Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2026

[itsfi]

Hello, BIC! 👋 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 to the Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge!

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. For more information on the challenge, check out the FAQs a little further down this post. ⤵️

▶️  NOW PLAYING: CURRENT Makeup Capsule Theme: [Updated 5.3.2026]

Week 18 (May 1 - 10)  The  AAPI Founded / Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule 

To celebrate May's Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) National Heritage Month, let's put together a capsule with one or more products from an AAPI  founded or owned beauty brand.

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of makeup brands founded or co-founded / owned or co-owned by Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) - the brands listed are primarily ones that offer makeup / color cosmetics. To the extent the founder(s) identity cannot be determined by the brand name, his/her/their name(s) will appear in parens next to the brand name. Brands with an asterisk (*) next to their name are available at Sephora and/or Sephora at Kohl's
 
CLE Cosmetics (Lauren Jin)
CTZN Cosmetics (Aleena Khan, Aleezeh Khan, and Naseeha Khan)
Em Cosmetics (Michelle Phan)
* Glow Recipe (Christine Chang and Sarah Lee)
* Hung Vanngo Beauty
Kimchi Chic Beauty (Kim Chi)
* Kulfi Beauty (Priyanka Ganjoo)
Live Tinted (Deepica Mutyala)
* Mango People (Sravya Adusumilli)
Meloway Makeup (Aiden Kim and Ash Kim)
* One/Size by Patrick Starrr
Orce Cosmetics (Yu-Chen Shih)
Ourself (Lauren Otsuki)
* Patrick Ta Beauty
Purlisse Beauty (Jennifer Yen)
Seraphine Botanicals (Sylvia Phann)
The Creme Shop (Theresa and Lawrence Kim)
* Tower 28 Beauty (Amy Liu)
U Beauty (Tina Craig)
* Wander Beauty (Divya Gugnani)
Yensa Beauty (Jennifer Yen)

OR, if you're just having too much fun with the goodies you picked up during the Spring Savings Event, keep on using your newness. Or, put together a makeup capsule incorporating both of the week's themes.

[OPTIONAL] MONTHLY THEME (May 2026): Include one or more makeup products from an AAPI-founded or owned makeup brand in each of your makeup capsules this month.

⏩  UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes [Updated 5.3.2026]

Spoiler

Week 19 (May 11 - 17) The Fashion-Inspired Makeup Capsule 

"Fashion's biggest night" aka The Met Gala will have occurred on May 4, following on the heels of the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the sequel to one of the most well known fashion-industry-inspired films. Curate a makeup capsule with one or more makeup products from launched by a fashion house or fashion designer and/or inspired by any of the following: 

* looks worn by attendees at The Met Gala, this year or past year's

* looks from The Devil Wears Prada 2 (or the original if so desired)

* looks inspired by this season's red carpet looks

* looks inspired by your inner fashionista

[NOTE: A non-exhaustive list of fashion houses / fashion designers with makeup lines will be posted before the end of Week 18].

***

Additonal makeup capsule themes for May 2026 can be found here.

⏪  Previous Makeup Capsule Themes [Updated 3.22.2026]

Spoiler

For a list of makeup capsule themes from previous weeks, check out the following:

❄️ Winter 2026 Makeup Capsule Themes - for weekly themes from January, Febuary & March

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

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 makeup stash, allowing you a chance to discover products you might have missed out on or re-discover past favorites. If you're looking to use or work through more of your beauty collection beyond just makeup, the Shop Your Stash Challenge: The Spring 2025 Edition or Pan It! - 2026 Challenge may be worth a look.

For examples of what capsules folks have put together in previous makeup capsule challenges, check out:  Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2025 
Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024 

[danielledanielle]

I love that you're shopping your stash 😁 @caitbird 

[itsfi]

Week 10 - The Sleeping Beauties Makeup Capsules and/or The Palettes Makeup Capsule

Combined both of this week's themes, along with a nod to women-founded makeup brands.  

Keeping things on the light side with my makeup this week - the weather has been nice, warmer, which has been wonderful, but I've also been noticing some allergy symptoms popping up now and again; minor but I just want to tread cautiously. 

Primer: ciele prime & PROTECT SPF 30+ Smoothing Primer Nacre - Lightweight, easy to blend, softly blurs, and provides extra sun protection.

Foundation: MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Face Essentials Long-Lasting Full Face Cream Palette - part of thePan It! - 2026 Challenge and I've been finding more and more ways to make use out of the different shades in it. 

Concealer: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium to Full Coverage Radiant Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid  for literally one very prominent post-acne dark spot and to cover some redness around my nose. It's been a reliable concealer for me, this being possibly my 3rd tube. I'm almost halfway through it and expect to use it up before the year is over, but I plan to pick up the brand's new concealer instead of repurchasing this one.

