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 12.14.2025]

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 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. 😲]

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.14.2025]

Spoiler

A sneak preview of a couple early 2026 makeup capsule themes during the week of December 22.

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 12.14.2025]

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>
49 & 50 - The "Out With the Old, In With the New" 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. 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]

Ahhh, the Fenty lip oil 'n gloss @danielledanielle, I love that formula 💗.  Ooouh, by Rosie Jane Dulce, I hope you find it - such a marvelous scent, on its own and layered. A huge "YES!!" to the OG NARS lip sticks!! Those two pretties will look smashing on you.

[itsfi]

Here we are, capsule themes for August 2025

💄 Week 31 (July 28 - August 3) - The (Lip)Sticks (aka Lips + Sticks) Makeup Capsule (Note: This is a carry over from a theme that started at the end of July)
July 29 is National Lipstick Day, a favorite holiday among the beauties in this community. To celebrate, curate a capsule with one or more stick products and one or more lipsticks. It doesn't have to be a newly purchased lipstick; it could be one of your favorites or a shade you come across while shopping your stash.

🎾🏀🏐🚲⛸  Week 32 (August 4 - 10) - The Athlete Founded / Owned / Endorsed / Influenced Beauty Brand(s) Makeup Capsule  

We're seeing more and more beauty brands investing in women's sports, be it with more advertisement by beauty brands at sporting events (mens and womens), and female athletes starting their own beauty brands, serving as spokespersons for beauty brands, or endorsing (officially or unofficially) beauty brands and products, inspiring and influencing beauty lovers of all ages to seek out those brands/products. Even renowned beauty retailers 😉😉 are investing in women sports teams - ahem, Sephora and the Golden State Valkyries. 

To celebrate these partnerships, let's use this week to put together a capsule of one or more product(s) from brands founded, owned or endorsed (officially or unofficially) by a female athlete. It could be something from Serena Williams'  brand Wyn Beauty collection, a skin tint or eyeshadow from Maria Sharapova's Supergoop, sunscreen from EleVen by Venus Williams, that Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder Simone Biles was seen using to touch up her makeup at the Paris Olympics, or Suni Lee's favorite makeup combinations from OleHenriksen, MUFE and/or Makeup by Mario. There are so many possibilities

🛍  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. 

💝  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. Bonus challenge - use only palettes (or just one palette) for this week's capsule. 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Great themes! Thank you for sharing! I would love to get back into this fun challenge.

[itsfi]

Jump on in anytime @Mellmars1185. 😊 We'd love to see you on here! 

[itsfi]

Week 30 - The Pop of Color: Summer Edit Makeup Capsule

Two capsules this week - I'll rotate between a bronzier face and a pop of pink. A couple of beauties will fit into both looks. Products marked with an asterisk (*) are ones being used in this capsule challenge for the first time (though I may have worn them before this week).

Look 1 - Pop of Color: Summer Bronze

Complexion:

• Underpainting with Armani Luminous Silk Liquid Bronzer (shade 100) for a little warmth and glow
• Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation made its way onto the favorites / HG list from last year's capsule challenge. It's still a fave - I love that it is self-setting and long-wearing.
• Another favorite / HG from last year is HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica - it works just as well for concealing a blemish (or post-pimple hyperpigmentation) as it does for brightening the under eyes
• Setting it all in place with PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray 3.38 fl oz/100 mL, my current favorite for a dewy finish 

Eyes: 

• Danessa Myricks ColorFix Stix (Duo 6 - Celeste / Nova)* (I'll be able to tag this beauty one day... 🤞) - it's a gorgeous duo; the Celeste shade makes for marvelous one-and-done color for my lids. Fret not, Nova has a place in this capsule as well (see "Cheeks").
• To line the eyes, it'll be CLIO Waterproof Pen Liquid Eye Liner* for the upper lash line and Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) for the lower waterline. The Makeup by Mario was one of the most oft used during last year's challenge and it continues to be a strong, well loved product. I haven't found a suitable backup / replacement.
• Brows will be either Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade or L'oreal Faux Brow Hair-Like Brow Filling Pen (Dark Brunette)
• I'll curl my lashes with the Tower 28 Eyelash Curler (not pictured) and coat them with DIOR Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof Mascara Black 

