Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge 2024

[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 52 (December 23 - December 29) - The Holiday Glam Makeup Capsule and/or  The "2024 Makeup Capsule Collection" Makeup Capsule - Some options for us to close out the makeup capsules for 2024 (or to kick start 2025)!

Show us the beauties you use when you want to add glitz and glam (or, that up the glitz and glam element) to your makeup look.

and/or 

Curate a bag with your go-to, GOAT, ride-or-die products that would make up your ultimate makeup capsule collection (for 2024). If it's too much to put together a creme de la creme capsule or if you're at your best with options, consider putting together a makeup capsules of one or more favorites you discovered (or re-discovered) in 2024. 

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.21.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come. 

Spoiler

Week 1 - 2024/2025 - to be posted the week of December 23, after the Christmas holiday. HINT: Think newness for the new year, or to usher in the New Year. 😉

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.23.2024]

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 (Spring 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
42 - The "Makeup I'm Thankful For" Makeup Capsule and/or The Do Over / Take 2 Makeup Capsule
43 - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule and/or The Global Makeup Capsule
44 - The "Sleeper Hits" Makeup Capsule and/or The October 2024 Throw Down, Throwback, and/or Throw Out? Makeup Capsule
45 - The Sweater Weather Makeup Capsule and/or The Holidays Savings (Shop The Sale) Makeup Capsule
46 - The Time Capsule Makeup Capsule and/or The Awesomely Affordable and/or Spectacularly Splurge-worthy Makeup Capsule
47 - The "Please, Don't Go!" / Discontinued Products Makeup Capsule and/or The Newness Makeup Capsule
48 - The Things I'm Thankful For Makeup Capsule and/or The “BIC Inspired” Fall Makeup Capsule
49 - The Beautifully Bold or Delightfully Demure Makeup Capsule and/or The "Savvy Shopper" Makeup Capsule  
50 - The Sticks 2.0 Makeup Capsule and/or The "Favorite Theme From The Challenge" Makeup Capsule
51 - The Winter Wonderland Makeup Capsule and/or The "Take 2" / "Do Over" 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]

lol, no need for apologies @danielledanielle! We're all working on using what we have and trying to streamline our collections to have all the right amount of product and the right products that work for our needs, lifestyles, etc. It's good to see what people are reaching for, what they're keeping (or not keeping) and why. Super excited to catch up with you on your capsules. 

Oh my goodness, if it were not for this photo with the Half Magic gizmo in a different position, I would have thought it was decor or an extra large emoji in your haul photo. Hahahaha! I really need to make sure my coffee has kicked in before I log onto BIC! 😂🤣😂  I love your collection of ND single shadows! 

[missjeanie]

@danielledanielle Allllll the talc!  lol I have to say... until I read this, I forgot I had two of those Nars lip balms... ya, they don't last forever, but they're nice eh!  I need to dig those out soon!  How do you feel about the Ami Colé Skin Melt Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder  ?  I haven't really heard anyone talk about this one. 

[danielledanielle]

@missjeanie, it's a bit of a persnickety powder.  I didn't like it when I first tried it, but I switched to using a puff with it instead of a brush and it lays so much better.  The dispenser is partially to blame, it's a net you press down on.  It's great if you want to make, but a little unwieldy.   With a puff tho, 👍🏽👍🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽

[missjeanie]

@danielledanielle I'm generally a brush gal... so this is very helpful information to have.  Maybe I should be trying all of my 'meh' powders with a puff.  I'm not crazy about the netting situation, but I've worked through it before.  hm...... gonna have to think on this one.

[makeitup305]

@danielledanielle thanks for the info. I had that one on my list to try since I've been getting a little more into setting powder. Does it come with a puff?

[danielledanielle]

No @makeitup305 .  The direct site has a brush that fits with it, the brush is on the smaller side.  It's great for precision/small prefer areas but I didn't love it that way.  I am using the previous version of SEPHORA COLLECTION Velour Makeup Powder Puff with it, and it's much better.

[makeitup305]

@danielledanielle ok, good to know, thanks !!

[Mellmars1185]

@danielledanielle Nice capsules! I totally agree with the learning curve with the DM Groundworks palette. I think for myself I need to plan out my look with it ahead of time. Otherwise I tend to use my regulard products like cream brnzer, lip liner and brow products. You made a good point. It is all about the brushes. This has inspired me to try using it again too!

