Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2026

[itsfi]

Hello, BIC! 👋 This is the third year 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: [Updated 2.1.2026]

Week 5 (February 2 - 8 ) - The Black Founded/Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule and/or The "Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Inspired" Makeup Capsule

Curate a capsule with one or more products from any of the following (or any combination of the following):

• a black founded or owned makeup brand in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month; and/or
• an Italian makeup brand in honor of the host country for the 2026 Olympics / Paralympics; and/or
• a makeup brand representing the spirit of the Olympics / Paralympics, sponsoring the Olympics / Paralympics, or endorsed by an athlete competing in the Olympics / Paralympics; and/or
• a makeup brand from one or more country/countries represented at the Olympics / Paralympics.

(Optional) -  In keeping with last year's capsules, we'll have on occasion, an optional month-long capsule theme for anyone interested. Like last year, February will be the first month with an optional month-long theme. For those interested, either in addition to the weekly themes this month or in lieu of any one or all of the weekly things, incorporate one or both themes from Week 5 into the weekly capsules for February. You can use the same capsule, or curate a new one every week, or add new products (based on a Week 5 theme whether or not that product was included in Week 5) into the then current week's theme. 

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of brands that have a portfolio primarily focused on makeup falling within the week's theme(s). There will undoubtedly be others and some that I've missed (apologies in advance); this list is again non-exhaustive. If there's a brand in your collection that falls within one or both themes, we'd love to see it / them in your capsule(s). Brands with an asterisk (*) next to its names are available in store or online at Sephora US or Sephora at Kohl's. If the founder or owner of the brand is not readily distinguishable by the brand name, that information is noted in parens next to the brand name.

Black Founded / Owned Makeup Brands 

AJ Crimson Beauty

*Ami Cole (Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye)

Balaeyon (RaeDawn)

Beauty Bakerie (Cashmere Nicole)

BLK/Opal (Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack)

Bossy Cosmetics (Aishetu Fatima Dozie)

*Cay Skin (Winnie Harlow)

Cecred (Beyonce)

Damone Roberts

*Danessa Myrick Beauty

Dehiya Beauty (Dr. Mia Reddy)

D'Lashes (Dionne Phillips)

*Eadem (Marie Kouadio Amouzame, co-founder)

*Fashion Fair (Eunice Johnson (original founder), Desiree Rodgers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack)

*Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Gloshood (Sienna Brown)

Juvia's Place (Chichi Eburu)

Keys Soulcare (Alicia Keys)

Lamik Beauty (Kim Roxie)

*LYS Beauty (Tisha Thompson)

Marie Hunter Beauty

Mented Cosmetics (KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson)

Mintty Makeup (Junior Mintt)

*Pat McGrath Labs

Pound Cake (Camille Bell, co-founder)

*Range Beauty (Alicia Scott)

Relevant: Your Skin Seen (Nyakio Grieco)

The Lip Bar (Melissa Butler)

*Topicals (Olamide Olowe)

Uoma Beauty (Sharon Chuter)

WYN Beauty (Serena Williams)

Italian Makeup Brands

*Armani Beauty

*Gucci Beauty

Kiko Milano

Nabla Cosmetics

*Prada Beauty

Rodin Olio Lusso

*Valentino Beauty

As always, feel free to post your looks here or on other threads in the Forum, including, but not limited to the What are you wearing in 2026?? thread. 

⏩  UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes [Updated 2.1.2026]

Spoiler

Week 6 (February 9 - 15) - The "Perfectly Paired" Makeup Capsule 

Are there certain product or shade pairings that just work beautifully for you? Let's build a makeup capsule around them. Here's your chance to shine a spotlight on the dynamic duos, trusted trios, or killer combos that are go-to's for your everyday and/or special occasion look(s).

Additional weekly themes for February 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 

[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]

A list of past, present and future (for the current month and sometimes the next month) capsule themes can be found below. [UPDATED 1.27.2026]

February Makeup Capsule Themes

Spoiler

Week 5 (February 2 - 8 ) - The Black Founded/Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule and/or The "Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Inspired" Makeup Capsule
Curate a capsule with one or more products from any of the following (or any combination of the following):

• a black founded or owned makeup brand in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month; and/or
• an Italian makeup brand in honor of the host country for the 2026 Olympics / Paralympics; and/or
• a makeup brand representing the spirit of the Olympics / Paralympics, sponsoring the Olympics / Paralympics, or endorsed by an athlete competing in the Olympics / Paralympics; and/or
• a makeup brand from one or more country/countries represented at the Olympics / Paralympics.

Spoiler

Included below are non-exhaustive lists of brands that have a portfolio primarily focused on makeup falling within the week's theme(s). There will undoubtedly be others and some that I've missed (apologies in advance); this list is again non-exhaustive. If there's a brand in your collection that falls within one or both themes, we'd love to see it / them in your capsule(s). Brands with an asterisk (*) next to its names are available in store or online at Sephora US or Sephora at Kohl's. If the founder or owner of the brand is not readily distinguishable by the brand name, that information is noted in parens next to the brand name.

