Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge

[itsfi]

Hey BIC beauties! One of my goals this year is to try to put together a makeup capsule with a handful (okay, maybe a large handful, in my case) of products that will work for me for an every day look and special occasions. Given my current collection, I won't need to be starting from scratch. 😂 So, I'm treating this capsule makeup collection challenge like a shop my stash and declutter adventure all in one. Would love for you to join me if and when you can.

If this is something that interests you or just piques your curiosity, please feel free to use this thread to document and challenge yourself to

(1) use what you have / shop your stash; and

(2) determine which products in your collection to keep, which to declutter, and which to try again another day. All with the goal of curating a set of makeup products that will help you achieve a signature look - and maybe a few additional products for other looks in your daily life, including looks for special occasions or events.

Every week, I will post a group of makeup products I plan to choose from (i.e., shopping my stash) for my looks during the week. The themes / prompts are guides and if you have a certain interpretation or approach you want to take with it, go for it! Not every product has to fit squarely within the theme; it can be just one item.

CURRENT WEEKLY THEMES: [UPDATED 4.27.2024]

Spoiler

Week 17 (April 22 - 28) - The "Green" Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule - In honor of Earth Day (April 22), let's assemble a "green" capsule for the week. What does it mean to be "green", you ask? You tell me! Here are a handful of meanings "green" can have - 

• Sustainable
• "Clean" by whatever standard you want - Clean at Sephora? Natural? Non-toxic? 
• The color - either the product itself or the packaging, or both
• New or young
• Other - your definition (oh, inquiring minds will want to know, so do also share your definition of green)

Or, if you have one or more products you picked up from the Sephora Spring Savings Event, show them off with a capsule highlighting one product or all of them. A shop-your-Sephora sale-stash, if you will.  

Week 18 (April 29 - May 5) - The April 2024 Edition of "On Top" or "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule and/or The "More Play Time With My Sephora Savings Event Hauls" Makeup Capsule - Were there makeup products from April that stood out to you - good or bad? Did you discover any new (or tried-and-true) favorites this month? Are there products you've been on the fence about? Create a makeup capsule with one or any combination of these ideas. OR show us what beauties you picked up during the Sephora Savings Event. Now's the time to play (or to keep playing) with that newness (and those beloved restocks) you hauled during the sale! 

Week 19 (May 6 - 12) - The AAPI Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule - To celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Month, let's curate a capsule with one or more makeup products from AAPI owned or founded makeup brands. [NOTE: A non-exhaustive list of AAPI owned or founded beauty brands can be found in the spoiler below ⤵️]

Week 20 (May 13 - 19) - The "Sleeping Beauties" Makeup Capsule and/or The "OMG, More Stuff From the Sephora Spring Savings" Makeup Capsule - I was inspired by the theme of this year's Met Gala, "Sleeping Beauties" - go through your stash and create a makeup capsule with beauties that have been sleeping in your stash and could use love and attention. Or, were there makeup products you picked during the Sephora Spring Savings Sale that are just now making their way to you (or that you are now getting to)? Put them in a capsule, by themselves or mix in a few "Sleeping Beauty" products. 

Week 21 (May 20 - 26) - The "My Best Self" Makeup Capsule - May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Curate a capsule with products that make you look and feel your very best

Week 22 (May 27 - June 2) - The May 2024 "On Top" or "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule - it's that time again, curate a capsule with your standout or favorite products this month or products you're trying to decide whether to keep or declutter. 

AAPI Owned / Founded Makeup Brands

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of makeup brands founded or co-founded / owned or co-owned by Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) - the brands listed are primarily ones that offer makeup / color cosmetics.  To the extent the founder's identify cannot be determined by the brand name, his/her/their name(s) will appear in parens next to the brand name. Brands with an asterisk (*) next to their name denotes that that brand is available at Sephora.

