Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Happy fall, 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 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 10.5.2025]

Week 41 (October 6 - 12) - The Beauty Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness Makeup Capsule and/or The Makeup Artist at Sephora Makeup Capsule

A few options for capsule themes this week. Curate a capsule made up of one or more product(s): 

(a) from a makeup brand that supports or promotes mental health awareness* (in honor of the first full week of October being established by Congress in 1990 as Mental Health Awareness Week); and/or

(b) from "'new and breakthrough brands from beauty experts" at Sephora**. See spoiler below for more details and disclosures pertaining to both prompts.

Spoiler

Makeup Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness*
Maybelline entered into a 5-year partnership in 2024 with the WHO Foundation to expand access to mental health services across the globe.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez "donates 1% of sales to the Rare Impact Fund (also founded by Selena Gomez), which aims to raise $100 million over 10 years to increase access to mental health resources."

Urban Decay entered into a 3-year partnership with the Cybersmile Foundation in 2021 to introduce a new campaign to raise awareness about online bullying and promote digital wellness. It appears the partnership may have concluded last year and I was not able to locate information to confirm that the partnership had been extended. 

* The list was compiled based on an online article titled "10 Must-Know Beauty Brands That Empower Mental Health Initiatives" from Who What Wear, statements found on brand websites and information obtained through various online searches.  

The Makeup Artists Edit at Sephora**
Makeup | Sephora
Charlotte Tilbury

Ciele (Nikki DeRoest)
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Fara Homidi
Huda Beauty (Huda Kattan)
Hung Vanngo Beauty
Isamaya (Issamaya Ffrench)
LYS Beauty (Tisha Thompson)
Makeup by Mario (Mario Dedivanovic)
m.ph by Mary Phillips
One/Size by Patrick Starrr
Pat McGrath Labs
Patrick Ta
Refy (Jess Hunt and Jenna Meek)
Violette fr. (Violette Serrat)

Westman Atelier (Gucci Westman)

** On the Sephora page(s) for The Makeup Artist Edit, the brands Make Up For Ever and Natasha Denona are not listed, but Charlotte Tilbury is listed among the group. Based on that arrangement and in absence of any further information I could find, I have assumed "new and breakthrough brands" to mean beauty brands having been around for less than 12 years as of 2025 (Charlotte Tilbury was founded approximately 11 years and 6 months ago in 2025). Accordingly, I have also included Pat McGrath Labs in the list above as PML has been around since approximately 2015, or 10 years. 

 UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10.5.2025]

Spoiler

Week 42 (October 13 - 19) - The Indigenous People's Day Makeup Capsule, The Canadian Thanksgiving Makeup Capsule, and/or The Samples 2.0 Makeup Capsule

A few options this week for makeup themes. To celebrate October 13's Canadian Thanksgiving Day and Indigenous People's Day, put together a look with one or more product(s) from a Canadian or Indigenous founded or owned makeup brand (see spoiler below for non-exhaustive list).

Spoiler

Canadian founded/owned makeup brands - brands with an asterisk (*) next to their name can be found at Sephora:

19/99 Beauty

Attitude

Birch Babe

Bite Beauty

* Cheekbone Beauty (Sephora Canada)

Elate Beauty

Evio Beauty

* Hung Vanngo Beauty (Sephora US & Sephora Canada)

* Ilia (Sephora US & Sephora Canada)

Jason Wu Beauty

Lise Watier

* MAC Cosmetics (Sephora Canada)

Marcelle

* Nudestix (Sephora US & Sephora Canada)

* The Ordinary (Sephora US & Sephora Canada)

Selfcare by Bloom

Tok Beauty

I don't know about you but I've got some makeup samples that could use my attention, both to keep my pile of samples more manageable and also to see if there might be something I'd like to pick up during the upcoming holiday / year end sales. Now's a good time to put those samples to use and maybe head on over to the Foil Challenge if you finish up a foil in the process. In the name of research! Always good to make an informed purchase, right?! Who knows, it could be Love At First Sample!!! 🥰!