Cheeks:

• The Nova shade from Danessa Myricks ColorFix Stix Duo 6 will be my highlighter for this capsule - it applies and shows up a lot softer and more subtle than swatched (or than how it shows up on the lids)
• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Clov... is my current go-to when I want that sunburned / sunkissed effect - a great blonzer for the summer

Lips:

• Prepping lips with Typology Lip Peeling Gel - this really does make a difference in how a lip product applies and wears on my lips. I can see more lines, less smoothness when I don't use this as part of my lip prep routine. 
• Never thought I'd like a lip stain. The I tried Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain (Soft Nude)*. I will use this to line and fill my lips for the most part.
• Occasionally, I may top the lip stain with either Facile Lip Jelly Hydrating Glossy Peptide Treatment* in Clove or Cognac. Or, I may wear them on their own. Or lined with Rhode Contour Lip Pencil (Balance) (coming fall).

"Fits": This week's "fits" is one of my favorite makeup bags, from the Drunk Elephant booth at Sephoria 2024 (Atlanta, Georgia).

Look 2 - Pop of Color - Hot Pink 

Complexion:

• The mix of Eminence Organic Skin Care Tinted Moisturizer (Vanilla Latte)* (discontinued), Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Serum Sun Glow* and L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion 902* does justice to my ever so slight, soft-olive-leaning tan, all while adding a lovely radiance to my complexion. Shout out to @caitbird for using the L'Oreal Lumi Glotion a couple months ago and sharing how well it mixes with her foundation. I'll continue to use this and a lighter shade of it throughout the year.
•  Haus concealer because it's the Haus concealer. 😍
• Setting with SEPHORA COLLECTION Microsmooth Multi-Tasking Baked Face Powder Foundation 🐐 and/or L'Oreal Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist

Eyes:

• Love how the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Long-Wearing Cream Eyeshadow (Mauve) (not tagging for some reason) self sets. This shade has a good mix of clay pink and taupe to give my lids a pop of color to make my eyes look more alert and awake.
• Lining the upper lashes with the Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml and the lower waterline with the discontinued Makeup by Mario Light I.
• Brows and mascara are the same combo as the bronzy look capsule - Glossier Boy Brow and Dior Iconic Overcurl Diorshow Waterproof

Cheeks:

• Ami Col&#233; Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick Hibiscus and MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer® were the popular pair for last year's capsule challenges and they're making another appearance this week - Hibiscus wears beautifully on its own but the blend of these two also make for a really nice sunburned blonzer look. 💗

Lips:

• Preppring again with Typology Peeling Gel
• Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Lip Cheat Contour Duo Lip Liner Tan makes for a nice base to apply Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Lip Jelly Hydrating Non-Sticky Lip Oil XOXO (gratis) over. Tower 28 XOXO wears beautifully on its owne for a pop of summer color.

The "Fits": Another favorite "fits" - a gift from a sales associate I've worked with for years. Summer feels, from the design and color to the terrycloth material.

Recap - Week 29: 

Samples week was a good one for me; well, good in that I liked pretty much every sample packet I used. The not so good part is that I liked pretty much every sample packet I used. 💸😅 I have plenty of full size YSL beauties, some I need to reach for more often, so I won't be picking up anything new anytime soon - my wallet breathes a sigh of relief. 😉 

• Revisit: L'Oreal Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist will see another week. I'm not so sure about it - I really like the satiny/natural finish but while the mist itself is fine, it is distributted in a slightly more aggressive manner than I care for, and it has a very noticeable and distinct (not in a good way either) scent. I'll incorporate it again with one of the capsules this week and decide whether it will stay or go.

• Repurpose: If I were judging it on its own as a lip liner or to fill in my lips, the Rom&Nd Romnd Lip Glow Pencil, 05 Taupey Shade would be out of my collection - I'll spare everyone my melodramtic description of the color on my lips and just say that it does not complement my complexion / natural lip color. That said, it does work very well as a way to very faintly overlining the lips contour or to carve out my lip shape after applying lip color - blending the color is much easier and less patchy on me than using a nude or beige color liner. It also has made for a nice, subtle nose contour. This stays and will be repurposed.

