Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

[itsfi]

Hi there, BIC and happy spring! Whether (a) you're spring cleaning, or (b) returning to the office and wanting to use the makeup you have (new and old) or will pick up along the way, or (c) interested in putting together a collection (big or small) of "go to" or Top Shelf product for every day, the season, a special event or occasions, or just in general, or (d) for any other reason, please join us here at the Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025. 

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 found by you. 

For me, I've found having a bag of makeup ready at the start of a week to be helpful in getting me out the door more efficiently, and feeling and looking put together. Some weeks my makeup bag has a minimalist look and feel; other weeks, the makeup capsule I've curated for use during the week resembles a more maximalist approach, with several products to choose from. There are weeks when I use the beauties in my capsule every day, and, there are weeks when I may add products into my existing bag of makeup during the week to meet my needs. 

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 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 17 (April 21 - 27) - The "Green" Makeup Capsule
It's green week, folks! Let's put together a "green" capsule for Earth Day (April 22). What exactly does "green" mean? Here, at the capsule makeup challenge, "green" can mean a bevy of things, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following types of product(s):  

* the color green, be it the color of the product itself or the packaging 
* eco-friendly
* makeup coming in at a savings - whether you picked it up on sale or a product is budget friendly or economical
* clean, be it clean at Sephora,  or some other definition of clean
* beauties that have left / leave my wallet with a little less green in it 
* your definition of "green"

UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 4.23.2025]

Spoiler

Week 18 (April 28 - May 4) - The Makeup-Artist-Founded/Owned Brand Makeup Capsule 

Is there a makeup artist that you've followed or admired. Here's a chance to celebrate the makeup artists whose work have caught your eye - curate a makeup capsule made up of one or more products from a makeup-artist founded / owned beauty brand. [See below spoiler for non-exhaustive list of makeup brands that fall within this category.

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of makeup brands founded or owned by makeup artists.

beautyblender
Bobbi Brown
Charlotte Tilbury
Ciele Cosmetics
Danessa Myricks
Em Cosmetics
Half Magic
Huda Beauty
Isamaya
Jason Wu
Jones Road
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty
Lisa Eldridge
MAC Cosmetics
Makeup By Mario
Make Up For Ever
NARS
Natasha Denona
One/Size by Patrick Starr
Pat McGrath Labs
Patrick Ta Beauty
Pixi
Rokael Beauty
Uzo
Wayne Goss
Westman Atelier

Previous Capsule Themes: [Updated: 4.20.2025]

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 

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.

[Mellmars1185]

@ather Welcome back! I am glad you are happy with your choices. It can sure help having items picked out when you are getting ready. The Saie highlighter looks so pretty! What shade of Merit shadow do you use?

[CynthieLu]

Definitely a win win @ather Having a tidy dresser top is a perk and it will hopefully make getting ready in the morning easier too.  You'll have everything you need in one place. 😄

Your Lawless Primer looks like you've done a good job on it, do you think your replace it when it's done?

[peculiarzmakeup]

Amazing capsule! I love all your choices and your beautiful photo! It’s fun to put these capsules together and check in with the themes! This is amazing 🤩 cute Sephora bag 🙂 @ather 

[ather]

@peculiarzmakeup  Thank you! I love putting a capsule together! I am also trying to be a minimalist with my makeup but I still have plenty! 

[peculiarzmakeup]

I love this idea! And I can relate ❤️ @ather 

[itsfi]

Ooooh, these are beauties @ather and I looooove that bag! This is the first I've seen one like that - it looks like a great size and I mean, gotta love those black-and-white Sephora stripes! 😍 I feel like Lawless is an underrated brand - I forgot they had a primer - is it one you would repurchase?

[ather]

@itsfi  thank you! 😊 the bag was a gift! It’s a great size! I can fit lots of items in it! I have repurchased it in the past. I would definitely repurchase again. I have a few others in DS size so I think I would use up what I have. It’s a good one but I would say more of a light moisturizer. I like how light it is and it plays well with my makeup! 

