Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024

[itsfi]

Hello, BIC Beauties! If the idea of makeup capsules piques your curiosity, or you're interested in seeing what's in the beauty collection or weekly makeup bag of your fellow BIC beauties, jump right on in - with questions, comments or a capsule of your own to share.

To add a fun take on putting together a makeup capsule, I've included theme(s) for the weekly capsule - some weeks, I have enough products in my stash (eek!) to make a whole capsule based on the prompt; other weeks, I have just one or two items that fit neatly within theme.

Whether you find yourself in the same place or somewhere in between, jump right on it and share your weekly makeup capsule. Check out the FAQ section below ⤵️ for more info on this challenge.

CURRENT MAKEUP CAPSULE THEME:   

Week 52 (December 23 - December 29) - The Holiday Glam Makeup Capsule and/or  The "2024 Makeup Capsule Collection" Makeup Capsule - Some options for us to close out the makeup capsules for 2024 (or to kick start 2025)!

Show us the beauties you use when you want to add glitz and glam (or, that up the glitz and glam element) to your makeup look.

and/or 

Curate a bag with your go-to, GOAT, ride-or-die products that would make up your ultimate makeup capsule collection (for 2024). If it's too much to put together a creme de la creme capsule or if you're at your best with options, consider putting together a makeup capsules of one or more favorites you discovered (or re-discovered) in 2024. 

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.21.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come. 

Spoiler

Week 1 - 2024/2025 - to be posted the week of December 23, after the Christmas holiday. HINT: Think newness for the new year, or to usher in the New Year. 😉

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.23.2024]

Spoiler

1 - The First (of the Year) Makeup Capsule

2 - The Quick & Easy Winter Edition Makeup Capsule

3 - The $20 USD ($27 CAD) & Under Makeup Capsule

4 - The "On the Go!" Makeup Capsule

5 - The Best of January 2024 Makeup Capsule

6 - The Black Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

7 - The Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon Makeup Capsule and/or The "Things I Love" Makeup Capsule

8 - The "BIC Inspired" Makeup Capsule

9 - The Best of February 2024 Makeup Capsule and/or The "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule 

10 - The International Woman Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

11 - The "One Brand" or "All The Brands" Makeup Capsule 

12 - The "Springing Forward" Makeup Capsule and/or The Pops of Color Makeup Capsule 

13 -  The Fast & Furious / Quick & Easy Makeup Capsule and/or The March 2024 "On Top" or "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule 

14 - The "Do Over" or "Take 2" Makeup Capsule

15 - The Makeup-Artist-Founded Brand Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule

16 - The BIC Inspired (Spring Edition) Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule

17 - The "Green" Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule

18 - The  April 2024 "On Top" or "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule and/or The "More Play Time With My Sephora Savings Event Hauls" Makeup Capsule

19 - The AAPI Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

20 - The "Sleeping Beauties" Makeup Capsule and/or The "OMG, More Stuff From the Sephora Spring Savings" Makeup Capsule

