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 5.10.2026]

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

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of fashion houses with makeup lines. 

* Anna Sui Beauty

* Armani Beauty (Georgio Armani, co founder)

* Burberry Beauty (original 2010 makeup line launched by then creative director Christopher Bailey, fashion house founded byThomas Burberry)

* Carolina Herrera 

* Céline Beauty (developed by creative director Hedi Sliane, fashion house founded by Céline Vipiana)

* Chanel (Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel)

* Christian Louboutin

* Dior Beauty (Christian Dior)

* Dolce & Gabbana Beauty (Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana)

* Dries Van Noten

* Givenchy (Hubert de Givenchy)

* Gucci Beauty (2019 relaunched beauty line developed by creative director Alessandro Michele (2014 line developed by Pat McGrath), fashion house founded by Guccio Gucci)

* Hermès Beauty (makeup line designed by Gregoris Pyrpylis, brand developed under direction of Agnès de Villers and Pierre-Alexis Dumas, fashion house founded by Thierry Hermès)

* Jimmy Choo (makeup line developed by creative director Sandra Choi, fashion house founded by Tamara Mellon and Jimmy Choo)

* Louis Vuitton Beauté (makeup line developed by creative director Pat McGrath, fashion house founded by Louis Vuitton)

* Marc Jacobs Beauty

* Prada Beauty (beauty line developed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simmons, Lynsey Alexander and Ines Alpha; fashion house founded by Mario Prada)

* Rabanne Beauty

* Tom Ford Beauty

* Valentino (2021 makeup line influenced by creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, fashion house founded by Valentino Garavani)
*  Victoria Beckham Beauty

* YSL (Yves Saint Laurent)

[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.

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)

⏩  UPCOMING Makeup Capsule Themes [Updated 5.10.2026]

Spoiler

Week 20 (May 18 - 24) The  Mental Health Awareness Makeup Capsule 

May is Mental Health Awareness month. Let's put some more attention to the need for mental health awareness by putting together a capsule made up of one or more makeup product(s) from a makeup brand recognized for supporting mental health awareness

***

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 

[itsfi]

The Laneige are worth swatching @missjeanie; I get that swatches on the arm are going to translate differently than on the lips but many of the shades swatched differently on me than I expected them to; not differently as in bad, just ... differently, lol. For example, the nude beige shade looks just that in the bottle but on my arm it leaned much more warm with a slight peachy nude hue. The cherry red in the tube looks exactly what I expect a cherry red to look like - bright and red. Dotting it on my arm, that's the color I get. Spreading it? The color is a red for sure and it's pigmented and bold but it looks wearable. This is coming from someone who often slowly backs away or runs from reds because she's a scaredy cat (notwithstanding my profile pic). The rosy brown shade leaned much more warm than I thought but the darker brown shade had a pretty plummy brown tone to it. All that to say, worth having a swatch party.

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Sounds like I'll need to hit up a store and do some lines while I get my NEW Beauty Insider Challenge - Passport to Beauty - February Beauty 2026 face scan done!

[BrushWithFate]

This week my beauty focus is all things eyes!!

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Lash & Brow Essentials Duo Makeup Gift Set 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fine Linez Precision Gel Eyeliner​ 

Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush 

PATRICK TA Eyeshadow Brush 

PATRICK TA Major Dimension II Rose Eyeshadow Palette 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Destinations™ Eye Palette Southern Charm 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Eye Palette 

tarte tartelette™ Amazonian clay matte eyeshadow palette '

tarte quick stick™ waterproof eyeshadow & liner 

[itsfi]

@BrushWithFate, what color Fenty liner are you using this week?

[BrushWithFate]

Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil in Coal Blooded Bored Heaux

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner Coal Blooded 

[danielledanielle]

🙌🏽Those are two of my favorite children 🤣 @BrushWithFate 

[missjeanie]

@BrushWithFate Looks like you'll be set with some very pretty eye looks!

[danielledanielle]

5....4 ...3...2...1....