[itsfi]

Week 3 (January 13 - 19) - The "Favorite Feature(s) Focus" Makeup Capsule    

Okay, BIC beauties! Here we are, Week 3. For this week, I'm taking inspiration from the feature film, The Devil Wears Prada, with my lips being the primary focus; hence, the extra products. I also have some extra options when it comes to foundation and bronzer this week. 

On another note, I'll be posting an outfit board on the The Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread   later this week. I'm actually thinking of wering an outfit inspired by TDWP on a weekly or every-other-week basis through the end of February. Hmmm... 

Without further adieu, the beauties for this week's makeup capsule:

Complexion: 

• Primer:  Dr. Jart+ Mini Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment 0.5 oz/ 15 mL 🐐 - I've been wearing just this and some bronzer as my base on the weekends. It's a long-standing GOAT product in my collection. [GOAT = Greatest Of All Time]

• Foundation: I wasn't feeling ready to break open my Prada foundation just yet. Last year, I set aside a couple of foundations (and other products) that I purchased 1-3 years ago but that I've yet to really use. For the sake of keeping to using what I have two, my plan is to hold off on any new foundation purchases until I've opened and started using at least one of those foundations, regularly.

• This week I'll be using either the Gucci 24 Hour Full Coverage Luminous Matte Finish Foundation  or the Chanel Ultra La Teint Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish Foundation. Both have a luminous matte finish; both are beautifully packaged and marvelously formulated. It's less a throwdown between the two as it is a way to see the coverage each provides and from there, I'll figure out which future throwdown category they'll be part of.

• Concealer: DIOR Backstage Concealer. Unless something comes along this year to change my mind, I'm feeling like the concealers I currently rotate through are ones I'm happy with - i.e., I don't feel like there's a slot to be filled to round out my concealer collection. I know, I know; just wait - someone's going to release something that makes me rethink this. lol.

• Setting Powder: I mean, just because I'm not including my Prada foundation in this week's capsule doesn't mean I'm foregoing all my Prada beauty products this week. 😝 Let's see how Prada Beauty Reset Rebalancing Refillable Setting Powder holds up this week.

Eyes: 

• Primer: NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Original 

• Eyeshadow: Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette 100 Stora Dolls - I agree with @blackkitty2014, this is so pretty and wears well. Part of my project pan this year.

• Eye Liner: Dior Diorshow On Stage Liner Waterproof Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner - 24h Intense Color 781 Matte Brown wears really well; it doesn't get nearly as much attention as it should.

• Brows:  TOM FORD Fiber Brow Gel 02 Taupe  - I forget how well this performs until I use it and then I think "why don't I reach for this more often? I don’t have many brow gels / pomade but the ones I do have are good. I’ll do a brow throwdown a la @ather at some point but I’m not sure there will be many declutters.

• Mascara: Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara Black - one of my top 5 mascaras - they're all waterproof.n

Cheeks: 

• Bronzer: I'll alternate between the Victoria Beckham Beauty Bronzing Brick and TOM FORD Soleil Glow Bronzer 02 Terra. Both can serve as eyeshadow as well, if I want something with a little more warmth than Stora Dolls

• Blush: I'll be using one of the Westman Atelier lipsticks as blush.

Lips:

• Liner: Chanel lip pencil Nude Brun - this is a good match for the natural color of my lips

• Lip Balm: CAY SKIN Isle Lip Balm SPF 30 with Sea Moss and Aloe Stem Cells - this stuff is good!!! And, it has SPF.

• Lip Stain: Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint Je'Taime - I'm including this stain to pair with the MERIT Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Ginger to get a certain color for this week's The Devil Wears Prada inspired outfit/look

• Lipstick: Westman Atelier Lip Suede Hydrating Matte Lipstick Trio - this will be the first time I put this trio to use; it was very generously gifted to me by someone who I hoped picked a set up for herself. 💝

NOTE: This is a larger capsule than I intended, but at the same time, it seems fitting for this week's theme. If I were not looking to use some of the products with creating an outfit inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, I would only have one foundation and bronzer and probably a total of 3 or 4, instead of 7, lip products.

