Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Happy New Year, BIC! It's year 2 of the capsule makeup challenge. 

What is this challenge about?

It's a mix of curating a group of products that are "must haves" for you and your lifestyle and shopping your stash by putting your beauties to use and seeing what, if anything, you need to declutter from your stash and/or to fill out your collection. 

How does this work?

To add a little bit of fun and creativity to curating a makeup capsule, there will be a weekly theme or prompt on which that week's group of beauty products will touch upon. There's no need to have every single product for the week fit the theme exactlay. All you need is one product. And, truth be told, how that product fits into the weekly theme is subject to interpretation. Yours, primarily. So, please  feel free to be creative. For example, last year for "green" week, there were a host of possibilities for what it means for a product to be "green" - capsules that included one or more products that were (a) green in color; (b) "clean"; (c) contained in green packaging or that (d) cost a lot of "green" 💸💸💸 fit the bill. 😉 For more examples, you might want to check out last year's thread - Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024 to see what beauty products others in the Community have used and posted about. 

When and where are/will the weekly themes posted?

The weekly themes are (or will be) included in the original post - under the section titled "Current Makeup Capsule Theme" or "Upcoming Makeup Capsule Theme". Occasionally, I will post a link to a separate post with the monthly themes.

▶️  CURRENT MAKEUP CAPSULE THEME   

Week 11 (March 10 - 16) - The Samples Makeup Capsule  and/or The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule

• Capsule Theme 1: The Samples Makeup Capsule - Got any makeup samples lying around that you've been wanting to try? Put together a capsule with one or more makeup samples. Here's your chance to shine a spotlight on your stash of samples. And, after you make your way through your samples, consider heading over to the Foil Challenge to share your thoughts on foils you've used up or on your way to using up via your samples capsule.

• Capsule Theme 2: The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule - Put together a capsule with one or more makeup product(s) for which you are thankful / grateful. It could be a product you love, a product that expresses who you are, that brings back a pleasant memory. It could be a product gifted to you or sent to you in PR, or a makeup product that helps you put together a look that expresses who you are, or that has special meaning to you. 

This theme comes from a prompt we did last year in connection with the respective Thanksgiving holidays in Canada and the US - makeup products I'm thankful for", but I thought, why not include a similar theme earlier in the year as well? The spirit of Thanksgiving or an attitude of gratitude doesn't need to be limited to once a year. 

OPTIONAL (month-long theme): We're having another month-wide theme in March in celebration of Women's History Month. For this month, in addition to the weekly themes, consider incorporating into your weekly capsules, one or more beauty products from a woman-founded / owned beauty brand. 

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 3.9.2025]

Spoiler

🌷  Week 12 (March 17 - 23) - The "Spring Is In The Air" Makeup Capsule  

Spring has officially arrived (or will on March 20) and it's time to pull out those makeup products that give you those springtime feels. Maybe that means a pop of pastel to your eyes, or cheeks, or lips. Or, maybe your spring look is one you wear year round. Whatever the case may be, let's put together a capsule with one or more makeup products that makes you think of spring.

🎬  Week 13 (March 24 - March 30) -  The "Take 2" / Do Over" Makeup Capsule 

Was/Is there a previous capsule theme from this year's challenge that you'd like to give a second take, that you'd like to have a do over, be it because you loved the theme, or you have another way you want to approach the capsule, or you were unable to do a capsule the original week it was in the spotlight and you'd like another chance at it? Whatever the reason, here's your opportunity to create (or re-create) a capsule with one of this year's previous themes. Don't remember the capsule themes we've done to date? Check out the spoiler section for "Previous Makeup Capsule Themes" below. 

⏩  April Capsule Themes will be posted at or before the end of Week 12.