Week 5 aka BHM Week 1

Homage to Dame McGrath 

Finally cracking open PAT McGRATH LABS MOTHERSHIP XII Eyeshadow Palette: Petalmorphosis 🫶🏽🙌🏽

There are some non PMG stragglers here, but that's because I'm trying to Shop Your Stash Challenge: Winter 2026 ❄️ vs having to open up anything, and that's since of the Fenty items 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Hydrating Longwear Foundation , Fenty Beauty by Rihanna We're Even Hydrating Longwear Waterproof Concealer and so on 

We all are riding with BoB fragrances all month long

World of Chris Collins Lust Oud Delice Parfum with Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut and Orris 1.7 oz / 50 mL... 

World of Chris Collins African Rooibos Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.3 oz / 7.5 ml eau de parfum spra... 

BROWN GIRL Jane Carnivale Eau de Parfum Travel Spray with Mango .34 oz / 10ml eau de parfum spray 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Parfum Hair & Body Mist 1 oz / 30 mL spray and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna The Mista Hair + Body Fragrance Mist 3 oz/90 mL 

World of Chris Collins Harlem Nights Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.34 oz / 10 ml 

Harlem Perfume Co. Langston Eau de Parfum Travel Spray with Tonka Bean and Chocolate .30 OZ/10 ML ea... 

World of Chris Collins Forbidden Apple Croque Moi Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.34 oz/10ml eau de par... (once I find it 😞)

World of Chris Collins Lost in Paradise Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.34 oz / 10 ml eau de parfum spr... 

Fit Check 

Spoiler

She did her best

 Week 4: Music Founded, AKA Fenty Week

This was a fun week, did I use everything? No.  Did I like all the options? Of course! 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Penny4uthots was also cracked open.  It's too deep as a highlight for me, but a blush and a shadow transition 🙌🏽

Face Card, Face Brush 

Fit Check

Spoiler

Could've swapped this out, but loved the flatlay for mise en place 

🙃🫠

Fragrance, leaning into past sage @itsfi advice and included Dior and some advent fragrances

Week 3, Maximimal

I tried six, and then it became sixish

Fit Check 

Spoiler

Big Beis had to step in for baby Béis 

 

 

Week 2, Golden Week aka Let's get fancy

Week 1 , Shopping the Stash 

Fit Check 

Spoiler

 

[curlychiquita]

I love the Fenty blush picture, @danielledanielle! Some of my favorite brushes!

[danielledanielle]

@curlychiquita , their face brushes don't get enough hype IMO 

[missjeanie]

@danielledanielle Reading your post reminded me that I smelled the World of Chris Collins Lust Oud Delice Parfum with Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut and Orris 1.7 oz / 50 mL... at one point and meant to pick it up.  I can smell the memory of it and I think it would be perfect for a Valentines gift to myself!

Thanks for the inspo!!

[danielledanielle]

…….. @missjeanie 

.

 

[itsfi]

I say "do it!" @missjeanie! and don't forget your points for the new challenge NEW Beauty Insider Challenge - Passport to Beauty - February Beauty 2026 

@danielledanielle 

[itsfi]

Oooouuuh, that set of Fenty brushes @danielledanielle  😍😍😍 The size of that diamond ring always makes me smile and chuckle 💍😆💗 

Six-ish, that works. Your capsule is just 'extra' when it comes to minimalism.

Yessss to an appearance by the Gucci mist! in 2 capsules!! 🙌

[BrushWithFate]

Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips Lipstick Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color MAKEUP BY MARIO Perfecting Lip Scrub MAKEUP BY MARIO SurrealSkin® Awakening Concealer MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt® Cream Contour & Bronzer Shaping Stick 

[itsfi]

Those are some beautiful lip products, @BrushWithFate 

[danielledanielle]

Oooh, which Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color is it? @BrushWithFate 

[itsfi]

RECAP: Week 4 capsule and January declutters

• The only combo I planned ahead of time when I assembled this capsule was the Fenty, Haus Labs & Rare Beauty trio which give me a reddish-brown lip combo I like a lot (and that I previously posted to the  Lips on Lock 🔐: List Your Lip Combos 💄👄 thread). 
• The Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Find Comfort Lip Butter Balm + Overnight Mask with Hyaluronic Acid Butte... is on the lighter side as far as tints go which is fine with me; the HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Le Monster Lip Crayon Vegan Lipstick and Lip Liner Mauve Matte complements it nicely, both in tone as well as providing more opacity to it
• I didn’t expect it when just taking a look at the products but the shades on both the Victoria Beckham Beauty liner and the Keys Soulcare balm wear very well together. I actually prefer the look of the Keys Soulcare balm with the liner. I'll post swatches of this combo and the HL and RB balm another day to 

