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itsfi

Hello, BIC! 👋 It's year 3 of the Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge. Whether you're looking for a fun way to use the new-to-you and tried-and-true products in your collection or if having a set of makeup products picked out in advance makes it easier to get ready in the mornings, welcome!

Please don't hesitate to jump right on in from the get-go, or feel free to take part during a week when the theme suits your style or piques your interests. We love seeing and being inspired by what beauties everyone is using.

▶️ NOW PLAYING: CURRENT Makeup Capsule Theme:

Week 2 (January 12 - 18) - The "Glowing & Golden" Makeup Capsule

The Critics Choice Awards were handed out on January 4 and Golden Globes air on the 11th. Take inspiration from a look (or two) from a Critics Choice or Golden Globe nominee or attendee, or anyone who walked the red carpet or attended an after party, and put together a capsule inspired by that look. Didn't watch the award shows? No problem. Curate a capsule with one or more makeup products that make you feel glowing and golden ... like you were born to be!! ⭐

Don't feel like you need to stop at your makeup either! Have a fly outfit waiting to be shared, get yourself decked out, take some snaps and head on over to the The Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread to share your beauty from head to toe.

⏩ UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes

Spoiler

Week 3 (January 19 - 25) - The "Less is More" Makeup Capsule

Is less really more? You tell me. Curate a makeup capsule consisting of:
(a) no more than six (6) makeup products; or
(b) makeup products having an aggregate total (pre-sale/pre-discount) retail price of $100 USD / $137 CAD (Note: I will update CAD based on conversion rate Sunday evening before the start of the week); or
(c) one brand (this is for the maximalists among us; "less" = one = one brand); or
(d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c).

For those who like to plan ahead, additional January capsule themes can be found here.

Week 3 (January 19 - 25) - The "Less is More" Makeup CapsuleIs less really more? You tell me. Curate a makeup capsule consisting of: (a) no more than six (6) makeup products; or (b) makeup products having an aggregate total (pre-sale/pre-discount) retail price of $100 USD / $137 CAD (Note: I will update CAD based on conversion rate Sunday evening before the start of the week); or (c) one brand (this is for the maximalists among us; "less" = one = one brand); or (d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c). For those who like to plan ahead, additional January capsule themes can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spoiler

What is a makeup capsule?

A makeup capsule is a collection of makeup products curated by you with the intent of simplifying your makeup routine without compromising quality or functionality. It typically includes essential products that can be used to create a variety of look. A makeup capsule can reduce clutter, help save time getting ready in the morning or for events, and provide you with a streamlined and versatile makeup wardrobe tailored to work for you, your budget and lifestyle. While makeup capsules generally include a few pieces, the size of your capsule collection is ultimate up to you.

Why a makeup capsule challenge?

Many of us here have a robust collection of makeup and it can be difficult to pare that down to a handful of pieces for capsule. This challenge, with its weekly themes, is meant as a fun way to try your hand at curating a makeup capsule for yourself. Each week you'll have an opportunity to go through your collection, identify one or more product(s) that fits the weekly theme (all you need is one product for this challenge), and put together a makeup look with that and other products.

The challenge is also another way to use your stash, allowing you a chance to discover products you might have missed out on or re-discover past favorites.

For more info on this challenge, check out the previous years' challenges: Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025
Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024

What is a makeup capsule?A makeup capsule is a collection of makeup products curated by you with the intent of simplifying your makeup routine without compromising quality or functionality. It typically includes essential products that can be used to create a variety of look. A makeup capsule can reduce clutter, help save time getting ready in the morning or for events, and provide you with a streamlined and versatile makeup wardrobe tailored to work for you, your budget and lifestyle. While makeup capsules generally include a few pieces, the size of your capsule collection is ultimate up to you.Why a makeup capsule challenge?Many of us here have a robust collection of makeup and it can be difficult to pare that down to a handful of pieces for capsule. This challenge, with its weekly themes, is meant as a fun way to try your hand at curating a makeup capsule for yourself. Each week you'll have an opportunity to go through your collection, identify one or more product(s) that fits the weekly theme (all you need is one product for this challenge), and put together a makeup look with that and other products.The challenge is also another way to use your stash, allowing you a chance to discover products you might have missed out on or re-discover past favorites.For more info on this challenge, check out the previous years' challenges:

itsfi

Week 2 - The "Glowing & Golden" Makeup Capsule (Part 1)