• Return (to stash): LAWLESS Forget The Filler Definer Lip Liner  #L and the L'oreal Faux Brow Hair-Like Brow Filling Pen will circle back into my stash. I may, at some point, before the end of summer (which here is early-to-mid October) pick up a different, slightly lighter, shade of the brow pen. The Lawless will be part of a throwdown with other similarly shaded liners.

• Rehome: tarte maracuja juicy lip plumping oil with hyaluronic acid cinnamon  will be either gifted or donated.

• Release: I may change my mind at rehome the SEPHORA COLLECTION Beauty Amplifier Clear Universal Waterproof Lip Liner 0.04 oz/ 1.2 g  as well but right now, I'm thinking about just tossing it. It just didn't work for me. 

[Sunnysmom]

Lots of good info and products here @itsfi , thank you. I’m interested in the Typology Lip Peeling Gel. I’ve not noticed that before. Sounds like you really like it. 😊

[danielledanielle]

Week 29: Summer Camp with a Sample 

I'm on a contouring kick, so I'm in the Mocha Mousse/Neutral phase that usually kicks in Aug/Sep 😂🤷🏽‍♀️. For Summer Cheek Challenge 2025: A Song & A Slay , I wanted a bonfire kind of look, so as smoky neutral and copper/terracotta made sense

Also, I lied to myself about tossing some things, working on whittling them when and maybe then toss.  For some reason I can't kick Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Melting Bronzing & Sculpting Stick Chocolate Caramel .. it's so orange on me, but works as a blush? That, or I'm fooling myself.  I think Iconic London Sheer Bronze Liquid Bronzer might go because I'm too tanned for it at this point 🤔🤞🏽🤞🏽

Skin is being fickle , yay hormones, so not too many samples, but I might give the supergoop and Danessa a go this week.

The Fit:

Almost! Wanted to use these Wicked bags for the longest and give Big Orange a rest. 

[itsfi]

@danielledanielle, it's not easy letting go of things, even if we have many things. Sounds like you may be able to repurpose the Too Faced? Do you think it may be leaning orange because you have a tan from your vacay/staycay? 

I'm biased but I think neutrals/mocha mousse color families are year-round friendly. 😉

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi , nope not my tan, it's just straight orange

[itsfi]

Week 29 - The Sizzling Summer Samples Makeup Capsule  

I've been looking forward to this week's capsule for some time. It's a great way for me to work through some samples - foils, deluxe, travel-size, etc. and more often than not, I find a beauty that really works for me. Excited to see if that will be the case with this week's beauties. My wallet is not so excited as I'm going with a (mostly) Yves Saint Laurent theme with my samples capsule. 

Complexion:

- Primer: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer Blur Primer Gold is a popular primer and one I enjoy (though I prefer the discontinued silver version). It blurs imperfections and gives a boost of radiance to the complexion. I have gone through a full size over the year, and love when YSL includes these deluxe size samples as a gwp (or its available with a promo code). 

- Foundation/Concealer: I'll treat these two types of products and, namely, the Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Foundation and Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Creaseless Precise Angles Concealer interchangeably this week, for the most part. Historically, I've had a challenge finding a good match with YSL foundations (the undertones) but we'll see. The cult classic Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All Over Concealer I'll use for the inner corner of my eyes and outer corners of the nose. I'm actually surprised how well the blister packets have held up as I've been using this off and on for a bit. 

- Setting Powder: Yves Saint Laurent YSL All Hours Hyper Blur Loose Setting Powder - I have it in the shade 04 and the Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Hyper Finish 24H Multi-Use Natural Matte Powder 1 

- Setting Spray: Deviating (ever so slightly) from the YSL with the L'Oreal Setting Spray - YSL Beauty is part of L'Oreal's luxury division; hence, the slight deviation from YSL. I'm on the fence with this one but am going to give it another week. More detailed thoughts on the spray are in the recap below of last week's capsule products. 

