Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Summer is officially here, BIC! 😎 And we’ll have some easy breezy weekly capsule makeup prompts over the next few months to match the season. Whether having set of makeup products at the ready each week makes it easier to get ready in the mornings, or if you're looking for a fun way to shop your stash / use what you already have (or what newness that you pick up along the way), welcome! 👋 Please feel free to join in weekly or as a theme suits your style or piques your interests. We love seeing (and being inspired by) what beauties everyone is using. 💋

 

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 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  [Updated 8.10.2025]

Week 33 (August 11 - 17) - The Savvy Savings and/or Spectacularly Splurge-y Makeup Capsule 

 What makeup products do you prefer or are you more drawn to - affordable beauties or luxe labels? Or maybe your style consists of a carefully curated mix of both? Let's put together a makeup capsule this week that speaks to your proclivity towards savvy savings or spectacular splurges. Or both. 

 UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 8.10.2025]

Spoiler

Week 34 (August 18 - 24) - The Gifts (With Purchase) Makeup Capsule and/or The Gift-Worthy Makeup Capsule - A couple of capsule themes this week; there may even be some overlap between the two prompts. 

• For The Gifts (With Purchase) Makeup Capsule, put together a capsule with one or more makeup products that were a gift with purchase or that was part of a promo; even perhaps something you purchased or received as a GWP in connection with Rouge Appreciation Days 2025. Bonus challenge: if you purchased something just to get that specific gwp, consider sharing about it on the I DID IT FOR THE GWP! 

    thread.  

• For The Gift-Worthy Makeup Capsule, assemble a capsule with one or more makeup items that either (a) would make a great gift or (b) was actually gifted to you. 

Week 35 (August 25 - 31) - The Palettes Makeup Capsule

I'm going to have to look back at my notes, but this may the first time we've had a palettes theme for a capsule. For this last week of August, let's curate a capsule with one or more palettes. And, if you're up for a Bonus challenge - try to use only palettes (or just one palette) for this week's capsule. 

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 8.10.2025]

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

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]

@Mellmars1185, here's an up close look at Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette 100 Stora Dolls  

It's a beautiful palette, definitely a good one for every day and also in line with the mocha mousse trend. I have a few 😅 things that can fall into that color family. Will post to the Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 - Mocha Mousse.

 This one leans more neutral-cool but YSL released a more warm toned one last year - Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette 710 Over Brun  

The Dior liquid sequin is really a fun one - it's not a daily lip color for me but I reach for it more than just on special occasions now. Do you have one? 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Thank you for sharing and swatching!  I tend to lean towards buying and using more warm toned palettes but Stora Dolls is sooo pretty. I can definitely relate to owning a lot of shades that fit into the mocha mousse category too! I do have two shade of the Dior Lip Sequin. I have the shade Masquerade and I can't remember the other shade. For some reason it is not showing up in my order history.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@itsfi pretty quad!

[Mcakes]

@itsfi you are the cutest!! Love so much about this post, and that they all fit in that adorable Sephora bag, and that Wink snow globe in the background?!? 

[itsfi]

Ahhhh @Mcakes! 🤗 Happy New Year!!! Miss you. This has been a good way to work through my stash, and so fun to see what everyone is reaching for.

[Sunnysmom]

What a great group @itsfi ! I’m going to really try and work on some capsules this year. It’s such a terrific idea for many reasons! Your ideas are so good! Thanks for creating such a fun thread as always. 

[itsfi]

@Sunnysmom, thank you. Last year was a great year of capsules - Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024.  Everyone put together such marvelous capsules.  😍 

We'll be here all year, and there'll be "Take 2" / Do Over themes throughout the year, similar to last year's challenge for anyone, new or old to the challenge, to curate a capsule based on a previous theme.

[CynthieLu]

Good luck with your panning this year @itsfi This is a fantastic grouping, you really have such a lovely collection. It's so fun that we get t o see it through your capsules. 