21 - The "My Best Self" Makeup Capsule
22 - The  May 2024 "On Top", "On The Chopping Block" or "On Repeat" Makeup Capsule
23 - The Love Is Love Makeup Capsule
24 - The Repurposed Makeup Capsule and/or The Multi-tasking Makeup Capsule
25 - The "Welcome, Summer!" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Good Stuff" Makeup Capsule
26 - The June 2024 "On Top", "On the Chopping Block" and/or "On Repeat" Makeup Capsule
27 - The Indie Brands Makeup Capsule and/or The Summer Vacation Makeup Capsule
28 - The "If I Were To Curate My Ultimate Makeup Capsule" Makeup Capsule (aka The "These are My Favorite Products" Makeup Capsule) 
29 - The Sticks and (Gem)Stones Makeup Capsule and/or The Pops of Colour: Summer Edition Makeup Capsule
30 - The BIC Inspired Summer Edition Makeup Capsule and/or The Pan It! Makeup Capsule
31 - The July 2024 New, Old, or "Is It Time For This To Go?" Makeup Capsule
32 - The Take 2 / Do Over Makeup Capsule and/or The "Sleeping Beauties" Makeup Capsule 
33 - The Day-to-Night (or Date Night): Summer Edition Makeup Capsule and/or The "Outside My Comfort Zone" Makeup Capsule
34 - The Samples Makeup Capsule and/or The Newness Makeup Capsule 
35 - The August 2024 Throw Down!, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule 
36 - The Workhorses Makeup Capsule
37 - The Runway or Red Carpet Inspired Makeup Capsule and/or The "BIC Inspired" Makeup Capsule 
38 - The LatinX Founded / Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule
39 - The September 2024 Throw Down!, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule and/or The Brands at SEPHORiA Makeup Capsule
40 - The "Pop of Colour": Fall Edit Makeup Capsule and/or The Musician Founded or Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule
41 - The "Dynamic Duos (or Trios)" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Products with Interesting / Attention-Grabbing Names" Makeup Capsule
42 - The "Makeup I'm Thankful For" Makeup Capsule and/or The Do Over / Take 2 Makeup Capsule
43 - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule and/or The Global Makeup Capsule
44 - The "Sleeper Hits" Makeup Capsule and/or The October 2024 Throw Down, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule
45 - The Sweater Weather Makeup Capsule and/or The Holidays Savings (Shop The Sale) Makeup Capsule
46 - The Time Capsule Makeup Capsule and/or The Awesomely Affordable and/or Spectacularly Splurge-worthy Makeup Capsule
47 - The "Please, Don't Go!" / Discontinued Products Makeup Capsule and/or The Newness Makeup Capsule
48 - The Things I'm Thankful For Makeup Capsule and/or The “BIC Inspired” Fall Makeup Capsule
49 - The Beautifully Bold or Delightfully Demure Makeup Capsule and/or The "Savvy Shopper" Makeup Capsule  
50 - The Sticks 2.0 Makeup Capsule and/or The "Favorite Theme From The Challenge" Makeup Capsule
51 - The Winter Wonderland Makeup Capsule and/or The "Take 2" / "Do Over" Makeup Capsule

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. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Ahhhh I was curious how it was going with the Laura Mercier powder!  Bummer it isn't what it once was for you, but good to know!  I haven't cracked into the SEPHORA COLLECTION Love The Lift Curling + Volumizing Mascara Ultra Black but I'll be watching out for transfer.  Fingers crossed the waterproof version is a better fit.  

[itsfi]

Well, let me just say @missjeanie that I pulled out the SC waterproof mascara this morning and managed to nearly gouge my eye with the wand in my haste. 🙄 I tell ya, my clumsiness is a special talent! Good reminder though -  hold, please, while I run to the mirror to check on my eye makeup .... 

Aaaaand, we're back - we're almost through hour 13 so the claims of 12-hour lift are good, thought it's not as lifted as earlier this morning; that makes sense. Some slight transfer but that could have been due to my having rubbed my eyes earlier - we'll keep a better eye on that another day. It wasn't as noticeable or as much as the regular version. 

[sister13]

Nice job - glad the concealer tip is working out! @itsfi  

[itsfi]

Thank you @sister13! I have a handful of these nude eyeliner pencils, some which are not the best shade for my waterline so it's nice to have this super helpful and effective alternate way to use them. 

[itsfi]

Week 15 - The Makeup-Artist-Founded Brand Makeup Capsule  

I'm going to try a new approach with my weekly capsules, at least for the next couple of months, unless that flies in the face of the week's theme, in which case, I'll go with the prompt.

I'll still use the weekly theme(s) as guidance or inspiration for curating products, but I am going to have a slightly larger capsule from which I will create a few different looks during the week, if and as necessary - an every day look, a more minimalist, quicky & easy look, and/or a full face or special occasions look.

Full Face Edition (with options) - I'll likely put a look with most of these items once or twice this week. Product details in spoiler. Products with an asterisk (*) beside its name means it's a new-to-me / this is the first time I'm using the product. 

