Sephora

Stores & Services
Find a Sephora

Happening at Sephora

View all

Services

From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations

Free Classes

Get inspired, play with products & learn new skills

cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Post in Makeup Is Life
|

Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Hey there, BIC! It's year 2 of the capsule makeup challenge. 
Capsule OP pic 2.jpg
Capsule OP pic 1.jpg
 
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.

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

The Ami x Pat Edit, for throwback week

1000013684.jpg

There's more Pat here than I originally planned, but I'm still going strong with #PAT McGRATH LABS Mothership X Eyeshadow Palette: Moonlit Seduction for BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows so it made sense to keep PAT McGRATH LABS PERMA PRECISION Liquid Eyeliner Xtreme Black , PAT McGRATH LABS Dark Star Volumizing Mascara 0.43 fl oz / 13 mL in green, and PAT McGRATH LABS IntensifEYES Artistry Wand .  Also bronzers, because Ami Colé didn't have a bronzer and I've been using PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Concealer MD26 as a light brontour.  And there's also some guest stars (Fenty, Poundcake)

 

Also, I forgot to add Ami Colé Lid Joy Matte Liquid Eyeshadow , so they aren't in the pic

 

The Fit

1000013649.jpg

Everything in there! I think this is my fourth one (?) like this..  I have the Ami Colé pouch, but didn't need it... The Ami Bag, y'all 🙌🏽

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

I've absolutely looooved seeing your beautiful Bobs collection @danielledanielle - the main cast, supporting characters and guest stars!!! 😍 How do you like the McGrath artistry wand? Ahhhh, that Ami bag!

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

@itsfi  It's best suited for the fall out shades.. which is good for X since there's 3 of those. I've been subbing  as a primer, which I originally thought it was until she came out with a primer, but noticed it didn't hold well today. I don't think it's repurchase it, like I can use a fixing spray to the same effect... The only upside is that I did have to wet a brush or an eyeshadow.

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Ahhh, I see. I thought it was a primer as well @danielledanielle. I'm partial to the Valentino glitter primer - zero fallout with that, but it's been discontinued. I have th artistry wand but haven't used it, so it's good to know how it functions. 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

We're march-ing into another month - time just flies by doesn't it? 
flowers.jpg
While we still have one more week in February, I thought I’d spell out next month’s themes here. I’ll aim to update upcoming capsule spoiler in the original post with the upcoming week’s theme at least a week in advance. 
 
Below are the weekly capsule prompts for the month of March, which includes an optional monthly theme (see spoiler below).
 
💋  Week 10 - (March 3 - 9) - The "International Women Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule and/or The Palette(s) Makeup Capsule
 
  • Capsule Theme 1:  The "International Woman Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule - International Women's Day has historically been celebrated annually on March 8. Assemble a capsule this week with one or more makeup products from a woman founded / owned beauty brand. 
 
  • Capsule Theme 2:  The Palette(s) Makeup Capsule - Got a palette? Maybe two or three or ...? Put together a capsule made up of one or more palettes. If one of your palettes is an eyeshadow palette, be sure to check out the BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows thread if you're up for an extra challenge. Or, if your capsule has 6 or fewer makeup products, consider taking part in the Sephora Six - Fast & Furious Edition thread.
 
 
🙏  Week 11 (March 10 - 16) - The Samples Makeup Capsule  and/or The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule
 
  • Capsule Theme 1: The Samples Makeup Capsule - Got any makeup samples lying around that you've been wanting to try? Put together a capsule with one or more makeup samples. Here's your chance to shine a spotlight on your stash of samples. And, after you make your way through your samples, consider heading over to the Foil Challenge to share your thoughts on foils you've used up or on your way to using up via your samples capsule.
 
  • Capsule Theme 2: The "Attitude of Gratitude" Makeup Capsule - Put together a capsule with one or more makeup product(s) for which you are thankful / grateful. It could be a product you love, a product that expresses who you are, that brings back a pleasant memory. It could be a product gifted to you or sent to you in PR, or a makeup product that helps you put together a look that expresses who you are, or that has special meaning to you. 
 
This theme comes from a prompt we did last year in connection with the respective Thanksgiving holidays in Canada and the US - makeup products I'm thankful for", but I thought, why not include a similar theme earlier in the year as well? The spirit of Thanksgiving or an attitude of gratitude doesn't need to be limited to once a year. 
 
 
🌷  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.
 
 
🎬  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" in the original post above. 
 
 
 OPTIONAL: Monthly Theme -
Spoiler
We're having another month-wide theme in March, which has typically been designated 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. 
 
Below is a list of some of the woman-founded/owned beauty brands (with makeup / color cosmetics making up most of the brand's offerings) that can be found at Sephora.
 
