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 20 (May 12 - 18) - The "Tailored For You" Makeup Capsule- The Met Gala will have occurred on May 5, with the theme "Tailored For You" inspired by the exhibit "Tailoring Black Style". For this week, curate a capsule with one or more products that are either "tailored for you" or that suits you impeccably and/or that caught your eye from the Met Gala or if you visit the "Tailoring Black Style" exhibit. 

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 5.11.2025]

Spoiler

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

Alright, we're heading into Memorial Day weekend, often the 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.

Additional May Capsule themes can be found through the below link - 

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Makeup-Is-Life/Capsule-Makeup-Collection-Challenge-2025/m-p/7158267...

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

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 5.4.2025]

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

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]

You capsule and product picks are absolutely stunning! I love seeing what you chose for your lunar new year capsule. So many pretty shades, gorgeous photos! @danielledanielle 

[itsfi]

Oh!! That bag! 😍 I love the red trim against the clear plastic - it doesn't hurt how roomy it is either @danielledanielle! Which Pat McGrath palettes are in this week's mix?

[danielledanielle]

PAT McGRATH LABS Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette - Bronze Seduction & Divine Rose II

It's very roomy, it actually comes with three little velvet mini bags to store inside

[curlychiquita]

One of my favorite palettes, @danielledanielle!

[itsfi]

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

Not quite full face with these six, but full enough. 

• MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Cream Contour and Highlight Sculpting Palette  for base, concealer, blush, highlight, bronzer and contour

• Dior Fall/Winter Ready-To-Wear Makeup Palette (limited edition) (discontinued) - this is close to vintage status. I used it a similar capsule last year for the first time and it's back again - and will make more appearances in my capsules this year. I'll use this one for eyeshadow and lips and will try out the nude beige powder this week to see how it performs as a setting powder, with the SEPHORA COLLECTION Translucent Loose Setting Powder  (gratis) as my plan B.

• PAT McGRATH LABS IntensifEYES™ Longwear Eyeshadow Primer IntensifEYES™ Longwear Primary  

• Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade  is one of my oft-reached for brow gels.

• #SEPHORA COLLECTION Love The Lift Curling + Volumizing Waterproof Mascara Ultra Black (the tag for this one never sticks for some reason) - this is my second tube

I like the minimalist-esque aspect of the two palettes - both the natural, better-than-bare aesthetic they can be used to create in just about one palettte. I'd like to have another one or two lip products as I'm not really sure how well these these two will show up, if at all, on my lips, but I'll make them work. Except for the MUFE palette, each of these items have been a part of past capsules so the MUFE is under the microscope this week. I'll post more thoughts on it, later in the week, after I've had some time to put it to the test, on the Sephora Six - Fast & Furious Edition thread.

Brushes/Tools used (from left to right in the second bag photo): 

• Dior Backstage N° 11 brush for laying down the MUFE products
• Dior Backstage N° 24 brush if/when I want to use one of the Dior shadows as eyeliner
• SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Shadow Brush #15  - my favorite brush for laying down shadow on my hooded eyes
• Wayne Goss #14 Lip Brush 
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Essential Brush - 08 Eyeshadow  - seeing how it compares to my beloved SC #15
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Essential Brush - 06 Multitasker Face  
• Beautyblender ORIGINAL Beautyblender® Makeup Sponge Original  (mini version)
• Beautyblender POWER POCKET PUFF™ Dual-Sided Powder Puff for Setting and Baking  (gratis) (pictured in first photo for the makeup bag) for the setting powder 
• Fenty LED Compact Mirror (pictured in first photo for the bag)

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Lovely choices! The MUFE palette is definitely one to bring out for this challenge! The Dior palette is so pretty. This bag is too cute!!

[itsfi]

I’m happily surprised by how well these palettes work together @Mellmars1185. Some of the shades in the Dior will take me some time to figure out the best way they’ll work for me but that sounds like a challenge I’m up for. 😆 

This bag has been great for toting around with me. I forgot I had this one and am glad I found it before ordering another one - I had one in my cart because I thought it was cute (and functional - that separate compartment for brushes is 👍🏼).

