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. 

[missjeanie]

Week 5 Capsule!

I found this week to be a bit tougher to choose products.  With the end of the month here, I wanted to sneak in a few more uses on some of my project pan products, but I also wanted to revisit a few items that maybe weren't the tippy top of favourites but were ones that I felt I wanted to give a little more love to since I 'rediscovered' them this month. 

Spoiler

BASE
-I know I love several of the foundations I chose this month, but I want to get a few more uses out of my Project Pan foundation, so I'm going to skip foundation.  
-Concealer -- I just love the ND HyGlam and am excited to have an excuse to break it out again.  
-Colour Corrector - The Bobbi Brown is one that I've had for some time and forgot that I had it.  It was great and I think I like it better than a number of others in my stash.  I want to take this week to confirm that. 
- Powder -- I few misses with powder this month.  The drugstore powder I had just looked a little heavy and then my MUFE from last week was too heavy to be a setting powder (It is a powder foundation so... forgiven), I may try the drugstore powder in the same way that I love my MUFE powder foundation at some point, but I'm glad to have my dependable MUFE HD Setting powder back with me this week.  
-Cheek -- Summer Fridays Blush Balm Stick -- So easy to use, easy to blend and a great shade for me to wear with just about anything. I think these may be discontinued??? I sure hope not, but if so... I want to enjoy this one while she's still great!

EYES
-Nars Pro Prime -- I actually discovered that I have two of these open... So I need to get using this lol. Luckily... it's such a solid product.  I've yet to find a better shadow primer for my lids.
-Colour Pop Super Shock shadows -- One matte mauvey brown and one shimmery champagne. These were solid performs when I was away this month and I really want to get more out of these before they dry out.
-YSL 10 pan palette -- this was just so easy to use the last week that I'm not ready to put it back in my stash just yet.  
-Mascara -- I have both the Tower 28 and Benefit Fan Fest in here as I'm 90% sure they're both about done.  I'll try and get a few more uses out of each this week then pop them into empties. 

LIPS
-Glossier Ultra Lip in Vesper is a bright berry shade that was easy to wear.  I really forgot how much I like the formula and shade until this month.  This is exactly why I wanted to do this challenge... to rediscover what I already have!
-Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Le Main Bleue, another big berry shade but in a more matte formula.  The formula and shade are great.  Easy to blot this on in a 'popsicle' type application blurred out a bit or as a full on berry lip. 
-Rare Beauty Glossy Lip Balm in Nearly Rose is such a wonderful balmy texture on the lips and I had to include a gloss.  Love a product I can apply without a mirror.
-Merit Signature Lip in Millenial - I needed something a little more nude to go with all the bigger berry shades and this one is a newer one that I have not yet had time to fully love yet. 
-Stilla Lip Liner -- This one isn't a favourite but one that I think I'd like to try and power through it.  The shade is just a bit light for my liking so I'm happy to put it under darker shades. 

[Mellmars1185]

@missjeanie Excellent approach. I would really like to try the ND concealer, but I am not sure how to find my correct shade since I don't think they are sold here. How do you determine when a mascara is finished? I feel like I never use the whole bottle but ditch it when the formula starts changing/getting a bit dry. It looks like you picked out some beautiful lippies for the week.

[missjeanie]

@Mellmars1185 I tend to use findation dot com to order shades of concealer and foundation online.  This one I picked up in NYC in store by swatching a shade I knew I liked in another formula and comparing them.... We just all need another group shopping excursion!! 

I'm guilty of loving a drier mascara formula so I'm bad at tossing them in a timely manner.  I find when they're too dry to apply to my lashes at all is when I finally throw in the towel.  

[Mellmars1185]

@missjeanie Thank you for the tip! Oh yes another shopping outing indeed! I missed that one and I am still having FOMO over it lol

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, I like how you are going about using your beauties, 👍🏼 I’m working my way through the concealer stash so I can get to my ND one (among others). 😆 

Impressed with your mascara use! I feel like it can take me forever to get through a full sized tube and I’m often letting it go because it’s gotten to the 6 month mark or longer since it’s been in use. That’s a big factor in my trying to limit the number of wands I have open at any one time. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I generally try to only pick up the mini tubes of mascara anymore simply because they last so long for me.  Both of these have been open for about 4-5 months.  I still have a couple of others that I'm telling myself to finish off because they've been open longer before I let myself open anything else.  Full size tubes of some of my favourites can easily last just under a year for me and I'm trying to be better about not keeping them so long.   Both of these had more 'wet' formulas that I'd occasionally wipe off the wand on a paper towel so I'm thinking that's why they emptied out so fast.  