CLE Cosmetics (Lauren Jin)

CTZN Cosmetics (Aleena Khan, Aleezeh Khan, and Naseeha Khan)

Em Cosmetics (Michelle Phan)

* Glow Recipe (Christine Chang and Sarah Lee)

Jason Wu Beauty

Kimchi Chic Beauty (Kim Chi)

* Kulfi Beauty (Priyanka Ganjoo)

Live Tinted (Deepica Mutyala)

* Mango People (Sravya Adusumilli)

Meloway Makeup (Aiden Kim and Ash Kim)

* One/Size by Patrick Starrr

Orce Cosmetics (Yu-Chen Shih)

Ourself (Lauren Otsuki)

* Patrick Ta Beauty

Purlisse Beauty (Jennifer Yen)

Seraphine Botanicals (Sylvia Phann)

The Creme Shop (Theresa and Lawrence Kim)

* Tower 28 Beauty (Amy Liu)

U Beauty (Tina Craig)

* Wander Beauty (Divya Gugnani)

Yensa Beauty (Jennifer Yen)

Youthforia (Fiona Co Chan)

FAQs: [Updated 4.28.2024]

Spoiler

What is a capsule makeup collection?  

A capsule makeup collection is a selection of makeup products that can be used to put together different looks for a variety of occasions. For some of us, that may mean a group of essential products for your everyday look plus a few extra items for a more glam or dramatic look; and, for others of us, that may mean, a lineup of our holy grail product(s) in each makeup category. My ideal capsule makeup collection probably falls somewhere in between - we'll (hopefully) find out at the end of the year! I don't see myself as a minimalist, but I don't have an extensive collection of makeup either. I appreciate the collections of people who fall within both camps but I float somewhere in between - on the one hand, my brow product collection would earn a gold star if we were using a minimalist approach to makeup; my lip product lineup, on the other hand, would not. 🤣 It would most definitely not.  

Why have a capsule makeup collection?  

Everyone will have their own reasons for having (or not having) a more streamlined makeup collection. Over the years, I've just become more interested in having less beauty products on hand (well, except for lip products, lol) - a handful of items I use or reach for more frequently with maybe a few additional products that are go-to's for me for special events or occasions.  Don't get me wrong, I love trying new products and I don't see that changing. I just like the idea of having a simpler collection (I appreciate that "simpler" can be relative), curated to my needs and lifestyle.

Why weekly? 
A few years ago, beauty & lifestyle blogger Serein Wu, did a weekly series (on her blog and YouTube channel), Makeup Bag Monday, where she rotated her makeup bag each week with new product launches and makeup already in her collection. Every Monday, she shared the products she selected for the upcoming week and provided detailed makeup reviews on the makeup she used for the previous week. I may not post detailed reviews, but will at least try to include a weekly recap (probably at the end of the week) of what products I like and which ones didn't work for me.  If weekly works for you, great. If not, feel free to join in based on what works best for you.

What if I don't have enough products to fit the theme for a full face?

No need for your entire makeup capsule to fit the weekly theme(s). Just one will do. And, even if you don't have one that fits squarely within a theme, feel free to post your makeup capsule. We'd love to see what you're using and hear your feedback on the products as you put them to use. 

I'm excited to see what results from this experiment and I welcome everyone to join in this adventure, whenever and however is most effective for you. 

[itsfi]

I find "clean" and "dirty" can play well together and love to mix it up @danielledanielle, though I've realized I could do full face capsules devoted to each if I wanted to. 😂 I'm pretty sure that just confirms that I have a lot, not that I needed that confirmed. lol

That's awesome that you are getting more use out of the Laneige & Lawless. I've been discovering or (re)discovering items I hadn't used in a while (as well as, errrr, ones I forgot I had 😬) Ahhh, Becca, how we miss you. 

Wait, do you not need a setting powder or spray to keep your makeup in place. Ohhhh, I'm jealous! Oooh, do you layer the Tower 28 and Ami Cole mascaras? Or are you setting up a duel between them? Or, just having options?

[danielledanielle]

Ha! You've caught my negligence @itsfi .  I do use both, there are some days when I can go without...That's usually in winter.  Because I'm trying not to open up multitudes of powders, I usually use the same one and forget to include it.  It sits in a specific place in the bathroom and doesn't really move.

