Traveling light is something to aspire to. I understand the concept, but I’m always going to pack both full-sized foundation and tinted moisturizer—it’s just who I am (even though the more I fly, the more I think I’m coming down with a case of Carry-On-Shoulder, which is this really un-sexy red indentation that I can only blame on “the airlines”). I’m trying to be better, though, looking to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up for inspiration (like everyone). Marie Kondo focuses on the closet, but why not apply this to your cosmetics bag? Instead of bringing enough makeup to fill a roll-aboard, treat yourself to a snazzy new dopp kit, and only bring what fits. (Your shoulder will thank you.) A selection:
Smythson Burlington Collection Small Wash Bag
Just looking at this buttery, forest green leather beauty makes me feel like I have a graduate degree (Why have one degree when you could have two? Similarly, why have one zip when you could have two of those, too?) Everything Smythson makes is timeless, but it also gets better with age, unlike that sample sized bottle of perfume you’ve been holding on to since freshman year (throw it out!).
Want Les Essentiels de la Vie Marconi Travel Case
Woowee. Doesn’t it make you want to whistle like a leery construction worker gazing upon a sexy piece of dopp kit? Just me? That’s cool. Well this ain’t no Clinique free gift rubber bag filled with sample-sized lipsticks you’ll never use (throw them out as well!). Packing this in your overnight bag will immediately class up the joint, and make you feel like the grown-ass woman (or man)/international spy that you are.
_ Billykirk No. 257 Snap Dopp Kit _
No, you can’t fit 257 things in it, but that’s a good thing! This dopp opens up in an ingenious design that makes it a hell of a lot easier finding your tweezers in a plane bathroom with terrible lighting. (“Excuse me, sir, you’ll have to wait your turn, my brows are askew!”) Ash waxed canvas is also this brilliant material that only gets better the more it’s scuffed and loved. Thumbs up, Billy.
_ Shinola Travel Kit _
Also opens up to a cube! Shinola makes the kind of goods people pass on to their children. “Honey, this was mommy’s most trusted dopp kit and it held some of her most majestic lip stains as she traveled the greater midwest and all over the world!” But seriously, water-resistant, tough as Detroit, and easy on the eyes.
_ Anya Hindmarch In Flight Patent Leather Trimmed Travel Case _
Everything Anya Hindmarch makes is winking at you, Lucille Bluth-style (and winking at those construction dudes, too). Wonderful. Tell those TSA agents to get off your back, almond butter isn’t explosive, and neither is your mini jar of under-eye cream. Everybody chilllll.
_ Herschel Chapter Dopp Kit _
Herschel knows what you need in a bag (which is why their backpacks are everywhere you turn)—pockets. And this dopp, which is pretty girly cute if you’re into that, is just the thing to store only the essentials in, or at least four different glimmer creams and cheekbone highlighters. Glisten on.
—Alex Beggs
Photographed by Tom Newton.
