Megan Graham, founder of RIES

We’re always fiddling with our toiletry kits—trying to find the best way to decant lotion or keep conditioner from spilling all over everything else—so we were thrilled when we learned about the company RIES [rhymes with please], which makes sleek TSA-approved, refillable bottles that are sturdy, leakproof, and look great on a bathroom vanity. We wanted to hear more from the founder Megan Graham about what inspired her to start the company, some of her favorite wellness destinations, and what products she’s putting in her RIES.

Tell us a bit about you and your company—how did you get started down this path?

At RIES, we make reusable travel toiletry bottles designed specifically for beauty products. I think we’re best known as “the one with the pump.” Before RIES, I spent most of my career in beauty and fashion marketing. From trend forecasting to ad agencies to Vogue and Condé Nast. What really connected these roles wasn’t necessarily the work itself, but the constant travel. That’s where the idea for RIES really solidified. 

Very selfishly, I wanted a solution for carrying my haircare with me on constant work trips. The single-use, breakable bottles available at CVS or Target were frustrating, wasteful and poorly designed. At the outset, my goal was to make a travel bottle worthy of the shelves at Sephora. I knew from my days in the Vogue beauty closet that product efficacy and ingredient stability were important factors in top-tier beauty products and sought to create a system that kept aesthetics and function top of mind.

How has your personal travel routine shaped the way you design Ries products?

My name may not be on the bottle, but the design is very much part of my DNA. Besides the functionality, what really set us apart at launch was how generous, yet packable, our travel bottles are.

With my textured hair type and need to bring as much conditioner with me as humanly possible on any length of trip, we designed our first bottle to hold the most product allowed in a carryon from TSA. Our original holds 3.4 ounces and our mini has a max capacity of 1.7 ounces. The sleek design really mirrors my proclivity towards minimalism. There’s no additional parts and pieces to keep track of.  And our color scheme is pretty neutral and no-nonsense. We’ve just launched our newest color (Black! Finally!) 

What products are you putting in your Ries containers? 

My RIES are always packed with the essentials: Hair Story New Wash cleanser, Honest conditioner, Aunt Jackie’s leave-in and a mousse or gel by Bread Beauty. I never ever travel without my Caudalie Gel Cleanser or Augustinus Bader Rich Creme.

Dream hotel bathroom setup: what’s in the shower, by the sink, and in the vanity kit?

The first thing I always do when I arrive at a hotel is unpack my toiletries. It brings me some sense of comfort to see my toothbrush and beauty routine all set up in an unfamiliar space. It gives me a bit of grounding. So I appreciate when the vanity space is designed with storage and functionality in mind. Thoughtful shelf space in the shower or bath is key—my haircare routine is multi-step and one small shelf (or god forbid—no shelf!) won’t cut it.

I’m often traveling with my husband, so this dream hotel bathroom has two sinks with ample counter space. Something I wish we had in our Brooklyn apartment! If hotel bathrooms came equipped with microfiber hair towels and diffusers for their hairdryers, I’d be set. 

Have you discovered any beauty or wellness rituals abroad that you’ve adopted into your own routine?

I’m a big fan of the cold plunge/sauna experience at Area Brooklyn. I swear by Marika’s acupuncture at Red Moon Wellness in Park Slope.

What are some of your favorite beauty bring-backs from your travels?

A decade ago I brought back a small bottle of argan oil from a farm in Morocco that I still dream about. It was my dream hair elixir. My mother-in-law always introduced me to piñon cream from Wyoming that I swear heals any cracked hands or lips. More wellness skewed, but I swear by this drink mix I discovered in Sedona, and mountain tea from Sifnos, Greece. 

How do you approach staying healthy and relaxed when you travel by plane?

If I have a later flight, I always make sure to work out that day. I like to make sure my blood is moving before being stuck on a flight. This is usually a run in Prospect Park or a bike ride on Zwift.

Right before I leave the house, I take electrolytes. Flying can be so dehydrating, and I try to stay ahead of it. I prefer the watermelon salt by LMNT. I’m also a big snacker and always bring almonds, fresh fruit or something similar on the flight. Who wants to arrive somewhere hungry?

I also have a bit of a fear of flying (the irony!), so I have a few little rituals that help calm my nerves. Once I’m on the plane, I dive straight into whatever book I’m reading to help distract me from any anxieties. Right before takeoff, I queue up a guided meditation (or three) on the Unplug app. It helps me center myself, breathe deeply, and ease into the flight.

Do you have a go-to way to reset after a long flight?

No matter how tired I am, I always shower after a flight. It helps me wash off the journey and start fresh.

Beyond beauty, what’s always in your carry-on?  

As a brand founder/owner, I have traveled without my laptop only once in the last 5 years (it was a 36-hour trip over a weekend, and it was pure bliss.)

I always bring the essentials to keep me hydrated: a lightweight reusable water bottle, hand lotion in a RIES bottle and lip balm. I always have a book, plane headphones, some hand sanitizer and a film camera. My Contax T3 comes everywhere with me and I always make sure to hand check at every TSA to preserve the film.

Do you have any rituals you use while on a trip to reset and ground yourself in a new place?

I always try to take a short walk outside within the first couple hours after I land. I’ll give myself a silly little errand to run to give myself a low-stakes destination to explore the area. Sometimes I’ll wander without any particular spot in mind. A half hour of fresh air helps me reorient and ground myself in the new environment.

How do you manage sleep, jet lag, and staying energized while changing time zones?

Hydration really is key. I’ve never been able to stick to the “rules” of not sleeping or eating on the plane, but I do avoid drinking in-flight.  

Do you have a workout or movement routine you stick to while traveling, or do you let location inspire you?

My favorite ways to work out while traveling are the same things I like to do at home: hiking, tennis and yoga. If I’m in a pinch or none of those three options are available, I’ll go for a run.

While on vacation in Hawaii, my husband and I were playing tennis at the local racquet club and ended up on a court next to Michelle Obama. A great case for getting out of the hotel gym and doing as the locals do! 

Any favorite apps, podcasts, or playlists you use to stay centered or active on the go?

I love the UnPlug app for guided meditation and the Eckhart Tolle podcast for staying centered. 

What are a few of your favorite wellness destinations (and why)?

I feel best when I’m near the ocean or a body of water. For me, the best beauty routine will always be sun-kissed skin and a skin scrub courtesy of sand and ocean breeze. Sifnos in Greece, Zipolite in Mexico, The Azores and Palawan, Philippines have been my favorite places for low-key beach getaways that afford privacy and a slower pace. That said, I try to get to Sedona if I’m visiting anywhere near the southwest. The hiking trails and food at ChocolaTree are always reinvigorating. 

Where are you dreaming of going next?

I just had a baby and I’m excited to get her first passport. We’re planning a big friend trip to Copenhagen and Iceland next August. Japan, China and Portugal’s Algarve region are all high up on the list. Gonna get this baby’s passport filled up!