My quick takeaways from the red carpet looks for the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes Awards can be summed up as follows:

demi matte or satin finish with a healthy, natural looking soft flush of color to cheeks
skin looked luminous without being overly wet, sparkly or looking like a strobe light
more so at the Critics Choice Awards, eyes generally took a minimalist approach, some appeared to even skip mascara, and possibly eyeshadow, too, or, at least had that "no makeup" makeup eye look thing going
particularly at the Golden Globes, many hairstyles harkened back to Old Hollywood Glamour or having a thoughtful structural element to them; that aesthetic seemed to run through many of the makeup and fashion aesthetics as far as what caught my eye.
statement lips ranged from bold and vibrant reds and corals to soft pinks to toasty milky nudes and browns.

Product Details:

I gathered most of these items after the Critics Choice Awards with a few tweaks in the beginning minutes of the red carpet for the Golden Globes. I was going from room to room trying to juggle watching both the latter and the NFC Wild Card game. There were a lot of looks from the Golden Globe Awards Show that caught my eye after I had put this capsule together, so I'm going to call an audible 🏈 and will be adding a few different products over the weekend this week for some looks inspired by some of the glam on the red carpet. Posts will be made at some point to other threads wtihin the Forum.

Spoiler

Complexion:

Primer (Face): Touch in Sol Icy Sherbet Primer (🥘)

Foundation: Rotating between two skincare-makeup hybrids - Cle de Peau The Foundation (🥘) and Typology Tinted Serum. Both offer a lightweight tint to the complexion, the CdP providing a more dewy glassy finish and the Typology a more radiant satin finish. While both offer just the hint of color (true tints they are), the Typology provides more coverage than the CdP but both are easily layerable.

Concealer (Blemishes & Redness): The probably soon-to-be-discontinued Armani Beauty Power Fabric + Longwear Matte Concealer (🔥). I really like this concealer but it appears that it may be undergoing a reformulation à la the Luminous Silk Foundation. If there's going to be a new reformulated version, I'm going to want to compare it to this original so I will be slowing down on my usage of this after this month.

Concealer (Undereyes): Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader The Concealer Pen (🔥) - her eyeliners get a ton of raves but my eyes have a more challenging time with pencil or gel eyeliners in general. Of the products from her collection that I've used, it's her lip products, bronzer, highlighter stick, brushes, and this concealer pen that are the standouts for me so far.

Setting Product(s): SEPHORA COLLECTION Microsmooth Multi-Tasking Baked Face Powder Foundation (not shown)(🔥) and for days when I want a more glowy finish, PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray 3.38 fl oz/100 mL (🔥).

Eyes:

Eyeshadow: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick Golden Bronze (🔥) is an oldie-but-goodie for me. It's one of those "love at first sample" products where I've never actuallypurchased a full size because I've always managed to find my way to a deluxe sample size or mini by way of a gwp.

Eyeliner (Upper lash line): Heme Liquid Eyeliner 01 Black

Eyeliner (Waterline): Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) (🔥)

Brows: Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade Neutral (limited edition) (discontinued)

Mascara: I'll go without mascara most days as many did at the Critics Choice Awards but for days when I want to give my paltry lashes some oomph, it'll be courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara Black (🔥) this week.

Cheeks:

Blush: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Cream Blush Provence - if I wasn't holding the line on expanding my collection arbitrarily, I would pick up more shades in this line. The formulation, consistency and sheer to buildable coverage suits me. I get flushed veeeery easily and have mild rosacea flare ups on occasion so blush isn't a product I tend to get super excited about but I like this LM blush a lot. One of my favorite beauty discoveries from 2025. 😍

Bronzer: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzing Drops for underpainting and MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer® (🔥) as a traditional bronzer, both will be used sparingly as I'll primarily be focusing more on contouring this week. It's not that I can't use both a bronzer and contour but for me personally, it'll be easier for me to practice / work on contouring if it's just that and a little wash of color with blush.

