Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Hello BIC! Whether having a set of makeup products all picked out in advance makes it easier to get ready in the mornings or if you're looking for a fun way to use the new-to-you and tried-and-true products in your collection, welcome!! 👋 Please feel free to join in as a theme suits your style or piques your interests. We love seeing and being inspired by what beauties everyone is using. 💋

Here we are, last month of 2025, and we have a couple more capsules to squeeze in before the year is over. We've been doing weekly capsules but for this last month, we're going to switch to 2-week periods. That said, if you like the weekly format, there are options this month that you can choose to do, to keep up with a rotating weekly capsule.

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 discovered (or, in some instances, re-discovered) by you. 

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 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  [Updated 12.14.2025]

Switching things up a bit with the cadence for our capsules as we head towards closing out 2025 with the makeup capsule challenge. For the last month of the year, we are going to go with 2-week capsule periods.

☃️Weeks 51 - 52 (December 15 - 31) - The "Holiday Glitz & Glam" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Best of 2025" Makeup Capsule

Put together a capsule consisting of one or more makeup product(s) that aligns with one or the other (or both) of the themes - 

• 🌟Holiday Glitz & Glam: Shine a spotlight on one or more of the beauties you love to use to get glammed up for the holidays.

• 🏆The Best of 2025: Curate a capsule with one or more makeup product(s) that made (or would make) your "best of" list for 2025. Alternatively, assemble a capsule that includes your favorite (or mix of favorite) theme(s) from this year makeup capsule challenge.

[NOTE: I will provide a sneak preview of a couple early 2026 makeup capsule themes during the week of December 22. 😲]

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.14.2025]

Spoiler

A sneak preview of a couple early 2026 makeup capsule themes during the week of December 22.

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 12.14.2025]

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
21 - The Vacation Makeup Capsule
22 - The Musician Founded / Owned Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

June 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes> 
23 - The Love Is Love Makeup Capsule 
24 - The Sleeping Beauties Makeup Capsule and/or The "Shop My Stash Makeup Capsule
25 - The "Welcome, Summer!" Makeup Capsule
26 - The "My Best Self" Makeup Capsule

July 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes> 
27 - The Indie Brands Makeup Capsule and/or The Canadian Founded/Owned Brands Makeup Capsule  
28 -  The Multi-Taskers / Repurposed Makeup Capsule and/or The "On The Go: Summer Edit" Makeup Capsule 
29 - The Sizzling Summer Samples Makeup Capsule
30 - The Pop of Color: Summer Edit Makeup Capsule

August 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>
31 - The (Lip)Sticks (aka Lips + Sticks) Makeup Capsule
32 - The Athlete Founded / Owned / Endorsed / Influenced Beauty Brand(s) Makeup Capsule
33 - The Savvy Savings and/or Spectacularly Splurge-y Makeup Capsule 
34 - The Gifts (With Purchase) Makeup Capsule and/or The Gift-Worthy Makeup Capsule
35 - The Palettes Makeup Capsule

September 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>
36 - The Workhorse(s) Makeup Capsule
37 - The "Summer Favorites" Makeup Capsule 
38 - The LatinX Founded/Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule 
39 - The Runway / Red Carpet Inspired Makeup Capsule

October 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>
40 - The FALL into Color Makeup Capsule
41 - The Beauty Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness Makeup Capsule and/or The Makeup Artist at Sephora Makeup Capsule
42 - The Indigenous People's Day Makeup Capsule, The Canadian Thanksgiving Makeup Capsule, and/or The Samples 2.0 Makeup Capsule
43  - The Global Makeup Capsule
44 - The "Baubles, Palettes & Sticks" Makeup Capsule

November 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>
45 -  The "Sweater Weather" Makeup Capsule
46 - The "Collabs & Crossovers" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Sleeping Beauties 2.0" Makeup Capsule 
47 - The "Take 2 / Do Over" Makeup Capsule 
48 - The "Thing(s) I'm Grateful For" Makeup Capsule

December 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>
49 & 50 - The "Out With the Old, In With the New" 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. If weekly works for you, great. If not, feel free to join in based on what works best for you. 

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.

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Amazing capsule! How did the WA lippie wear as a blush? Do you have a favourite shade out of the three?

[itsfi]

Thanks @Mellmars1185; this was a fun one! The WA lippies as blush worked alright. I actually liked mixing the two No-red shades. I think they would look good as brontour, with something like the MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer® - I’m making a note to try that pairing another day. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Awww I love this theme!! I didn’t think of it being a fav theme. TDWP is one of my favs!!! You didn’t right!!! Love all your picks! The TF brow sounds amazing. And I cannot wait for this throw down! It will be so exciting! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I went with a theme that could be interpreted a few ways, to give some options. It also gets me to work in makeup products I've had for a while and get use out of them. Maybe I'll rewatch TDWP over the weekend; it's been a while since I've watched it all the way through - I do love the fashion in it! 😍

Speaking of the throwdowns, when you were deciding on which brow products to pit against each other, did you have a particular way of going about choosing which went up against which and when? 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo I may need to watch it next weekend now!!!

