I Used to Pack My Toiletries in a Plastic Bag, Now I Upgraded to This Indestructible Pouch

I’m a “carry-on only” kind of traveler. This means that before a big trip, I frantically purchase TSA-friendly minis of my go-to beauty products, or order a bunch of cheap travel-size containers to decant my full-size products into … then toss it all in a zip-top freezer bag. But frankly, I’ve had enough of wasting money on minis and dealing with unfortunate leaks and spills in my luggage. I finally found a way to pack my entire beauty routine (hair, skin, and body essentials) safely and efficiently, and it doesn’t involve a gross plastic bag from my pantry: the Cadence Parcel and Capsule system (aka the Discovery Set). 

I’ve seen the Cadence Capsules online for years (they even won AT’s Organization Awards in 2023), but the Parcel was all new to me. I got the opportunity to try it in conjunction with the capsules — and now that I have, I’ll never travel without them. Here’s why. 

The Discovery Set includes Cadence’s Medium Parcel, which is a one-quart, TSA-approved bag made of TPU material (a thick-yet-flexible heavy-duty plastic that’s resistant to oils, stains, leaks, and messes of all kinds, basically). It feels indestructible and is compact enough to fit in a personal item (5.5×2.24×7 inches). It features a magnetic fold-over closure, and a woven elastic strap for an elevated detail. And even cooler, the Parcel’s magnetic opening connects to other Parcels to form an open, tray-like organization system, which means it’s perfect for using at home, too (not just when you’re on-the-go!). 

You’re also getting three small- and three medium-size Cadence Capsules for all your toiletries. The hex-shaped capsules come affixed with secure twist-off lids that are conveniently pre-labeled so you can easily identify what’s inside (and you can always purchase additional capsules and lids separately to account for every step in your routine). They’re also magnetized, and attach seamlessly to form a little “hive” of products in your bag, which means less rattling around (and it lowers the likelihood of lids getting lost). 

I’ve had plenty of plastic toiletry bags over the years, but none have felt as sturdy and well-made as Cadence’s Parcel. To be fair, I’ve never had a bag quite this expensive (the Medium Parcel is $65 on its own), but believe me when I say that it looks and feels as premium as its price tag. The material is thick, but pliable enough, and the magnetic closure snaps securely into place. I haven’t had any issues with it opening up inside my bag, either. 

The Parcel is way roomier than I was expecting it to be! I managed to fit six medium capsules and three small capsules inside, and still had some room to spare. While I’d normally edit down my usual skincare, haircare, and bodycare products to only the core essentials, I was able to pack every step of my routine (even a hair mask and my barrier-repair face serum) using the capsules. We love efficiency in this house! I also love that, just like the Capsules, the Parcels can be magnetically attached to each other and form a convenient storage tray. It makes me want to grab another one for my makeup to streamline my routine at home, too. It’d be one fewer thing to unpack! 

Unlike my zip-top bag and disposable travel tubes of trips past, Cadence’s Parcel and Capsules are 10 times easier to clean. The Parcel’s fold-open top gives me complete access to every corner of the bag, so I can wipe the entire thing clean without issue, then I just leave it open to dry. The same is true with the Capsules. The travel containers I used to buy were a nightmare to clean, so I’d inevitably end up tossing them after a trip (wasteful, I know). But the Capsules have wide openings that are easy to get at with a sponge. And if you’re worried about decanting more liquidy products into a wide-mouthed container — I certainly was at first — Cadence sells these ingenious little adapters that allow you to dispense the perfect amount of moisturizer, toner, you name it. It keeps me from wasting product so I have enough to last my whole trip (no more panic-runs to the nearest pharmacy). 

Buy: Keep Your Cadence Discovery Set, $313.50