The ND concealer is so nice.  I think this year will be working through a lot of half open concealers as well.  

Okay... I just want to work through a lot of things I think lol!

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, I hear that! If all mascara were available in mini or travel size versions, I'd be happy. Mascara isn't even one of the beauty categories where I have a lot of surplus and it's one that I'm fairly good about keeping my supply at a manageable level but my word, it takes me forever to use up a tube. I don't think I've used up tubes so much as I've called it quits, thrown the white towel, when it's gone past a certain number of months. 

lol, yes, this is the year we work through a lot of things! I'm in that same boat, missjeanie! I'm hoping this capsule adventure not only streamlines my collection a bit (okay, maybe more than just a bit) but also gets some products out of drawers and boxes and bins, whether relocated, donated or decluttered. I know my final collection will be larger than most "capsules" but I'm good with that. Work in progress. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I feel Mascara surplus snuck up on me I swear I haven't purchased a full tube in a hot minute here, but somehow I've got more than enough on deck to try out lol.  I'm telling myself that getting two gone in two days this week is a good thing!  I need to be better at just tossing ones that aren't my favourites.  

I'm horrible at decluttering... I'm hoping that seeing how much I don't get a chance to use in such a healthy (to borrow your term) stash will help me feel better about downsizing some old products that aren't actually empties. Seeing how many people do it monthly in the Empties thread and here weekly... inspirational!!

[itsfi]

Hmmmm.... maybe start off slow or small @missjeanie? Maybe aim to declutter one product per month?

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Ohhhh I like that!  One a month feels doable!  Less intimidating. 

[itsfi]

Week 5: Best of January Makeup Capsule

So nice to have everything in one bag, in one place & ready for use!

Product Detail:

Spoiler

Base: 

⭐Bobbi Brown Mini Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer with Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid 0.... - this is a good base for my dry skin - balmy and creamy without being too thick or heavy.

⭐Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation 15 Melrose has earned HG status; my favorite tint - evens tone & adds a lovely glow to the skin as well. 

⭐MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Linen - using this as a concealer to cover redness around my nose (and probably the pesky pimple that I feel just under the surface of the skin (grr!)

Cheeks: This was a hard category for me to come up with because while these are good, I'm not sure if they're great, primarily because I don't reach for my cheek products as often as I probably should. 

⭐The color on NUDESTIX Nudies Cream Blush All-Over-Face Color Bohemian Rose is lovely and blends easy; it can be built up or sheered out. Will also be trying to make this work as a lip product this week.

⭐Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick 02 - I do like this to add some warmth to my face. In hindsight, I should have included a cream bronzer this time of the year - well, technically I did last week with one of the Nudestix trios but the shade wasn't great. In any event, I can get a lovely wash of color with the VBB.

⭐Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter Starglow may be another multi-tasker for me this week. I'm panning on using it as a highlight as well as perhaps a primer when going out, for a soft, all over glow.

Eyes:

⭐Trying something different and will be using the NUDESTIX Nudies Glow Cream Highlighter Stick Hey, Honey as an eye primer this week; hoping it'll jazz up my eyeshadow(s) of choice for the week.

⭐ (not pictured😞 The plan is to use the tone shade from the Natasha Denona Biba All Neutral Eyeshadow Palette Full Size Biba Neutral Eyeshadow Palette - it's not my favorite or "best of" shade. It's part of my pan it! project this year and I'm aiming to get in more use of it; hoping, too, that pairing it with Nudestix Hey, Honey as a base will make it something I will want to reach for this week. 

⭐Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade has been a good one. Years ago, it was my go-to brow gel. Still like it and have been reaching for it more as a result of these capsule challenges.

⭐Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara 01 Waterproof Big is The New Black, a tried-and-true favorite. Can't be without it in my collection. Or, I definitely don't want to be.

Lips: I went with several lip products this month. For options. 😃 I was happy with all the lip products I chose in previous capsules. These choices are more using products I haven't reached for as often so I can get more wear from them than I have been. The struggles of having a healthy collection of lippies. lol

⭐ Mutha lip butter has been working very well as a lip primer

⭐ MAKEUP BY MARIO SuperSatin® Lipstick 917 
⭐Gisou Honey Infused Hydrating Lip Oil Golden Shimmer Glow 
⭐ The Lip Bar Vegan Lip Gloss - Girl Boss
⭐Chanel Lip Liner - Nude Brun (162) 
⭐Tower 28 Beauty OneLiner Lip Liner + Eyeliner + Cheek Pencil Work Of Art 

Other: 

⭐ Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - not sure why I can't tag this; I've seen it in Sephora. Hmmm...