I think the new to you lippie Dazzle really piques my interest. What is the draw to this sparkly lippies, I don't know, but they sound magical. 👌✨

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, sparkles, lipstick, Dior - what's not to love, right?! 😅 I was nervous about how much sparkles these would hold but it's not too much and there's a fun element to it with them coming through after you press your lips together. Thank you - panning has been one of those things on BIC that have really been so good for me and kept me around!

[CynthieLu]

That is a fun little do it yourself element of the lippie 😉 @itsfi 

I appreciate the panning challenges and the amount of work it takes to really use up a palette etc.. It's a good motivator too. Seeing everyone's hard work makes me want to go use and pay attention to everything I have in my collection, it's really mindful. 💖

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, the pan it! challenges has been such a rewarding experience, and ones filled with so many lessons learned and to be learned. @ElleElleG really creates such an amazing space for anyone and everyone to participate at their own rate and with as many or as few products that work for them. Do you think you might have a potential pan it! product for this year?

[CynthieLu]

Nothing in particular, I love following along with the happenings in that thread thou! Even if I'm not tagging myself in. I get really into watching everyone's progress as the months pass and just rooting for everyone. 🎊

Very well said. @ElleElleG has threads that I find really mindfull and just so healthy imo. I'm trying to use the Pan It! Mentality across my entire collection atm. Especially this year where I'm trying to really stick to a low buy year. I want to finish my products and enjoy them. Hopefully only pick up things that are extra special in my eyes. 

[itsfi]

I like that @CynthieLu - only picking up things that are "extra special" to your eye. That's a good strategy. Good luck with your no/low buy this year.

[CynthieLu]

Thank you, I need all the luck I can get. But I do feel good about this year. 💪 Thou..we are only 5 days in, there's quite a few ahead. I need to keep this resolve going longer ⌚ 

[ather]

@itsfi  yay for another year of capsules! I am going to try my best to participate more this year! Hmmm maybe it should be my New Year’s resolution! 

This lineup looks awesome. The cle de peau foundation sounds amazing. Blurring is the best! And the added lit from within a perfect touch! 

Do you like Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cream Blush Chilly ? it’s one of my favs. I also have the darker one in Spicy! I love how it browns. 

Oooo so happy to see Rhode in this lineup! Vanilla is so yummy!! 😋 

[itsfi]

@ather, jump on in whenever you can! However suits you best - no picture, just picture, etc. CdP' base products have skincare infused in it so my skin is happy about that and I like this one because it's glowy without being GLOWY!! 🤣 There's a time and place for the strobe light effect and this one is not for that time and place. Hahaha! 

I do like Chilly; it took a little getting used to but that's normal for me and blush - first it was too much, then I blend, blend, blend and blend it all away so it's not enough and then I eventually figure it out. 😅 Do you have a preferred method for applying these Saie blushes - fingers? beauty sponge? brush? some combination of those? something else? I'm all ears.

[ather]

@itsfi  So this is probably bad or just me being lazy but I just use one brush for most my makeup! I have a few and I wash it every few days. But I just use it to do my skin tint/foundation and if I use a bronzer same and same with blush and highlight if I use it! It kinda reminds me of the MERIT Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush  but it works for everything. I start with 2 dots on each cheek and blend till I am happy! 😊 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I was just eyeing this brush on their site yesterday this looks like it has great coverage! Love the design as well @ather  @itsfi  ❤️

[ather]

@peculiarzmakeup  Yes!  Gotta love an all purpose brush!! 

[itsfi]

@ather, that's impressive you use one brush for most your makeup; it's very in keeping with the modern miniminalist feel that I love about your capsule and your approach to being selective of what you purchase. 😍 I would hardly call you lazy. Thanks so much for the feedback; I'll have to pull out that Merit brush and give it a try with the Saie blush.

[ather]

@itsfi  Definitely sounds better to call myself a minimalist over lazy!! I like that! Although my nail polish collection is not minimal at all. Baby steps!