Ami Cole
Anastasia Beverly Hills
BASMA
Beautyblender
Benefit Cosmetics
Buxom
caliray
Carolina Herrera
CAY SKIN
Chanel
Charlotte Tilbury
ciele
Clinique (Evelyn Lauder)
Danessa Myrick Beauty
Dominique Cosmetics
Estee Lauder
Fara Homidi
Fashion Fair
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Freck Beauty
fresh
Gisou
Glossier
GXVE by Gwen Stefani
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
Huda Beauty
Iconic London
Ilia
Iris & Romeo
Isamaya
IT Cosmetics
Kosas
Kulfi
KVD Beauty
Laura Mercier
Lawless
LYS Beauty
Make Up For Ever
Mango People
Melt Cosmetics
Merit
Natasha Denona
Nudestix
Pat McGrath Labs
Range Beauty
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Refy
Rose Inc
Saie
Sarah Creal
Simihaze Beauty
Stila
Tower 28 Beauty
Violette Fr 
Westman Atelier
Spoiler
 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

@itsfi  These are great capsules! I can’t wait to see what everyone puts together!! 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

There's some good ones in there for next month @ather, but first, we have a Throwback capsule this week. 🙌 I'm thinking I'll have 2 capsules for this coming week. 🤔🤔 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

@itsfi  Yay! I can’t wait to see them! I didn’t get one for this week but I will have one for next week! Lowkey excited for it! 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Excited to see what you put together for this coming week @ather ❣️

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

The Pat McGrath edit

1000013462.jpg

And frienddssss

1000013463.jpg

 

The Fit 🫶🏽 @TeamBIC 🫶🏽

1000013465.jpg

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Those bags!!! 😍😍 That's a pretty Pat McGrath family reunion you have going on for your capsule! What say you about her lip crayon / pencil? Are they more creamy? Matte? Waxy?

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

The lip pencils are creamy, but never messy.  I miss all the shades they used to come in, though @itsfi 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Week 8 (February 17 - 23): The "New York Fashion Week Inspired" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Celeb-Inspired" Makeup Capsule

8 - NYFW  Celeb 1.jpg

 

I'll be combining both capsule themes in my looks this week - with the romantic flush look seen on the ASHLYN runways for NYFW with actresses Anna Sawai, Gemma Chan, and Michelle Yeoh for celebrity inspiration. 😍

 

COMPLEXION:

 

EYES:

 

CHEEKS:

 

LIPS

 

FRAGRANCE:

 

This week's capsule is on the larger side for me but gives me options for a couple of looks I'm planning on trying this week for the Balette Royale and theThe Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread . I got everything inside the bag (gifted by Dior SA) - it's roomier and deeper than it looks, but I had to move things around a bit to get it all zipped up. 

8 - NYFW  Celeb 2a.jpg

8 - NYFW  Celeb 2b.jpg

 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Week 7 Capsules Debriefed

Week 7 Recap - Killer Combos.jpg

There were a lot of hits with the makeup from last week's makeup capsule (week 7). Nothing from either of thos capsules was decluttered. The major standouts from last week (other than products I've already mentioned in past debriefs and ones that have been previously designated as a GOAT or Top Shelf product) include the following beauties. 

 

  • LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation has been such a great addition to my collection. I'm very happy to have received a good shade assessment during Sephoria 2024: Atlanta. 👍 It's lightweight, blendable, feels like nothing on my skin, and gives me soft, dewy (but still natural) finish. Coverage is light-to-medium. 

 

  • Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick Hibiscus is one of last year's Top Shelf product. Its pairing with the Vieve Lip Dew Glossy Lip Oil is what lands it in this debrief. AC Hibiscus on its own can be a bit brighter and cooler on my lips than I typically go for, but combined with the shimmery sheen and slight warmth of the Vieve Lip Dew, it's a pretty my lips-but-better-and-dewier shade. 😘 I feel like this Lip Dew may be 🤔 the thinner, less glossy version of the Ami Cole holiday lip oils that I've been waiting to open. 

 

  • Dior Forever Perfect Fix Face Mist - Makeup Setting Spray - Long Wear & Instant Hydration was paired with a Guerlain primer and the combination is excellent but it also has been performing very well for me on its own during the cooler seasons. It has a fresh cucumber-like scent and is hydrating. I've been using it to set by itself as well as in combination with the Sephora Collection loose powder or the ONE/SIZE mattifying setting mist - it keeps my normal-to-dry skin hydrated and that is much appreciated.

 

  • Fashion Fair Lip Teasers Lip Gloss Supreme Brown is one of those shades that surprised me by how well I love the color. The formulation is light and easy to apply and spread over my lips - I've not had any issues with reddish-brown color migrating outside of my lips. 🙌 It's been reached for often this month! 

 

On a different note, incorporating the Natasha Denona Biba Eye Shadow Palette into last week's capsule and the BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows was a fun way to bring it back into the fold. Though the majority of the remaining shades lean on the warm side, it worked out well, and I'm looking forward to using it again this week, for both this week's capsule and the shadow showdown - the red carpet / runway theme sounds like it will be so much fun! Excited to see what everyone puts together! 😍

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Week 7 (February 10 - 16): The "Dynamic Duo, Trusted Trio or Killer Combo" Makeup Capsule

7 - Killer Combos 1.jpg

Spoiler
My "killer combos" in this capsule are:

 
  • another recent pairing I've happened upon is the lovely lip duo Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick Hibiscus and Vieve Lip Dew Original, which has made its way to Sephora UK (wondering if it will make it to the Sephora North America stores at some point 🤔). Ami Cole Hibiscus hit my radar last year and it was love. It still is; I really enjoy it as a blush and will use it this week as such as well as my go to lip color. The formula can be a bit dry on my lips especially this time of year as they are already prone to dryness, but that's where the Lip Dew comes in - the shimmer adds a soft glow to the color and the slip from the lip gloss gives the blush stick movement and some hydration. 
 
