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 40 - (September 30 - October 6) - The "Pop of Colour": Fall Edit Makeup Capsule and/or The Musician Founded or Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule - Hey BIC! Fall is in full swing. Show us some pop of fall color, be it lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, etc. Shouting out @missjeanie for the great theme suggestion and @cianni who I think mentioned earlier in the year some fall-worthy red lippies in her collection. ‌‌

With the American Music Awards airing on October 6, thought it might be a fun way to jazz up the prompts with a capsule consisting of one or more products from beauty brands founded or owned by musicians. See spoiler for non-exhaustive list.

Spoiler

Below are some musician founded or owned makeup brands. This is a non-exhaustive list. Brands with an asterisk (*) next to it are available at Sephora (in store or online, or both). If the founder/owner is not easily identifiable by the brand name, his/her/their name appears in the parens.

about-face (Halsey)

Dolly Beauty (Dolly Parton)
*Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
*GXVE by Gwen Stefani
*Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
Keys Soulcare (Alicia Keys)
*Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
R.E.M. Beauty (Ariana Grande)
Victoria Beckham Beauty

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10.2.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come.

Spoiler

Week 41 (October 7 - 13) - The "Dynamic Duos (or Trios)" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Products with Interesting / Attention-Grabbing Names" Makeup Capsule 

Are there certain combinations of products that are just so exceptionally well suited for you, be it a go-to lip liner and lipstick pairing, or a smokey eye and red lip combination that slays, or a blush and highlighter mix that makes your cheeks pop? Curate a capsule that incorporates your all-star beauty combinations. and/or 

Put together a capsule with products bearing interesting or attention-grabbing names. I'll leave it to you to define what falls within the definition of "interesting" or "attention-grabbing".

Week 42 (October 14 - 20) - The "Makeup I'm Thankful For" Makeup Capsule and/or The Do Over / Take 2 Makeup Capsule - 

In celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving (October 14), put together 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
• other

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

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

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 9.30.2024]

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

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. 

[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!

[itsfi]

WEEK 2 RECAP: The Quick & Easy Winter Edition Makeup Capsule

Hey everyone, happy Friday! Just stopping by for an early check-in about this week's makeup capsule - I've got good news and bad news for Week 2.

Good news - I enjoyed everything. 😍 Which means, bad news, no declutters or products to be passed along. I guess that's not necessarily bad news. I really enjoyed using this week's makeup capsule. It was nice to have my makeup all prepped and in one bag before the start of the week - this made getting ready in the morning  very easy, and, on a couple of days this week, I could tell it saved me some time in the morning as well. Loved that! ❤️

The SEPHORA COLLECTION Boost + Lock Eyeshadow Primer 0.33 oz / 10 mL will have a new home - in my desk drawer at work. It's a good eyeshadow primer, not a great one nor my favorite, but it is one that works nicely and that I am happy to use.

The SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Colorful® Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick 11 Truffle Shimmer # is quickly becoming a new love - it's super easy to use, wears well throughout the day and doubles as a liner. I like that there's a pencil sharpener included at the end. 👍

Week 2 Makeup Capsule: The Extras for a Night Out

Spoiler

I'll be heading out shortly to a dinner tonight. Will wash off the day and re-do my makeup with most of my week 2 capsule, with 3 modifications - (1) going with Ami Colé Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil Smitten tonight - my lips are feeling dry so the lip oil will do well to keep them hydrated and add a lovely bit of color, (2) adding an eyeliner - SEPHORA COLLECTION Hot Line Brush Tip Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, and (3) including a flush of pink on the cheeks for some color (A'pieu Juicy Pang Blusher - Guava Pearl). Armani Beauty Sì Passione Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.34oz/ 10 mL 

Week 2's Makeup Capsule: The Weekend Edition

Weekend Variation:

Spoiler

My weekend wear from this week's capsule will include the Bobbi Brown Mini Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer with Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid 0.... for extra moisture, Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation 15 Melrose to even tone, the Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara Noir to make my eyes pop a little (and make me look more awake), and SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Colorful® Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick 11 Truffle Shimmer  on the lids, and the Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL to set it all and to refresh throughout the day. I'll add DIOR Dior Addict Lip Glow 20 Mahogany for a bit of color onthe lips and Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade to keep the brows in place. I'll use my sunblock as primer again, this time going with this Biossance sunscreen that was part of a Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit.

I made an edit to Week's 4 prompt; generally the same idea, but expanded to account for different scenarios. Will be back at the end of the weekend to update the original post (OP) with the makeup capsule prompts for February and to post my makeup selections for Week 3. Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi I am glad everything worked out for you this week! I can relate with the capsule saving me time in the mornings. It is less overwhelming for me to have items pre picked. 

[itsfi]

I was super happy @Mellmars1185! I think I normally gravitate towards quick & easy when it comes to my everyday makeup so it was an easier theme for me to find product for. This week's $20 and under may be more of a challenge - a few of the items have been sitting in my stash for a while. Looking forward to having an opportunity to put them to use.

[cianni]

@itsfi @loved reading your highlights and recap for this week! And the transparency about swapping other products in - its bound to happen!

im happy to see you’re loving the SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Colorful® Shadow and Liner Pencil ❤️ I picked up a few during the sale and have quite enjoyed mine too!

[itsfi]

Yes, @cianni, the SC shadow-and-liner is great; I have a handful of them and picked up a couple of the new, reformulated version - even better! 😍 

lol, it's only week 2 and I'm already needing to reach for add-ons. 😆 You're right, bound to happen. It feels like all part of the process. A makeup capsule is a work in progress, it changes and evolves as we do, to account not just for changes in our own style, but also for where we are in life at a particular time. 

It's still early days of the challenge, but I'm feeling like makeup products for my everyday look will make up approximately 80%, maybe even 90%, of my makeup capsule and the rest will be extras, for going out, or specific looks, or even for products that are "on trend" that I might experiment with, etc. I'm going to note that and we'll see how things turn out later in the year.

[cianni]

@itsfi Ohh I didn’t know they were reformulated! I guess that makes sense given that some were on heavy clearance earlier this year. It’s so nice when the reformulated version is actually better than the original - so often I find that the “new and improved” version of something isn’t as good as the original!

80-90% of your collection to be capsule everyday products is an amazing goal! I’m trying to approach this like I do with my wardrobe (I tried capsule but it’s still very much a work in progress…..). An ideal capsule wardrobe will have all the essentials and basics, plus some room to rotate statement and trendier pieces ☺️ it keeps the capsule fresh and interesting while still working with the core foundational pieces (or in this case, products!)

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I feel like I could happily use all of your week 2 products as well... There's nothing here that I would declutter either, so I completely understand the desire to keep everything!

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, I wondered if I had gotten soft when it came to evaluating my picks for the week, especially after decluttering 2 off the bat the first week. 😅 It's probably that I'm more comfortable with quick and easy looks and do them enough that I generally have a good idea of what combination of products is going to work just fine for me. What can I say, quick & easy means a little more time I can spend under the covers or with a cup of coffee so I am incentivized to get it squared away. lol