Contour: It was Fenty Amber stick last week and SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Contour Stick this week. It's too early to say if I have any favorites for contour but I can say that while I haven't created that totally snatched, defined look for my nose, cheeks or jaw line, I have been able to get some definition to those features and, on one occasion, enough for a couple of people who don't notice these things to say "wait, did you do something different? ... you look a little different, you look like you did something different ... you did something different, didn't you?!" 😅

Lips:

Lip Contour: Melt Cosmetics Eyeliner Ivory. Currently, this year's go-to for my lip contour. I considered picking up another one during Melt's year-end sale when it was 50% off but I was good and held off on the idea that lip contouring is something new(ish) for me and I'm not sure if it'll be something I keep up with in the long haul and also because I was trying to be good about sticking to a low buy.

Lip Liner: Going with a variety of hues for options this week:

Pink: TOM FORD Runway Matte Lip Liner Pencil for Sculpted Definition Re-See - the Tom Ford Runway lip liners are one of, if not the, longest wearing lip liners on the market. It leans a bit dry as a result. This is not my favorite shade from the line, it's more chalky than dusty pink on me but paired with the right lip product it's not so bad
Red(ish): Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner - Admired is a long-wearing brown-toned rosy red liner. I like this liner paired with softer neutrals, nude or brown lip shades as it creates a wearable red for me.
Rosy Nude: MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner 606 Wherever Walnut has a huge fan base for a reason
Plum: Saie Lip Liner 101: Creamy & Nourishing Lip Pencil Tease is brown-toned plum
Nude/Neutral/Beige/Brown: rhode Peptide Lip Shape Contouring Lip Shaper Lean - warm medium brown is a mid-tone brown; warm-ish toned. I'm not fond of these lip shapers as the contour liners they're intended to be; for me, they work better as a fill shade, on their own or topped with a clear gloss.

Lip Balm: Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment Peppermint Glaze (limited edition)

Lip Gloss: Choice between MAKE UP FOR EVER Super Boost Moisturizing & Plumping Lip Gloss 06 Wherever Walnut, a soft, muted neutral rosy nude, or Gucci Hydrating Plumping Lip Gloss 509 Rosso Ancora, a sheer but buildable pinky-red gloss. For the weekend, I may see what kind of color and shine I get with layering the Gucci over (or even under) the new DIOR Lip Glow Oil Hydrating High-Shine Gloss 104 Black Cherry. 🤔

Tools

Makeup Brushes: Going with the MAKEUP BY MARIO Mario's Essential Cosmetic Brush Set. I picked the set up last year and I've really been enjoying these brushes. The bristles are soft (but not too soft); I like the shorter handles and that they're not double ended.

Lash Curler: Shiseido Eyelash Curler Eyelash Curler (🔥)

Fragrance(s)

Lake & Skye Discovery Set (🛒) from Shop My Stash Winter Edit

emoji key
🏆 fits the Glowing & Golden capsule theme
🎉 a new to me product or a product making its first appearance in this challenge
🐐 GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) product
🔥 Top Shelf / Favorite
🥘 Pan it! Challenge item
🛒 Shop Your Stash: Winter 2026 item

