Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Hey there, BIC! It's year 2 of the capsule makeup challenge. 

What is this challenge about?

It's a mix of curating a group of products that are "must haves" for you and your lifestyle and shopping your stash by putting your beauties to use and seeing what, if anything, you need to declutter from your stash and/or to fill out your collection. 

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 exactlay. 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. For example, last year for "green" week, there were a host of possibilities for what it means for a product to be "green" - capsules that included one or more products that were (a) green in color; (b) "clean"; (c) contained in green packaging or that (d) cost a lot of "green" 💸💸💸 fit the bill. 😉 For more examples, you might want to check out last year's thread - Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024 to see what beauty products others in the Community have used and posted about. 

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 12 (March 17 - 23) - The "Spring Is In The Air" Makeup Capsule  

Spring has officially arrived (or will on March 20) and it's time to pull out those makeup products that give you those springtime feels. Maybe that means a pop of pastel to your eyes, or cheeks, or lips. Or, maybe your spring look is one you wear year round. Whatever the case may be, let's put together a capsule with one or more makeup products that makes you think of spring.

OPTIONAL (month-long theme): We're having another month-wide theme in March in celebration of Women's History Month. For this month, in addition to the weekly themes, consider incorporating into your weekly capsules, one or more beauty products from a woman-founded / owned beauty brand. 

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 3.16.2025]

Spoiler

🎬  Week 13 (March 24 - March 30) - The "Take 2" / Do Over" Makeup Capsule 

Was/Is there a previous capsule theme from this year's challenge that you'd like to give a second take, that you'd like to have a do over, be it because you loved the theme, or you have another way you want to approach the capsule, or you were unable to do a capsule the original week it was in the spotlight and you'd like another chance at it? Whatever the reason, here's your opportunity to create (or re-create) a capsule with one of this year's previous themes. Don't remember the capsule themes we've done to date? Check out the spoiler section for "Previous Makeup Capsule Themes" below. 

⏩  April Capsule Themes will be posted at or before the end of Week 12.

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 3.16.2025]

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
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
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

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.

[PrettyPaint]

@ather Thank you so much.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Gorgeous capsule! Fenty beauty definatley makes great glosses I have to get around to trying some of her other products! Ah those palletes are so lovely! The variation of shades and colors and how she labels them with names is so neat! I love how you honor these products in your capsule they are all lovely! @PrettyPaint  ❤️

[PrettyPaint]

@peculiarzmakeup Thank you so much! I really love the DM palettes - they are just a joy to use. 🙂

[peculiarzmakeup]

Yes! So much variety and different looks that can be created it’s really so neat ❤️ @PrettyPaint 

[itsfi]

Oh wow, what an amazing capsule @PrettyPaint! 😍 Danessa Myricks palette are so breathtakingly beautiful. I primarily play in the browns/nudes/neutrals sandbox but her eyeshadow shades are gorgeously vibrant and the sparkle are marvelous - in the pan and on the lids. I'm happy to hear your thoughts on the Fenty blush and the Pat McGrath eye powder. I've had my eyes on them for a while but haven't purchased, in part because I'm still working through some similar products and also I wanted to hear more feedback on them. Do you find the blush to be waterproof? Or water-resistant, longwearing?

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi The Fenty blush is longwearing. I wouldn't say I tend to have trouble with blush fading throughout the day in general, but this one definitely is still visible when I remove my makeup at the end of the day. 

I wasn't sure how to answer your question about whether it's waterproof, so I gave it a try. I tried it on my arm, though, to avoid messing up the rest of my makeup. 🙂 I applied a pretty large amount with a brush, and then I put my arm under water for 20 seconds. It definitely looks like not too much came off, so I'd say it's quite water resistant! 

before waterafter water

[itsfi]

Ahhhhh!!! Thiiiis is incredible @PrettyPaint. Thank you so much for doing this and posting - above and beyond!! Appreciate it a lot! Now, the hard part - which shade to pick up; I do wish the stores carried the entire shade range. This color looks so pretty on you. 😍

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi Thank you so much! I think they would be good to see in person if possible; I didn't realize the full shade range isn't carried in stores. From the online photos, I think some of the shades would probably be too pigmented for me. 

[danielledanielle]

Week 6: Uoma Beauty All in

No longer black owned 🥲, but forever founded (Sharon 🙌🏽), decided to break open some of my unused items alongside the tried and true.  No time like the present.

The only thing I couldn't find was one of the other Sharon C products, which was the sister line at Walmart, and I must've used the blue mascara from the "Salute to the Sun" release as well as the afro.disiac liner

I also might have a lip from the Coming2America one.... But this is more than enough.

Uoma doesn't have a setting spray or an eye primer, so the concealer and setting powder are acting as eye primer and my TirTir/Skindinavia combo is still in effect

Since nothing's sold here, let me know if there's something you're curious about, because I'm not about listing all the names 🤣😭

The Fit

 

Also included fragrance

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Eau de Parfum 

World of Chris Collins African Rooibos Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.3 oz / 7.5 ml eau de parfum spra... 

