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.

[danielledanielle]

I hated it first day, because I made the mistake of putting on as setting spray was drying, so it oxidized.  Didn't do that again.  It's giving blurring with the new Danessa spray.  This is a combo I'll continue, and hopefully be able to work in Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder -Universal Primer Universal Radiant at some point or a sample of the glow serum.

Right now, I'm over sharing 'cause I wanna get into this, my base prep is Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Mattifying Water Powder Serum with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid... in my laugh lines and forehead, maybe cheeks , then Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Hydra Vizor Mineral SPF 30 Refillable Moisturizer #Gucci Hydrating Silk Priming Serum 1 on the laugh lines/upper cheeks... Then, weird but it works Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix - Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment Nude 6 as spot concealer with #Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation​ with Hyaluronic Acid 425C .  Then lock it in with the new dream team.  This is courtesy of the Danessa "Always Be Famous" (title ?) and now I'm losing minutes every morning doing this 😂.  Love it, though

[itsfi]

Ahhhh, it (One/Size) + DM setting spray is giving blurring @danielledanielle? Woah. I felt like I got really good blur effect with just the Danessa Myricks spray so I'm sitting here going 😲😲😲 I find myself going to the the O/S finishing powder every time I'm in the store and I don't even have it on my list of things to check out (or more like check out again). 🤣 Hmmm... I do love the new DM setting spray so I may need to look into that pairing, but, yes, made note and underlined it thrice!!! Make sure the DM setting spray has fully set before applying the O/S finishing powder! Have you tried the DM setting spray with other finishing powders in your collection? 

[danielledanielle]

Not yet, this week I'm using just the one size.  I think I still have an hourglass one, if I do end up trying it, I'll get back to you @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@danielledanielle, thanks. That’s the combo I’m using at the moment - it’s helping me get some use out of the Hourglass Mini Ambient® Lighting Powder Dim Light for my Pan It! - 2025 Challenge 

[itsfi]

Week 37 - love seeing the tried-and-true faves @danielledanielle! I spy some of the "good stuff" being brought out too, just as you said with this being the year you put 'em all to use. What's the lipstick (?) next to the Makeup by Mario eyeshadow, on top of the NARS?

[itsfi]

Week 37 - The "Summer Favorites" Makeup Capsule  

There have been many loved makeup products this summer, but these are probably the ones I've relied on the most, for every day as well as special occasions/events. Two different (but similar) capsules this week.

No Muss, No Fuss, Quick & Easy, The Bare Minimum:

My makeup in the summer months is fairly simple and straightforward unless I have something going on that day that I want to look a little more made up or I'm trying out a particular product / look (usually the latter). 

🐐  Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation because on good skin days, I just need a teensy bit to cover the redness around nose and even tone on my cheeks, and on bad skin days, it's an easy, peasy base that I know won't further irritate my skin.

😘  HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica because it conceals everything I need it to conceal. 

💖  HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Clov... (not pictured) has been the find of the summer, and possibly the year depending on how often I reach for it this fall.

🐐  Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade  

🌻  Makeup by Mario Master Mattes® Long-Wearing Cream Eyeshadow - Mauve (too new-ish to tag)

😘  Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) for lower lashline - to make me look more alert and awake

🎁  Pound Cake Cake Theory Lip Tone Equalizing Oil - Browning (gifted by a generous friend) - it'll be this on its own, over Haus Labs Glassy Clove or the reddish brown lip combo below this week. I'm just keeping it fairly simple and low key this week.

"I just need my makeup to not budge" summer capsule:

🍃  Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation - I put this through the steam room, sauna and whirlpool test last year and it passed so it's one of my go-to's when I don't want to stress about whether I need to touch up my face (which is really always, but some days even more so). 

😘  Haus Labs concealer

🍂  LYS Beauty Triple Fix Loose Talc Free Translucent Setting Powder (for forehead and cheeks)

🍁  Laneige Neo Blurring Powder (on the nose and chin only, unless it's really warm out or I'm oily everywhere, then everywhere)

🐐  Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL (not pictured) - for some extra hydration with the mattifying products I have with this capsule and to melt all my makeup together

😘  ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray 

🐐  Glossier brow gel

😘  Makeup by Mario brightening pencil

🌺  Danessa Myricks Colorfix Stix - Multi-Use Pearl Pigment Stick for Eye, Cheek & Lip Duo #6 (too new to tag) - just the metallic side - Celeste. I'm not getting on well with the foils on these sticks when it comes to my lids.