Eyes: 

- Primer: Most days this week, it'll be a combination of the concealer and setting powder for my eye primer. 

- Eyeshadow: Going with the beautiful Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette 100 Stora Dolls #, a Pan It! - 2025 Challenge product and one of my favorite eyeshadow palettes. The colorway is gorgeous and this quad performs quite beautifully - for everyday looks as well as for nights out.

- Eye Liner: I don't have a YSL eyeliner sample.Or even a full size YSL eyeliner for that matter. Hmmm... All good. For the most part, I'll use one of the shadows from the Stora Dolls quad on the days I feel like eyeliner when I'm not otherwise testing (or feeling like testing) the MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Pigment Pro™ Eyeliner Pencil The Perfect Brown.

- Eye Brows: L'Oreal Paris Faux Brow Waterproof Eyebrow Color Pen with Hair-like Tip, another instance of keeping it in the family. I was color matched to Dark Brunette at Ulta Beauty World this past spring. I'm really familiar with the ease of tinted brow gels so it takes me a little more effort to get used to this one, but I really like it. This shade can still work on my hair, even as it's gotten lighter, but I may check out the next lighter shade, Brunette, at some point this summer. 

- Mascara: It's gotta be Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara Noir, a fave among many of the BIC beauties. The deluxe sample size was a well sought after product at the previous two Sephorias and I'm happy to see that the brand has put out a mini version. I have this in blue (which was one the star products from Sephoria 2023 in New York) and the waterproof version which may come out if needed.

Cheeks:

- Blush: I was really giddy when I found this blister sample packet of the Yves Saint Laurent Make Me Blush 12H Blurring Liquid Blush.

- Bronzer: No sample size but I do have a full sizes of their loose and pressed powder bronzers.

- Highlighter: I didn't think I had a YSL highlighter (full or sample size) but the Yves Saint Laurant Nu Glow in Balm has a slight sheen to it that could work. This was part of the gwp's.

Most of my products this week will be sample size YSL products, with the exception of the Stora Dolls quad. Of the "extra"s that I may reach for, I'm going to try to limit it to just the setting spray and the YSL powder. 

Lips: 

I have a few sample packets and deluxe sample sized YSL lippies to play with this week. I'll primarily stick to one sample packet and probably the mini Yves Saint Laurent YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick 44 Nude Lavalliere - this one was a promo gwp but it's also available as part of the It's Giving Nude Lip Makeup Value Set - Sephora Favorites | Sephora

Okay, someone help me here - did YSL ever make lip liners? I feel like they had to? At least a red and a nude shade? Tagging @blackkitty2014  - YSL had lip liners back in the day, right?! 

I clearly do not have a YSL lip liner in my current collection. Ordinarily I would just forego liner for the week, but since lip liners are in my summer shop my stash challenge, I went through my stash (which has grown even more, ather) and pulled out a few lip liners to give a go this week.

- Lawless Forget the Filler Definer Liner (Pink Slip) 

- rom&nd Lip Mate Pencil (05 Taupey Shade) - don't even remember when this was purchased. Sigh.

- Sephora Prime Universal Lip Liner (discontinued?) - I do remember when this was available. This predated Sephora rebranding their color cosmetics line as Sephora Collection.  It was a long time ago. A loooong time ago. Le sigh. 

- tarte maracuja juicy lip liner Rosy Brown 

The "Fits":

I love this week's makeup bag, also from YSL Beaute - the shape, structure and the quilting. And, that it comes with a mirror. This was a step up gift from earlier in the year. The quilting design got me. It pairs beautifully with the quited cushion packaging on many of the recent YSL products. 

This will hold the samples and the full size products that will be primarily reached for this week. Yes, I may be even happier about putting this bag to use than using the YSL products, and I'm pretty excited for playing with all the products in this week's capsule. 

***

RECAP of last week's capsule:

Week 28's more minimalist (but fairly all encompassing) capsule worked well for me. I did occasionally pull out other products to use (or try for the first time) last week, but kept to my capsule for most of it. I'll be quick with this recap, focusing primarily on the new(er)-to-me item from the capsule.