I'm still on Ami Colé Skin Melt Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder Deep / Medium .  I called it persnickety earlier in the thread, and got the reminder why when I used it with its intended brush.  Powder. All. Over.  It really is better with a puff, and a sponge!  It's pretty good for baking.

For setting spray, I cracked open my ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Mini On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray 1 oz/ 46 mL (non glitter) and been using that.  It works so well, and I've gotten used to the fragrance at this point.

🤣 Mascara battle.  Not exactly.  Trying to work through the tower.  It's one of those it works for everyone else, but not me.  I can't get that lift!  But, it separates my lashes so nicely.

[itsfi]

Yeah, that One Size is a good one @danielledanielle; I just have to be extra about keeping my skin hydrated and very well moisturized before and after using it. 

I will be putting the Tower 28 mascara to use for the first time next week. I’ll let you know if I will join you in the “I’m the only one this doesn’t work for” club. That rings true for me as far as the Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray goes. It’s HG status for so many and I think that’s fabulous. For me, it’s just meh 🫤 I’ve wanted it to be more than just meh but sadly, no. 

Oh yes, mascara battles are my new thing now. On the weekends. Or, at least one of those days I try to get in a mascara battle. 

[itsfi]

A weekend capsule and recap of Week 17

Week 17 - Days 6 & 7: I had two different capsules prepared for both Saturday and Sunday but wasn't feeling so great so I ended up doing something simple, quick & easy peasy. It's a hodgepodge of products, some that fit one or both themes and others that do not fit either. 😂 

Except for the Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner Cheeky Chiku these are all products I've used before. I'm still getting the hang of the Kulfi liner so I'll provide feedback on that at another time. @jaaayp posted a photo of an amazing tightline with it on the March 2024 Monthly Favorites thread. Mine did not turn out that way ... at all. I ended up applying it as close as I could to my upper lash line and then smudging it with a Q-tip so it looked like eyeshadow/soft eyeliner in one. Everything else is a product I love or like a lot! 😍 Enogh that they could make their way to a favorites post of their own at some point. 

RECAP: Week 17 - The "Green" or Sephora Sales Haul Makeup Capsule

Even with all the products used last week, I had only 2 declutters and only one was actually part of one of the week's capsules. 🙄 Whittling down my stash is going to be more challenging that I thought, and I was not expecting it to be easy!

🏡  A'pieu Juicy & Pang Water Blusher (Guava Pearl PK03) is a pretty color and the packaging is really cute, but the shade is too light for me and it would take a lot to build it up given the sheerness of the formula. I have one or two other shades from this line and am hoping that they'll be a better fit for my complexion. If I didn't have a couple of blushes that I like (and, since I'm not a huge blush girl, I really am content with just a few), I'd keep at trying to make it work. This will be rehomed.

🏡The Iris&Romeo Ceramide Multi Balm (Daylight) was a gwp. I know Sephora has started carying the brand but i don't think this multi-balm has made its way here. Daylight is more skincare than makeup as it doesn't show up on me at all and, while I have gotten more sun than I have in years, my skintone at the moment would be light-medium, maybe, and that's a big maybe. This multi-balm comes in other, more pigmented, shades and For they're probably something I'd check out in the fall/winter months. This one though is being re-homed.

Declutters for the week = 2, both going to people and places who will make use of them. 👍

[jaaayp]

I love your day 6/7 @itsfi I see so many loves in this capsule.. Eyeliner is all about practice! I think 🤔 I personally just love the shade.. I think I always expect brown liquid liner to be soft and light but it always ends up looking black on me. Also... ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray Duo Set is my HG, GOAT, I love it so much, can't live without it. As you know.. I'm oily af and this just... it's just magic 😂😂😂

[itsfi]

Yes, definitely need to practice, practice, practice with the eyeliner @jaaayp. Ever since they discontinued my favorite liquid liner 😠, I’ve been looking for something to replace it. I’ve found some good ones - Danessa Myricks and a couple from Japanese beauty brands. I just need to wear eyeliner more often. 

The One/Size setting spray is excellent at keeping my face in place! 😝 We’re heading into the seasons when my skin is oilier so I may be reaching for it more. It has been working beautifully on my T-zone. Elsewhere too, I just need to make sure that I keep the drier parts of my face extra hydrated as well. 

