Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

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

What is this challenge about?

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

How does this work?

To add a little bit of fun and creativity to curating a makeup capsule, there will be a weekly theme or prompt on which that week's group of beauty products will touch upon. There's no need to have every single product for the week fit the theme exactlay. All you need is one product. And, truth be told, how that product fits into the weekly theme is subject to interpretation. Yours, primarily. So, please  feel free to be creative. For example, last year for "green" week, there were a host of possibilities for what it means for a product to be "green" - capsules that included one or more products that were (a) green in color; (b) "clean"; (c) contained in green packaging or that (d) cost a lot of "green" 💸💸💸 fit the bill. 😉 For more examples, you might want to check out last year's thread - Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024 to see what beauty products others in the Community have used and posted about. 

When and where are/will the weekly themes posted?

The weekly themes are (or will be) included in the original post - under the section titled "Current Makeup Capsule Theme" or "Upcoming Makeup Capsule Theme". Occasionally, I will post a link to a separate post with the monthly themes.

▶️  CURRENT MAKEUP CAPSULE THEME   

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

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

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

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 3.16.2025]

Spoiler

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

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

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

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 3.16.2025]

Spoiler

1 - The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule  
2 - The "Mocha Mousse" Inspired Makeup Capsule
3 - The "Favorite Feature(s) Focus" Makeup Capsule  
4 - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule
5 - The "Lunar New Year 2025 Zodiac Sign Lucky Colors" Makeup Capsule  

February 2025 Capsule Themes
6 - The "Black Founded/Owned Beauty Brand(s)" Makeup Capsule
7 - The "Dynamic Duo, Trusted Trio or Killer Combo" Makeup Capsule
8 - The "New York Fashion Week Inspired" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Celeb-Inspired" Makeup Capsule
9 - The Throwback Makeup Capsule

March 2025 Capsule Makeup Themes
10 - The "International Women Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule and/or The Palette(s) Makeup Capsule
11 - The Samples Makeup Capsule  and/or The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule

Additional FAQs

Spoiler

Why weekly? 
Years ago, beauty & lifestyle blogger Serein Wu, did a weekly series (on her blog and YouTube channel), Makeup Bag Monday, where she rotated her makeup bag each week with new product launches and makeup already in her collection. Every Monday, she shared the products she selected for the upcoming week and provided detailed makeup reviews on the makeup she used for the previous week. My reviews here will likely not be as detailed, but I will at least try to include a few thoughts about the products at the end of the week or beginning of the next week.  If weekly works for you, great. If not, feel free to join in based on what works best for you. 

Having a weekly capsule at the ready at (or near) the beginning of the week has also been helpful with making getting ready in the morning easier and more efficient, and that, has made it more fun too. It's also a great way for me to see how well a product performs with other products and that makes the decision to keep, donate, re-home or toss an item a lot easier. Also want to note that if the makeup for the week's capsule is not something you want to use for the entire week, that's fine, too. I generally use the makeup in the week's capsule 4-6 days during the week, sometimes more, sometimes less. 

When are the weekly themes posted?
I generally try to post the themes for the next month about two weeks before the start of that next month (so around the 15th of each month, give or take a few days), except that, for this month, weekly themes for weeks 2 thru 5 for January will be posted by or before end of the day on January 2. Weekly themes are updated at the end of the then current week (e.g., Sunday). This year, I will plan to update the weekly themes the Sunday before the start of the next week's theme, around 9pm Pacific / 10pm Mountain / 11pm Central / 12midnight Eastern Time.

What if I don't have enough products to fit the theme for a full face?

There's need for your entire makeup capsule to fit the weekly theme(s). Just one item will do. And, even if you don't have one that fits squarely within a theme, feel free to post your makeup capsule. We'd love to see what you're using and hear your feedback on the products as you put them to use - are they a favorite or a potential favorite? Are they just 'meh'? Or, is it time to declutter the item(s) from your stash?

Is there anything else I should include in my capsule?
It's all up to you what to include in your capsule. Some weeks, my capsule consists of completely different items than the week before. Other weeks, I've swapped out just a few items or have included additional items in one category of products - some of us refer to this as giving us options for the week. 

You may see reference to "fits." That was creatively coined by our fabulous @danielledanielle and refers to the bag or component that will hold the week's makeup and, specifically, does all the makeup for the week's capsule fit into the bag / storage component. You ca also include the makeup brushes and tools you use for application, if you wish.

[ather]

@itsfi  I love that idea! Just watch the clothes. So smart!!! Love it!!

Ooooo I can’t wait to see your throw down! 

[itsfi]

Using the movie for inspiration has been fantastic - it makes going through my closet so much fun; helpful with decluttering and to find different looks to put together. Win-win!! 

[CynthieLu]

My preference is SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Eyeliner Brush #22 with any eyeshadow powder I feel like. 😉🌈 

I use tape as a guide, it's just so much easier but I've been free-handing my wing more often. 