Spoiler

- BASMA The Foundation Stick for Hydrating, Buildable Coverage and Natural Finish #: after the Dior foundation stick, this is currently my #2 fave foundation stick. I feel like that says a lot. Oh, and it being packaged in a briiiiight pink tube make it easy to find.

- Makeup by Mario liquid eyeshadow: I was not expecting to like this as much as I do. It's got some great staying power (8-10 hours) on my oily, hooded lids. Mauve, too, has ended up being such great color for my lids, far, far better than I could have imagined

- L'Oreal Eyebrow Liquid Pencil: I like it more and more as I've gottem more accustomed to using it to fill in my brows. Might see if a lighter shade will be an even better match for my now lighter hair.

- L'Oreal Setting Spray: I'm on the fence with this. On the fence leaning towards the "it's fine but not a fave" side" - having it in the same capsule as the One/Size didn't help so, for the time being, it'll be my only setting spray in this week's capsule.

- Lip Liners: The 5 liners from last week's capsule were all fine, some I really liked. I'm setting aside Fara Homidi Doux and Tom Ford Re-See for a later and larger throwdown of pink / light dusty rose lip liners - both were pulled for the shades. The new Tom Ford liners have one of the best staying powers among lip liners, but the Re-See shade seems to be pulling chalky on me which it didn't before, and I'm not sure if maybe it's because I have a little more color to my complexion at the moment. I have TF liners in other shades and don't have the chalky issue with them so we will see. 

All other products from last week's capsule, including the "fit" bag, fall in either the "loves" or "likes" category with maybe a couple inbetween them.

Let's see if I can use up any of these samples for the Foil Challenge thread.

[blackkitty2014]

@itsfi @I’m not sure about YSL lip liners. I imagine they would have them back in the day. I saw some on Macys website the other day but I’m not sure how long ago they was released 

[itsfi]

@blackkitty2014, back in the day sounds right. I feel like they had them at some point, but probably at a time before YSL hit my radar - I was big on Chanel for a time; still am, but I've since ummmm, diversified 🤣 my luxury beauty collection. 

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi , OOOooh I like the YSL theme this week.  Theme within a theme.  🥰 And the bag, of course!    I feel like some of the lux brands give really good samples that you can get multiple uses of.  I feel like ysl, Armani, Dior and Gucci do this well.

[itsfi]

Yes, a theme within a theme @danielledanielle, heehee! I don't know if it's good or bad that I can insert the "one brand or all the brand" theme into other themes within the capsule challenge, but I've told myself to try to do so if I think I can. Putting together the capsules is fun but the theme within a theme ups the fun quotient and the challenge. 😉

Oh I love when I can get multiple uses out of samples - it's so helpful when assessing how an item works for you. I've lucked out to have some generous sales associates I've worked with as well. The down side of getting some really good samples from the luxe or prestige brands can be that I end up really liking a product and then I find out how much it'll cost me to continue liking it. 🤣

[itsfi]

Week 28 - The Multi-Taskers / Repurposed Makeup Capsule and/or The "On The Go: Summer Edit" Makeup Capsule 

My capsule for most of the week will be a combo of the two themes, with a mix of tried-and-true treats and newer-to-me beauties. The MUFE again plays several roles for this week's capsule. I thought I would be able to get it in with 6 (or fewer) products but clearly, that did not happen. 😅 Here are my "on the go summer multi-taskers" ~

COMPLEXION:

Primer + Foundation:

I've been trying my hand at being a mixologist of sorts since coming back from vacation when it comes to my base, to try to get a good shade match. 

Mix on the back of my hand, a little dab of Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Serum Sun Glow and Victoria Beckham Beauty Priming Moisturizer - Golden for their warmer, deeper tones and moisture) and BASMA The Foundation Stick for Hydrating, Buildable Coverage and Natural Finish (the first time I'm showcasing it in a capsule but not the first time I've used it) - I purchased this earlier in the year as the shade I had is better suited for my winter to mid-to-late spring complexion. This shade is actually a pretty good match for me now - it's like past Fi knew what future Fi would need. Ha! 