[sister13]

Wonderful items!  @danielledanielle 

[CorgiMommy]

@danielledaniellemade me smile, she is the queen of brows.  Her eyebrow pencils are the ones to have in your makeup bag.

[itsfi]

RECAP - Week 15: The Makeup Artist Founded Beauty Brand Makeup Capsule 

Overall, having a slightly larger capsule was helpful, as was curating smaller capsules from the larger collection in advance. It made my week a lot easier in terms of getting ready in the mornings, though I will admit that having a paired down lip selection was a little harder to get accustomed to. 😅 I'll continue to stick with this approach for at least another couple of weeks as I juggle and sort through a few things - the convenience of having capsules for the different needs / events that come up during the week has been appreciated.

All that said, here are the standouts, good and bad, from Week 15 - 

 

Spoiler

TOP SHELF:  New additions to the Top Shelf from this week's capsule include: 

🏆  SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Shadow Brush #15  is a great brush for laying down color on my lids. It wonderful for hooded eyes or those with a  smaller lid space, both of which I have. A repeated repurchase. And, 30% off through end of the day Monday! 🛍

🏆  Kevyn Aucoin concealer brush (discontinued) is my favorite for pinpoint concealing, especially when I’m trying to conceal dark spots from PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or to conceal an active pimple, both of which have been part of my makeup routine the last couple of weeks. 

 
ALL STAR(S)  

⭐️  Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Eye Pencil (discontinued ?) doesn’t tickle anymore when I use it on my waterline. 👍🏼 It does a fabulous job of brightening, making me look awake and alert. I’ve also been trying this as a concealer a la @sister13's tip. This could make my Top Shelf list at some point. I may need to pull out other similar liners and see how they perform vis-a-vis one another. 🤔 

UNDECIDED 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

🔬 I’m not sure about the LAWLESS Mini The One & Done Volumizing Mascara Black . It does a nice job of lengthening and adds some volume without clumping, but it does smudge, which isn’t uncommon for non-waterproof mascaras with my oily eyelids. I’m keeping it in the rotation, but of the three products I'm undecided about, this one is up in the air and most likely to be part of a future "on the chopping block" capsule. 😱

🔬   PATRICK TA Major Brow Lamination Gel 0.17 oz/ 5 mL  (SEPHORiA) is fine; I'm just not sure if it stands out vis-a-vis other similar product. It'll go back in the stash and included in future capsules. Have you tried this one @ather? Wondering how it compares to the Merit pomade; at some point, I may need to do a duel with both. 

🔬  Anna Sui Lip Coat - I like this conceptually and once I figured out the best way to apply it (and the right amount), it worked beautifully. I just need to play with it more to see whether my first (and second & third) impressions remain unchanged. This one could be a surprise hit! 😊 

DECLUTTERED 

🗑️   SEPHORA COLLECTION Love The Lift Curling + Volumizing Mascara Ultra Black  (gratis) really does what it says - lifts my lashes, but this one isn't waterproof and I tend to need a waterproof formula year round with my oily lids and have definitely needed that the last couple of weeks with allergies. That said, there IS a waterproof version 🙌🏼. That arrived Friday night and I like it, so I’m going to keep this a few more days to test, and then I'll let this go. 

🏡  Ouch, it hurts to say 'good bye' to the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder Translucent . Mainly because it’s an OG and one of the very first setting powders I've used. I take consolation in the fact that it’s going to a good home where it will be put to use, and not just sitting in the back of my drawer. 

And, in a not-so-smart move on my part, I picked up the reformulated pressed powder version of the LM loose powder. It was a promo gwp from a pre-sale order that took the scenic route to get here.  I am happy with the CT pressed powder, and am debating whether to give it a try or to just find it a new home.  Hmmm ... 

 

This Week’s Declutters = 2

Monthly Declutter Count = 2

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo wow. You really just cut things out. I love it!! 😍 I have the PT laminating brow gel and I’m not a fan. I don’t know if I am doing something wrong but it always leaves crusts in my brows that look gross. I was trying to use it up but I think I’m really reaching for it less and less. I don’t know if I have the merit one in my stash. I feel like I do. I’ll dig for it and add it to my stuff to use this week! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I definitely go through phases with my decluttering. Interestingly, it's been easier with these capsules. Sometimes, it takes weeks for me to decide on a product, but I look at that as being an improvement on what has taken me months, at best, and years, at worst, to do. 