Spoiler

Complexion:

Bobbi Brown Mini Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer with Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid 0.... (GOAT 🐐) - my skin has been all sorts of dry, with flakes and patches so this will serve as a makeup primer and an extra layer of moisture

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops Dewy Skin Tint Atelier III for some extra, all over glow and hydration. 

* MAKEUP BY MARIO SurrealSkin® Luminous Hydrating Foundation - I've had this in my stash for a while but have not gotten around to using it ... until this week. 

Makeup by Mario Brightening Eye Pencil (discontinued?) - going to take a page from @sister13's brilliant playbook and use this for some spot concealing as well as for lining my waterline - I'll disinfect the product between the uses. 

Charlotte Tilbury Mini Airbrush Flawless Finish Refillable Blurring & Setting Powder 

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder  - the OG. I do keep this around more for nostalgic reasons as I prefer the CT as a setting powder. Maybe it's time to let it go? We'll see. 

Cheeks:

Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush + Bronze + Glow Trio: Fleurever Nude - this trio is very convenient for doing a full face or an every day look. 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix - Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment Valentine (gratis) - for cheeks and lips this week

Eyes:

NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Original (🐐) - if I'm remembering right, this was my first eyeshadow primer and it's still a go to for me after all these years, decades.

Natasha Denona Biba All Neutral Eyeshadow Palette Full Size Biba Neutral Eyeshadow Palette - it's actually in the Sephora container above the Makeup by Mario foundation. I took some of the shades prairie, shine, coco and rust and mixed them together. The plan is to pick up the medley of loose shadows on my brush, spritz it lightly with water  & then apply to my lids. Trying to find ways to get more use out of a couple of those shades, especially prairie. 

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

Makeup by Mario Brightening Eye Pencil (discontinued?) - this really does open up my eyes and gives me a more awake look when used on my waterline. 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Love The Lift Curling + Volumizing Mascara Ultra Black (gratis)

* PATRICK TA Major Brow Lamination Gel 0.17 oz/ 5 mL (Sephoria)

Lips

 Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner Love Trap 

Westman Atelier Lip Suede Lipstick Palette Les Nudes 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix - Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment Valentine which I'll top with Wayne Goss Hibiscus lip gloss

* Anna Sui The Lip Coat 

Tools & Bag

 

My tools and bag for the week are in keeping with the makeup-artist created brands theme. 

* I'll apply my makeup this week with a beautyblender and brushes from the Sephora Collection, Wayne Goss and Kevyn Aucoin 

* Surratt Relevee eye lash curler 

* Bag is from Sonia Kashuk - it's quite roomy 🙂 

Most Days / Every Day Edition - This group will account for about 3 or 4 days during the work week.

The Quick & Easy Edition - Most likely my weekend wear, and possibly what I'll using during a work day when I'm pressed for time in the morning. @ather @danielledanielle 

[ather]

@itsfi  I really appreciate the larger capsule to allow for different types of days! How do you like the WA complexion tint? I’ve been looking at it to try! Is it worth a try? 

[itsfi]

@ather, I think I feel most comfortable somewhere in between the quick & easy edit and the everyday look most of the time, but I like the options the full face capsule edition gives me for the week. 

The Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops Dewy Skin Tint Atelier III definitely gives you dewy skin. It is good for those with dry or very dry skin. It’s best suited for me in the late fall and winter months. It can get too glowy for my preference but that can be tempered with blotting or using a setting powder where I’m oily. 

I like to use it as a primer on the driest parts of my face or dab a little on my cheeks to use as a highlighter. Or, if I’m finding a foundation is a smidge more matte than I prefer, I’ll mix the foundation with a drop of the WA tint and then apply to my skin.  

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I like this idea.  It'll give you a chance to change things up through the week but also pare down when warranted.  I was never a huge fan of the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder , I'll be watching to see how you like it compared to the CT now that you've got it as a favourite.