👁  Shiseido Eyelash Curler  

💋  Prep lips with Typology Lip Peel + Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment (the untinted version - one of my Top 3 products from the brand). Lip color is a combination of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner Brown'd Out  + HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Clov... + Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Luminizing Lip Gloss Blaze. More info on the lip combo at Lips on Lock 🔐: List Your Lip Combos 💄👄 

The "Fits": All the products for both capsules fit just fine in this one puffy makeup bag.  

[danielledanielle]

Stop making me want stuff @itsfi  😂

Your no fuss no muss set, do you feel like you can also build on it, like if you were going out later, add a little something something and touch up the base? I feel like it does.

It's also a Sephora Six!! 🙌🏽

[itsfi]

Ahhhh, it is a Sephora Six @danielledanielle, woohoo!!! Yes, yes, the no muss, no fuss set serves as a good base for small touch ups as well as a more made up look. Like with this other Sephora Six: The Sticks Set (or Sephora Six plus one, if you add an eyeliner).

• Amp up the base with DIOR Forever Skin Perfect 24H Multi-Use Foundation Stick 
• Highlight cheeks with Westman Atelier Mini Petite Lit Up Glassy Gel Highlighter Stick Nectar 
• Blonze with HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Clov... 
• Play up eyes with Danessa Myricks ColorFix Stix Duo #4 Apollo & Artemis and Duo #6 Celeste & Nova - I reach for the metallics more often but am trying to learn how to best use the foils on my lids
• I have DIOR Diorshow Overvolume Extreme Volume Mascara Overblack in the photo but if it's going to be long night, I'd probably go with DIOR Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof Mascara Black 
• Lips would be Haus Labs Glassy Clove. 
• If I were to line my eyes, it would be with a liquid liner, either Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml or Mizon Liquid Vegan Eyeliner.

[danielledanielle]

Nods, takes notes 📝 @itsfi 

[danielledanielle]

Week 36 - Wurkhouse 

How can I not have Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Defining Neutrals - Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face &amp; Lips  Groundwerk in this capsule.  It's in the name! It does everything!  Danessa Myricks Beauty Linework Paintbrush Fluid Liquid Eyeliner 0.034 oz / 1 ml tagging along, too 

I also decided to put in some wurkhouse brushes, such as my Omnia brushes, MAKEUP BY MARIO F4 Dual-Ended Foundation and Face Brush ,and the Summer Fridays blush brush.

Fit check for the wurkhouse errrraaaaaa

Spoiler

 

This is a sack bag from Amazon, so not great if you're kind of chaotic, you can carry all the things and then recklessly search for them. 🤣 BUT, it does have a couple of organization features such as a brush pocket and a zipper compartment.  The best thing is that it has a little flap, so that also keeps things from flying out as easily.

 

Week 35 - The Palette Capsule 

I edited well (enough) where I didn't pull out every palette.  There's a lot of Urban Decay, because UD had me in a chokehold... Currently, they are having an identity crisis.  There's def some decent releases, but the fun?? 

UD:

Lo-Fi lip powder

Naked Honey Palette 

Backtalk Palette 

Vice Lipstick Palette 

Vice Lipsticks in Psycho, 714, ?

Fit

Spoiler

 

 

[itsfi]

Week 36 - You and dual-ended brushes are becoming a thing, @danielledanielle ! Would Groundwork be your desert island palette? Or, one of them? 

Ooh, I've wondered about those sack makeup bags - so they do work! 😅 I can see that coming in handy when packing at the last minute. 

Is that Prada mascara next to EB travel perfume?

[danielledanielle]

Groundwerk definitely is a dessert island palette @itsfi .  It does everything, even lips, although that's not my preference for it. 

I've used it for:

• Blush
• Concealer
• Eye primer 
• Contour
• Bronzer
• Eye liner
• Eyeshadow 
• Lip liner

I think the only other palette like that in my collection would be UD backtalk 

Double ended brushes and myself are complicated 🤣.  They are great in practice, but frustration hits for storage, travel, and cleaning.  I am trying to justify these two, and force use them.  I have at least six of these nuisances (🤣) and the only one that gets used regularly is the VBB Concealer brush.  F4 was in rotation, but then I saw reviews of it falling apart, so I'm iffy on it.