Older travel versions of World of Chris Collins Long Kiss Goodnight Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.3 oz/ 7.5 mL and World of Chris Collins Harlem Nights Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.34 oz / 10 ml 

Mini of Long Kiss Goodnight and Lost in Paradise

BROWN GIRL Jane Carnivale Eau de Parfum Travel Spray .34 oz / 10ml eau de parfum spray 

[PrettyPaint]

@danielledanielle I love the shades in the Freedom palette. I did a search, and it looks like it's sold out at most places unfortunately! 

[danielledanielle]

@PrettyPaint, oof. I  tried finding it too 

It was a special release, part of the "Pull up for Change" movement, which I think the founder is still a part of, but I don't know if the brand is aligned with it anymore.  The Elaine lipstick is a part of it too, which I couldn't find again and I broke a tube 🥲

[PrettyPaint]

@danielledanielle Awww....that's too bad that it's no longer available. Sorry that your lipstick broke! 😢

[danielledanielle]

Awww, thank you.  The Uoma bullets are prone to this, so I did buy two thankfully.  If this one breaks, I'm smooshing it back together 🤣 @PrettyPaint 

[CynthieLu]

Gorgeous capsule! @danielledanielle Could you tell us more about the pallete's and the quads? 😍 

[danielledanielle]

@CynthieLu 

The Quads from her sister line, which I think is defunct now, Uoma by Sharon C.  They pack a punch and are nearly true to color for me, which is saying a lot.  With something like a yellow and a green, it's usually going to be an issue.  A lot of greens look dirty on me depending on what is in the base, and a lot of yellows -- don't show up at all.  I use eye primer regardless, so I am pretty nit-picky on those colors in particular.  If I see a yellow or green (or dark purple) in something, I expect it to show on me muted and usually use a white base to make them pop. I don't have to do that here, sometimes I opt too, but it is nice to not have to.  They are powdery, but they blend well.  I also used the orange and red this week as blushes, and the orange one works out nicely, doesn't last all day, but subs in.  I wouldn't use the red as a blush again, lol, kinda patchy.

The palettes are the Allure palette and the Freedom palette.  The Freedom (black and white casing)  palette is one of my favorite palettes, it has 3 duo chromes, and each shade is named after an important Black figure.  Kind of like how all the Bad@$$ lipsticks are named after someone.  So it hits that nice space where it performs well, and has a pop culture or personal aesthetic to it.  The shimmers do have fallout, so that's my main complaint.  The Allure (multi colored casing) palette is my wearable version of Natasha Denona's Yucca (which I ended up getting later, but whatevs) or skin to ABH's subculture.  I has a grungy, emo feel to it.  The mattes are super powdery like the quads, and while I don't mind the tetxture, I do know a complaint is that the shimmers are chunky.  They work well together and separately.  They have 10 pans each.

[CynthieLu]

That was a good read @danielledanielle thank you for taking the time to go in depth on those. 🙏  I think I've seen one of these before at Shoppers Drug Mart ( Allure palette I think) and I need to go back and investigate what they carry from Uoma. I want to see Freedom in person if I can, I mean it's your favorite, I want to see it irl now. 😃

[Mellmars1185]

@danielledanielle Great capsule. I don't think I have tried anything from Uoma. I am curious about the Chris Collins perfume. After everything, I have not tried any of his scents. 

[danielledanielle]

@Mellmars1185I get what you mean, but any fragrance is genderless, but the scents are usually more herbaceous or bodied vs something that's floral, sweet out light, although I feel like Lost in Paradise and Long Kiss Goodnight have a sweetness to them Chris Collins is comparable to Kilian's On the Rocks IMO vs something more gourmand or candied.  Or think Tom Ford Fabulous or Oud vs their Vanilla ones.

At Sephoria, I was advised to not layer them, but I really like Harlem Nights with the Fenty Fragrance.  I do not like the Fenty but itself, it has this patchouli note I hate, but something like Harlem Nights (my guess is the Rum) just knocks out the Fenty patchouli-ness enough

[Mellmars1185]

@danielledanielle Very true. Thank you for the clarification. I am going back to edit that post. 

[danielledanielle]

@Mellmars1185, you didn't need to. TBH, that is always a question that's going to be asked about scents/fragrance at some point.  His line is interesting, because I think most people would automatically categorize all the accents as "masculine" but I've worn four of them and was never told I smelled a certain way.  The question just leads me to think there's just an expectation of what people think one should pick, that's all and I don't want people to avoid a really good line because they thought it was "too ______" something.  I didn't intend for you to edit, just wanted to highlight CC's versatility.

[Mellmars1185]

@danielledanielle Thank you. It gives me a new perspective. I think maybe in the past, scents were marketed a certain way, so I think I subconsciously categorized scents that way. I am open to trying all scents. And you are right, I had assumed that Chris Collins scents were masculine (whatever that means). Now, I am very curious to smell the fragrances 😊.