• Fenty and VBB sticks make it easy to contour. I do wish the VBB sticks had more of a grey undertone to them. 
• I don't buy a lot blush, but I'm finding that I like the ease and convenience of sticks a lot, and the cream formulation works well for me. The HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick have been among my favorites. I'm going to try to stick to using the blushers I already have, cream and powder formulae, but I could see myself adding another shade this year from the HL line to collection.
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight Mesmerize (gifted) is a nice rose gold highlighter - I like that it doesn’t lean too warm or too gold

• I know most folks rave about her eyeliners but for me, it’s her eyeshadow sticks that are the standouts among her eye products. This Caramel shade is probably the best mix of two of my longstanding favorite eyeshadow stick shades, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Stick Golden Bronze and Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick Dr. Q. Having just written that, I think I may sift through my bin and destash my collection of whatever backups I have of both those products. 🤔
• The color of the r.e.m. x Wicked eyeshadow is a beautiful color (and has a pretty shift that doesn't show up in the pic) but my word!!! the fallout of the glitter in this one is too much. I didn't apply the product from the applicator directly onto my lids or with the applicator at all so I can / will  pass this along to someone. 
• GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI Line It Up Clean 24-Hr Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner Bathwater (gratis) is not one I reach for often but it's nice to have something fun to use every so often. Gel pencils, even waterproof ones, don't typically last long on my oily lids but these GXVE liners hold up pretty well, so much so that I actually purchased one in another shade. 

Of these complexion products, the standouts were:

• about-face The Performer Foundation - lightweight, natural finish, wears comfortably. Good shade range and offers some great selections for olive undertones. Need to exercise extra care when pulling the oversized doe foot applicator from the smaller sized (or possibly regular sized) opening. 
• Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader The Concealer Pen - my undereyes benefit from skincare and makeup done right in this concealer pen
• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica is a Top Shelf concealer for me; the skincare makeup combo of this formulation works well for my  blemishes and redness
• The other items are alright - I’m just not that into priming moisturizers and the golden tint on this VBB one is both too warm and too yellow-orange gold for my skin to wear on its own. I mix a pump or two with lighter foundation shades to get a better shade match. There are just other setting sprays that perform better for me than the RB one. I’ll finish this bottle but will not repurchase. JLo’s serum isn’t bad but it’s not a must have from her line for my skin. Her sheet mask, on the other hand, if you can get it at a good sale, is worth considering for those with drier skin.

January Declutter - 4

• While I do have a tendency to hoard certain makeup products, I like to think I take a sensible approach to getting rid of items that are near the end of their shelf life or that are just a smidge past it - I stay pretty true to expiry dates and PAO guideliness for SPF and actives, and products containing them, and mascara, for the most part. Most everything else takes into consideration a combination of factors - generally accepted shelf life and  stated expiration date and PAO, if any, all subject to sight, smell and performance tests. These two L'Oreal color mascaras I've kept for a little longer than the 6 month PAO timeline, in large part because they didn't smell back and continued to perform well and I was pretty meticulous with always using a disposable mascara wand with these - I have a lot of disposable mascara wands I want to use up so they come in handy with keeping products as hygienic as possible. BUT it is definitely time to bid adieu to these beauties. 🗑 They're good products. If I were to buy another color mascara, I'd probably just get them in the YSL or Sephora Collection version as my experience with those formulations is that their tinted mascaras show up on my very dark lashes (and last without smudging or flaking). 
• These two liquid liners did not work for me and are an example of just because one product in a brand is a holy grail or Top Shelf product for you doesn't mean other products from the same brand will be as well. Both these liquid liners come from Asian beauty brands that make mascaras that are tops in my book and among many beauty aficionados - Clio (Korean) and Heroine Make by Kissme (Japan). I love pandas, have since I was a kid; they can be cute. I personally though don't look cute with panda eyes and make every effort to avoid that look. Both these liners give those panda eyes look too easily and too quickly. 🗑

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi , oh noooo the kissme 🐼 you?  😞 Onto the next one, for science 🔭🙌🏽

I like all the musically inclined pairings.