[itsfi]

Woah, that is definitely a workhorse @danielledanielle! Love a multifunctioning palette! Yeah, I remember reading about the MBM F4 - the falling apart issues had to do with newer ones, right? Hopefully it was just a bad batch? I feel like I have an older version, like around when he first released it and I don't recall having any issues with it. 🤔

[itsfi]

Week 35 - I was happy to see those UD palettes from back in the day @danielledanielle. I remember that UD Vice lipstick palette - I went back and forth and back and forth on whether to pick it up. They definitely seem to be trying to get their footing with who they are. Edited to add: Okay, that bag looks roomy, I like it!

Oooh, let's talk smells. 😆 Is that Phlur vanilla nectar? Which Atelier Cologne is that one? I miss AC.

[danielledanielle]

That's the TS of oud saphir, which opens up leathery and berry like.  That doesn't get paired, she stands alone

The phlur is #PHLUR Mini Caramel Skin Body & Hair Fragrance Mist 3 oz / 90 ml spray to included to pair with EB Queens Caramel @itsfi , which wasn't a bad pairing, I just don't remember being wowed by it. 

Now EB Queens Caramel+ KILIAN Paris Angels Share Eau de Parfum with Tonka Bean & Cinnamon , 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽

[itsfi]

Bookmarking this, @danielledanielle; thank you. Will have to give EB QC + KP AS a try the next time I'm in store - I completely forgot to try the pairing the other day - the line was long and I just needed to grab a product for a gift and get going. I like Queen's Caramel with 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods, with the EB QC layered atop the 7 Virtues.

[itsfi]

Gave your fragrance combo of EB Queen's Caramel & Killian's Angels' Share a test @danielledanielle and I was hungry for waffles and maple syrup all day long. I would get a fresh trace of it every so often and wonder who was having brunch. Smells delicious! 

[danielledanielle]

I feel like smelling like brunch is a win @itsfi 😂😋

[itsfi]

A definite win @danielledanielle 🙌 

[danielledanielle]

QC & VW ehhhh? 🤔 Giving me iiiidddeeeaaaass @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Week 36 - The Workhorses Makeup Capsule

Most of these have been included in past capsules, some dating back to last year. All but the Laneige, Valentino, Pat McGrath & Haus Labs blush & cheek stick have been part of my stash for the last 1-2 years, with most having been repurchased during that time period.

Complexion: 

• Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation is still a 🐐 product for me. I have it in a couple of shades and am always reminded how much I love it when I use it. It's more of a skin tint plus as far as coverage goes - evens tone, gives me a dewy but natural glow
• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica 
• Laneige Neo Essential Blurring Finish Powder is a good product for my skin when it's warm outside or when my skin is oily. My skin has been a lot oilier and it's been really warm outside for the last 3 weeks so this powder is earning its keep.
• I do like to use a hydrating mist like Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL (🐐) or PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray 3.38 fl oz/100 mL for a little glow if I go a little heavier handed on my cheeks (drier parts of my face) with the Laneige 

Eyes:

• Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade is another 🐐, and this tube may be on its last legs
• Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) - it's going to be warm for us this week so other than testing a few eye shadows, I'm going easy on my eye makeup for most of the week. Just this in the lower waterline to make me look alert and awake. 

Cheeks:

• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Clov... 

Lips:

• Chanel Longwear Lip Pencil 162 Nude Brun - to date, this is the only lip pencil I have ever used up. 
• Haus Labs Glassy Clove will be multi-tasking as a lip color as well this week
• Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment - Sugar Cookie - the tint on this is light, but enough to give my lips just a smidge of color and some shine

Fragrance:

• Valentino Donna Yellow Dream Eau de Parfum Travel Spray with Rose & Italian Lemon 0.34 oz / 10 mL ea... 

The "Fits":

Sephora quilted bag (from a promo gwp this spring). It holds a fairly good amount of product for a compact bag.

***

Recap of last week's capsule

🌻  No declutters from last week's capsule. It was a warm week and I didn't end up using the Gucci quad so I'll have to give it a try another time.

🌟  Standouts include 

• Gucci Hydrating Silk Priming Serum 1 - didn't really want that to be a standout 💸💸💸
• LYS Beauty Triple Fix Loose Talc Free Translucent Setting Powder is one of my favorite pressed setting powders
• Armani Beauty Power Fabric + Longwear Matte Concealer is, along with the Haus Labs concealer in this week's capsule, one of 3 concealers I've repeatedly repurchased since I started wearing makeup
• Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment Lemontini