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 24 (June 9 - 15) - The Sleeping Beauties Makeup Capsule and/or The "Shop My Stash Makeup Capsule - Time to shop your stash! Look through your makeup beauties and choose one or more product(s) that haven't received as much love or attention, items that have been "sleeping" in your drawers, bins, makeup bag, etc. Full size, travel size, sample size, foil samples - you never know what gem(s) you might find or rediscover in your current collection. 

Optional Monthly Theme: In addition to (or in lieu of) the current week's theme, we're having a month-long theme for June as well in keeping with Pride month. So, if you'd like to go with or include this optional theme, then include in your curated capsule, one or more product(s) from a LGBTQ+ founded/owned beauty brand. 

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of LGBTQ+ founded/owned brands with primarily makeup offerings. Credit for most of the brands in this list are from 2024 articles from Allure and Byrdie. Brands with an asterisk (*) beside their names are available at Sephora and/or Sephora at Kohl's. To the extent the founder(s)/owner(s) are not readily discernible by the brand name, their name(s) will appear in (parens). If there are brands that should be included, please let me know.

about face (Halsey)
Flower Beauty (Drew Barrymore)
Formula Z Cosmetics (Zach Dishinger)
* Freck Beauty (Nasera Alayon)
Jason Wu Beauty
Jecca Blac
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty
KimChi Chic Beauty
* Makeup by Mario (Mario Dedivanovic)
* OleHenriksen

* One/Size by Patrick Starrr
* Patrick Ta Beauty
Sappho (JoAnn Fowler)
* Tom Ford Beauty
Trixie Cosmetics (Trixie Mattel)
W3ll People (Shirley Pinkson)

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 6.8.2025]

Spoiler

Week 25 (June 16 - 22) - The "Welcome, Summer!" Makeup Capsule - The official start of summer this year is June 20 and to kick it off, show us one or more of the makeup beauties that you'll being using for your hot girl (or guy) summer look! AND, be sure to check back later for a crossover prompt that will be an additional part of this week's summer slay theme.  

For additonal upcoming capsule prompts, check out June 2025 Makeup Capsule Themes.

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 6.8.2025]

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

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]

Marvelous work on not overstuffing your 'fits' @danielledanielle 😅. Love the one brand approach (and that you went with Ami Cole) for a spin on the weekly theme;  don't shelve that concept - a little birdie told me that it's one of the prompts next month. How are you liking the Hourglass brushes?

Your capsule items for the week are reminding me that I have an Ami Cole lip liner that I shoud put to use and an Hourglass palette from way back that's been sorely neglected. Eek.

[danielledanielle]

Ah, I might go a different way for the One brand, but I'm sure there's another Ami Edit in my future @itsfi 

The HG isn't a must.  It's not bad, the brush head is the perfect size for the pans and you can dip into other pans without having to knock off the brush.  I really got it for the design.  I like Rephr Kōyō brush with these, too... Great for cocktailing them.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Gorgeous capsule! I love how you did two editions based on your style that’s such a great idea for different times throughout the week! Oh and I love the sides the sides are essential and working with what’s essential at the time is key! 🔑 this is very cool! Great products and photos! ❤️ @danielledanielle 

[CynthieLu]

I'm gotta say, I'm really drawn to your luxe edit @danielledanielle 🤩

[danielledanielle]

Thanks, me too.. it was hard to edit it, but I was on a mission! @CynthieLu 

[Mellmars1185]

@danielledanielle How low can you go, how low can you go 🎶

The coloured Ami Cole lip oils are something I want to add to my collection. What products are in the lavendar and white tubes? The Dior bag is beautiful! Were you able to fit it all in there?

[danielledanielle]

The other items @Mellmars1185  are Ami Colé Light-Catching Highlighter Balm Glaze and Supergoop! 100% Mineral (Re)setting Powder Face Sunscreen SPF 35 Medium . I went back and added the products just in case anyone else is curious/shopping 😄

[danielledanielle]

Apparently 21 22? That's it 🤣 @Mellmars1185 

R/t Dior bag...Oh, heck no..  I have the Ami bag, too, I don't think I took a fit pic of everything because I know it'd fit this week. I could've just used the Ami bag, which would likely fit everything, but wanted to use the little Dior bag.. Which also holds a decent amount

The lavender tubes are Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick .  I have Dune, Flame and Pink Sel.

[Mellmars1185]

Week 4 - The "How Low Can I Go" Makeup Capsule

Spoiler

 

The fit - this makeup bag may be small, but it sure fits a lot!

I am happy to be back! Great theme for the week. This is definitely going to help with decision fatigue and getting creative with what I have! The products I chose are:

PATRICK TA Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo She's So LA - this will act as a blonzer, eyeshadow, lipliner and to smudge along my lower lashline.