 

I've been needing more moisture as my skin has understandably become a lot more dry since being back. To keep my skin moisturized and happy, I've been adding a drop or two of Good Molecule Squalane Oil to the foundation mix. It adds a nice slip to my base without altering the hue, which makes application a breeze. Oh, and did I mention how GLOWY it makes my complexion? This must be what they mean by glass skin. 

Setting Products: 

For powder, it'll be Prada Beauty Reset Rebalancing Refillable Setting Powder 

I've been spending part of the year battling out my primers and setting products, mainly my setting sprays. My lower T-zone (nose & chin) tend to lean oilier this time of year so it'll be a good opportunity to try out the ones geared towards oil control or with mattifying properties. This week, it's the ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Mini On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray  vs. L'Oreal Infallible Setting Mist - the latter claims 36-hour wear but I will not be putting that particular claim to the test this week (or possibly any week). 

CHEEKS:

The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Face Essentials Long-Lasting Full Face Cream Palette will be my "go to" for concealer, blush, highlight, bronzer and contour. This palette really is quite versatile and was a magnificent multi-tasker when I was on vacay, and now, as well. I'll swap this out a couple of days this week for a few other bronzers from my collection for the Summer Cheek Challenge 2025: A Song & A Slay.

EYES: 

My initial plan was to just take the Tower 28 Beauty Lash Curler to my lashes for my whole eye makeup look this week, buuuuut we had a last minute change of plans, courtesy of the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Longwearing Eyeshadow Stick (not sure why this won't pull up to tag) ariving earlier than expected and turning out better than I expected - I inadvertently added this shade to my cart instead of one of the brown shades from the collection. I didn't realize this until after I received confirmation that it was the mauve shade on its way here. I decided to see how it looked and the mauve shade is better than I could have even hoped. It's a keeper, color-wise and has been performing well over the long holiday weekend, but we'll see how it performs this week.

LIPS:

The lips are where I'll have the most options. In addition to a couple of the shades in the MUFE palette, my go-to combo's this week consist of these treats for a variety of nude and rosy / rosy-pink lips, with a focus on the lip liners as they are part of my Shop Your Stash Challenge: Summer 2025. 

 

• Rhode Peptide Lip Shape - Balance
• Rokael Beauty Lip Shaper - Marked
• Rokael Beauty Whipped Lip Oil - Ecstasy

• Rhode Beauty Lip Peptide Balm - Unscented to prep and prime lips
• Yves Saint Laurent YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick 44 Nude Lavalliere from the Sephora Favorites It's Giving Lip Value Set, a fantastic Sephora Favorites set btw 
• Givenchy Lip Liner 8 Parme Silhouette 
• TOM FORD Runway Matte Lip Liner Pencil for Sculpted Definition Re-See 
• Fara Homidi Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil Doux 

The Rhode and Rokael Beauty lip shapers have a creamy formula; the Givenchy, Tom Ford and Fara Homidi have a waxier one; they take after the traditional pencil liners.

The "Fits": 

This Valentino brush case is pretty spectacular. Makeup brushes & lip liners stay put in the elastic bands; and, this beauty is roomy, more so than it looks.  I pushed it a little a lot trying to include the L'Oreal and the ONE/Size setting sprays and for a minute there, it was like trying to zip up my luggage, but with a little Tetris-magic here, and some pinching and squeezing there, it all fit! 

Brushes are:

C'mon, just a little more to go. We can just squeeeeeze a little bit more ...

[danielledanielle]

👏🏽👏🏽 @itsfi , love a challenging fit!!  😂

How's the Fara Homidi, really? I wonder about that brand (and Sarah Cereal) with their price points.  Tea, ☕ plz

Yeah, why 36 hours?  Your skin needs to breathe, like anything past 16 hours makes me wonder, what kind of life do you think I'm living??

Here for the Basma.  Underrated. Props to past itsfi.  I'm going to get that olive shade I was matched with someday. 

