Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge

[itsfi]

Hello, BIC Beauties! If the idea of makeup capsules piques your curiosity, or you're interested in seeing what's in the beauty collection or weekly makeup bag of your fellow BIC beauties, jump right on in - with questions, comments or a capsule of your own to share.

To add a fun take on putting together a makeup capsule, I've included theme(s) for the weekly capsule - some weeks, I have enough products in my stash (eek!) to make a whole capsule based on the prompt; other weeks, I have just one or two items that fit neatly within theme.

Whether you find yourself in the same place or somewhere in between, jump right on it and share your weekly makeup capsule. Check out the FAQ section below ⤵️ for more info on this challenge.

CURRENT MAKEUP CAPSULE THEME:   

Week 42 (October 14 - 20) - The "Makeup I'm Thankful For" Makeup Capsule and/or The Do Over / Take 2 Makeup Capsule - To celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving (October 14) with our Canadian BIC beauties 🇨🇦, let's curate a capsule this week of products you are thankful for, be it: 

• because it was gifted to you by a friend, family or brand
• because it's a HG or a tried-and-true product you can't be without
• because it holds sentimental or nostalgic value to you
• or, just because

OR, use the week to repeat or "do over" a past makeup capsule or capsule theme. Consider posting your "Do over" / "Take 2" 🎬 look on the Makeup Challenge of the Week 2021/2022/2023/2024 thread. 😍

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10.14.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come.

Spoiler

Week 43 (October 21 - 27) - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule and/or The Global Makeup Capsule - Two new themes this week - curate a capsule inspired by one or the other, or both. 

You may be asking, for the "How Low Can I Go?" prompt,  What do you mean by "low", itsfi? Like the green capsule we did back in Week 17 (April, 2024), you tell me what "low" means to you this week. Low can mean:

• minimalist - as in the number of makeup products you will use this week
• budget friendly - are the makeup beauties in this week's capsule awesome and affordable?
• low-key - like this fall's demure makeup trend
• other: your definition of "low" for this capsule prompt

October 24 is United Nations Day, a day that is intended to be "devoted to raising awareness of the goals and achievements of the [United Nations] and gaining support for its work." I imagine so many things can be said here; I am intending that this prompt be an opportunity for folks who so desire to do so, to create a makeup capsule consisting of products or brands from around the world. This can be one or more product. It can be based on a brand with a founder born, raised or based in a country that is different from yours. It can be as simple (a US-based BIC'er including a product from a Canadian brand - e.g., MAC, Cheekbone, Nudestix; or a Canadian-based BIC'er using a product from a US brand) or as diverse as you want to make it (having a product from a brand based in each continent, though probably not Antarctica; a Japanese beauty or Korean beauty based makeup capsule, etc.). 

⏭  Additional October themes can be found here - October 2024 Makeup Capsule Themes

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10146.2024]

Spoiler

1 - The First (of the Year) Makeup Capsule

2 - The Quick & Easy Winter Edition Makeup Capsule

3 - The $20 USD ($27 CAD) & Under Makeup Capsule

4 - The "On the Go!" Makeup Capsule

5 - The Best of January 2024 Makeup Capsule

6 - The Black Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

7 - The Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon Makeup Capsule and/or The "Things I Love" Makeup Capsule

8 - The "BIC Inspired" Makeup Capsule

9 - The Best of February 2024 Makeup Capsule and/or The "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule 

10 - The International Woman Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

11 - The "One Brand" or "All The Brands" Makeup Capsule 

12 - The "Springing Forward" Makeup Capsule and/or The Pops of Color Makeup Capsule 

13 -  The Fast & Furious / Quick & Easy Makeup Capsule and/or The March 2024 "On Top" or "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule 

14 - The "Do Over" or "Take 2" Makeup Capsule

15 - The Makeup-Artist-Founded Brand Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule

16 - The BIC Inspired (Summer Edition) Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule

17 - The "Green" Makeup Capsule and/or The Sephora Spring Savings Makeup Capsule

18 - The  April 2024 "On Top" or "On The Chopping Block" Makeup Capsule and/or The "More Play Time With My Sephora Savings Event Hauls" Makeup Capsule

19 - The AAPI Owned / Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule

20 - The "Sleeping Beauties" Makeup Capsule and/or The "OMG, More Stuff From the Sephora Spring Savings" Makeup Capsule

21 - The "My Best Self" Makeup Capsule
22 - The  May 2024 "On Top", "On The Chopping Block" or "On Repeat" Makeup Capsule
23 - The Love Is Love Makeup Capsule
24 - The Repurposed Makeup Capsule and/or The Multi-tasking Makeup Capsule
25 - The "Welcome, Summer!" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Good Stuff" Makeup Capsule
26 - The June 2024 "On Top", "On the Chopping Block" and/or "On Repeat" Makeup Capsule
27 - The Indie Brands Makeup Capsule and/or The Summer Vacation Makeup Capsule
28 - The "If I Were To Curate My Ultimate Makeup Capsule" Makeup Capsule (aka The "These are My Favorite Products" Makeup Capsule) 
29 - The Sticks and (Gem)Stones Makeup Capsule and/or The Pops of Colour: Summer Edition Makeup Capsule
30 - The BIC Inspired Summer Edition Makeup Capsule and/or The Pan It! Makeup Capsule
31 - The July 2024 New, Old, or "Is It Time For This To Go?" Makeup Capsule
32 - The Take 2 / Do Over Makeup Capsule and/or The "Sleeping Beauties" Makeup Capsule 
33 - The Day-to-Night (or Date Night): Summer Edition Makeup Capsule and/or The "Outside My Comfort Zone" Makeup Capsule
34 - The Samples Makeup Capsule and/or The Newness Makeup Capsule 
35 - The August 2024 Throw Down!, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule 
36 - The Workhorses Makeup Capsule
37 - The Runway or Red Carpet Inspired Makeup Capsule and/or The "BIC Inspired" Makeup Capsule 
38 - The LatinX Founded / Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule
39 - The September 2024 Throw Down!, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule and/or The Brands at SEPHORiA Makeup Capsule
40 - The "Pop of Colour": Fall Edit Makeup Capsule and/or The Musician Founded or Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule
41 - The "Dynamic Duos (or Trios)" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Products with Interesting / Attention-Grabbing Names" Makeup Capsule

FAQs: [Updated 4.28.2024]

Spoiler

What is a capsule makeup collection?  

A capsule makeup collection is a selection of makeup products that can be used to put together different looks for a variety of occasions. For some of us, that may mean a group of essential products for your everyday look plus a few extra items for a more glam or dramatic look; and, for others of us, that may mean, a lineup of our holy grail product(s) in each makeup category. My ideal capsule makeup collection probably falls somewhere in between - we'll (hopefully) find out at the end of the year! I don't see myself as a minimalist, but I don't have an extensive collection of makeup either. I appreciate the collections of people who fall within both camps but I float somewhere in between - on the one hand, my brow product collection would earn a gold star if we were using a minimalist approach to makeup; my lip product lineup, on the other hand, would not. 🤣 It would most definitely not.  

Why have a capsule makeup collection?  

Everyone will have their own reasons for having (or not having) a more streamlined makeup collection. Over the years, I've just become more interested in having less beauty products on hand (well, except for lip products, lol) - a handful of items I use or reach for more frequently with maybe a few additional products that are go-to's for me for special events or occasions.  Don't get me wrong, I love trying new products and I don't see that changing. I just like the idea of having a simpler collection (I appreciate that "simpler" can be relative), curated to my needs and lifestyle.