Black Founded / Owned Makeup Brands 

AJ Crimson Beauty

*Ami Cole (Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye)

Balaeyon (RaeDawn)

Beauty Bakerie (Cashmere Nicole)

BLK/Opal (Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack)

Bossy Cosmetics (Aishetu Fatima Dozie)

*Cay Skin (Winnie Harlow)

Cecred (Beyonce)

Damone Roberts

*Danessa Myrick Beauty

Dehiya Beauty (Dr. Mia Reddy)

D'Lashes (Dionne Phillips)

*Eadem (Marie Kouadio Amouzame, co-founder)

*Fashion Fair (Eunice Johnson (original founder), Desiree Rodgers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack)

*Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Gloshood (Sienna Brown)

Juvia's Place (Chichi Eburu)

Keys Soulcare (Alicia Keys)

Lamik Beauty (Kim Roxie)

*LYS Beauty (Tisha Thompson)

Marie Hunter Beauty

Mented Cosmetics (KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson)

Mintty Makeup (Junior Mintt)

*Pat McGrath Labs

Pound Cake (Camille Bell, co-founder)

*Range Beauty (Alicia Scott)

Relevant: Your Skin Seen (Nyakio Grieco)

The Lip Bar (Melissa Butler)

*Topicals (Olamide Olowe)

Uoma Beauty (Sharon Chuter)

WYN Beauty (Serena Williams)

Italian Makeup Brands

*Armani Beauty

*Gucci Beauty

Kiko Milano

Nabla Cosmetics

*Prada Beauty

Rodin Olio Lusso

*Valentino Beauty

Week 6 (February 9 - 15) - The "Perfectly Paired" Makeup Capsule 

Are there certain product or shade pairings that just work beautifully for you? Let's build a makeup capsule around them. Here's your chance to shine a spotlight on the dynamic duos, trusted trios, or killer combos that are go-to's for your everyday and/or special occasion look(s).

Week 7 (February 16 - 22) - The "New York Fashion Week Inspired" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Lunar New Year / Year of the Horse" Makeup Capsule 

A few options for this week, depending on your mood or preference.

        ** New York Fashion Week 2026 👗 (see "BONUS" below) runs from February 11 - 16 and will have just wrapped up by the time we start Week 7. Collections from various shows should be available online before the start of this week. Were there any makeup looks or trends that made their way down the runway that caught your eye? Put together a capsule consisting of one or more makeup products or trends that made their way down one or more of the runways at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). A brief summary of some of the beauty looks that made it down the runway at NYFW will be included in the original post during the week of February 11. 

        ** Lunar New Year 2026 / Year of the (Fire) Horse starts February 17, 2026. If you're looking to build a capsule around this theme, consider adding one or more makeup products from or that includes any of the following (or any combination of the following):
(a) a Lunar New Year makeup collection or release, past or present; and/or 
(b) a makeup brand from one or more countries or regions that celebrate the Lunar New Year; and/or
(c) "lucky" colors for 2026 Fire Horse Year, which per the internet, balances fire with the elements of water and wood, with heavy focus on reds (vermillion, burgundy), blues (aquamarine, deep blue), blacks, emerald green, and golds/yellows.

Week 8 (February 23 - March 1) - The Throwback Makeup Capsule

Curate a capsule with one or more makeup product(s) that
(a) Gives you those 2016 vibes; and/or
(b) Has been discontinued or is in the process of being phased out (and that has not otherwise expired or is unsafe to use); and/or
(c) Harkens back to Old Hollywood Glamour 👗 (see "BONUS" below) in honor of the 2026 Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards) taking place March 1 and having the first ever mandatory red carpet dress code, with the theme "Reimagining Hollywood Glamour from the '20s and 30's"; and/or 
(d) Incorporates a previous makeup capsule theme, from this year or challenges from previous years. Was there a theme you wanted to redo? Go for it. Or, maybe you missed out on a capsule week? Here's your chance to give it a go. 

👗BONUS: If you're going for a New York Fashion Week inspired capsule in Week 7 or an Old Hollywood Glamour makeup capsule for Week 8, consider continuing that vibe to your entire look. If you do, stop on by and share your stylish threads with us on the The Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread . 

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!! ⭐ 

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). 

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

Below is a non-exhaustive list of brands founded or owned by a musician that have makeup products as a primary focus of their beauty brand. There are other beauty brands that may fall within these parameters not listed below and if you have any in your collection, it will exciting to see them in your capsules. Brands with an asterisk (*) after the brand name are available at Sephora US (in store or online) and/or Sephora at Kohl's. 

about-face (Halsey)
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna*
GXVE by Gwen Stefani*
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga*
Kesha Rose Beauty
Keys Soulcare (Alicia Keys)
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez*
R.E.M. Beauty (Ariana Grande)
Victoria Beckham Beauty

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.

[danielledanielle]

Hurray 🙌🏽 Thanks for keeping this going, @itsfi