[itsfi]

100% agree, BASMA is underrated; it really does fly under the radar. Even in the stores that actually carry it. The foundation stick has excellent coverage without feeling heavy or drying on the skin. I have the new lip gloss balm too but need to get that into my rotation at some point. 

Fara Homidi ... where to begin? At the beginning, I suppose. I picked up their lip compact in 2023 and foundation/concealer, before they launched at Sephora. I was enamored with how well the Westman Atelier Lip Suede Lipstick Palette was coming along during that year's pan it! challenge 🙌 and looked into other lip compacts. Which eventually lead me to their lip pencil when they launched it. As to the product itself, it's alrght - "good, but great" might be the best way I'd classify it - it's got that traditional waxier lip pencil aesthetic but it applies a little more like the newer generation, creamier lip contour pencils. If you're looking for something with longer staying power, this won't be the one; I'd go with something like Dior or Tom Ford. If you want something with a little less softness than the Merit or Rhode lip contour pencils, this could be it. That said, my lips lean more on the dry side and there's some tugging with the Fara Homidi if I'm using it to fill in my lips - used as a liner, not a problem; glides on smoothly and blends well with pads of fingers. 

 As to the brand, it's funny that you also mentioned Sarah Creal, as I feel like my thoughts on them, brand-wise, are similar. I've gone back and forth on a couple of Sarah Creal products but haven't yet pulled the trigger. Both have a similar look and feel to them - "clean", minimalist, mindful, steady in its curation (vs. mass market approach), and there's a certain audience with or going for a certain look it seems to gravitate towards. I feel like Sarah Creal, as a brand, has put more marketing of its brand/line out than Fara Homidi did when it launched, or even now. Both are in store in very limited markets and I imagine that is planned. That said, I think both would benefit from having their products, or at least, some of them, in more Sephora stores - though I also recognize that shelf space probably comes at a cost to them. The stores near me that carry one or both brands are an hour's drive in a couple of directions but I can see one of the stores in the city that these could do well in, and maybe they'll be there after that store has completed its redesign/renovations. 

bhahahaha, "what kind of life do you think I'm living??"  Yeaaaahhhh, I'm not their target audience; I need to wash my face at some point well before the 24-hour mark. 

[danielledanielle]

Week 28: The Gotta Go/Girl Go capsule 

It's a myriad of sixes, nearly avoiding a devil's triad🙃😂

I have six scents 

Six things that will be binned or used up

Six helpers

A Danessa Six

I was inspired/reminded by @itsfi skit the Danessa bag, but Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Defining Neutrals - Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face & Lips wouldn't fit by itself 😅

Big Orange is back

The Danessa Core: all week will have 1-6 of her items. Today I used 5/6

Colorfix Sticks in Duo 8

Groundwerk

Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Lift & Flex Hydrating Concealer With Hyaluronic Acid & Caffeine 10 

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed - Matte Color for Cheek & Lip Creme B... 

[itsfi]

Lots of oooh'ing and ahhh'ing over here with your capsule this week @danielledanielle ❣️ I like that your bag has a name - Big Orange sure looks like it can fit in a lot of beauties. 

Woah, it sure looks like you are making some fabulous progress on several of your goodies - I spy a whole lot of pan on that Danessa Myricks and it looks like you are getting near the end on that Fenty gloss and that sunblock powder. Look at you go!!

[itsfi]

Week 27 - The Indie Makeup Capsule (with some Canadian founded brands sprinkled throughout)

Okay, I didn't expect to have such a large capsule this week, but having gotten a bit of a tan, I'm kinda at a loss for what products will not only pair well together but complement my slightly darker skin tone. On top of that, my "tan" is less of the golden bronzey varietal and seems more olive-y and muted. Hoping something here will work; I've included some backups in case what I originally set aside for the theme doesn't actually work out. 

Product Details:

Spoiler

🌺  COMPLEXION:

Primer: I had a jar of this  touch in Sol Icy Sherbet Primer that I decluttered last year. Since that time, I found another jar in my stash 🙄, that was already open as well. 😐 The weather has been a bit unusual, cold, windy and chilly in the day and then it gets humid late afternoon and into the evening. I've tried this primer in the past in the fall/winter so it'll be interesting to see how it performs this time of year.