Why weekly? 
A few years ago, beauty & lifestyle blogger Serein Wu, did a weekly series (on her blog and YouTube channel), Makeup Bag Monday, where she rotated her makeup bag each week with new product launches and makeup already in her collection. Every Monday, she shared the products she selected for the upcoming week and provided detailed makeup reviews on the makeup she used for the previous week. I may not post detailed reviews, but will at least try to include a weekly recap (probably at the end of the week) of what products I like and which ones didn't work for me.  If weekly works for you, great. If not, feel free to join in based on what works best for you.

What if I don't have enough products to fit the theme for a full face?

No need for your entire makeup capsule to fit the weekly theme(s). Just one will do. And, even if you don't have one that fits squarely within a theme, feel free to post your makeup capsule. We'd love to see what you're using and hear your feedback on the products as you put them to use. 

[itsfi]

Love your recap @cianni! I found my essence mascaras and will add one to the rotation once I get in some good use of the ones I've already open, probably in the springtime.

Oh yes, Clinique Black Honey, she's a classic beauty. I love how Clinique has been introducing the color into different formulations and lip products. It's a great way to honor such a renowned product and keep it fresh! 

I literally lol'ed when I read your comment on Yaysayer. I, too, need to finish it "sooner rather than later" ... once I figure out where I put it. 😝 I miss Bite Beauty. 

[cianni]

@itsfibite had so many good products! petition for a 2024 comeback 🤞🏼 I’ll even take a limited product offering through another brand, like how Smashbox did with Becca! Buxom mainly does lip products,

maybe a Buxom x Bite line? Who do I call to make this happen haha

[itsfi]

Week 3: The $20 & Under Makeup Capsule 

Product Details:

Spoiler

Each product in my bin for week 3's capsule retails for $20 or less, with products ranging from $7 - $20. I'm taking a slightly different approach to week's 3 capsule and using the week to evaluate a handful of pieces here, which I've marked with an asterisk (*) below.

BASE:
-- Primer: e.l.f. Putty Primer Trio Set* - I've used (and love) the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer but haven't really reached for the matte or luminous versions as much. I want to see how these two perform on their own and vis-a-vis the poreless version. 
-- Foundation & Concealer: e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer* will be doing double duty this week, as both my foundation and concealer option. It feels on the thicker side which doesn't always work for my skin over a period of time, so we shall see how this one performs over the course of the week.

CHEEKS:
-- Blush (powder): I've probably had the Physicians Formula Strawberry Jam Blush* in my stash for 2+ years 😬 only reaching for it once, maybe twice. 😬😬 The strawberry print is an overspray, but I confess I picked it up because of the print and because I thought it might smell like strawberries - it does, and not too synthetic either, but the scent is very faint.
-- Blush (liquid): How cute is the packaging for the A'pieu Juicy Pang Blusher Guava Pearl*? I also picked this up primarily for the packaging - sensing a pattern here, anyone? 😀 It's blendable and buildable and I'm excited to give this some more attention.
-- Bronzer & Highlight: The dual ended NYX Wonderstick* includes a contour shade on one end and a highlight on the other. I have shades Light and Medium. I've used these a handful of times - the contour shades seem to work better as a bronzer color on me. I haven't been a fan of the texture or color of either highlighter but I may just need to spend more time working with them. 
-- Contour: SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Colorful® Contour Matte Powder* in Shade No. 1 reminded me of Chanel Notorious and a Kevyn Aucoin contour shade that was discontinued years ago, both of which were good, so I decided to pick this up and see how well it works as a contour - this'll mean more practice contouring for me as well.

EYES:
-- SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Colorful® Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick 11 Truffle Shimmer is back again this week. It really has been so easy to use and I love the color and staying power.
-- SEPHORA COLLECTION Hot Line Brush Tip Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner 01 Black 
-- I've broken my rule about having no more than 3 mascaras open at any one time. In my defense, I had forgotten that I had opened this deluxe sized tube of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara* shortly after returning from Sephoria. It's been a whie since I've used it so we shall see how well it wears. I found it when I was emptying one of my handbags. Well, now I have 4 mascaras in rotation.