Complexion:Primer (Face): Touch in Sol Icy Sherbet Primer () Foundation: Rotating between two skincare-makeup hybrids - Cle de Peau The Foundation () and Typology Tinted Serum. Both offer a lightweight tint to the complexion, the CdP providing a more dewy glassy finish and the Typology a more radiant satin finish. While both offer just the hint of color (true tints they are), the Typology provides more coverage than the CdP but both are easily layerable. Concealer (Blemishes & Redness): The probably soon-to-be-discontinued (). I really like this concealer but it appears that it may be undergoing a reformulation à la the Luminous Silk Foundation. If there's going to be a new reformulated version, I'm going to want to compare it to this original so I will be slowing down on my usage of this after this month. Concealer (Undereyes): Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader The Concealer Pen () - her eyeliners get a ton of raves but my eyes have a more challenging time with pencil or gel eyeliners in general. Of the products from her collection that I've used, it's her lip products, bronzer, highlighter stick, brushes, and this concealer pen that are the standouts for me so far. Setting Product(s): (not shown)() and for days when I want a more glowy finish, (). Eyes:Eyeshadow: () is an oldie-but-goodie for me. It's one of those "love at first sample" products where I've never actuallypurchased a full size because I've always managed to find my way to a deluxe sample size or mini by way of a gwp. Eyeliner (Upper lash line): Heme Liquid Eyeliner 01 Black Eyeliner (Waterline): Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) () Brows: Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade Neutral (limited edition) (discontinued) Mascara: I'll go without mascara most days as many did at the Critics Choice Awards but for days when I want to give my paltry lashes some oomph, it'll be courtesy of () this week. Cheeks: Blush: - if I wasn't holding the line on expanding my collection arbitrarily, I would pick up more shades in this line. The formulation, consistency and sheer to buildable coverage suits me. I get flushed veeeery easily and have mild rosacea flare ups on occasion so blush isn't a product I tend to get super excited about but I like this LM blush a lot. One of my favorite beauty discoveries from 2025. Bronzer: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzing Drops for underpainting and () as a traditional bronzer, both will be used sparingly as I'll primarily be focusing more on contouring this week. It's not that I can't use both a bronzer and contour but for me personally, it'll be easier for me to practice / work on contouring if it's just that and a little wash of color with blush. Contour: It was Fenty Amber stick last week and this week. It's too early to say if I have any favorites for contour but I can say that while I haven't created that totally snatched, defined look for my nose, cheeks or jaw line, I have been able to get some definition to those features and, on one occasion, enough for a couple of people who don't notice these things to say "wait, did you do something different? ... you look a little different, you look like you did something different ... you did something different, didn't you?!" Lips: Lip Contour: Melt Cosmetics Eyeliner Ivory. Currently, this year's go-to for my lip contour. I considered picking up another one during Melt's year-end sale when it was 50% off but I was good and held off on the idea that lip contouring is something new(ish) for me and I'm not sure if it'll be something I keep up with in the long haul and also because I was trying to be good about sticking to a low buy. Lip Liner: Going with a variety of hues for options this week:Pink: - the Tom Ford Runway lip liners are one of, if not the, longest wearing lip liners on the market. It leans a bit dry as a result. This is not my favorite shade from the line, it's more chalky than dusty pink on me but paired with the right lip product it's not so badRed(ish): Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip Liner - Admired is a long-wearing brown-toned rosy red liner. I like this liner paired with softer neutrals, nude or brown lip shades as it creates a wearable red for me.Rosy Nude: has a huge fan base for a reasonPlum: is brown-toned plumNude/Neutral/Beige/Brown: is a mid-tone brown; warm-ish toned. I'm not fond of these lip shapers as the contour liners they're intended to be; for me, they work better as a fill shade, on their own or topped with a clear gloss. Lip Balm: Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment Peppermint Glaze (limited edition) Lip Gloss: Choice between , a soft, muted neutral rosy nude, or , a sheer but buildable pinky-red gloss. For the weekend, I may see what kind of color and shine I get with layering the Gucci over (or even under) the new . ToolsMakeup Brushes: Going with the . I picked the set up last year and I've really been enjoying these brushes. The bristles are soft (but not too soft); I like the shorter handles and that they're not double ended.Lash Curler: () Fragrance(s)Lake & Skye Discovery Set () from Shop My Stash Winter Edit emoji key fits the Glowing & Golden capsule theme a new to me product or a product making its first appearance in this challenge GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) product Top Shelf / Favorite Pan it! Challenge item Shop Your Stash: Winter 2026 item

The "Fits":

For being as compact as they are, both the pouch that comes with the Makeup by Mario brush set and the YSL case hold quite a bit of products. The fragrance vials can fit into either if I removed them from the box but keeping the intact will make it easier for me to remember to use them for Shop Your Stash.

itsfi

Week 1 - The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Mentally Minded" Makeup Capsule

For the new year, going to take a different approach to my makeup capsules, at least on a trial basis for the first three months. I'll go into more details about that in a reply to this post but for my first capsule of the new year, I went with these beauties for a mix of the two themes.