Oooh I love Danessa's little micro pens so much. Bronzite is a beauty!

[itsfi]

Yep, I learned about the tape trick from @Missnur and others here on BIC. DM Bronzite is really versatile for me and the micropencil is a win for me when it comes to lining, with and without the tape. What shades do you have in the micropencil eyeliner @CynthieLu?

[CynthieLu]

The #22 is by far my favorite eyeliner brush, I can get such a sharp tight line with it.👌

The tape is soo handy right? And such a time saver imo.  @itsfi 

Oooh I have a few DM micro pencils 🫣🫣 

 

[peculiarzmakeup]

@CynthieLu  I saw this in the preview section of the thread and my eyes lit up so cool! I’ve seen you use these in some of your looks they looks so beautiful on you! Wow what a collection @itsfi  I had emerald but it broke really fast or dried out. But I think I left it open 🫠🫠🫠❤️

[itsfi]

Ohhhh, the emerald would be stunning on you @peculiarzmakeup! I had my eye on that one - it's such a gorgeous shade. I like the precision I can get from the DM liner but I also appreciate how I can use it in my outer V to give a little extra oomph to my eyeshadow look. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Im gonna pick up a new one eventually and see if maybe another shade will be my lucky charm, definatley that corner of the eye extra spark! Love it 😍 @itsfi 

[CynthieLu]

They are sooooo fragile @peculiarzmakeup I broke my first one.. the first time I used it. Hard lesson learned. I'm sorry to hear yours dried up on you. 😢

[peculiarzmakeup]

I’m curious you said your first one broke, what helps you with the others? I think i might press on it too hard or go to fast 💨 thanks for the encouragement I always appreciate it, I was able to use what was underneath but the color didn’t show up well. I think I should try another just to see how it works 🙂 @CynthieLu 

[CynthieLu]

What's helped me with these is a much gentler hand and I only expose the smallest amount of the product possible. If there was to much of the tip out it seemed to break far too easily. I lost a lot off my first one due to trial and error. 😅 @peculiarzmakeup it was such a bummer but I learned.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Oh my I love those suggestions! Thank you so much. It’s always helpful to get another perspective on things ❤️ @CynthieLu 

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, I'm making a note on the #22 brush - your tightline and wing are always stunningly sharp! Wooooaaaahhh, look at all those micropencils!! 😍 lol, just a few, for sure. hahaha!

[peculiarzmakeup]

This is so neat! What a beautiful capsule and so cool and inspired. These are great products to match. I love how you included the book in your photo how lovely! @itsfi  ❤️

[itsfi]

Thank you @peculiarzmakeup. I'm really looking forward to putting together outfits inspired by the film and pairing the look with products from this capsule and probably another week's makeup capsule as I think I'll try putting togehter looks based on multiple outfits from the film, modified, of course, with what pieces I actually have in my closet - ohhh, the constraints, but it'll fun to put things together with my own touches. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Looking forward too seeing your fabulous fits! That’s so fun, I am doing the same I have a limited clothing span at the moment I mean wardrobe (I didn’t know how to spell it haha 🤣) I think that will give good time to think about fits and accessories. Yay so excited! Everything you put together is always magical ❤️ @itsfi 

[blackkitty2014]

The Mocha Mousse Inspire Makeup: Here is my line up. Again, I kinda cheat with the lipsticks since I’m doing 100 day lip challenge. I’m so glad itsfi hosts this. It is truly “Get to know yoiur makeup.” Most of the older release lipsticks got neglected. The GA blush 50 Euphorie I used less than 5 times before this week. I’m glad I get to know it this week. It’s a pretty shade and remind me so much of NARS Orgaism but less peachy. The YSL Stora Dolls palette is ❤️. Everyday I was liked “oh this is pretty” 🥰. I still have high hope on panning that MJ Bronzer this year

[Mellmars1185]

@blackkitty2014 Lovely mocha mousse capsule! Did you have a favourite lipstick out of the ones you picked?

[peculiarzmakeup]

Beautiful Mocha Mousse Capsule! I absolutley love how your encorporated your lippies and the challenge into your theme! I feel like the products are stunning pairings! I’m also a huge fan of @itsfi @hosting the capsules I learn a lot from everyone’s unique tastes and perspectives. I love everything you picked out this is such a beautiful lineup for the theme @blackkitty2014  ❤️

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @peculiarzmakeup @itsfi  🌹❤️ Everyone here is so creative (maybe not me) but yes I’m learning tons from everyone. The Chantecaille skin tint is pretty good and very similar to the Sisley skin tint. Sisley is a tiny bit better but a whole lot more expensive 😘

[peculiarzmakeup]

You are very creative, I love seeing your posts and this is a fantastic photo as well! @blackkitty2014