Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Hello 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 as a theme suits your style or piques your interests. We love seeing and being inspired by what beauties everyone is using. 💋

Here we are, last month of 2025, and we have a couple more capsules to squeeze in before the year is over. We've been doing weekly capsules but for this last month, we're going to switch to 2-week periods. That said, if you like the weekly format, there are options this month that you can choose to do, to keep up with a rotating weekly capsule.

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 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 11.30.2025]

Switching things up a bit with the cadence for our capsules as we head towards closing out 2025 with the makeup capsule challenge. For the last month of the year, we are going to go with 2-week capsule periods.

😍  Weeks 49 - 50 (December 1 - 14) - The "Out With the Old, In With the New" Makeup Capsule
Curate a capsule with one or more makeup product(s) that shines a spotlight on any or all of the following. Or, if you prefer a weekly capsule, you can pick two different themes from the ones listed below (or mix-and-match) for the first two weeks of December.
 
*  oldies but goodies in your collection: those beauties that (a) are tried and true, ride or die, HG; (b) have been neglected in your stash longer than they should (maybe they need to be tossed - this could be your way of determining whether it's time to let them go / declutter them); or (c) have been discontinued (but maybe should be brought back)

*  new or new-to-you goodies you picked up recently: here's another opportunity to use those beauties you purchased.

*  old, as in soon-to-be outgoing: This can be a capsule inspired by mocha mousse, the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year or a trend from earlier this year, whether in beauty or fashion, or otherwise.

*  new, as in incoming: inspired by ??? Cloud Dancer, the 2026 Pantone Color of the Year (which is typically announced during the first week of December). This theme will be updated once that announcement has been made. Cloud Dancer is described by Marie Claire as "a perfect shade match to a stark white cloud in the sky."

BONUS: One way you might go about assembling your capsule for weeks 49 & 50 is to go through your makeup stash. With it being so close to the end of the year, this might be a chance to do take stock of what you have and use this challenge as a way to decide whether something should stay or go. Feel free to share some or all of your beauties to the 2024 - Twelve Months of Beauty Inventory thread. If you decide to let go of some items, consider posting to the Show Me Your Declutters! or Empties - V2 threads, or both.

As you go through your stash, you might also consider what, if any, products you might want to make part of a panning project or shop/use your stash challenge next year. If you're new to panning, check out Pan It! - 2025 Challenge to get some ideas while we wait for the new year (and the new 2026 pan it! challenge thread) to arrive. I'll post the winter edition of the Shop / Use my stash around mid-to-late December.

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 11.30.2025]

Spoiler

☃️  Weeks 51 - 52 (December 15 - 31) - The "Holiday Glitz & Glam" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Best of 2025" Makeup Capsule

Put together a capsule consisting of one or more makeup product(s) that aligns with one or the other (or both) of the themes.

*  🌟  Holiday Glitz & Glam: Shine a spotlight on one or more of the beauties you love to use to get glammed up for the holidays.

*  🏆  The Best of 2025: Curate a capsule with one or more makeup product(s) that made (or would make) your "best of" list for 2025. Alternatively, assemble a capsule that includes your favorite (or mix of favorite) theme(s) from this year makeup capsule challenge.

[NOTE: I will provide a sneak preview of a couple early 2026 makeup capsule themes during the week of December 22. 😲]

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 11.30.2025]

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
41 - The Beauty Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness Makeup Capsule and/or The Makeup Artist at Sephora Makeup Capsule
42 - The Indigenous People's Day Makeup Capsule, The Canadian Thanksgiving Makeup Capsule, and/or The Samples 2.0 Makeup Capsule
43  - The Global Makeup Capsule
44 - The "Baubles, Palettes & Sticks" Makeup Capsule

November 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>
45 -  The "Sweater Weather" Makeup Capsule
46 - The "Collabs & Crossovers" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Sleeping Beauties 2.0" Makeup Capsule 
47 - The "Take 2 / Do Over" Makeup Capsule 
48 - The "Thing(s) I'm Grateful For" Makeup Capsule

December 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes <Click on link ‌‌⬅️ for more detailed description of capsule themes>

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. If weekly works for you, great. If not, feel free to join in based on what works best for you. 

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]

Week 11 (March 10 - 16) - The Samples Makeup Capsule  and/or The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule

This is one of two capsules I will put to use during the week - samples and (mostly) women-founded/owned beauty brands. I considered doing a capsule consisting of sample size and full size Dior products, but ultimately came up with this set of beauties. I have several fo the Dior foundation packets and and am doing some testing to see which, if any, of these items I will take with me on a couple of excursions later in the year. Will be back later to tag products and give my thoughts on certain items. 