Product Details:

Spoiler

Complexion:

Primer (Face): Going to try the Rare Beauty Long-Lasting Setting Spray (💪🏼) as a primer or Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer with Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid 1.7 oz/... (🐐) for days I reach for the UD foundation.

Foundation: Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation (medium-to-full coverage) (🔥) or Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation 40 Runyon (🐐), the latter of which I'm including in this capsule as I'm a handful of uses from finishing the tube.

Concealer: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation with Hyaluronic Acid 8 Neutral (💪🏼)

Setting Powder: KimChiChic Beauty Puff Puff Pass Set and Bake Powder (Ivander) (💪🏼)

Setting Spray: Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist or Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (💪🏼) - Both are fine enough, just not among my Top 5 setting sprays. I decided last year that I'd keep both in my collection and try to use them up by end of 2026, which means I need to keep them in the rotation, so here we are.

Eyes:
Primer (Eyes): NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (🐐) - this holds some sentimental value for me as it was one of the first, if not THEE first eyeshadow primer I used.

Eyeshadow: Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette - Stora Dolls (🥘)

Eye Liner (upper lash line): Heme Shade Liner 00 Shadow

Eyeliner (lower lash line): Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) (🔥)

Mascara: Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof Mascara (🔥) - one of my current top 2 favorite mascara

Brows: either L'Oreal Faux Brow Eyebrow Tint Double Brush Brow Pen - Dark Brunette (Ulta Beauty World) or Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade - shade is a limited edition color from a holiday set a couple of years ago. I'm close to finishing it and will be rotating it in capsules to get more use out of it as I work my way through the final use.

Cheeks:

Blush: Tower 28 Beauty GetSet & Blur + Set Matte Powder Blush - Samo Spritzer (💪🏼🥘) - we'll be seeing this in a lot of capsules this year. Powder blush is a challening product for me to pan and I need to keep it in the rotation in the first few months as I try to build a habit of reaching for it.

Contour: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Contour Stick - Amber (💪🏼) - this is the Snackz size (love this size) - I'm going to try to learn how to contour this year, at least that's the plan. Got distracted last year from really digging deeper into it so we'll be seeing contouring products coming through my capsules a lot more often this year.

Lips:
Lip Contour: Melt Cosmetics Slick Waterline Eye Pencil (Ivory) - is one of the products I've purchased with the hope of being a suitable replacement for when I've finished the Makeup by Mario Light I liner generally work well as lip contour. Love being able to repurpose products.

Lip Liner: Rare Beauty Admired (part of limited edition holiday set from a couple of years ago) or Maybelline Lifter Liner Lip Liner Pencil with Hyaluronic Acid - On It (strong)

Lipstick: HUNG VANNGO BEAUTY Creamy Matte Longwear Lipstick with Hyaluronic Acid - Call My Agent or Sephora Collection (discontinued) (🎉)

Lip Balm: rhode Peptide Lip Treatment Nourishing Glaze - Peppermint Glaze (limited edition, December 2024) (discontinued) (🛒) or OLIVIAUMMA Glow Ceramide Liptox Napa Valley (🎉). I've been reaching for this Oliviaumma balm at least 4 times a week for the last couple of weeks - nourishing, wears comfortably & fairly long for a lip balm, and the color is gorgeous! 😍

Tools:

Going with the SEPHORA COLLECTION 8-Piece Pro Face and Eye Brush Set (limited edition) (🎉)

emoji key

💪🏼fits the Mentally Minded themeI
🎉a new to me product or a product making its first appearance in this challenge
🐐 GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) product
🔥Top Shelf / Favorite