Setting Powder: Jung Saem Mool Skin Nuder Pact Clear Light - this is my sleeping beauty entry for the week. It's very finely milled and the brush that comes with it is actually one I use on the go because it performs well, not just because it happens to be there. To keep things simple and to see how this wears, I'm going with just this powder for my setting product this week. I haven't reached for this as often as I would like so it'll be nice to have this as my sole setting product this week. If I feel I need more hydration or more of a glow, I'll either use the Caudalie Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist 6.7/200 (not pictured) or use a light hand with the PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray 3.38 fl oz/100 mL.

Eyeshadow: Today is a soft wash of color from the MUFE palette just because of allergies this morning but there will be a few looks courtesy of the palettes going head-to-head in the current round of BALETTE ROYALE: Beau- TEA Brackets. Pics and recap of those palettes will be made to that thread closer to week's end. 

Brows: will be just making sure my brows looked natural and well kept with MERIT Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade. Not sure if it will fall in the repurchase camp at the end of the day but the tinted version has turned out better than I thought it would - I thought the clear version was just okay.

Lips: I don't know if two products in a compact can be technically be counted as a palette but I'm going to go for it as I give the #Fara Homidi Essential Lip Refillable Compact Nude 1 #another try this week, paired again with the Fara Homidi Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil Doux. The lip compact is on the choppng block this week. I'll try it mixed with a couple of the shades from the MUFE palette as well as applied with a lip brush. The lip liner will likely stay but will the palette is iffy.

This week's makeup products fit just fine in thie mini YSL carrying case, a promo gwp from a beauty event last year or maybe two years ago? An "I did it for the GWP" prize for sure.

[danielledanielle]

I love how you're unlocking the potential of your MUFE palette!!! @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Me too @danielledanielle, it's been great to get more uses out of most of the shades in this palette. 🙌 Haven't hit pan on any one shade yet but I'm hoping to 🤞 soon. I think this could be my first pan of the Pan It! - 2026 Challenge 😲

[danielledanielle]

You got this @itsfi 

[caitbird]

@itsfi  lovely batch of products! So interesting as always to hear your thoughts on everything. One of these days (maybe during the spring sale?), I swear I am going to finally pick up that MUFE palette, which I have been eyeing for ages at this point.

Sorry to hear you've been having some allergy symptoms - I hope that clears up for you. 💜

[itsfi]

@caitbird, that MUFE palette has really come through for me, more so than I thought it would. 

[danielledanielle]

There's a lot going on. 

Sleeping Beauties:

Went looking for a pair of SC #Lash Stories 🥲 and found these

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil Zero , Jcat Lip paint, Nyx lip liner in Copenhagen and a Bare Essentials eye brush plus Huda Lashes Samantha 

Other SBs:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette .  Everyone remembers Naked 2 had us in a chokehold, but were you even breathing when soft Glam was out ??? 🤣.

Uoma Beauty's Make it Black Freedom Palette 

And Marc Jacobs Gilty ✨✨

Also bringing back Big Orange 🧡 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[caitbird]

@danielledanielle  I always love your unapologetically maximalist approach to these capsules (I don't mean that in a snarky way, but in an 'I can relate' way!). You found some great Sleeping Beauty gems!

[danielledanielle]

@caitbird ... Ah thanks and no snark detected.  I can appreciate minimalist edit, I love a good multitasker, but I'm def a maximalist 🤣

[itsfi]

That Uoma palette @danielledanielle ❣️ The metallics were/are gorgeous! Speaking of that collection, I feel like I have a couple of lipsticks from it ... somewhere ... 🤔

Oooouh, MAC Glow Play, did you pick up any additional ones during the 1/2 off sale?

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi , of course... But, just one? 🤔🙃 

I wish that palette was still in production.  It has not 1, but 3 duo chromes and the black is smooooooth

[missjeanie]

I did a capsule for February (Review to come) and was so happy to realize that most of my Feb choices are also women!  I may have an easier time doing a mini revamp for March!

[itsfi]

A mini revamp works @missjeanie; so does just carrying over your Feb capsule into March if you're enjoyed the products in that capsule.

[danielledanielle]

Ayyyyyyyyyeeee @missjeanie 

 

[missjeanie]

@danielledanielle Yesssss!

[itsfi]

Week 9 - The "International Women Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule

This month, I'll be trying to see if I can keep my weekly capsules around the 8-12 products range, for the most part, for my every day looks. 15-20 items would typically be on the high end for me, and 6 is probably the most minimalist I can get by with. This week's capsule falls within that ideal range but I'm not sure if all the products are the best for a working capsule for me. We'll see though; I'm planning on using just these items all week - no substitutions, no additions.