• DIOR Dior Forever Glow Veil Makeup Primer 1oz / 30ml - some sample packets contain the primer; others do not. The majority of mine do and I like the Dior primer; it pairs nicely with the foundation in this packet.
• DIOR Dior Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation is one of my fave foundations
• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica was in my top 5 concealers from last year and I'll use this to conceal some PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation aka dark spot after a pimple) and redness around my nose
• I'm going with Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Blurring Talc-Free Setting Powder Translucent to set. This'll be my first time using this setting powder. I have the Charlotte Tilbury Mini Airbrush Flawless Hydrating & Waterproof Setting Spray 1.1 oz/ 34 ml as a backup. Or maybe I'll use both?
• For eyes, I'm going with a couple of sticks - Victoria Beckham in Trench and Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick Golden Bronze. These two sticks are ones I can usually get away with not using a primer for my lids. We shall see if that holds true; if not, I'll use the concealer and setting powder to primer my lids.
• Through BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows, I've discovered that the Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml has been a good one for me to do a mini wing. I want to practice a wing a couple of times this week. 
• Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Waterproof Micropencil Eyeliner Bronzite 
• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA B Structural Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara Black Onyx is still in the testing phases. I ended up reaching for other brands more last week and want to give it a decent trial.
• Kosas Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel - I need to go back and see if this was included in @ather brow gel battle. I feel like she's used it before and liked it, along with other BIC members. Hoping these blister samples of the product haven't dried out. 🤞 
•  ISAMAYA 5 Point Lift Illuminator Fair - my sleep pattern hasn't been great lately so my undereye area could use some help.
• All my cheek products this week will be from the Dior sample packet, which contains DIOR Forever Glow Maximizer Longwear Liquid Highlighter 014 Rosy (blush / blushlight); DIOR Forever Glow Maximizer Longwear Liquid Highlighter 013 Gold (highlighter); and DIOR Forever Glow Maximizer Longwear Liquid Highlighter 016 Bronze (bronzer / bronzelight). I have full sizes of 014 Rosy and 016 Bronze and now they'll work well for me. We shall see how 013 gold performs.
• Giving about-face Lip Fix Lip Primer a try - their eyeshadow primer works very well so I have high hopes for this one, but it'll be tough to beat MAC Prep + Prime.
• Another Dior sample packet, this time for lips. I love the formula for these - DIOR Dior Addict Shine Lipstick; shades are Dior 8, 100 Nude Look, 525 Cherie andd 720 Icone. I have 100 Nude Look and 720 Icone in full sizes so I will probably stick with the other two shades. I say "probably" because both are red or red-adjacent and I'm not sure I'm up for a week full of red lips, but we shall see. I can do a stain with them if I want a more toned-down red lip. 💄
• Perfumes are a plenty, but the sample sized one is Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet.

[danielledanielle]

I love all the Dior satchets! They are really nice for traveling, too @itsfi ... Work them foils!

[itsfi]

Satchets!!! That's a better name for them @danielledanielle. I feel like the only Dior products that I don't (currently have samples of are liners/pencils - for brow, eye and lip. Oh and powder, but I had one at some point way back when. 🤣  I do appreciate the generous amount of products in these satchets. 

Foils. Project Pan. Palettes. Etc. You'd think with all these things I need to work on using or using up, I wouldn't be inclined to buy more things. 😂 

[ather]

@itsfi  Wow that capsule is amazing! I love that you incorporated foils too! Such a great idea! Those Dior products look awesome! Great job! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I need to put these makeup samples to use. It's funny that I picked up full sizes before the samples with these Dior products. It's the opposite of Love At First Sample. And, yet, it's more my MO - I get a full size, love/like it a lot and then go for foil or deluxe sample sizes. Hahaha! It's nice to have them for trips or to just keep in my purse, in a desk for those moments when I need some makeup but didn't pack anything. I mean, suuuure, those moments don't come up too often but I do like to be prepared. 😂

[blackkitty2014]

Week 10 (International Women Owned brand):This was a truly no brained week. We have so many power houses. 

it’s official that I need a nude is my favorite palette from ND. Chantecaille Holiday duos are super great. I recommend them if you can get them on discount. VBB eyeliners are simply the best. I like them more than Chanel eye liners . Picture here is only one but of course I use more than 1 color 😘 I totally forget about I owe many many CT pop blushes. Picture here are only 3 but I pretty much used 7 different colors. Sorry I put them away and don’t want to dig any more stuffs out. Unrelated story: I dug all my makeup out to find my lost Hermes LE highlighter and still couldn’t find it. I must accidentally throw it away. I feel so dumb. It’s expensive as heck and I only swatch or wear it once.

[itsfi]

Gorgeous, gorgeous capsule @blackkitty2014‌‌ ❣️ I'm spying some significant dents in a couple of the shadows in ND I Need A Nude 😍 I love Natasha Denona eyeshadows; they're so good. Oh my goodness, is that the Chantecaille Bronze Glow Tint? It looks like you've almost polished it all off, wow! 

Okay, my heart sank when I read that you thought you might have inadvertently thrown out your Hermes highligher. Oh noooooo!  😢 Maybe you just misplaced it? Put it somewhere other than where you normally do? Maybe in a purse? Or your suitcase? Or, in another drawer? 