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 3.9.2025]

Spoiler

1 - The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule  
2 - The "Mocha Mousse" Inspired Makeup Capsule
3 - The "Favorite Feature(s) Focus" Makeup Capsule  
4 - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule
5 - The "Lunar New Year 2025 Zodiac Sign Lucky Colors" Makeup Capsule  

February 2025 Capsule Themes
6 - The "Black Founded/Owned Beauty Brand(s)" Makeup Capsule
7 - The "Dynamic Duo, Trusted Trio or Killer Combo" Makeup Capsule
8 - The "New York Fashion Week Inspired" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Celeb-Inspired" Makeup Capsule
9 - The Throwback Makeup Capsule
10 - The "International Women Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule and/or The Palette(s) Makeup Capsule

Additional FAQs

Spoiler

Why weekly? 
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. My reviews here will likely not be as detailed, but I will at least try to include a few thoughts about the products at the end of the week or beginning of the next week.  If weekly works for you, great. If not, feel free to join in based on what works best for you. 

Having a weekly capsule at the ready at (or near) the beginning of the week has also been helpful with making getting ready in the morning easier and more efficient, and that, has made it more fun too. It's also a great way for me to see how well a product performs with other products and that makes the decision to keep, donate, re-home or toss an item a lot easier. Also want to note that if the makeup for the week's capsule is not something you want to use for the entire week, that's fine, too. I generally use the makeup in the week's capsule 4-6 days during the week, sometimes more, sometimes less. 

When are the weekly themes posted?
I generally try to post the themes for the next month about two weeks before the start of that next month (so around the 15th of each month, give or take a few days), except that, for this month, weekly themes for weeks 2 thru 5 for January will be posted by or before end of the day on January 2. Weekly themes are updated at the end of the then current week (e.g., Sunday). This year, I will plan to update the weekly themes the Sunday before the start of the next week's theme, around 9pm Pacific / 10pm Mountain / 11pm Central / 12midnight Eastern Time.

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

There's need for your entire makeup capsule to fit the weekly theme(s). Just one item 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 - are they a favorite or a potential favorite? Are they just 'meh'? Or, is it time to declutter the item(s) from your stash?

Is there anything else I should include in my capsule?
It's all up to you what to include in your capsule. Some weeks, my capsule consists of completely different items than the week before. Other weeks, I've swapped out just a few items or have included additional items in one category of products - some of us refer to this as giving us options for the week. 

You may see reference to "fits." That was creatively coined by our fabulous @danielledanielle and refers to the bag or component that will hold the week's makeup and, specifically, does all the makeup for the week's capsule fit into the bag / storage component. You ca also include the makeup brushes and tools you use for application, if you wish.

[lmaster]

Yeah I've used that shade on my lips too!! @Mellmars1185 

[danielledanielle]

Oooh, brilliant start to the year @lmaster 

[lmaster]

Thanks doll @danielledanielle 

[Mcakes]

@lmaster this is such a pretty capsule! Didn't get the Hourglass snake palette, but I couldn't resist the dragon one. 

[lmaster]

Thank you dearly @Mcakes 

[itsfi]

Ahhhh @lmaster, look at these gorgeous goodies! 😍 I'm so impressed how you rotate your palettes and put them to use - PML, Hourglass and Dior Backstage - they're all beauties!!! I think I spend more time just staring at many of my palettes. 😅 How do you like the Fenty powder foundation? (asks the girl who doesn't need another powder foundation, lol). Do you like to apply it with a brush or a sponge / puff?

[lmaster]

Thank you lovely @itsfi i use it with a puff, either to set, or to blend my bronzer and Blush

[peculiarzmakeup]

Fantastic capsule! You have such a beautiful pallette selection love your choices it’s so cool to see what goes into everyone’s capsules and preferences you look beautiful and can’t wait to see some on you! @lmaster  ❤️❤️❤️ lovely photo as well!