• Face Primer: ciele prime & PROTECT SPF 30+ Smoothing Primer Original is really only for those days when I use a couple of the shades in the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Face Essentials Long-Lasting Full Face Cream Palette (pan it! Challenge) for my base

• Foundation: Rotate among Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation (GOAT), the MUFE palette, and LYS Beauty Bright Start Creamy Buildable Coverage Airbrush Concealer 

• Concealer: LYS Concealer Stick or MUFE palette

• Setting Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Mini Airbrush Flawless Finish Refillable Blurring & Setting Powder 

• Setting Spray: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist 2.87 oz/ 85 mL* (fromShop Your Stash Challenge: Winter 2026 ❄️ )

• Eye Primer: LYS Concealer + Charlotte Tilbury powder

• Shadow: Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette 100 Stora Dolls (pan it! Challenge)

• Highlighter (inner corner, brows): Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen 

• Blush, Bronzer & Highlighter: All from MUFE palette

• Lips: Liner, Color & Gloss all from Fara Homidi - Fara Homidi Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil Doux #Fara Homidi Essential Lip Refillable Compact Refill Nude 1 

*If I finish the Rare Beauty setting spray this week (possible but not likely) I'll sub in the Caudalie Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist 6.7/200 (Shop Your Stash: Winter 2026) or for days when I want to look really dewy PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray 3.38 fl oz/100 mL (not shown) 

Nothing here is new to me but I think this may be the first time I've included the Fara Homidi products in a weekly capsule. My initial impressions of the two products are:

• Liner is good and I would consider picking up another shade or two, in a mini size, if the shade is available.
• Lip palette - the main color can be on the dry side - not necessarily drying but on the dry side, which makes sense as it's a matte finish. The balm / gloss helps. This color, Nude 1, unfortunately, leans too warm and pink for my liking. Using the liner to line and fill helps it a bit but it's not my favorite color. I prefer the shade Nude 2 from the collection - it's slightly deeper and more neutral in tone. I'll keep with this one and will try mixing it with different shades from the MUFE to see if I can make it work that way. 

The Fits:

I forget when ciele first offered this makeup bag a gwp on their site but it meant I had to make an "I did it for the GWP" purchase. It's a very roomy bag, I could probably fit the products from my morning skincare routine in there as well.

[itsfi]

Quick recap of Week 9's makeup choices. Nothing is on the chopping block. 

ciele prime & PROTECT SPF 30+ Smoothing Primer Original isn't necessarily a must have product from the line for me but I do love that it offers an extra layer of sun protection while priming skin for makeup. I tend to use it on days when I'm either wearing a minimal amount of base makeup or wearing a medium or medium+ coverage foundation. I just realized that the PAO for the sunscreen in this primer is 12 months and I'm coming up on that at the end of May so I'm gonna need to rotate this through my weekly capsules a lot more frequently. 

LYS Beauty Bright Start Creamy Buildable Coverage Airbrush Concealer is becoming a new favorite concealer of mine. It can be applied two different ways - with the sponge tip applicator or you can squeeze the product from the tube (after removing the sponge tip). I've been doing the latter, mainly because I don't want to dirty the sponge tip but I'll get over that soon enough. It's creamy, blends easily, and offers excellent coverage - buildable, medium to full, but can be sheered out for a light-to-medium coverage. This makes a great as a concealer and/or foundation. 

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Refillable Blurring & Setting Powder - it's been a while since I've used this for a longer period of time. I reach for it now and again, but having this be my only setting powder this week has reminded me why this was, at one point, the only setting powder I had in my collection. It's lovely. I won't make this my only setting powder but it's definitely one I'll reach for more and it would be one I would have in an ultimate makeup capsule. 

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Mini Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist 1.18 fl oz / 35 mL - it is finished. 😁

[caitbird]

@itsfi  woot 🎉 on finishing the RB mist!

[danielledanielle]

I kind relate about the pristine condition of an applicator or a brush @itsfi .  I always look at the brush on the Violette_FR blush 👀 😖...🖐🏽 Can't do it.  I'm sure it cleans with like a dry brush cleaner just fine, but nooooooooooo 

I've yet to be wowed by the CT powder, I know, but you're reminding me about the mini GWP.  Maybe I'll give it another go.

[danielledanielle]

Week 9: Female Founded 

The gworls are heeeeeeerrreee

Riri, Danessa, the Gaga, Ami Colé, Natasha, Anna, Tina, Mabel 🤣

Breaking into Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork: Blooming Romance - Palette For Eyes, Brows, Face & Lips and trying to keep shopping my stash with Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Hydrating Longwear Foundation and Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Concealer 

Fit Check

Spoiler