Refill, Reuse, Reconnect: How evolvetogether Elevates the Everyday

When Cynthia Sakai founded evolvetogether, the world was pausing and re-imagining how we care for one another. Her first creation, a medical-grade face mask, carried geographic coordinates as an everyday reminder that we’re all connected, no matter where we stand on the map. Since then, her line of purpose-driven essentials has grown into clean deodorants, dissolvable hand-soap tablets, and other daily rituals that pair quiet confidence with planet-forward design.

This season, you’ll find evolvetogether’s natural deodorant in the mini bar of guest rooms at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and 1 Hotel Central Park. The fine-fragrance formula are housed in paper and use 67% less plastic then leading deodorants, echoing our own commitment to regenerative hospitality. By inviting this small act of considered self-care into our New York sanctuaries, we hope to spark something larger: a moment where personal wellbeing ripples outward into collective good.

In our conversation with Cynthia, she opens up about scent memories, designing for circularity, and why the simplest objects can become meaningful connections.
 

Beyond the Basics with Cynthia Sakai, Founder of Evolvetogether

Your journey began with a simple question: how can we go beyond “just product”? What inspired you to start evolvetogether, and how did you land on the name?

At the beginning, we weren’t focused on building a brand,  we were thinking about how to be of service. In the early days of the pandemic, the world felt disconnected, and we kept coming back to the idea of bringing people together. Daily essentials were a way to get that message out. That’s also where the name evolvetogether comes from: a belief that we’re all connected, and that real impact starts with care for ourselves, for each other, and for our planet.

Your tagline is “small everyday choices add up to a big impact.” How do you hope people live that philosophy through your products?

We want to make it easy to choose well, no overthinking, no compromise. Whether it’s the coordinates stamped on every item as a reminder of our shared humanity, or packaging that treads lightly on the earth, every detail is considered. When people reach for our deodorant, hand cream, or bar soap, our hope is that they feel not just cared for, but connected to something larger than themselves.

Sustainability is at the heart of evolvetogether and also one of the major ethos for 1 Hotels. How do you balance effectiveness, aesthetics, and eco-consciousness in your product design?

To us, sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s table stakes, and a responsibility. But products need to work. Our formulas are performance-first, and our packaging is intentionally planet-friendly, made with biodegradable or recycled or refillable materials. We obsess over every detail, from textures that feel like skincare to packaging that’s beautiful enough to display, but still gentle on the planet. It’s about creating modern essentials that are better in every sense of the word.

Deodorant is such an everyday essential. How did you reimagine it with evolvetogether?

We started with the idea that deodorant should feel and smell as good as it performs. No sticky residue or build-up, no harsh ingredients, no powdery scents — just a clean, balm-like texture that glides on clear, is infused with fine fragrance, and keeps working throughout the day. We partnered with our chemists and perfumers to create something that feels like a beauty essential, part of your self-care routine, not an afterthought or an obligation.

Do you have a favorite fragrance note in the collection, or one that feels especially grounding to you?

Monaco. It’s a dry, modern rose, never sweet, never powdery. Not your grandmother’s rose. The mandarin brings a bit of brightness, while patchouli and oud add depth without heaviness. It’s sheer, transparent, and quietly expressive, the kind of scent that stays close, but leaves an impression.

Guests will discover evolvetogether in unexpected ways, whether at a pop-up or even in their minibar at our New York sanctuaries. What excites you most about partnering with 1 Hotels for these moments of connection?

1 Hotels shares our belief that luxury can, and should, be rooted in purpose. The idea that someone might discover our deodorant or hand wash while traveling and feel a moment of comfort or connection or a feeling of being home is exactly why we do what we do. These small touchpoints remind us that thoughtful design can be part of daily life. seamless, considered, and quietly transformative.