[lmaster]

Thank you darlin @peculiarzmakeup 

[CynthieLu]

These are very pretty looking products you've made a capsule out of @lmaster. 😍 I'm going to go google your PMG palette, I don't think I've seen the inside of this one before. 🔎

I think you'll make some beautiful looks out of this. 😊🩷

[lmaster]

Thank you sweets!! @CynthieLu 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Week 1 (December 31 - January 5) - The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule   

2024 was an amazing year getting to experience different products, find best fits, and find new faves. All of the products were new to me. I decided to write about what became the new routine.

Skin Care

Tatcha is my NEW 

my favorites are the 

Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse Daily Clarifying Gel Cleanser 5 oz / 150 ml 

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Refillable Moisturizer 

Another NEW is a cleansing balm that smells like a dreamsicle from a skin specialist! 

Foundation

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint Foundation with Peptides + Ceramides 2 

Concealer

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Lift & Flex Hydrating Concealer With Hyaluronic Acid & Caffeine 2 

Bronzer

MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Quince 

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Warm Wishes Effortless Cream Bronzer Stick Power Boost 

Blush

Rhode Pocket Blush (Sleepy Girl)

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush Stockholm 

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush Mood 

Highlighter 

MERIT Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm Bounce 

Eyebrows

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel 0.15 oz / 4.5 g 

Powder

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder - Tinted Primer & Foundation 

Lip

Rokael Beauty Velvet Lip Cremes Lipstick

Eyeliner

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

Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Duo Black

Eyeshadow

PAT McGRATH LABS Mini Eye Shadow Palette: Sublime Smoke 

Body Care 

54 Thrones African Beauty Butter Mini Gift Set54 Thrones African Beauty Butter Mini Gift Set

Biossance Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub 6.76 oz/ 200 mL 

#rare beauty lotion (peach)

Take Aways! 
There are a lot of NEWS for me and I’m excited to see what else fits and readjust when things evolve. It’s been fun going through trial and sometimes error but ultimatley leading to my New Faves ❤️

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Great way to start the year off! 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much! I really enjoy creating capsules ❤️ @Mellmars1185 

[Mcakes]

@peculiarzmakeup Tatcha is so good, and Vicky is a wonderful human. Love that you went all in on Tatcha!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Tatcha is wonderful for sure! I love their mission too and what they do for schools it’s very kind, great quality products I had to try them all haha 🩷 is Vicky someone from Tatcha? @Mcakes 

[itsfi]

Beautiful capsule @peculiarzmakeup ❣️ I love the products you chose for your capsule - they are lovely on their own and as a whole, present such a pretty look - it's healthy, glowy skin with just the right burst of warmth and color.

I like how you set up the Rokael Beauty lipstick and lip oil photo - the white, black and gold color theme is 😘 Question for you on the lip oil - how saturated / pigmented do you find the color? Is it something you typically wear over a lipstick or does it give you enough color on its own? I have a cart with a few (okay, more than "a few" 🤣) products - I need to whittle that down a little more first though. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much! @itsfi  it’s really neat to see what is New and also reflecting back on the past year and all I’ve learned here truly such a gift. I’ve honestly only tried it over lipstick and it looks great that’s how I envisioned it when i got both together I honestly don’t have an honest review of it on its own but the quality is good and a nice shine! And I can’t wait for you to try it especially the lipstick it’s so crème like but holds very well! I adore it! 

[itsfi]

Oh, that's good to know @peculiarzmakeup; thank you. I have a couple of his lipsticks and lip oils and I have told myself (and keep repeating it) that I don't need to buy everything at once. Maybe I'll grab two lipsticks and a lip oil first. Decisions, decisions. 🤔

[peculiarzmakeup]

I know it’s tricky there’s so many good shades but first something helpful is to know if you like the feel first I bought one lipstick then ordered more I know how that is tho! I am in that boat with you ❤️❤️ @itsfi

im excited to hear about it! 

[CynthieLu]

Wow! Absolutely fabulous looking choices for your capsule @peculiarzmakeup but wait.. a cleansing balm that smells like a creamsickle? That sounds divine. 😍