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @itsfi . I’m looking the whole entire weekend for this but no luck. I even made my husband pulled all the drawers out to make sure it didn’t fall out due to overflow makeups. Now I can’t decide if I need to buy a replacement. Ugh

  

[danielledanielle]

I want to believe it's in a really weird place @blackkitty2014 .

I once found a pair of eyeglasses in my fridge, so you never know.

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @danielledanielle @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Ugh is right; I'm so sorry @blackkitty2014. Oh, that's a hard one - that highlighter is a beauty and it's one of the limited edition ones, too. I don't have it but have swatched it when I've had the opportunity.  

[danielledanielle]

Capsule Battle Week

It's palette on palette.  Went in with more options than necessary.  As usual.   Couldn't take a panorama, so it's three pics

 

A lot went unused.  Sunday me is always like, let's be really creative.  Tuesday me is usually over everything 🤣

The wins: Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Defining Neutrals - Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face & Lips for brows, the lashes and my Pmg X for Balette Royale.

And ...

The Vice Lipstick Palette was put into play!  Yeah it's old... The were 4 untouched shades.  The other version of this I also had, but it was way more used.  I think I was in every pan, and it's been tossed 🥲🫡

There was only one bag for this week.  A foldable makeup bag from Amazon that is overpriced, even on sale.  BUT, it was the Fit. So, maybe worth it.

 

[itsfi]

If you're going for options, GO for options!!! 😀 There was a lot of oooh'ing and awww'ing on this end @danielledanielle as I was going through the beauties you set aside for this week. How do you like the Juvia's Place blushers? I've only tried their eyeshadows and lip products. 

[danielledanielle]

@itsfiSame, I think this is the only juvia's blush palette I have (?), I like it for the range of shades.  It's fickle /patchy, but I've used the Yoshiki Red (Koyudo ) blush brush with minimal problems so there's something to need stuff about how it's pressed vs the formula.  I just remember being disappointed when I first got it, so I haven't tried the blush duos and now I have too much blush, so 🤷🏽‍♀️

Saharan II... It's not this red, contrast is crazy in this pic

 

[itsfi]

Week 10 - (March 3 - 9) - The "International Women Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule and/or The Palette(s) Makeup Capsule 

Both themes in one capsule - a couple of palettes and all women-founded/owned brands, They all fit in one bag, along with this week's brushes - Danessa Myricks and Danessa Myricks x My Kit Co - I know there are some DM brush fans here (@CynthieLu @peculiarzmakeup) - the collab has some nice brushes. 

• MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Face Essentials Long-Lasting Full Face Cream Palette 
• PAT McGRATH LABS Mini Eye Shadow Palette: Midnight Voyage - this may be swapped out later in the week for another eyeshadow palette, depending on what direction I go with an avant-garde eye look for the last week of the BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows 
• Bossy Cosmetics, a new-to-me, women-owned, Bob brand - lipstick in Focused; lip gloss in Empowered 
• Not pictured: Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade (another woman-founded beauty brand), SEPHORA COLLECTION 12HR Translucent Setting Powder (I am slowly making my way through this jar; aiming to use it up before summer), and several mascaras (many, maybe even most, from women-founded/owned brands) which I'll be putting to the test this week and probably next as well. 👁

Pat McGrath Midnight Voyage Palette (Mini)

[danielledanielle]

These were very smart choices @itsfi , kudos for using a 6 pan, too

[itsfi]

@danielledanielle, it took me a while (read: days) to pare down products and finally arrive at this capsule - not having space to fit everything on my little table helped a lot. 🤣 I'm interested in seeing how the MUFE holds up in warmer weather (I'm thinking I'll be relying on a mattifying setting spray). So far, the MUFE has a place on the Travel Squad and I'm auditioning eyeshadow palettes, though I've a feeling there may be 2 of those that I take on the road. Or, I may just opt for a few eyeshadow sticks. 🤔 

[CynthieLu]

You've covered both sides of this theme very well @itsfi.👌 The palette's are both impressive! PMG's is mini but mighty, and the full face palette from MUFE has a lot of your face covered with it's range. 

Guilty 😊 I do like DM's brushes and supporting her brand when I can. I have 2 of her independently released brushes ( it would have been 3 but it only was released here once with a small inventory imo) and I like them. I feel like I'd love her collab with MKC but I've never splurged. Yet. 🙃

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, I feel like this week's themes lend themselves to a lot of options. These worked out well.

[ather]

 I had planned to take out more than one capsule but time was not my friend! 

But here is my first capsule. This theme I have been looking forward to! I don’t always have enough items for all capsules but this one seems to be a winner for me. And how fitting!! I am excited to see what this week brings!

[CynthieLu]

Lovely mix of products for your capsule and right on, so many women founded brands!! @ather 🩷 I'm looking right at the Ami Cole, that looks really pretty and like a hazelnutty shade?

You know I feel the same, I don't have enough products to do my entire capsule with the themes but I usually can find a few. 👌