[jaaayp]

Ah, yes. I share the hydration sentiment when using OS @itsfi 

What was your favorite liner?! Are you a mascara girl? I actually LOVE the nyx Epic.. I think I've been using it for a decade now.. the brand Heroine makes really good eyeliner although their eyeliner that they sell in US is brown black? I think I have a real brown one that I picked up from Japan somewhere... unopened...

Clio does a really good brown too. Like a real brown. Both Clio and Heroine does NOT smudge on me and I got real oily lids (and face 😂)

[itsfi]

@jaaayp, my favorite was from Dolly Wink - 

I think they were either replaced by these liners or these liners are recommended as a substitute  - 

I have these in a few shades along with other Japanese liquid liners like 1-Day Tattoo and I may have a Clio one, but I haven’t put them to the test. I keep telling myself to grab all the liquid liners I have and to start putting all the liquid liners I have in my stash to the test over the course of several weekends. I’ll check to see if I have Clio and look into Heroine. Between my oily lids, allergies, and whatever situation I can come up with to test out how each performs. 

[jaaayp]

Ooh you know what @itsfi I have dollywink too! Possibly dried out? I should really go through my liner collection (making notes).

I believe mine is pink with black cap... is that like too old now and discontinued??? 😂😂😂

Oily lids. Ah. Yes, my friend. I think we must be twins. Although allergies haven't hit me yet **knocks on wood**

[itsfi]

@jaaayp, the Dollywink in the pink with the black cap is the regular version of their eyeliner. I think the one with the red barrel and black/m or brown caps were limited editions - I used the pink one and then saw the red ones but only for a short time. 

[danielledanielle]

Pssst @jaaayp 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml 

Also, of you find a teso life, they sell heroine liners, and in black.

[jaaayp]

Tesolife does not exist where I live @danielledanielle 😢

I see that you're enabling me. ONCE AGAIN 😂😂😂😂

I WASNT EVEN LOOKING FOR A NEW LINER @danielledanielle it was @itsfi 😂😂😂😂 but now this Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml has been added on my loves.....

[danielledanielle]

And I OOP @jaaayp  🤷🏽‍♀️

[itsfi]

The DM liner is a good one. @jaaayp @danielledanielle has worn it in several of her looks; she let me know about it when I asked what she used. Now I just need to practice, practice, practice until my line looks as clean and tight as both of yours! 😍😍

[jaaayp]

@itsfi @danielledanielle 

All I hear is "low buy no buy" x76,393,881 times 🙃

[RJDT]

I love all of your posts. They’re amazing

[itsfi]

@RJDT, I'm learning so much from everyone here about a host of products - some I've used; others I want to pick up, and, still others that I have in my stash but haven't gotten around to. Hearing feedback from others about how an item performed for them or the tips and tricks they've shared about using a product has been super helpful. It's really so helpful to hear from folks who have used the products! 😁

[makeitup305]

Monthly makeup breakdown! Sorry if it's a little overwhelming. This is most of what was in my to-try pile this month.

Primers-

• I had the Glowish in all month and didn't use it once. Just further proof to myself that I don't use primers. 
• The Glow Recipe drops are nice and hydrating but idk if I get the hype. Maybe it's because I have an extensive makeup routine targeted towards hydration, already. I do think it serves as a good base for makeup, though.
• I still love the CT Flawless Filter. 

Foundation-

• The EL Foundation is good but I don't love the scent. It puts me off wearing it a little.
• The KA skin tint has a very light coverage (think Glossier levels but a little more buildable). It does leave a nice finish and isn't overly dewy but the scent is horrible. I even emailed CS back when I bought it and they said it was normal. I wouldn't recommend it based on that.
• The Nars is very drying on me. I need to mix it in with a hydrating foundation (or recently the new Dior glow star filter) in order to make it work for me. If you have oily skin or live in a humid climate, this might work better for you.

