip to Tuscany to weekend getaways to Montauk, and they still look brand new. Not to mention, you're paying for a better product—each capsule is made of 50% recycled material (that material is made of 20% recycled ocean-bound plastic and leftover manufacturing scrap to avoid additional waste).
Plus, the versatility makes them really worth it. Smart features like interchangeable labels and the Flex Extender let you customize exactly what you need for each trip—because let's face it, every travel experience is different.
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