I tried to duel ones that were the same. So clear together and tinted together then I mixed the winners. But I think one clear can win and a tint can win because I reach for a tint and a clear separately. I like a clear for. Day to day work. When I think a tint is more when I have a more special event. But I do occasionally wear a tint to work I find I save it more for a special event. I like to look more like me at work. Maybe I have less time in the mornings. But I feel the tint is a little more put together for me. 

[itsfi]

@ather, it’s one of those shows where I just fast forward to the scenes I want to see, hahaha! And those scenes are about the clothes - not dialogue, plot, character development…. Nope. The clothes, the handbag, the jewelry, the makeup, etc. 

Ahhh, thank you. That makes sense with putting the clear formulations and the tinted ones together first. Interesting - I’m the opposite; well, sort of. I reach for a tinted brow gel for my every day look (it’s quick and easy) and a clear brow gel (which I use to top / seal brow pencil) for special occasions. I have a better idea now for how I will go about a throwdown. Now I just need to gather up the contestants 😂 and find the time to start. Thank you!!

[ather]

@itsfi  I love that idea! Just watch the clothes. So smart!!! Love it!!

Ooooo I can’t wait to see your throw down! 

[itsfi]

Using the movie for inspiration has been fantastic - it makes going through my closet so much fun; helpful with decluttering and to find different looks to put together. Win-win!! 

[CynthieLu]

My preference is SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Eyeliner Brush #22 with any eyeshadow powder I feel like. 😉🌈 

I use tape as a guide, it's just so much easier but I've been free-handing my wing more often. 

Oooh I love Danessa's little micro pens so much. Bronzite is a beauty!

[itsfi]

Yep, I learned about the tape trick from @Missnur and others here on BIC. DM Bronzite is really versatile for me and the micropencil is a win for me when it comes to lining, with and without the tape. What shades do you have in the micropencil eyeliner @CynthieLu?

[CynthieLu]

The #22 is by far my favorite eyeliner brush, I can get such a sharp tight line with it.👌

The tape is soo handy right? And such a time saver imo.  @itsfi 

Oooh I have a few DM micro pencils 🫣🫣 

 

[peculiarzmakeup]

@CynthieLu  I saw this in the preview section of the thread and my eyes lit up so cool! I’ve seen you use these in some of your looks they looks so beautiful on you! Wow what a collection @itsfi  I had emerald but it broke really fast or dried out. But I think I left it open 🫠🫠🫠❤️

[itsfi]

Ohhhh, the emerald would be stunning on you @peculiarzmakeup! I had my eye on that one - it's such a gorgeous shade. I like the precision I can get from the DM liner but I also appreciate how I can use it in my outer V to give a little extra oomph to my eyeshadow look. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Im gonna pick up a new one eventually and see if maybe another shade will be my lucky charm, definatley that corner of the eye extra spark! Love it 😍 @itsfi 

[CynthieLu]

They are sooooo fragile @peculiarzmakeup I broke my first one.. the first time I used it. Hard lesson learned. I'm sorry to hear yours dried up on you. 😢

[peculiarzmakeup]

I’m curious you said your first one broke, what helps you with the others? I think i might press on it too hard or go to fast 💨 thanks for the encouragement I always appreciate it, I was able to use what was underneath but the color didn’t show up well. I think I should try another just to see how it works 🙂 @CynthieLu 

[CynthieLu]

What's helped me with these is a much gentler hand and I only expose the smallest amount of the product possible. If there was to much of the tip out it seemed to break far too easily. I lost a lot off my first one due to trial and error. 😅 @peculiarzmakeup it was such a bummer but I learned.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Oh my I love those suggestions! Thank you so much. It’s always helpful to get another perspective on things ❤️ @CynthieLu 

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, I'm making a note on the #22 brush - your tightline and wing are always stunningly sharp! Wooooaaaahhh, look at all those micropencils!! 😍 lol, just a few, for sure. hahaha!

[peculiarzmakeup]

This is so neat! What a beautiful capsule and so cool and inspired. These are great products to match. I love how you included the book in your photo how lovely! @itsfi  ❤️

[itsfi]

Thank you @peculiarzmakeup. I'm really looking forward to putting together outfits inspired by the film and pairing the look with products from this capsule and probably another week's makeup capsule as I think I'll try putting togehter looks based on multiple outfits from the film, modified, of course, with what pieces I actually have in my closet - ohhh, the constraints, but it'll fun to put things together with my own touches.