Services
From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations
From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations
Get inspired, play with products & learn new skills
Exciting launches, parties & more
Explore what's hot in your store
Ask questions, join challenges, and get recommendations from people like you
Discover topics tailored to your beauty interests
Add your photos and get inspired by fellow beauty lovers
View activity, savings and benefits
Redeem items, samples and more
View and track online orders
Reorder it from in-store and online purchases
View saved products
Recommendations from your store visits
Manage your services, classes and events
Complete your beauty traits for personalized recommendations
Payments, contact info, addresses and password
View activity, savings and benefits
Redeem items, samples and more
View and track online orders
Reorder it from in-store and online purchases
View saved products
Recommendations from your store visits
Manage your services, classes and events
Complete your beauty traits for personalized recommendations
Payments, contact info, addresses and password
Ask questions, join challenges, and get recommendations from people like you
Discover topics tailored to your beauty interests
Add your photos and get inspired by fellow beauty lovers
From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations
Get inspired, play with products & learn new skills
Exciting launches, parties & more
Explore what's hot in your store
Hey BIC beauties! One of my goals this year is to try to put together a makeup capsule with a handful (okay, maybe a large handful, in my case) of products that will work for me for an every day look and special occasions. Given my current collection, I won't need to be starting from scratch. 😂 So, I'm treating this capsule makeup collection challenge like a shop my stash and declutter adventure all in one. Would love for you to join me if and when you can.
If this is something that interests you or just piques your curiosity, please feel free to use this thread to document and challenge yourself to
(1) use what you have / shop your stash; and
(2) determine which products in your collection to keep, which to declutter, and which to try again another day. All with the goal of curating a set of makeup products that will help you achieve a signature look - and maybe a few additional products for other looks in your daily life, including looks for special occasions or events.
Every week, I will post a group of makeup products I plan to choose from (i.e., shopping my stash) for my looks during the week. The themes / prompts are guides and if you have a certain interpretation or approach you want to take with it, go for it! Not every product has to fit squarely within the theme; it can be just one item.
CURRENT MAKEUP CAPSULE THEME:
Week 21 (May 20 - 26) - The "My Best Self" Makeup Capsule
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Curate a capsule with products that make you look and feel your very best.
Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 5.21.2024] Take a sneak peek at the themes to come.
Completed Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 5.22.2024]
FAQs: [Updated 4.28.2024]
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.
I'm excited to see what results from this experiment and I welcome everyone to join in this adventure, whenever and however is most effective for you.
@RJDT, I'm learning so much from everyone here about a host of products - some I've used; others I want to pick up, and, still others that I have in my stash but haven't gotten around to. Hearing feedback from others about how an item performed for them or the tips and tricks they've shared about using a product has been super helpful. It's really so helpful to hear from folks who have used the products! 😁
Monthly makeup breakdown! Sorry if it's a little overwhelming. This is most of what was in my to-try pile this month.
Primers-
Foundation-
Concealer-
Face-
Eyes & brows-
New products to my collection-
Missing- the Kulfi Free The Brow Volumizing & Laminating Brow Gel which I returned. It didn't hold up my brows at all. It annoyed me. The PATRICK TA Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo Just Enough which I've raved about enough, and the Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Drift which is an old love in a new shade.
Oh, good to know about the EL foundation @makeitup305; I have that in my bin. EL products are generally heavier fragranced to my nose but I think I was kinda hoping it would be more subdued. I have the original Double Wear foundation and suprisingly, I'm okay with the scent on it. Love the SC powder, a staple in my stash. 💖 Do you wear it as a setting powder or a powder foundation? Or both? Out of curiosity, what's your favorite or go to concealer at the moment?
@itsfi I've been using the SC powder kind of as a touch up/setting powder on areas where I think I need a little more coverage. I think this shade would be deepen my foundation too much for all over my face. I really enjoy it, though.
For concealer, since I've been trying to use my stash more, I've been all over the place. I would say my top 4 are Tarte Shape Tape, PMG, Tower 28, and ND. I would also add the GA Power Fabric but I ran out a while back and haven't repurchased it. I think they reformulated it, right? I pick and choose depending on the coverage and finish I want. Those are all 5 stars for me. 4 stars would be the new Saie (because I HAVE to set it), LYS, and Kulfi. I'm currently trying out the Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer . So far a 4 but I need to play around with it some more.
@makeitup305 thanks for sharing your thoughts on all of these! I need to try and do a "to try" capsule (or a few), I have so many products I haven't tried yet!
@caitbird, jump right on in whenever you feel like it! We'd love to see what capsule you put together and your thoughts on the products as you put them to a wear test - always great to learn what in your capsule was a product that you loved or liked, or thought was "on top" for the week and which ones you wonder if you should declutter, or put on the "chopping block"! That would make a perfect capsule for next week, or, really, any week.
Week 17: The "Green" Makeup Capsule - Days 4 & 5
Day 4 - Green = Clean at Sephora 🍃, the packaging color 💚, and my favorite take on green for this week's capsule theme, green = "now I have less green in my wallet 💸" 😂
I really liked this group of makeup products! I'll tag them in the spoiler. I posted more detailed thoughts to the product at Re: Makeup Challenge of the Week
Day 5 - Green = The "This is why I have less green in my wallet 💸💸💸" Green Makeup Capsule 🤣 (oh yeah, one of these items is Clean at Sephora, too! Ha!)