🥘 Pan it! Challenge item
🛒Shop Your Stash: Winter 2026 item

Complexion:Primer (Face): Going to try the Rare Beauty Long-Lasting Setting Spray () as a primer or () for days I reach for the UD foundation. Foundation: Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation (medium-to-full coverage) () or (), the latter of which I'm including in this capsule as I'm a handful of uses from finishing the tube. Concealer: () Setting Powder: KimChiChic Beauty Puff Puff Pass Set and Bake Powder (Ivander) () Setting Spray: Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist or () - Both are fine enough, just not among my Top 5 setting sprays. I decided last year that I'd keep both in my collection and try to use them up by end of 2026, which means I need to keep them in the rotation, so here we are. Eyes:Primer (Eyes): NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base () - this holds some sentimental value for me as it was one of the first, if not THEE first eyeshadow primer I used. Eyeshadow: Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette - Stora Dolls ()Eye Liner (upper lash line): Heme Shade Liner 00 Shadow Eyeliner (lower lash line): Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light 1 (discontinued) () Mascara: Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof Mascara () - one of my current top 2 favorite mascara Brows: either L'Oreal Faux Brow Eyebrow Tint Double Brush Brow Pen - Dark Brunette (Ulta Beauty World) or Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade - shade is a limited edition color from a holiday set a couple of years ago. I'm close to finishing it and will be rotating it in capsules to get more use out of it as I work my way through the final use.Cheeks:Blush: Tower 28 Beauty GetSet & Blur + Set Matte Powder Blush - Samo Spritzer () - we'll be seeing this in a lot of capsules this year. Powder blush is a challening product for me to pan and I need to keep it in the rotation in the first few months as I try to build a habit of reaching for it. Contour: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Contour Stick - Amber () - this is the Snackz size (love this size) - I'm going to try to learn how to contour this year, at least that's the plan. Got distracted last year from really digging deeper into it so we'll be seeing contouring products coming through my capsules a lot more often this year. Lips:Lip Contour: Melt Cosmetics Slick Waterline Eye Pencil (Ivory) - is one of the products I've purchased with the hope of being a suitable replacement for when I've finished the Makeup by Mario Light I liner generally work well as lip contour. Love being able to repurpose products. Lip Liner: Rare Beauty Admired (part of limited edition holiday set from a couple of years ago) or Maybelline Lifter Liner Lip Liner Pencil with Hyaluronic Acid - On It (strong) Lipstick: HUNG VANNGO BEAUTY Creamy Matte Longwear Lipstick with Hyaluronic Acid - Call My Agent or Sephora Collection (discontinued) () Lip Balm: rhode Peptide Lip Treatment Nourishing Glaze - Peppermint Glaze (limited edition, December 2024) (discontinued) () or OLIVIAUMMA Glow Ceramide Liptox Napa Valley (). I've been reaching for this Oliviaumma balm at least 4 times a week for the last couple of weeks - nourishing, wears comfortably & fairly long for a lip balm, and the color is gorgeous! Tools:Going with the SEPHORA COLLECTION 8-Piece Pro Face and Eye Brush Set (limited edition) ()emoji keyfits the Mentally Minded themeIa new to me product or a product making its first appearance in this challenge GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) productTop Shelf / Favorite Pan it! Challenge itemShop Your Stash: Winter 2026 item

The Fits:

And they all fit nicely, snugly, in one of my favorite makeup bags, this puffy one from Rare Beauty (💪🏼) - it reminds me of a puffy winter coat.

caitbird

@itsfi great collection of products, and cute bag - it does look like a winter puffer coat! Thank you for keeping this challenge going - I need to inventory and organize my makeup, but I will try to participate as I can!

itsfi

Yep, feel free to join whenever you're up for it @caitbird. It's been a good (and fun, creative) way for me to go through products and see in practical ways what's a good size makeup capsule for me. Or what makes sense from an actual use perspective which, in turn, has had the effect of helping me curb my spending, and not just on beauty items; well, most of the time, lol.

itsfi

Going to take a slightly different approach to my capsules this year, at least for the first three months of the year, on a trial basis:

Instead of curating my weekly capsules from my entire makeup collection, at the beginning of the month, I'll put together a group of products that I'll use as my pool of products from which I will curate my weekly capsules for that month. This monthly pool of products will be larger in size than a typical weekly capsule but much smaller than my entire collection. My intention here is to provide myself some opportunities to see what size capsule (and what number and mix of each category of products - foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, etc.) gives me the variety I need to put together a variety of looks.