The Fits:

It all fits neatly in this Dior pouch that includes two compartments - one for brushes and tools, and another for the products.

 

Revisiting Week 2 Capsule:

Spoiler

My favorite products and the one that gives me some pause from last week's capsule involve the eye products. 



Undecided: 

The Cosnori Perfect Setting Mascara is the item giving me pause. The staying power on this mascara is marvelous; I actually had to put in some extra effort (though still being gentle as it's the eye area and I don't have a lot of lashes to lose). The hiccup with this one isn't in the formula but with the fact that it only shows up on my lashes when the light hits it at a certain angle and then it shows up a very light brown, almost a beige/taupe-brown shade. I have very dark lashes so this isn't best suited for me. I may give it a try as a brow tint another day. Hmmm... that seems like it could be promising. Stay tuned.

The Standouts: 

The Cle de Peau eyeshadow quad and the Danessa Myricks Bronzite are further evidence (not that I needed it) that there are gems just waiting to be reached for in my existing bevy of beauties. These CdP shadows are so silky smooth - I really should have put this quad to use long ago, like when I purchased it, before it was discontinued. Lesson learned. Again. This, I'm sure, will be a theme in this year's makeup capsule challenge.

Same goes for the Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Waterproof Micropencil Eyeliner Bronzite . I used it a few times last year; put it to use more this week and wow! The shade is beautiful. The product glides on and can easily create a thin, but not too thin, line. Aaaaaaand, I was able to draw a decent eye wing with it. On my eyes!!! Which never happens. This will be making appearances in future capsules, for sure. 

Question for a few of the folks here who do an amazing winged eyeliner - ahem, @peculiarzmakeup @CynthieLu @danielledanielle, do you have  preference for formulation when you do a winged liner look - pencil? Liquid liner? Powder eyeshadow? 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Amazing capsule! How did the WA lippie wear as a blush? Do you have a favourite shade out of the three?

[itsfi]

Thanks @Mellmars1185; this was a fun one! The WA lippies as blush worked alright. I actually liked mixing the two No-red shades. I think they would look good as brontour, with something like the MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer®  - I’m making a note to try that pairing another day. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Awww I love this theme!! I didn’t think of it being a fav theme. TDWP is one of my favs!!! You didn’t right!!! Love all your picks! The TF brow sounds amazing. And I cannot wait for this throw down! It will be so exciting! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I went with a theme that could be interpreted a few ways, to give some options. It also gets me to work in makeup products I've had for a while and get use out of them. Maybe I'll rewatch TDWP over the weekend; it's been a while since I've watched it all the way through - I do love the fashion in it! 😍

Speaking of the throwdowns, when you were deciding on which brow products to pit against each other, did you have a particular way of going about choosing which went up against which and when? 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo I may need to watch it next weekend now!!!

I tried to duel ones that were the same. So clear together and tinted together then I mixed the winners. But I think one clear can win and a tint can win because I reach for a tint and a clear separately. I like a clear for. Day to day work. When I think a tint is more when I have a more special event. But I do occasionally wear a tint to work I find I save it more for a special event. I like to look more like me at work. Maybe I have less time in the mornings. But I feel the tint is a little more put together for me. 

[itsfi]

@ather, it’s one of those shows where I just fast forward to the scenes I want to see, hahaha! And those scenes are about the clothes - not dialogue, plot, character development…. Nope. The clothes, the handbag, the jewelry, the makeup, etc. 

Ahhh, thank you. That makes sense with putting the clear formulations and the tinted ones together first. Interesting - I’m the opposite; well, sort of. I reach for a tinted brow gel for my every day look (it’s quick and easy) and a clear brow gel (which I use to top / seal brow pencil) for special occasions. I have a better idea now for how I will go about a throwdown. Now I just need to gather up the contestants 😂 and find the time to start. Thank you!!

[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.