 
Other capsule items:
It all fits in this very bright yellow, lined, mesh bag from Supergoop (SEPHORiA 2024 Atlanta). I love this bag - it's so bright and yellow - love that it stands out (and that it's squishy). It holds a good amount of product, too. 
7 - Killer Combos Fit 1.jpg
7 - Killer Combos Fit 2.jpg
A second capsule (see spoiler) will come into play this weekend, partly for a "no-makeup" makeup look and partly for a look I'm aiming to do for the BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows .
Spoiler
The focus of this second capsule is on the eyes, hopefully, with the DM bronzite, MUBM liner, the 7 shadows from ND Biba that remain to be fully panned, if at all; and, if I can get the look to work as I envision it, there will be one other surprise (non-palette) eye product to complete the "nature" theme look for the Balette Royale: Showdown of the Shadows.
7 - Killer Combos 2.0 A.jpg

 
A tighter fit requiring more Tetris-prowess, but I got it all in and (barely) zipped up. Phew.
7 - Killer Combos 2.0 B.jpg
7 - Killer Combos Fit 1 C.jpg
Fragrance choices for this week are from a Brown Girl Jane Set I picked up a year ago, a couple months before the brand launched at Sephora. The brand also offers a BROWN GIRL Jane Discovery Set that is also very nice.
Capsule Week 7 - Fragrance 1.jpg
Capsule Week 7 - Fragrance 2.jpg

 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

@itsfi  Both of these capsules look amazing! I can’t wait to read the showdown of shadows! Love a good showdown! Both of these are great! 😊 can’t wait to hear how it goes! 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

@ather, I haven’t reached for the ND Biba palette much after hitting pan on every shade but with the new challenge I figured why not bring it back in the mix and see if I can use it to create a different weekly eye looks for that challenge. We shall see how it goes. Ultimately I think the neutral to cool tones in the YSL palette are more me - it makes sense - the shadows in Biba that I have already fully panned ran more neutral than the warmer ones I have left. 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

1000013227.jpg

Week 7: The Fenty Edit

The Dynamic Duos...At first I was focused on the lip liners and lip colors, but I included duos in multiple ways, like color ways (Riri the liner and gloss bomb, drama cla$$ as powder and cream, trophy wife in gloss bomb and highlighter) and the dynamic quartet of Riri Showstoppers (Riri LE gloss bomb, the showstopper lipstick case, invisimatte and diamond Bomb, Fenty glow cream blush and gloss bomb, hot chocolit gloss bomb and gloss bomb stick).  Also I have duo snap shadows, but I'm sticking with one for BALETTE ROYALE: Showdown of the Shadows The only non Fenty items are my brow pen (Uoma) and my eye primer (Nars), but I've used the Fenty versions of these.  The eye primer was decent, but I don't know if it's still available.  The brow pen has a cute little brush head instead of a spoolie, so I kept it for awhile after the pen ran out, but I went through it muuuuuchhhh too quickly.

 

1000013207.jpg

 

Fragrances are a repeat, but with DIOR J'adore L'Or Eau de Parfum added because Rihanna is the face of it

 

1000013210.jpg

The little circle things are cleansing cuffs, one of my face GWPs ever

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Loving the Fenty focus @danielledanielle 😍 The Riri Showstoppers - yes!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I love her gloss bombs, too! She's done so well with her product line; it's been awesome to see. Is there anything you'd like to see her add to her collection that she hasn't yet?

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

Quads, maybe.  The eyeshadows haven't been the greatest, honestly, but maybe a cream to powder formula in a quad...🤔🤔🙌🏽💸 @itsfi 

Re: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025

@danielledanielle, eyeshadows would be a good one. I feel like that something may be in the works - the snap palettes seem to be phasing themselves out on the website and in the stores near me. I liked the color stories  when they were released, but some newness would be great to see. 

410 Replies
Conversation Stats
  • 410 replies
  • 53513 views
  • 1544 Hearts Given
  • 15 Contributors
Photos144
  • Capsule OP pic 2.jpg
  • Capsule OP pic 1.jpg
  • 1 - New Year, New to You 3.jpg
  • 1 - New Year, New to You 2.jpg
  • 1 - New Year, New to You 1.jpg
  • IMG_9652.jpeg
  • IMG_5265.jpeg
  • IMG_5267.jpeg
  • IMG_5200.jpeg
  • IMG_4004.jpeg
  • 1000001738.jpg
  • image.jpg
  • 1000028175.jpg
  • 2 - Mocha Mousse All.jpg
  • 2 - Mocha Mousse Process 1.jpg