I may elect once a month to curate a one of the weekly capsules with products from one brand (or 80%) of my capsule from one brand. I'm including this option to offer up a change from what will be the new capsule routine and also to provide me an opportunity to use all my products from one brand for looks throughout a particular week. Other than when I started wearing a semi-full face of makeup for the first time (and didn't really have any products except for a few (6 or 7) products from one brand), my makeup look has never been made up of just one brand. I'm not sure how many brands I can do this with but I guess we'll find out. We'll also find out if I can see myself just having my makeup (or most of it) be from one brand.

I'll assess how this new approach is working out for me at the end of March; if it's something I'd like to continue with, I'll extend the trial run for another 3 months. If not, then I'll go back to curating my weekly capsules as I have in the past, pulling products from the whole of my collection. Why extend it just for 3 months? That would take me through June. I tend to wear less makeup in general in July, August and September so my makeup routine/looks don't require more than a handful of pieces. I'll probably come up with something different for those months, but haven't really thought through that.

The pool of products I will draw from (for the most part) for January's capsules:

I will occasionally swap out something from this set for another similar product, either to meet a capsule them, to work towards using up a product, or for some other reason. I'll keep those instances to a minimum because I really do want to see what a good "capsule" size for me would be. For January, we have 41 products which took me by surprise; at the same time, I look at these items and feel like I could have added a couple of more products. 😬

caitbird

@itsfi I'll be interested to hear how this new approach to curating your capsules works for you!

itsfi

I'll keep you posted @caitbird; I'm interested to see how things play out for the rest of January and also the first 3 months of the year.

itsfi

January Makeup Capsule Themes

Spoiler

Week 1 (January 1 - 11) - The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Mentally Minded" Makeup Capsule

The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule: Let's start off the new year by putting together a capsule made up of one or more makeup products that are new-to-you or that you want to incorporate into your routine in 2026. Maybe there's a beauty that's been sitting in your stash for a while that you've been meaning to try, here's your chance! Or perhaps you're looking to hone your contouring skills (or if you're like me, get those skills to begin with) a la the face mapping lessons at BIC University, make contour products a focal point of your makeup capsule. Or you might want to focus on primers this month as part of the Beauty Challenge - Twelve Months of Beauty Inventory.

The Mentally Minded Makeup Capsule: January is recognized a Mental Wellness Month. Curate a capsule made up of one or more product(s) from one or more makeup brands that supports or promotes mental health (or mental heath awareness (which is historically recognized in October)).

Spoiler

Makeup Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness*
Kiehl's*
KimChiChic Beauty*
Maybelline*^

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez^

* Included in Forbes' October 10, 2025 (updated December 15, 2025) online article titled "Beauty and Fashion Brands Supporting Mental Health"

^ Identified in Who What Wear's online articled titled "10 Must-Know Beauty Brands That Empower Mental Health Initiatives"

*^ Recognized in both the Forbes and Who What Wear publications for its support of mental health and mental health awareness

Week 2 (January 12 - 18) - The "Glowing & Golden" Makeup Capsule

The Critics Choice Awards were handed out on January 4 and Golden Globes will have taken place on the 11th. Take inspiration from a look (or two) from a Critics Choice or Golden Globe nominee or attendee, or anyone who walked the red carpet or attended an after party, and put together a capsule inspired by that look. Didn't watch the award shows? No problem. Curate a capsule with one or more makeup products that make you feel glowing and golden ... like you were born to be!! ⭐ [Edited 1.5.2026 to add Critics Choice Awards]

Don't feel like you need to stop at your makeup either! Have a fly outfit waiting to be shared, get yourself decked out, take some snaps and head on over to the The Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread to share your beauty from head to toe.