LIPS:
-- Lip Gloss: The Lip Bar Vegan Lip Gloss Girl Boss is a well loved color and formula in my collection. I misplaced my first tube during a trip which was a bummer because I was close to finishing it. Fortunately, I had a backup at home (this one) and I'm very mindful now to make sure it comes back with me if I pack it for a trip. 
-- Lip Oil: iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Glaze Lip Oil Mystery is back again for another week. This pH adjusting oil is lightweight but hydrating. 

Excited for another week of shopping my makeup stash. Looking forward to seeing what awesome and affordable beauties you'll be using this coming week.

FYI: Original post has been updated with themes / prompts for February. [Edited 1.14.2024]

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Excellent picks for this week's capsule. I am going to open my fourtj mascara also for this upcoming week. I don't mind because I need an excuse to use it. I am excited to see how this weeks mascara preforms. 

[itsfi]

Oooh, now I'm curious - which mascaras will you have in use @Mellmars1185? I have the following open at the moment - 

• Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara 01 Waterproof Big is The New Black - my HG for the last 5 years. 
• Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara Noir - the deluxe sample from Sephoria is good; am hoping there's a mini deluxe of the new waterproof version coming out as a promo gwp. 
• Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara (gratis) - it takes a little more time and patience but the results are gorgeous! 
• Charlotte Tilbury Mini Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara 0.13 oz / 4 mL - also from Sephoria. I've only used it once; it was right after I got back from NYC and I don't remember one way or the other how it performed but it's opened and I want to put it to good use.

I would love to open up more mascaras but it's a slippery slope for me. Before long, I'll have a dozen open and, I know me, many will only get used once or twice. Going to try to hold the line until end of March, or until a couple of these four have been rotated out for one reason or another.

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi  Oh great mascaras. The Lancome is one I enjoyed. I still have to try the Hourglass. The mascaras that are currently in my rotation are:

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Drift - The Tower 28 mascara has become my favourite since we did the tutorial with @TeamBIC . This is my third tube since discovering it. It doesn't transfer to my oily eyelids. I find it fans and seperates my lashes well. I can build up the product quite a bit without it looking clumpy.

Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara mini from Sephoria. I have only used this a handful of times since using it in my capsule. I need to get some more use our of this one to give better feedback. It does look good on the lashes. I just need to try wearing it with an eyeshadow base/primer and powder to see if it doesn't smudge on me. Do you have the same issue? I see you want to try out the waterproof version.

IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara Super Black - This one doesn't transfer to my eyelids, and it longwearing for me. A lot of products comes out on the wand. It makes for a messy application. I probably won't repurchase this one. I am going to put it in another capsule rotation but am ready to part with it soon. I just have some other mascaras I like more.

I will be opening an essence princess mascara for this upcoming capsule.

I am trying to be mindful and not wasteful so I have a few mascaras in my stash that will need some love before I purchase any new ones. So far the T28 is my absolute favourite.

[itsfi]

Our eyelids must be related @Mellmars1185! 😊 Mine tend to be oily, even in the winter months, just less so. Which yes, to your point, means primer and powder become more of a necessity than an option. lol Speaking of that, what's been your go to or tried-and-true eyeshadow primer?

Regardless of the season my eyelids are always on the oily side; they get oilier the closer to the lashline so it can make it challenge with mascara and eyeliner. It's why I prefer waterproof mascaras. Your 3rd Tower 28? That makes it sound very promising for my lashes. I have a mini (and a full size, I think) and you and others here like @ather rave about it. I'll include it in the next rotation, unless I get distracted by another mascara, lol.

[ather]

@itsfi @Yay! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara I really love it. I find it’s not 100% water proof but enough to stay on all day. 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Yes it sounds like pur eyelids begave the same way! I used to use concealer on my eyes with some setting powder. Now I use the NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base . I also tried out HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Hy-Power Eye, Cheek & Lip Pigment Paint Beige Matte and it has been working well as a base on me. Do you have any other primers you use?