Oh, you just helped bring to mind the first time I ever tried the Patrick Ta brow gel. It was many, many, maaaany years ago, in a Sephora store. The castmember recommended it to me and applied it on my brows, and told me that it would look better and not crusty, if my brows were cleaned up to begin with. 😲 Ummm.... one, I'm sure there was a better way to phrase that. 😳 Two, if my brows were unclean and "crusty" to begin with, wouldn't that be something to be addressed before applying the clear gel? And three, please refer back to one. 😂🤣😂 

Do you have a go-to brow gel?

[ather]

@itsfi  Hmmm I wonder if they mean to do brow gel before any other makeup? I mean my brows are clean in the morning lol. 😂 maybe I should try that. Hmmm 🤔 I don’t think I have a fav to be honest. I’ve been using the Kosas Air Brow Clear + Clean Lifting Treatment Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect 0.13 oz/ 4 g   but only to use it up. Not a fan. I have the lawless one and it’s ok but it doesn’t hold my brows the way I want. I have it a colour so it doesn’t leave crusty pieces so I guess that’s a positive. I was loving the REFY Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel with Lamination Effect 0.28 oz/ 8.5 mL  but I stopped using it. Maybe I like that one. I guess I need to pull it out and use it again. Do you have a fav? 

[itsfi]

@ather, I had a fave at one point and they discontinued it. It was a while ago as I can’t seem to recall the brand, which is odd. Right now, I do like Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade  and TOM FORD Fiber Brow Gel. My collection of brow products is probably the most minimalist part of my makeup collection. At the moment, I have more open (and frankly, more in the queue) than I normally do - 

Glossier, Merit & Patrick Ta.

My brow collection usually consists of one open brow gel product and the Chanel brow pencil (my OG brow product!) Sometimes, I’ll have an unopen brow gel/pomade on deck, waiting for whatever open brow gel is in use to be finished up. I’ll work through what I have on hand but that’s the model I’m working towards, for brow products at least. Have to think through what the other categories will look like. Some definitely will not have a minimalist look or feel to them. 😆 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo I inspire to be more like you!! I haven’t tried either of those. Once I’m down to one I will definitely try one. Do you recommend one over the other? 

[itsfi]

@ather, oh my goodness, that's high praise and very kind of you to say; thank you. And it's only brow products that I'm good at keeping contained in my collection. If we were to look into foundation or lip products, oh dear, that would be something. I went to the store last night to pick up some fabric bins - as I'm unpacking, I'm going to put all but my GOATs and products I consider loves or Top Shelf (which should be a small enough mix that I can fit them in a makeup bag) into the bin, with the already open products separated from the unopen ones. And then I'm going to think about how to incorporate them into future makeup capsules to determine what can stay and what needs to go. I'm pretty sure there will be some categories that I'll hit 'pause' on, mainly because I know I'll just have an extra hard time passnig on them or passing them along (read: lip products and probably foundation).

Hmmm... of the two, the Glossier has a tinier spoolie. I'd actually say go with the Glossier first when you finish up your current brow gel/pomade. The Tom Ford, I'd recommend picking up during the fall sale - it'll make it easier on the wallet and you'll know how it compares with the Glossier. There's usually a holiday sale at the end of the year, so you can pick up the Glossier then if you find you like it more than the TF. The Tom Ford is a reformulation and it's good, but the older version is better, I think. The Glossier is a solid performer, and the smaller spoolie is ideal for me. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Oooo I like this bin idea! Genius! I may need to steal this idea! A bin for things I’m trying to use up would be great for me so I can see my progress! Plus an empty bin would be so satisfying!!! 

Noted! Once I’ve used up my 5 brow gel products I will try the Glossier one! I may start with my almost gone brow gel and work my way through them that way! I might be ready by the time the fall sale hits 😝

[itsfi]

Right @ather?! Between this and the pan it! challenge, it’s becoming easier to let go of some products. Some. Still a work in progress. 

Hoping the bin approach will keep things moving and being used. I’m also hoping that seeing how much stuff I have will nudge me to make decisions more quickly about what needs to be passed onto someone else or just passed on. I’m not aiming for true minimalism, because I feel more comfortable, more me, with a few choices in each makeup category (and for some, more than a few). Not to say that might not happen with one or two makeup categories. I’d love to hear how the bin approach works for you. That would definitely be satisfying to see an empty bin. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi 😲

[itsfi]

Yeah, not my favorite experience, @missjeanie. She could have been having a bad day.