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 37 - (September 9 - 15) - The Runway or Red Carpet Inspired Makeup Capsule and/or The "BIC Inspired" Makeup Capsule  - New York Fashion Week is taking place September 6-11; show us the beauties that make up your runway inspired capsule. (I had fun with the play on The Met Gala theme earlier this year and thought, why not add New York Fashion Week to the mix, as well. Attendance at NYFW may be something I add to my list of things to do, @danielledanielle!) OR,

curate a collection of goodies inspired by the dazzling makeup looks that went down the red carpet at the 2024 Emmys this last Sunday; OR,

put together a capsule with one or more products inspired by your fellow BIC beauties - this theme, I know is a favorite among many, including @CynthieLu and @Mellmars1185. 

NOTE (9.9.2024): Evidently, I missed that the Emmys took place last night but I will not doubt be spending some time this week looking online at the hair, makeup & gowns that made their way down the red carpet. I updated the theme this week to add "Red Carpet" inspired makeup to this week's theme choices.

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 8.26.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come.

Spoiler

⭐  Week 38 - (September 16 - 22) - The LatinX Founded / Owned Beauty Brands Makeup Capsule ⭐ - LatinX Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the US from September 15 to October 15. As one way to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latin Americans in the beauty industry, let's put together a capsule that includes one or more products from a LatinX owned or founded beauty brand. See spoiler below for a non-exhaustive list. 

Spoiler

Below are some LatinX founded or owned makeup brands. This is a non-exhaustive list. Brands with an asterisk (*) next to the name 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. 

*Artist Couture (Angel Merino)

*Beautyblender (Rea Ann Silva)

Besame Cosmetics (Gabriela Hernandez)

Dominque Cosmetics (Christen Dominique)

*Melt Cosmetics (cofounded by Lara Arellano)

*Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

Reina Rebelde (Regina Merson)

❤️💋  Week 39 - (September 23 - 29) - The September 2024 Throw Down!, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule and/or The Brands at SEPHORiA Makeup Capsule ❤️💋

Multiple themes this week. You know the drill with the first prompt - curate a capsule with one or more beauty products that you want to compare against each other in a battle to see which reigns supreme; or that is a throw back to a different era (80's makeup, anyone? 90s? 2000s?, etc. ). OR, throw back to a past makeup capsule theme in a Do Over / Take 2. OR, put some products on the chopping block to see if they're keepers in your stash or if it's time to throw them out.

OR, in celebration of SEPHORiA Atlanta, show us a capsule made up of one or more products from one or more of the beauty brands participating in SEPHORiA this year. See spoiler for a non-exhaustive list of participating makeup brands - I also tried to list skincare brands that offered makeup as well, and will try to update this list as new brands are added on the SEPHORiA webpage.

🗒  More weekly capsule themes for September can be found by clicking on this link - September 2024 Capsule Makeup Themes.

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 9.9.2024]

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

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. 

[JoSometimes]

@itsfi I know it doesn’t have to but I like the challenge. 😄

And yes! It’s “pan” (more like acrylic bottom). It saw a lot of use when I played around with underpainting last summer. 

[Mellmars1185]

@JoSometimes Great capsule! I think that conversion is accurate. I may have to consider that when choosing my foundation for the week. I meant to set my products for the week aside today. Oops!

[JoSometimes]

@Mellmars1185I just have the one to work with and it fits perfectly with this challenge. I can’t wait to see what you put together!

[cianni]

Week 2 Recap

like @itsfi , I didn’t really have any losers or declutters for this week. I’m pretty happy with it all, but I do have some notes!

Highlights

• essence lash princess is always a win. Given its price point, it’ll be carried over into this weeks capsule
• #SEPHORA COLLECTION Vegan Hydrating Lip Balm 3 Cherry - saved my lips and the color was perfect for light makeup days 
• CLINIQUE Almost Lipstick Black Honey - a classic for a reason!

Take it or leave its 

• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream Refillable Gel Moisturizer with Niacinamide - honestly really nice but I feel like I can get similar results at a different price point
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel Flexible Medium-Hold Eyebrow Setter Clear - easy to use but I have ones I prefer 
• Bite Beauty Yaysayer Plumping Gloss - love it and the color but recognize that the brand has been gone so long that I should probably finish this sooner rather than later…..

[Mellmars1185]

@cianni Excellent feedback. Ohh the Essence mascara is a good idea for my capsule this coming week.

[cianni]

@Mellmars1185 Essence has some great products! They recently released a black brown color of the lash princess mascara that I’m interested in trying, although picking up something new does defeat the purpose of the challenge!

[Mellmars1185]

@cianni maybe once you get through a few mascaras in thr challenge, it will make a nice replacement?

[missjeanie]

@cianni I feel slightly called out on the age of my BITE products lol!  I should really be showing mine more love as well.  

[cianni]

@missjeanie lol! It was definitely a call out to myself too. This gloss is nowhere near the only Bite product I still have in my collection 🙈 I’ve been hoarding the liners because I loved them so much but I’m definitely toeing the line of what is still going to perform when I actually do get around to using them 

[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.