Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.
The last 9 months have accumulated to the most traveling I have ever done in my life. Starting in late April, nearly every two weeks I was jetting off somewhere, whether on a press trip, visiting family, or off to a wedding. This constant on-the-go state of being? It’s a bit frantic… and I’ve become an expert packer as a result. I swear by the packing cubes and the bags-inside-of-bags method to keep my belongings organized, easy to find, and streamlined.
Earlier this summer, I decided that my cosmetics transportation situation needed an upgrade. Random makeup bags and clashing prints had started to hurt my brain—and eyes—and I wanted the look of my travel accoutrements to be a little more sleek. So where else would I turn but Cuyana? The sustainable essentials brand makes some of my favorite totes around, so why not spring for their gorgeous leather travel case set as well?
Of course, I also know that the Duchess of Sussex, has been a fan of the brand as well for many years—and I particularly admire her taste for understated accessories. And truth be told, a beautiful leather makeup bag (or in this case two) just screams sophistication. The choice was a no brainer.
But the aesthetics of my Cuyana travel cases set aside, this duo has really helped me keep my self-care belongs in order. First, the zippers on both the large and small case aren’t just horizontal at the top, they wrap around from base to base, so you get maximum space efficiency. And while the large bag can hold both my travel-sized skincare and makeup brushes when I’m on a long-haul trip, I like to put the various components of my cosmetic routine (base, blush, eyes, etc.) in their own individual compostable baggies that are labeled so there’s less pandemonium when I unzip the case. This is particularly helpful for keeping track of lipsticks, or the components to a more glam beauty look that I might be toting along for a formal event or a wedding. Then, I place my brushes, my face cup kit and favorite guasha tool into the smaller case, and my glam is ready to go.
However, when I am home, these gorgeous supple cases (mine are navy) also get good use as well. I don’t abandon the neurosis of my individual baggies for the larger bag, but I do however keep my day to day makeup in that case. Then, everything I need for touch-ups, plus a lipstick or two, goes into the smaller bag, which I move from tote to tote depending on the day. The rush of satisfaction I get from this organization is tough to beat. The only thing perhaps a bit more satisfying? How darn chic I feel every time I pull it out to assess my look or slick on some more lipstick: like I am the most together human on the planet. I am fully converted. Get yourself some quality makeup bags, you deserve it.
Roxanne Adamiyatt is the senior editor at Town & Country, where she writes about lifestyle, fashion, travel, and beauty.