Concealer- 

• The Saie is nice but it needs to be set. I don't mind it because it wears a long time on me without looking dry if I do that but it's not an immediate recommendation because of it.
• The Lawless is good but not a love. 
• The green tint on the Espoir is good for covering up redness. It is on the thicker side so I apply on my hand and then dab lightly on spots. 
• The Bobbi Brown is on the heavier side and the wrong shade for me, unfortunately. I bought it at a CCO and new it wasn't perfect so I only have myself to blame.

Face-

• The travel compact has Hourglass Transluscent Veil powder in it. It a recent fan, even though I rarely powder my face. This one is a hit for me. 
• The SC face palette is very good and good quality. However, I just don't feel motivated to reach for it so it might get passed on.
• The Bobbi Brown cream duo is good but not a love. 
• I like the Nudestix blushes, both the matte and the dewy, as well as the highlighter. I just don't reach for them often. They're older in my collection at this point (and look it) but I would still recommend them as they have a reliable formula and don't go bad quickly.
• The KA sticks are good and blend out well but they're expensive and aren't like wow for me. For the price, I think I'd go for Westman Atelier.
• The CT proves to me that I just don't really love a liquid formula. It's very pretty but I just don't reach for it.

Eyes & brows- 

• Although I try to switch up my eyeshadow palette every day, these ND minis stood out to me in the fact that they are awesome but I don't reach for them. Part of it is that I have a lot of palettes (and a lot of ND). I would recommend both of these palettes to whoever wanted to try the ND formula. If I were a minimalist, this would be higher up in my collection. However, I do think I'll pass these on at some point to someone who can use them more and enjoy them.
• The Kulfi liner is nice and wears well. I'm not 100% loving the color since the brown is warmer that I would usually go for but I'd like to try other shades in their line.
• All the brow pencils are very good but my least favorite of the 3 is the TooFaced simply because it's a little softer. I wouldn't repurchase but would still recommend if you prefer something less stiff.
• I enjoy all 3 of the brow gels. They actually keep my brows up. The white one is the Ulta, which has mixed reviews but I've had nothing but good experiences with.

New products to my collection-

• I love the Basma Blush, SC powder, Dior Glow Filter, and DM blush (though I need a light hand with this shade). I would highly recommend all of these.
• The Haus labs lippie is very good but shy of a love. I do really enjoy the colour, though. 
• From the drugstore- The L'Oreal shade Worth It is supposed to be a dupe for CT Pillow Talk. Idk if it is, but I looove this shade. The Maybelline Plump gloss is spicy. It does give a slight plump but if you don't like spicy food, skip it. The other Maybelline gloss is a gorgeous shade, I just don't love the slighlty coconutty scent.

Missing- the Kulfi Free The Brow Volumizing & Laminating Brow Gel which I returned. It didn't hold up my brows at all. It annoyed me. The PATRICK TA Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo Just Enough which I've raved about enough, and the Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Drift which is an old love in a new shade. 

[itsfi]

Oh, good to know about the EL foundation @makeitup305; I have that in my bin. EL products are generally heavier fragranced to my nose but I think I was kinda hoping it would be more subdued. I have the original Double Wear foundation and suprisingly, I'm okay with the scent on it. Love the SC powder, a staple in my stash. 💖 Do you wear it as a setting powder or a powder foundation? Or both? Out of curiosity, what's your favorite or go to concealer at the moment?

[makeitup305]

@itsfi I've been using the SC powder kind of as a touch up/setting powder on areas where I think I need a little more coverage. I think this shade would be deepen my foundation too much for all over my face. I really enjoy it, though.

For concealer, since I've been trying to use my stash more, I've been all over the place. I would say my top 4 are Tarte Shape Tape, PMG, Tower 28, and ND. I would also add the GA Power Fabric but I ran out a while back and haven't repurchased it. I think they reformulated it,  right? I pick and choose depending on the coverage and finish I want. Those are all 5 stars for me. 4 stars would be the new Saie (because I HAVE to set it), LYS, and Kulfi. I'm currently trying out the Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer . So far a 4 but I need to play around with it some more.

[caitbird]

@makeitup305  thanks for sharing your thoughts on all of these! I need to try and do a "to try" capsule (or a few), I have so many products I haven't tried yet!