Foundation: My options are the ILIA Skin Rewind Blurring Foundation and Concealer Complexion Stick (a brand based (or originally based?) in Vancouver, BC) on its own, as well as sheered out to more a skin tint using the Rhode Glazing Milk, and the CLE CCC Cream, the latter being a favorite - coverage is glowy and more in the skin-tint-PLUS range. This reminds me of the OG Josie Maran tinted moisturzer from years past - it went on as a white cream but took on a beige-hue as you massage the product into the ski

Concealer: hoping I don't need to use concealer but if I do, the HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica # it will be - a favorite from last year' makeup capsule challenge and still going strong! 

Setting Products: Going with the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Mini Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 1.18 fl oz / 35 mL and the ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Mini Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder as my main setting products. Have the ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray and PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray 3.38 fl oz/100 mL on standby, if my main pairing doesn't hold up in this iffy weather here.

👁  EYES:

Primer: Going to use the Haus Labs concealer and the One / Size setting powder. Testing this combo out as a possible duo for next week's repurposed theme capsule.

Eyeshadow: Juvia's Place The Taupes Palette is one of my favorite products that I never get around to. 😔 Until this week and hopefully, I'll reach for it more often this latter half of the year. Swatches below.

Eye Brows: This is the older, original version of the MERIT Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade, before Merit revamped that product with different tints.

Eyeliner: Depending on how humid it actually gets, I'll rotate between Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml and the Jason Wu Beauty liquid liner, the latter being a nod to the Canadian brands theme.

Mascara: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves® Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara is one of the very few non-waterproof mascaras that I can wear. This one is probably near the end of its shelf life and will be decluttered by the end of July.

🏖  CHEEKS:

Bronzer: MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer® or for blonzer, HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Clov... 

Blushlight Combo: Will rotate between the pairing of Minori Beauty Cream Blush (Orchid) and Minori Beauty Cream Highlighter (Champagne), and the pairing of Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Virtue (gratis) and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight Mesmerize. The Minori Beauty brand has Canadian roots; if my memory is right, I believe the founders are Canadian. They also have a Bay Area connection as they're based in San Francisco. 

💄  LIPS: 

A few options but will start out prepping the lips with a little exfoliation, a la Typology Lip Peeling Gel. Lip choices for the week consist of:

• EADEM Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm EADEM Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm Boba Bounce - rich soft brown 
• Cheekbone Sustain Lipstick (Keyah), a Canadian and indigenous brand
• Rokael Beauty Redefinied Lip Shaper (Marked) and Rokael Beauty Whipped Lip Oil  (Ecstasy) - a lovely nude lip pairing. Thank you to @peculiarzmakeup 😊 for bringing this brand to our attention.
• Rhode Beauty Lip Contour (Spin) and MERIT Shade Slick Hydrating Tinted Lip Oil Taupe 

The Taupes by Juvia's Place (swatched top row, left to right; bottom row, left to right)

The "Fits": 

Everything but the backup setting sprays (ONE/Size and Pat McGrath Labs) fit into this pretty ALOHA Collection makeup bag. So, it doesn't technically fit everything in my capsule this week, but it does fit all the primary products. 

ALOHA Collection was founded by two roommates, one of whom is a Kauaʻi native. I didn't pick this up on vacation but did see other bags from the brand available at the spa. There were a couple other patterns at the store that I had been eyeing for a while, but I was good and didn't purchase them. Well, that, and space was already an issue with my luggage when I arrived so I needed to be very mindful of what I was bringing back. 😂

This makeup bag was part of a May 2023 gift box curated with a host of AAPI-owned products, to celebrate AAPI month, with "100% of profits from sales from this gift box will be donated" to a 501(c)(3) Bay Area based "organization that aims to end violence within and toward the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Island communities".

[danielledanielle]

That Danessa liner is a love for me, y'know, glad to see it in your capsule again @itsfi 

I also love the cause of that bag, I like beauty with a bit of a giveback.

You're olive now, eh?  Fenty Bronzers do well for that.   You'll find a fix!