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Lowlighter Soft Glow Highlighter Lowkey - I was debating between this and a setting spray. We shall see how this choice goes. I may decide to swap it out.

ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder Universal Translucent - I learned that I cannot go without setting powder. My makeup tends to 'slide' off throughout my day if I skin this step.

PATRICK TA Major Volume Plumping Lip Gloss Full Syringe - Just because I have been loving this. It gives enough colour for that healthy glow look.

DIOR Forever Skin Perfect 24H Multi-Use Foundation Stick 2,5 N Neutral - Even though my skin is oily/combination, I have been loving how easy this is to apply. When used with the setting powder it works well for me. Also I think I will be getting more use out of this in the colder months vs the warmer.

Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara Noir - A tried and true mascara. I love how much I can build up the product.

[itsfi]

So great to see you @Mellmars1185! Hugs incoming!!! 🤗

This is a terrific capsule - love how the Patrick Ta duo is multi-tasking for you; that's something I've found to be so helpful in keeping a capsule more ... edited. Do you have a particular brush you like to use for lining your lips with it? I'm with ya on that Sephora Collection bag - that baby holds a lot!! Not complaining at all. I have it stuffed to the gills with various products but was thinking of making it my repository for "mascaras (I really need to) use/try this year" - I've been sticking to the same ones (a good thing) but there are some that I have been meaning to try for the longest time and just haven't gotten around to it. 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Thank you! I just realized that I couls have totally used the a different Multi-Use palette...but I shall save that for another week! I am happy to give this PT blush some love in the meantime. For the cream blush on my cheeks I used the BK Beauty 109. For the lipliner (cream), smudging (powder) along lower lashline, I used the BK Beauty N12. I have two N12's so I used a clean one for each area of the face. Last, but not least I used the BK Beauty N13 for the powder to use in my eyeshadow crease. 

That is a smart idea to put the mascaras you want to use in the pink Sephora bag. Once you open them will they be moved to a separate place where you have ones that you already use?

[peculiarzmakeup]

Beautiful capsule and conceptualizations I love the idea of decision fatique and applying that to makeup is so helpful. I love that you incorporated a multi purpose product it’s always so great when a product has multiple uses. Beautiful product choices, the bag is such a great fit and I love your take and evaluation on what your tried and trues and can’t go with our. Amazing 🤩 I enjoyed reading this ❤️ @Mellmars1185 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Thank you so much! I realized that I could have used a different palette that I didn't open (yet). Aw well...there is always another challenge to make some use out of it ☺️

[CynthieLu]

You picked a beautiful and mighty capsule for this theme. @Mellmars1185  You got a multi tasker there with your Pat Ta duo. It's doing some heavy lifting here. 💪 

[Mellmars1185]

@CynthieLu Thank you! I was debating on the Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Defining Neutrals - Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face & Lips vs the PATRICK TA Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo She's So LA . I chose the PT because I can fit larger brushes into the pan. Hopefully I can make it work 🤞

[CynthieLu]

We believe in you! @Mellmars1185 I really like that duo btw. I was so close to grabbing that shade when it released, it seems like the most versatile one from the line up. ✨🤎

[Mellmars1185]

@CynthieLu Thanks! It looks like he is releasing some new shades too!

[CynthieLu]

Yeees, that red is something else 🤩 @Mellmars1185 

[danielledanielle]

Oooh, that's a Sephora Six right there @Mellmars1185 , what a way to come back

[Mellmars1185]

@danielledanielle Thank you so much! I am feeling motivated and refreshed!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Week 3 (January 13 - 19) - The "Favorite Feature(s) Focus" Makeup Capsule   

Psych has been my all time favorite show for over a decade I will go and rewatch the whole series. Juliet O’Hara is a detective in the show and I wanted to do an awe-inspired capsule on her style and look! 

The Fit

Makeup to Recreate this iconic character! 

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 

Powder

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

Blush 

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush Stockholm 

Bronzer

MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Quince 

Mascara 

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black 

Eyeshadow

Danessa Myricks Beauty LIGHTWORK VI The Freedom Palette: Magnetic, Customizable, Stackable Palette with Illuminating Pigments for Eyes, Face &amp; Lips  (pink on the eyes) 

Eyeliner 

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

Highlighter 

MERIT Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm 

Eyebrows

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

Hair 

Straigtener 

I do not have all the products with me but will update the post with the look when I’m back home! 

Fashion 

Blazer 

Sunglasses 

Very formal 

Jules always has a very flushed look naturally and with makeup I thought this would be a good fit for her and I’d love to try 

love this idea! 💡 ❤️