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, thank you. I’m thinking this approach could work out really well for me - it gives me both structure and flexibility, with options. If I do it right, I shouldn’t feel like I’m missing anything but at the same time, I won’t feel overwhelmed with having to choose which products to use. 

Yeah, the LM. I was pleased to see it in a mini version, but it haven’t gotten much use. We shall see. It may survive this week but I’m not so sure it’ll hold up through the end of the year. Do you have a setting powder you reach for often?

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I'm currently loving the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder 3 Voile Rosé .  I have a mini and a full size and it's work every week to pick out a different one for my capsules (I have some I want to work through just to have one less thing stashed away).  That said... I did order the Kosas, am waiting on the YSL to go live here and I still have the Huda in pink at the ready in case my dinner drinks tonight give me the urge to purchase lol.  Long time love though would be the MUFE both loose and pressed powders.  The last formula change I stocked up.  Maybe a little too much. 

[itsfi]

lol, @missjeanie, I just “stocked up” on the SC caffeine eye masks so I am in no place pass judgment on anyone stocking up on a loved product. 

Oh, I do love the Givenchy Voile Rose. 😍 I have the mini and hoard it. Whoops. And I have the YSL pressed powder on its way or it may already be here? 🤔 I have a couple of boxes to open. I’m planning on going through my setting powders in summer and fall - must whittle down this stash. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi .... I may also have fear purchased 20 of the SC Caffeine eye masks.... sympathy fear??  lol. I was fingers crossed the YSL powder would come into stock at Sephora for the sale... I think I can now give up on that.  It did however keep me from going off the deep end this sale.  I mean... sorta? Still a few hours left. 

[itsfi]

lol @missjeanie. I sometimes tell myself that I'm just helping them clear out their inventory, so they can bring in the newness. 🤣 

Oh, do you think you'll make another haul tonight? I'm intrigued. I had 5 items in my cart last night and managed to remove all of them before hitting "place order". Granted, I have just a skosh more than 4 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds to place an order ... ummm, if someone were keeping track, that is. Hahaha! 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi There will 100% be a last minute laying in bed order tonight! lol

[itsfi]

haha! love that @missjeanie! 🛍 I feel like I should go "rest my eyes" and maybe fall asleep so I don't become too tempted to make a last minute haul. Actually, I just want a reason to go lie down and actually "rest my eyes". But that means I need to wash my face because "resting my eyes" has never actually been the 20 minutes I tell myself it will be. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi There was a bed time order... maybe two. lol  I should have put a steam eye mask on!

[itsfi]

Nicely done @missjeanie! I ended up sleeping through the end of it. I’m excited to see what you hauled! 🛍️ 

Oh, a steam eye mask sounds like a wonderful idea. Need to do that this week. Maybe even tonight, in fact! 🛌 

[missjeanie]

There are a few different weeks that I'll be keeping in mind for the next 'do over' theme, but last week was a busy one and my brain chose Women Founded Brands... because I know I have a lot of makeup that falls into this theme.  It was easier to pluck out a capsule without putting too much thought into it.  That said, I am going to try to make sure to pick out older make up in my capsules in order to determine how crazy I am for keeping such old make up/try and encourage me to get rid of older stuff.