For additional prompts, check out October Makeup Capsule Themes 

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 10.5.2025]

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

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]

👯‍♀️🤗❤️ @Mellmars1185 

[blackkitty2014]

I need to learn from you ladies how to play with colors. Please post the looks you create with this capsule @peculiarzmakeup 🌹

[peculiarzmakeup]

Aw you’re so sweet! Thank you I definitely will. I appreciate that! It will also help me utilize these colors more during the week ❤️❤️ @blackkitty2014 

[itsfi]

That DM palette is a fabulous pick @peculiarzmakeup - for a LNY inspired capsule or any capsule for that matter. The colors are so vibrant and rich! Have you found yourself reaching for any particular shadow(s) more often from the Lightwork VI?

[peculiarzmakeup]

I am in love with blue and green those have always been my fave so sometimes I will do that or I’ve been gravitating to the purples and pinks I really like the white on it it has a bit of a shift in it which is really fun it’s really fun to see all the different surprises and shifts in this palette 🙂 @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@peculiarzmakeup, Danessa Myricks does a wonderful job with color and her shifts are absolutely gorgeous!

[blackkitty2014]

Week 3: Favorite Feature practically none of these are inspired from film but the Chanel quad was featured in Golden Globe (or some similar film reward couple weeks back) 

Week 4: How low can you go: I forgot the first day and use the Chanel gloss but corrected myself by using gift or gwp or deluxe sample the rest of the week on the lipsticks. I had to cheat by testing out the YSL new blush on 2 days  out of 7 😘

[curlychiquita]

I love this picture, @blackkitty2014! You own the most amazing makeup!

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @curlychiquita 🌹 I have to remember to use them and not hoarding any more 😘

[Mellmars1185]

@blackkitty2014 Great capsules! Ooh a Chanel quad! I have never troed Chanel eyeshadow. How do you like the formula? The YSL blush sounds lovely. @Sunnysmom definitely has great taste! I hope you enjoy your new blush!

[blackkitty2014]

They are hits and misses liked all brands. Most of the time they’re solid. If you like quiet luxury kind of type makeup you would love them. I don’t go to the office anymore but back in the day, whenever i have to go to the office, Chanel and TF are my to go quads. They simple to use @Mellmars1185 

[Mellmars1185]

@blackkitty2014 Do you find you are wearing less makeup now that you don't have to go to the office? I am Hybrid and my favourite thong about going into the office is doing my makeup 💄☺️

[itsfi]

Ohhhh, so pretty!! I'd be happy to just shop your capsules @blackkitty2014! 😍 

Week 3 - I say that a capsule inspired by the red carpet runway works beautifully! That Chanel quad is gorgeous - the shades look so much more striking in your photo than in the promos.

Week 4 - ooooooh, the YSL blush is such a stunning shade. You should have kept it in your rotation for the entire week. How do you like th formula on it?

[blackkitty2014]

@itsfi Our good friend Sunnysmom enabled me on that quad which I meant to skip but I’m glad she talked me into it. It’s very versatile. I can see one of these beach or summer trip I will pack it with me to use for both eye and face. You need to try at least 1 YSL blush. I got no37 and 44 but I want more. The matte (no 37) is very smooth. The only complaint I have is YSL didn’t have the rest of the line in the US. 

[itsfi]

@blackkitty2014, I think I will make you proud - I picked up the YSL 44 😊 I only opened it to make sure it wasn’t damaged and have plans to put it to use soon. 💯 on the other shades. I waited a bit to see if we might get a couple of the other shades but since it wasn’t looking like it, I said “mine” to 44. 😆 This may be it for me for a little while as far as luxe makeup hauls (and Asian beauty skincare hauls and …) - I have “a few” I need to put to use first. I live vicariously through BIC. Heehee!!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Beautiful capsules and photos! I love how these capsules help show how products are used and appreciated throughout the week. These are both stunning ❤️ @blackkitty2014 

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @peculiarzmakeup 🌹

[itsfi]

Week 5 - The "Lunar New Year 2025 Zodiac Sign Lucky Colors" Makeup Capsule

Went with a mix of all the different ways listed to go about the theme. I know there are more approaches so if there's something that comes to mine or that someone utilizes here in their capsule, I may do a weekend edit of the LNY Year of the Snake capsule. 🤔

Product Details: 

• My favorite type of foundation to use are skin tints or BB/CC-type creams. Don't get me wrong, I like a more coverage, full face look from time-to-time, but for my every day, a lighter coverage, better-than-bare / 'no-makeup makeup" look is my go-to. This week I'll alternate between two of my favorites that were and still are GOATs 🐐🐐 in their respective categories - Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation  and CLE Cosmetics CCC Cream Foundation. 