[itsfi]

@danielledanielle, yeah, that took me by surprise. I have another liquid liner of theirs and am hoping it will perform better. Yes, the things we do for science. 😝

[PDXXXX]

WEEK 4: The "Musical Artist Founded / Owned Beauty Brand" Makeup Capsule

I didn't expect to have so many music artist founded/owned products. But it turns out I'm somewhat devoted to three ladies and their products in particular: Rhianna's Fenty Beauty, Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Lada Gaga's Haus Labs.

I rounded up what I have and here's the pile (products and some opinions in the spoiler below - apologies as this picture photographed pretty dark and does not do justice to the shades - if you'd like a swatch of anything let me know and I'm happy to oblige):

Spoiler

TOP ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: FENTY BEAUTY:

•  Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Bright Fix Eye Brightener Concealer in Bright Fix (a light pink that's a very pretty corrector) and Golden Ivory: These were probably the first Fenty Products I got. They blend beautifully and correct or conceal like buttah. Sephora seems to have phased them out but you can still find them on the Fenty website,
• #Fenty Beauty Pro Filter Hydrating Primer: This happens to be my favorite all around filter. It's blurring and it plays well with every foundation I have. Again, Sephora has phased it out but you can still grab it on the Fenty Website,
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna We're Even Hydrating Longwear Waterproof Concealer in 110W: one of my top 5 concealers along with the aforementioned Bright Fix Eye Concealer,
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop Stick Blur + Smooth Tint Stick Foundation in 2: I don't use this a ton but when I do I never have any issues with it. More coverage than the Eaze Drop Liquid formulation and a nice alternatives to skin tints in the summer,
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush 120 : I tend to use this more as a blush brush than highlighter tool but the cupped shape is brilliant at hugging your cheekbones,
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Concealer Brush 180 : I'm not much of a concealer brush gal in general but this is decent,
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Gloss Luminizer Champ Stamp Fantasy : I could not love this more. Great product rivaled only by some of the other shades in the product line up,
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper Fenty Glow : these are a little more opaque than the Gloss Bomb Universals but of course the shades are gorgeous,
• Maybe the best for last in my book has to be Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Gloss Luminizer Fenty Glow: I'm on the dredges of the mini I got and will definitely repurchase. Such a universally flattering shade.

SECOND ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: RARE BEAUTY:

• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Mini Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Hope ,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Worth (mini): I got this as part of the three piece "Worth" set released over the holidays, fell in love with the shade and have since purchased a full size,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush Worth : My favorite product and shade from this line by far. To be honest the Rare Beauty Liquid Blushes are a little opaque for me but this is highly pigmented with a lot of color pay off and one of the better blushes I have in my collection,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Contour Gentle : honestly, this is just not the contour for me (too dark and too saturated) but I think if you're a fan of the Soft Pinch liquid blushes they have their place,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight Mesmerize : this is sort of a rose/champagne gold. Like most the Rare Beauty liquid formulas I'm not a huge fan but it's an interesting shade,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain Serenity : this is my favorite product in the line up second only to the Bouncy Blush. I love lip stains and it also fills a hole in my Dior Stain range as a very nice warm, mid-tone pink. Extra points for being very hydrating for a stain,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Bliss,
• Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Worth (the full size I purchased after getting the mini),
• And finally a limited for now shade of Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain in Worth: I'm really hoping they add this to the Lip Oil Shade Range!

THIRD ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: HAUS LABS:

• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick Glassy Caye... is such a great shade and I like the consistency for a cream product,
• HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Talc-Free Blush Powder With Fermented Arnica Pomelo Peach a lovely shade with great buildable saturation - I've had this one for some time but it's just convinced me to add French Rosette (not pictured) to my collection too,
• I have a hard time finding contours that aren't too warm so I'm very excited about HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm Contour Stick Chisel ,
• Finally, I'm a sucker for a good powder highlighter and I love the shade of HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Bio-Radiant Gel-Powder Illuminating Highlighter with Fermented Arnica Peach Q... .

I'm really OK with a pop of leopard and these all fit nicely in a pouch I have with room to spare:

Key take aways for me looking through these products? Always check out the Fenty Website before assuming a product is gone if it's not on Sephora. Slow down on jumping on cream blush formulations from Rare Beauty and check out more of their powder products. But, continue to rely on all three lines for great shade selections!