[itsfi]

@Mellmars1185, NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Original is the long standing primer for my eyes. Valentino makes one that is fantastic - Valentino Stick Me With Glitter Primer - I don't see it on the Sephora US site. It's intended to reduce fallout from glittery eyeshadows and it works like a dream for those types of shadows as well as for mattes and everything in between. Touch In Sol, a Kbeauty brand has an eyeshadow primer that sounds promising - I've gone through a couple of their face primers and will give it a try soon; I think @JoSometimes found one at Winners / Shoppers / Marshalls. I have heard Ilia has a good one for oily eyelids but I haven't looked into it. The Haus Labs pigment paints have recieved good reviews; it's been one of a couple of Haus Labs products on my list to pick up this year.

[ather]

@itsfi  Great picks! I will really need to dig in and shop my stash! Can’t wait to see what everyone picks out!! 

[itsfi]

@ather, this experiment of ours is really giving me opportunities to shop my stash in real and practial ways. Love it, even if it is a weekly reminder of just how large my stash is. 😲 We're not even through January but I've enjoyed the insight I've gotten into my stash and spending habits, and it's showed where the gaps or holes are in my collection; probably not that groundbreaking but it does put into perspective where my beauty spend is going and what I'm generally getting in return. 

[ather]

@itsfi  I totally agree. Putting my capsule together for $20 or less was impossible. Which makes me happy in one sense. I don’t have a ton of foundations. So it’s a good thing. I rotate between a few of them. But even mascaras was tough. I’m having an issue with my eyes last week so I won’t include any eyeshadow this week. I’m not entirely sure I have any for less than $20 with that. I really see an eye opening moment when I was picking items! 

[cianni]

@itsfi your post reminded me that I have a couple physicians formula blushes kicking around in my collection that could use some love - might have to pull one out!!

[itsfi]

@cianni, it's been funny to see how many products are coming out of nowhere and everywhere since starting this project of ours. Seeing items in other people's capsules reminds me that I have that product or something similar. It's been great for jogging the memory, but also quite sobering to realize I have that much still. 😅 Looking forward to seeing what Physician Formula blushes you have. 

[cianni]

@itsfiI’m right there with you - I had one in mind when I saw your post, but when I went to grab it realized that not only do I actually have two physicians formula blushes, but the one I originally was thinking of is actually Colorpop (which I also forgot I had) 😅

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Ohhhhhh I'm very curious to see how this week goes for you!  I'm also very glad to see the iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Glaze Lip Oil Vanilla Mint , I have a couple of these and was wondering what kind of gloss I have that would fit the theme!

[itsfi]

Me too @missjeanie, me too! I just realized that the vast majority of the products that will be under the microscope this coming week are cheek products, which are not my strongest beauty category, both in terms of volume of products and my own skillset when using them. It'll be a good experience. 

Ohhhh!!! Wouldn't you know it @missjeanie?! I was just looking at that vanilla mint lip oil this morning, along with the other new flavor. I managed to remind myself that this isn't a must have at the moment and that I didn't need it just for the sake of having the entire collection. I didn't even put it in my cart. Who am I??!!! 😲  Don't worry, I'm going to check my temperature to make sure I'm okay. 😅 brb ... 

Thank you for that; I updated the weekly schedule to include the Canadian $$ threshold for the coming week's theme. Rounded up. 😉

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Lol... I actually just pulled up US Sephora and US Mac to figure out some prices... heck yes, I pulled products based on your numbers! lol

[itsfi]

Ohhh, sorry about that @missjeanie. I should have remembered to do the conversion. 😔 I love that your Sephora stores carry MAC. Excited to see your capsule.  

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Oh no worries at all.. I was going to aim for under 20 Canadian... couldn't do it!  I figured US prices were fair game lol... Had to find a loophole!