Week 3 (January 19 - 25) - The "Less is More" Makeup Capsule

Is less really more? You tell me. Curate a makeup capsule consisting of:
(a) no more than six (6) makeup products; or
(b) makeup products having an aggregate total (pre-sale/pre-discount) retail price of $100 USD / $137 CAD (I will update CAD based on conversion rate Sunday evening before the start of the week); or
(c) one brand (this is for the maximalists among us; "less" = one = one brand); or
(d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c). [Edited 1.10.2026 to add option (d)]

Week 4 (January 26 - February 1) - The "Musical Artist Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule
The Grammy's are taking place February 1. The beauty industry has seen a wave of makeup lines founded by musical artists, including, but not limited to those in the spoiler below. For this week, curate a capsule made up of one or more product(s) from a musical artist founded/owned makeup brand.

Spoiler

A non-exhaustive list of musical artist founded / owned makeup brands will be posted in this space during Week 3

Week 1 (January 1 - 11) - The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Mentally Minded" Makeup Capsule The "New Year, New-To-You" Makeup Capsule: Let's start off the new year by putting together a capsule made up of one or more makeup products that are new-to-you or that you want to incorporate into your routine in 2026. Maybe there's a beauty that's been sitting in your stash for a while that you've been meaning to try, here's your chance! Or perhaps you're looking to hone your contouring skills (or if you're like me, get those skills to begin with) a la the face mapping lessons at BIC University, make contour products a focal point of your makeup capsule. Or you might want to focus on primers this month as part of the Beauty Challenge - Twelve Months of Beauty Inventory. The Mentally Minded Makeup Capsule: January is recognized a Mental Wellness Month. Curate a capsule made up of one or more product(s) from one or more makeup brands that supports or promotes mental health (or mental heath awareness (which is historically recognized in October)). Makeup Brands Supporting Mental Health Awareness*Kiehl's* KimChiChic Beauty*Maybelline*^Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez^ * Included in Forbes' October 10, 2025 (updated December 15, 2025) online article titled "Beauty and Fashion Brands Supporting Mental Health" ^ Identified in Who What Wear's online articled titled "10 Must-Know Beauty Brands That Empower Mental Health Initiatives" *^ Recognized in both the Forbes and Who What Wear publications for its support of mental health and mental health awareness Week 2 (January 12 - 18) - The "Glowing & Golden" Makeup Capsule The Critics Choice Awards were handed out on January 4 and Golden Globes will have taken place on the 11th. Take inspiration from a look (or two) from a Critics Choice or Golden Globe nominee or attendee, or anyone who walked the red carpet or attended an after party, and put together a capsule inspired by that look. Didn't watch the award shows? No problem. Curate a capsule with one or more makeup products that make you feel glowing and golden ... like you were born to be!! [Edited 1.5.2026 to add Critics Choice Awards] Don't feel like you need to stop at your makeup either! Have a fly outfit waiting to be shared, get yourself decked out, take some snaps and head on over to the The Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread to share your beauty from head to toe.Week 3 (January 19 - 25) - The "Less is More" Makeup CapsuleIs less really more? You tell me. Curate a makeup capsule consisting of:(a) no more than six (6) makeup products; or(b) makeup products having an aggregate total (pre-sale/pre-discount) retail price of $100 USD / $137 CAD (I will update CAD based on conversion rate Sunday evening before the start of the week); or(c) one brand (this is for the maximalists among us; "less" = one = one brand); or(d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c). [Edited 1.10.2026 to add option (d)]Week 4 (January 26 - February 1) - The "Musical Artist Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule The Grammy's are taking place February 1. The beauty industry has seen a wave of makeup lines founded by musical artists, including, but not limited to those in the spoiler below. For this week, curate a capsule made up of one or more product(s) from a musical artist founded/owned makeup brand.A non-exhaustive list of musical artist founded / owned makeup brands will be posted in this space during Week 3

FYI: For 2026, I'll update* the original thread post (OP) with the current weekly theme and the theme for the following week. All other capsule themes (subsequent weeks and previous weeks) will be posted here with a link to this post on the OP in an effort to keep the OP tidy while having a record of the weekly themes available.

*OP will generally be updated with new weekly theme(s) by or before 9pm Pacific Time on the Sunday before the start of the new week/theme.