Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Hi there, BIC and happy spring! Whether (a) you're spring cleaning, or (b) returning to the office and wanting to use the makeup you have (new and old) or will pick up along the way, or (c) interested in putting together a collection (big or small) of "go to" or Top Shelf product for every day, the season, a special event or occasions, or just in general, or (d) for any other reason, please join us here at the Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025. 

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 exactly. 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. This is about finding a set of makeup products that work for you and your lifestyle, whether already in your collection or waiting to be found by you. 

For me, I've found having a bag of makeup ready at the start of a week to be helpful in getting me out the door more efficiently, and feeling and looking put together. Some weeks my makeup bag has a minimalist look and feel; other weeks, the makeup capsule I've curated for use during the week resembles a more maximalist approach, with several products to choose from. There are weeks when I use the beauties in my capsule every day, and, there are weeks when I may add products into my existing bag of makeup during the week to meet my needs. 

How Can / Do I Participate?  

There are several ways you can participate - You can post a photo of the products you use or tag and list them, as you like. You can give someone's post a heart and / or ask questions about products in someone's capsule. You can post a different capsule every week or once a month or every once in a while, when a theme grabs your interest or draws your attention. 

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 21 (May 19 - 25) - The Vacation Makeup Capsule  

Alright, we're heading into Memorial Day weekend, often an informal kickoff to summer. Whether or not you're on vacay that week, assemble a capsule containing one or more of makeup products that are "must have" when packing for vacation.

Optional (month-long theme): May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) National Heritage Month and to celebrate, we're bringing back the optional month-long theme in addition to the weekly themes. So, if you're up for the challenge, consider doing a tie-in of both, be it one product that fits both capsule themes, or one or more product from the then current weekly theme below and one or more product from an AAPI founded or owned beauty brand.

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)
Finding Ferdinand (Nhu Le)

* 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)
* Velour Lashes (Mabel Lee)

* Wander Beauty (Divya Gugnani)

Yensa Beauty (Jennifer Yen)

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 5.18.2025]

Spoiler

Week 22 (May 26 - June 1) - The Musician Founded / Owned Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule
We've got the American Music Awards (AMA) taking place on May 26. Use actual red carpet looks from this year or past years for inspiration when putting together a makeup capsule with one or more products that fit this week's prompt. Or, show us what product(s) you'd use if you were attending the AMAs. 🎶🎵🎶 Or, curate a capsue if one or more products from beauty brands (focusing primarily on makeup) that are founded or owned by a musician.

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of brands founded or owned by a musician that have makeup products as a primary focus. Prodcts with an asterisk (*) after the brand name are available at Sephora. 

about-face (Halsey)
Fenty Beauty (Rihanna)*
GXVE by Gwen Stefani*
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga*
Kesha Rose Beauty
Keys Soulcare (Alicia Keys)
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez*
R.E.M. Beauty (Ariana Grande)
Victoria Beckham Beauty

Capsule themes for June will be posted to the thread sometime during the Memorial Day weekend (most likely near the end of the long weekend).

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 5.18.2025]

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 <Click on link ⬅️ for more detailed description of 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

March 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes> 
10 - The "International Women Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule and/or The Palette(s) Makeup Capsule
11 - The Samples Makeup Capsule  and/or The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule
12 - The "Spring Is In The Air" Makeup Capsule
13 - The "Take 2" / Do Over" Makeup Capsule 

April 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes> 
14 - The Spring Sticks Makeup Capsule
15 - The Flush of Color Makeup Capsule 
16 - The Spring Refresh Makeup Capsule 
17 - The “Green” Makeup Capsule 
18 - The Makeup-Artist-Founded/Owned Brand Makeup Capsule 

May 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes> 
19 - The  Asian American Pacific Islander Founded / Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule
20 - The "Tailored For You" 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.

[itsfi]

This is a wonderful mix of tried-and-true and new-to-you products @CynthieLu! I've heard good things about the NYX blush and the Revlon cream eyeshadows - those actually bring back a bit of nostalgia for me - Revlon had, I think they still have, these cream eyeshadow quads baaaack in the day; that was my intro to cream eyeshadows, well, other than the blue cream eyeshadow stick of my mom's that little me may have found a way to get her little hands on at the time. Oops. 😂

[CynthieLu]

Thank you @itsfi I've seen them get some hype on social media and a bunch of my co-workers absolutely love them. I have only used them a few times but my initial reaction feels pretty positive. 

I know what you mean about makeup nostalgia. I have certain products that when I see them really take me back. I like the feeling, and the way we evolve our makeup choices etc.. it's fun to remember and enjoy the changing times. 🩷

I remember enjoying an icy blue cream eyeshadow waaay back but I think it may have been a Body Shop product? It's actually really hard to remember exactly where I discovered it. 🤯😂

[blackkitty2014]

A great product lineup @CynthieLu 👏🌹

[CynthieLu]

Thank you @blackkitty2014 💝 I've got a good feeling about these new ones, it's time you start trying them out and see how they perform.🧐

[blackkitty2014]

I was out of town most of the 1st week so I will join your ladies on the 2nd week. I love Mocha theme. PS. I might have to cheat with the lipsticks. I’m trying to do 100 day lip challenge as well so I can see how many lipsticks I need to toss 😢 @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@blackkitty2014, I hope you had a fabulous time this week - it can be so nice to get away. Jump on in when you can; always love having you here.

Oh blackkitty, not cheating at all - it's awesome to engage in activities across multiple threads; and great when they intersect with one another. Besides, we are all on board if your capsule has "extras," or, "options" as some of us say. 😅 It'll be exciting to see you work through your lipsticks - that seems like it'll be quite the task - you have such a beautiful collection; I don't envy you. Good luck!

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @itsfi 🌹

[lmaster]

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

I'm working this week with:

Diamond of the first water eyeshadow palette by Pmg

Hourglass snake palette

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm  Thrill 165  

Rhode salty tan

Trial size Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Matte Lipstick 501 Casual Pink 

Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cream Blush Chilly  

DIOR BACKSTAGE Glow Face Palette 006 Celestial Glow 

NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream  

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation 260  

Thrive cosmetics mascara 

Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara Standard Size Black - 0.33 oz/ 10 mL  

[Mellmars1185]

@lmaster Wonderful capsule to start the year! The art on the Hourglass palette is stunning. I am having FOMO from not picking one up last year 😆. Rhode is definitely on my list to try. How are you liking the new Dior Highlighter palette?

[lmaster]

Thank you!! @Mellmars1185 i like it,  I'm still trying different ways to use it

[Mellmars1185]

@lmaster I saw a YT video where they used the white shade as an eyeshadow topper. It looked amazing! It has so much sparkle payoff!

[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. 😊🩷