Spoiler

*Milk Makeup (Okay so I thought it was two women who founded Milk... I was wrong.  Opps) I do like this foundation, it's more of a skin tint, but I think the delivery method is gimicky and it took me AGES to get this one working.  I will finish it off and would consider re-purchasing in the new refillable packaging at some point if there wasn't something new stealing my attention.
* Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer with 18-HR Wear I got this at a point in time where I had several new concealers and it just wasn't a standout to me.  I wanted to give this another shake to stand above.  It was fine.  The shade match is good, and it's okay.  It's just not wowing.
* PAT McGRATH LABS IntensifEYES™ Longwear Eyeshadow Primer IntensifEYES™ Longwear Primary  This is a solid product.  It's good.  It's just not as good as my favourite Nars.  I will however keep at it and use it up happily.
* Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Mini Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara This mascara was nice upon first use, but it doesn't deliver as much volume as my favourites.  It's getting pretty dried out here, but I've used this sample size for about a month.  I would try it again, but I'm not seeking it out.  I have too many other mascaras to work though. 
* It cosmetics Brow Power -- It's a skinny pencil.  It's fine, I'm just preferring a tinted gel. Won't be buying any brow pencils for the foreseeable future, but it's a decent colour match and easy enough to use.  The cap on the spoolie end is shorter than the pencil end... if you mix up the caps in the morning while half asleep... you'll lose product in the cap. 
* Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm I love this formula.  Wish there were more shades.  It feels plush on the lips. 
* Victoria Beckham lip tint.  This is... meh.  The shade I believe is Cherry, but it's just a muddy shade for me.  It gives a little tint to my lips, but it doesn't last super long, and its not a shade winner.  The doe foot to apply it is also not super precise but the formula doesn't really require it either.  Would not repurchase this formula. 
* Lipstick Queen Frog Prince.  This is old.  Very old.  I should not still own a lipstick this old.  That said, I disinfected it with some alcohol and it performed just fine.  Gimicky, sure.  But I don't mind the shade and I should pan this over the summer.  

Spoiler

* Natasha Denona Love Eyeshadow Palette 0.65 oz/ 19.25 g Was a nice addition to my panning pallet (easy neutral brown quad) and got me some pink looks over the week.  I know a lot of people are over pink shadow palettes but I like them.  They're familiar territory for me and I don't need to think too much about it. I love the ND formulas so this is an easy one for me to use.
* Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer is one that I like because it's so easy and quick to blend with a beauty blender.  I don't wear a lot of bronzer but it was sunnier out last week here and that always makes me think of bronzer and summer looks. Love this product.
* Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish Color Corrector is a decent product.  Great packaging.  Not a stand out formula for me, it's just a touch too emollient. Shade match is great for my discolouration though. 
* Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Dewy Cream Blush Dream Hour I love these for the same reason I love the Fenty bronzer.  It's so fast and easy to blend out.  The bright pink shade this week made for some hot pink monochrome looks and I was okay with that.  I can also wear it with a layer of powder over it to mute the shade down a bit for a more subdued effect. 

[itsfi]

I loved reading your description of the products in your capsule @missjeanie. I was literally having a conversation with you in my head (and laughing a lot) as I was reading your comments; here's the Reader's Digest version:

• MILK Makeup tint / foundation - I thought it was just the woman from E! News and a Project Runway judge or host who founded it. I literally chuckled when I read your comment about it taking you forever to get it working because YES!!! Me too. I remember that at some point, I just stopped counting how many clicks it took me to get product to come out because product was not coming out!! 🤣

• Tower 28 concealer - so many brands released concealers around the same time, and I picked up most of them around that same time. I feel like I should open them all to put them to a test but I can't bring myself to opening all of them. That said, I really want to break open my ND concealers. What a dilemma!

• 100% agree with your thoughts on the PML eyeshadow primer - like all eyeshadow primers, it is disadvantaged in the sense that it has a high bar to meet, a bar set by the NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Original, which is ... incredible!! 
  
  
• VBB - agree on the lip tints/stains. Her Posh Lipsticks are my favorite of her lip products.

• Lipstick Queen Frog Prince - "This is old.  Very old.  I should not still own a lipstick this old." - I was nodding in agreement the entire time because I too have a LQ Frog Prince lipstick. 🐸

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Lol, I think we had a great conversation in your head!!

I think there was a guy who co-founded Milk Makeup.  I only think this because I was doubting my memory (I thought it was woman who'd been a journalist of some sort), It was the woman from E-news and a guy who tbh, I'd never heard of.  Alas, I didn't check until the week was over lol. 

You may have a bunch of concealers unopened, I have the same going with skincare at the moment.  I think I went overboard the last sale or two and need to reign it in this sale!

Prince Frog surprised me.  I'm still a fan.... you should break yours out for a night on the town!  

[ather]

@missjeanie  Great picks! I can’t wait to see all your looks!