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Do you have a different bag for each month?

[peculiarzmakeup]

Beautiful capsule! Those palletes have so many pretty shades im looking forward to hearing your thoughts on these and how well they worked in the Sephora Six love these product choices and fabulous fit! I’ve never tried loose powder I think that may be new try for me it looks great! @itsfi  ❤️❤️

[itsfi]

@peculiarzmakeup, that MUFE palette is a big win! I was a little nervous about it - would I be able to get use out of most of the shades, etc. It really is such a versatile palette! I was most surprise, in the best way, with the powder foundation in the Dior palette - woah!!! I kept looking at my skin in the mirror!! I've tested the standalone before but with a puff and it felt too much for me at the time. Using it with a fluffy brush to set - oh, wow! I liked it so much I only reached for the SC loose powder once. I've been wanting to make more use out of it but that Dior powder in the palette stole the show this past week! So good! 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I wanna make it a goal to try loose powder cause that sounds fantastic and like it just goes so well @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@peculiarzmakeup, it's a good time to dabble in loose powder - there's been a handful of new releases that have received some good reviews. 👍 Do you have any loose powders on your short list you are really interestered in trying?

[peculiarzmakeup]

I would definatley love to try Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Setting & Blurring Loose Powder  cause I’ve tried almost everything in her line 😂 and loved it but are there any good ones you would suggest? @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@peculiarzmakeup, I know you love the DM line so much (and I mean, what’s not to love?!!) and my first thought to myself when I asked the question was “I wonder if DM has a loose powder? They must!!” And there it is!! 😍 I think you should absolutely try the DM one! 

It’s been such a long time since I’ve used loose powder with any amount of frequency. The one I used then is no longer available was from a brand that isn’t around anymore - Prescriptives - hasn’t been around for ages. 😝 I’m working my way through this SC one (gratis) and will likely move on to the Givenchy (the older version) or maybe a byTerry one I have. It’s another year of really making an effort to use what I have (and to get to what new things I haul closer to the time I haul them). 

[peculiarzmakeup]

That’s a great point I’m definatley going to give it a go! She does make awesome stuff I’ve been enjoying the balm Powder a lot so that’s a good sign! I think that awesome you got one in gratis and yes I like the idea of making decisions closer to hauls ❤️ @itsfi 

[itsfi]

How do you use the balm powder @peculiarzmakeup? Like a primer? Or for another purpose? I’m still working on figuring out how it will work best on me. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I use it after my primer in the places you would normally put your powder and then as a touch up after foundation and rest of makeup is applied! @itsfi i watched her do it on her social media once and was like wow i never thought of that way of applying but I love how it turns out 🙂 

[itsfi]

Making notes @peculiarzmakeup 📝; thank you!!! 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Week 4 (January 20 - 26) - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule 

Lovely theme for the week! These theme also allowed me to think 💭 about how much product how low can I go to achieve the makeup look I’m going for.

Edit to Add photos the end of the week

Primer 

1 pump 

Tatcha Mini Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer 0.35 oz/ 10g   (I also like that it’s mini!) 

Foundation

1 pump 

Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF25 with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide Very Light Cool 120  

Bronzer

Using dots for desired placements instead of full lines 

MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Quince  

Mascara

1 top lid 1 bottom lid sometimes I gotta do 2 for top

Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara  

Blush and Lippie

2 swipes one across each cheek then cover nose and forehead with fingers patting 

MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush Stockholm  

Eyebrows 

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

2 swipes on each eye brow

it was kinda cool to see the low version to also make me more mindful of how I do my makeup now! 

I usually use a small makeup bag, but often times my purse is the fit 

❤️❤️

[Mellmars1185]

@peculiarzmakeup Great capsule! You did a great job at keeping the items low and the amount of product used! How did you like the no makeup, makeup look for the week?

[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