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.

[peculiarzmakeup]

I loved it this is the look I wore pretty much everyday on vacation that was a true test to how I could do haha @Mellmars1185 

[itsfi]

Good tip on dotting your bronzer @peculiarzmakeup; full lines can be too much product at times. Your comment about the mini Tatcha primer made me smile - I have a feeling I'd be very content with mini sizes of many makeup items. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Minis are just so cute sometimes and perfect for travel and oh do they save room I’m all for it! Thank you so much! I find it a little more difficult to do the dots with merit but I do love #Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Warm Wishes Effortless Cream Bronzer Stick Power Boost  I feel like it shows up more visible I use merit most tho so I’ll learn haha 🤣 ❤️ @itsfi 

[danielledanielle]

Current Week: how low can you go The "one where I didn't overstuff a makeup bag"

I did two edits... Both similar to what I did last year

The Ami Edit

 

The Luxe Edit

The Sideplayers

 

R/The Sideplayers.. I need these through the week, usually for light coverage days, but when you want a little something something.  Not pictured, I also use the GOAT NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Original and PAT McGRATH LABS PERMA PRECISION Liquid Eyeliner Xtreme Black

This was literally the lowest I could comfortably go 🤣

[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!