⭐By now, it should be clear that Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL has become a staple in my makeup collection. 💖

What’s everyone's best of beauties for the month? 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Great choices for this week. Your makeup bag is really pretty. I don't believe I have tried any Nudestix face products. I keep hearing great feedback. Great idea to use the Saie as a primer. I really want to try it out but I have to get through a similar product from Glossier. You are making great progress on the ND palette. When you are finished it, do you know what palette you will be your main eyeshadow palette to use?

[itsfi]

@Mellmars1185, thank you. I picked up the makeup bag from Beautylish. It holds so much product! I've been into stick makeup of late; it's just very convenient. Oh, that's an excellent question. I don't really know what palette will be my main one. I've been working on Biba for so long, it'll be an adjustment to not see it on my vanity in the top drawer ever day. Right now, the contenders for that spot would be one of the following: 

• Natasha Denona Glam Palette 
• Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Palette
• GXVE Simple Kind of Life Eyeshadow Palette
• Or one of my Dior, Chanel or Cle de Peau eyeshadow palettes. 

I think once I hit pan on the first of the two eyeshadows, I'll start to spend more time thinking about it. I'm sorta leaning towards one of the smaller palettes, but we'll see.

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi I am sure whatever you pick will be beautiful! They are all lovely palettes.

[missjeanie]

@itsfi You've got some wonderful products in your capsule this week!  I have that Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter but haven't cracked into it yet.  I don't wear highlighter so I'm quite curious to hear how you like it under makeup as a primer!  

I'm also wondering about your new bestie the Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL , do you find it to be hydrating, setting, or refreshing?  I'm not really in the market for a new mist... but you're making me think I should be???

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, I've only recently gotten into highlighter. While sparkle and glitter always make me go "oooohhh" and "aaaaahhh", I like a more subtle glow usually. Enter the Saie. I have mixed it with a matte foundation, to add some luminosity to my mug. 😅 

Oh my goodness, I've fallen hard for the Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL! "hydrating, setting, or refreshing?" Yes. It's all three, no joke. The trait that surprised me the most was / is how well it sets my makeup (and refreshes it when I spritz myself throughout the day!) It gives my complexion this fresh faced dewiness. It's not a greasy, oily look. Nor is it a "is that Fi or a disco ball???!!" I'll give my face a spritz after lunch and it looks like I just redid my makeup. 😍 I wasn't in need of a new mist when I was recommend this one; my thought process was, well, it'll be a splurge "souvenir" from New York (and the 34th Street Sephora). Little did I know that using it  while I was in NYC and Sephoria would be the start of me never wanting to be without a bottle. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I love that your Gucci spray is now your NYC reminder every time you use it!  I was intending on picking up a souvenir fragrance while there, but one never caught my eye.  I might need to try and live vicariously through your Gucci love. I don't need a setting spray, but I do love having a little spritz at my desk from time to time.  I find by the end of the work day my make up just looks... tired.  

I have a few more matte foundations that I'd like to work through this year, I'll have to try mixing the Saie in with them in lieu of plain moisturizer!

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, I love that the Gucci mist has such a connection to NYC. I have a few mementos from that trip but the Gucci is one that is front and center on my vanity. 

I will keep my eyes open throughout the year for your thoughts on the Saie + matte foundation blend. It's a pairing that works which is a plus, but it also cuts down on time spent getting ready which is another plus. Not that it would take that long to add highlighter to my routine but just knowing that it's one less step gives me a lot of joy. lol

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Fewer steps is a WIN!!  I think I have a foundation in mind that I'd like to pan once I get through my current panning foundation... I'll have to play around with it to make sure... but it's on the chopping block!

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, yeah, I'm all for fewer steps, but I am also a fan of options, and, sometimes those two things do not go hand in hand. 😂 

I thought @cianni had such an excellent approach to this week's capsule. There are products that I'm undecided about so it'll be fabulous to have an option to have a capsule for products that fall in that "should it stay or should it go?" category - whether someone can do a full capsule with that or just have 1 or two "keep or declutter" items will be helpful for so many of us as we try to work through our collections and make our stash more manageable. I'll be updating the February schedule later this week with that additional prompt. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I like @cianni 's idea as well.  I'll have to think about how I can manage that in my 'you have to use it up' mentality.  I've seen a few products already as I'm building capsules where I should be putting them in this year to see if they're still good at all. I also like the idea of having two of a certain kind of product in that weeks capsule to see which one I reach for... if I'm not reaching for something when it's down to a choice of two... why do I have it??

This challenge is a real challenge for me... it's going to push me this year to look at what I have in a different way.