This is the capsule I've been waiting to use. I've amused myself with my take on "green" with this one. 😅 There's probably just one product here that meets one of the two themes for the week and that is all good - I get in that one or more product and even if I didn't, all good too. I've been having a blast seeing what everyone is putting together and hearing about how their thoughts on the different items used.
Waxing Poetic: When I first thought about doing this challenge, I somehow thought that I'd get to what would be an ultimate makeup capsule for myself through process of elimination or decluttering, and, that's not to say that that isn't happening because it is, but I'm also finding myself discovering (or rediscovering) products that I know I absolutely want to have in my stash, and that has been a lot of fun. I've also come across things I might not have otherwise known about, thanks to all of you (but says my wallet: "yeaaah, thanks to all of you!" 😏) as well as some tips and tricks, and other ways to use or to repurpose products. Thank you, BIC!
@itsfi I love your take on "green". Definitely lots of green on it's way out after the sale. I was also a casualty of the Dior Maximizer at the end of the sale. I got Nude and now I want Pearl. They're just so gorgeous!
We held on for a while, didn't we @makeitup305?! Ooooh, Nude is a great shade and ahhh, pearl! 😍 I'm just going to say it, because I would eventually Dior should do a mini coffret of all of the shades for the holidays, a vault if you will, plus a special edition shade for the holiday. Just sayin' ...
Thank you! I wanted to have some fun with the "green" theme. I like a lot of products from clean beauty brands and I like a lot of products from clinical brands and luxe brands too. At the end of the day, they all cost me 💸💸 and now I have a way to get them all into my capsule. 😂🤣😂
@itsfi a bundle would be great. I need to see Pearl in person because by all accounts it's quite sparkly but I'm still tempted.
@itsfi @Samtian I've been putting the Armani liquid shadows in and out of my cart for so long. It's so nice to hear real people reviews! I'm adding it to my mental list for the next sale! So many of their shades look like they'd be great one and dones!
Fi, I'm also happy to hear the review on the YSL powder. Like @blackkitty2014 I was hoping it was going to be in stock for the spring sale. Not that I need another powder... but it's now joing the Armani shadow on my fall sale list!
@missjeanie, I tried to swatch the YSL powder for you and it seems that is a pretty good match for me. I picked up Shade 2. My recollection is that there is a translucent version and a Shade 1. on the fair - light end of the color range.
LAWLESS Skin-Smoothing Talc-Free Perfecting Powder Light has the fullest coverage of the three. The YSL powder is very finely milled. It gives good blurring effect. I have not tested the "resists sweat for 24 hours" claim. I may come up with an alternative to test that theory without having to actually wear the powderfor 24 hours or be sweating in it for all that amount of time. lol. Adding @blackkitty2014
@itsfi While I do use a powder with coverage at times... I think translucent is going to be where I lean to. I'm loving the words you're using here... mostly the blurring one lol. I can't really think of a scenario where I'd need to wear make up for 24 hours let a lone while sweating for those 24 hours. My odds of falling into some kind of real life action movie sequence are pretty low these days.
Thx you for the swatches @itsfi 🌹 I’m eyeing YSL translucent and shade 1 as well. Though I need to look into Lawless too 😘
@missjeanie I'd collect more if I used single shadows more haha. What colors are you thinking about?!
@Samtian I want to say Shell, Rose and Halo were the ones I was eyeing up... I'm a fan of a 'one and done' eye look, so if they work well they could be a staple product for me. I feel like I love to look at palettes but I end up using a small hand full of shades and usually only one or two at a time on a day to day basis.
Oh man so many goodies to try on @itsfi . I’m waiting for that YSL powder to launch during the sale but it never did. Next sale then lol 😂 PS your luxe items look really good. I need to be more selective liked you 😘
@blackkitty2014, thank you. Hard to resist the luxe items, but I’m trying to get better at it, with everything, not just luxury products. And trying to be better at using them for more then just a few uses. You’re so good with that. Love seeing all your pan items and empty full size luxe makeup products. 😍#inspirational
Ahhh, the YSL powder!!! I hesitated at first, because I don’t have a lot of luck with finding a good shade match for their base products other than their concealer pen. But the powder seems more forgiving. I like this one, and am glad I picked it up when it launched (though I would have liked it more if I got it on sale, lol). I may get the translucent one later, and maybe try a bronzer. Have you tried YSL’s bronzers?
I think both YSL powder and bronzer are only available at Nordstrom at the moment. I was hoping they launched at Sephora but nope. I have them on my try on wish list though @itsfi (though I really don’t need any more bronzer nor powder) 😘
Oh, I was unclear @blackkitty2014; I meant to ask if you’ve tried any YSL bronzer before, not specifically the new one.
@itsfi @it might be reader error 😂🤣 I’m relatively new to YSL. I tried their primer, lip shine and those new cute eyeshadow quads . So no I don’t have any experience with either powder and bronzer from them. 😘. Have Tom Ford not messed up their quality I probably still not venture out to other brands lol 😂 im always hesitate to try new products/brands 😘