• PATRICK TA Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo She's Flushed  will be my blush of the week, and an additional option for lip color. This is a shade from his previous release, not one of his recently released new shades, which are beautiful by the way. 😍 [Slightly random comment - As a side note to the 🏫🎓BIC University 🎓🏫 / Flatlay Skillshop 101 thread, the PT blush duo is being used as a prop in the photo as well as one of the products showcased - I placed it atop the MAC palette to (i) keep the top from closing on the palette (and therefore being able to show off the shades) and (ii) minimize / avoid my phone and fingers from photobombing the frame through the mirror on the MAC palette.]

• In the spirit of not letting products I purchase pile up (or using what I have 😉), the MAC Multi-Use Face Palette x 4 / Luxe Luck is will be getting put to use now, in the year it launched and that I purchased it, and not a few years or a decade later 😞. I'm trying folks, I really am. To maximize its usage, this will be the week's go-to for bronzer, (possibly contour), highlight and eyeshadow. As I'm looking at it, it seems that at least one of those shades has a mocha mousse vibe to it. Making a note to add swatches to the Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 - Mocha Mousse thread. 

• Setting it all together with Prada Beauty Reset Rebalancing Refillable Setting Powder  - the green color from the powder does show up on my complexion but the color does a lovely job of blurring and reducing the appearance of redness, both of which I'm all for! 

• In addition to using the MAC palette for my eyes, I'll also give the new-to-me Em Cosmetics Illustrative (Liquid) Eyeliner and the Clio Kill Lash Superproof Mascara Long Curling. I've ventured off of my 'no more than 2' liquid eyeliners in the rotation sometime last year so what's another one?! I would ordinarily try not to have too many open, but I'm working on a battle of the liquid eyeliners so I'll have more open and in use than I otherwise would. I'll (hopefully) be able to narrow down the liquid eyeliner(s) that are standouts for me and get in more practice with liquid liners. 🤞 

• Going with some shade of red for my lips this week, both from Charlotte Tilbury and both part of her limited edition Lunar New Year Collection. Charlotte Tilbury Blossom Red, an orange-based red, was part of the 2023 collection (and one of the very, very few orange-tones and orange-red lipsticks I reach for) andCharlotte Tilbury Lunar New Year Kiss of Mystery Satin Shine K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick Kiss of Mystery which isn't a true red but is red-adjacent and from this year's Lunar New Year - Year of the Snake collection. 

The "Fits": 

It all fits - just barely though - in this pouch, which looks a lot roomier than it actually is. Another opportunity to practice my Tetris skills. 😉 

I can get all of this week's beauties in the bag but it took a few tries to zip it all up. Also, I ended up swapping out the Mizon eyeliner for the new-to-me Em Cosmetics liner. 

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

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

Spoiler

I enjoyed last week's capsule a lot.  When it comes to putting that capsule together, I start off with the palette(s) if I need / want a more full face look (all or most of the bells and whistles). Ultimately, I was able to do a look I really lied with just the two palettes, along with the mascara and brow gel. Using one of the complexion or contour shades from the Make Up Forever palette and the foundation powder shade from the Dior Fall/Winter Ready-To-Wear Palette worked like a charm to prime and set my eyeshadow. I'm someone who typcially needs primer for most eyeshadows (exceptions being the Bobbi Brown and Thrive Causemetics eyeshadow sticks) but this combo did the trick - yes!! Also, the foundation powder from the Dior palette? 😘😘😘 

February themes will be up shortly. 

[kariyava]

I just love Charlotte Tilbury's new Lunar New Year Kiss of Mystery lipstick!  

[itsfi]

@kariyava, it's a really pretty color and the formula is great - I love how easily it glides across my lips and it wears comfortably throughout the day. I went back and forth over whether to get it and did without seeing it in person and it has turned out to be a great buy! 💄

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi It sounds like you are going to get some great use out of some of your tried and true products and some more fun goodies! How do you like the formula of the MA C quad? 

I love that you discovered that the MUFE and Dior palettes work well together. Do you find that the MUFE creams need to be set? I haven't opened mine yet but I am thinking of taking it with me for travel.