Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge

[itsfi]

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 23 (June 3 - 9) - The Love Is Love Makeup Capsule

Let's curate a capsule of one or more products from LGBTQ+ founded/owned makeup brands to honor Pride Month. Check out the spoiler below ⬇️ for a non-exhaustive list of LGBTQ+ founded/owned beauty brands focused primarily on makeup / color cosmetics.

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 5.27.2024] Take a sneak peek at the themes to come.

Spoiler

Week 24 (June 10 - 16) - The Repurposed Makeup Capsule and/or The Multi-tasking Makeup Capsule

Do you have a product(s) that you've repurposed for a different use or ones that perform more than one function (lip and cheek, eyeshadow and bronzer, etc.? Let's pull them out of your stash and put together a capsule with one or more of those beauties. Shout out to our marvelous @missjeanie  for the repurposed theme. 

Week 25 (June 17 - 23) - The "Welcome, Summer!" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Good Stuff" Makeup Capsule  A couple of fun themes this week. Summer is officially here (well, on Thursday)! Let's kick things off with an ode to the sunny, warm, bright & breezy days to come! Or, use this week to focus on the "good stuff" in your collection, be it one or more products you looooove or the "good stuff" that only comes out every now and again (or, maybe for some of us, for the first time this week). 

Week 26 (June 24 - 30) - The June 2024 "On Top", "On the Chopping Block" and/or "On Repeat" Makeup Capsule - Last week of the month, BIC! You know what that means. We have options! Let's shine a spotlight on one or more products from the capsules this month that's (a) one of the best products of the week (on top); or (b) something you're thinking about tossing or decluttering from your stash (on the chopping block); or (c) made a recurring appearance in your capsule all month (on repeat); or (d) all or some combination of the above. Or, curate a capsule that's been done before - a "Take 2" or "Do Over" - with or without any adjustments as you like.

LGBTQ+ Founded/Owned Makeup Brands:

Spoiler

Below is a non-exhaustive list of LGBTQIA+ founded/owned beauty brands that primarily include makeup / lor cosmetics in their collection.  An asterisk (*) next to a brand name denotes that the brand is available at Sephora.

about face (Halsey)

Flower Beauty (Drew Barrymore)

Formula Z Cosmetics (Zach Dishinger)

* Freck Beauty (Nasera Alayon)

Jason Wu Beauty

Jecca Blac
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty

KimChi Chic Beauty

* Makeup by Mario

* One/Size by Patrick Starrr

* Patrick Ta Beauty

Tanais
* Tom Ford Beauty

Trixie Cosmetics

W3ll People

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 6.3.2024]

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

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. 

All are invited to join in this adventure, whenever and however is most effective for you. I'm excited to see what results from this experiment. 

[itsfi]

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

Spoiler

🐐  Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation 
🛍  Dior Forever Glow Maximizer Longwear Liquid Highlighter 014 Rosy 
🌅  Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Sun Glow Serum 1.35 oz / 40 mL (sample)
🌺  SEPHORA COLLECTION Best Skin Ever Multi-Use Hydrating Glow Concealer 26 Peach 
👁  #SEPHORA COLLECTION Love The Lift Curling + Volumizing Waterproof Mascara Ultra Black 
🌻 Natasha Denona Biba All Neutral Eyeshadow Palette Full Size Biba Neutral Eyeshadow Palette - (part of the Pan It! - 2024 Challenge ) - it's in the SEPHORA COLLECTION Reusable Travel Jar Set - I scooped out a few shadows, including the shade: prairie that I'm trying to hit pan on. I've been mixing the colors together for my own customized shade - it helps me to like prairie more.
🍃  LAWLESS Skin-Smoothing Talc-Free Perfecting Powder 
💋  Yves Saint Laurent YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick 203 Blushed Mallow 

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.

Spoiler

COMPLEXION:

* Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All Day Comfort Flawless Finish Foundation - lightweight consistency, demi matte finish, coverage is medium, but is buildable

* Armani Beauty Power Fabric + Longwear Matte Concealer - an OG for me and a fabulous one at that. Blends beautifully, covers blemishes and dark circles, lasts all day,  without creasing or looking cake

* Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Hyper Finish 24H Multi-Use Natural Matte Powder 1 - finishing powder, satin matte finish, good blurring effect. The powder I have is shade 2 but it doesn't seem to populate for tagging. Wondering if Sephora will get all shades? 🤔

* Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL  (🐐) - this keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day and it really melds well with makeup. 😍 This is my third bottle, so you could say that I'm a fan. lol

EYES:

* Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow works well on its own or as a base, which is what I did here. A sales associate I work with from time to time had mentioned how great these were a year or so (?) ago but I didn't pick it up until after seeing @Samtian post a look with and talk about it

* Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eclat de Nuit 268 Quad- a smokey eye look can be an overwhelming look for me. The shadows in this palette are easy to blend, making it easy for a quick, soft smokey eye

* Valentino Twin Liner Gel and Liquid Eyeliner 01 Black and Nero - I recently had an opportunity to have my makeup done and I took it. As the woman in the chair next to me said "we have to treat ourselves sometime." This lasted all day - I'm sure much of that was do to the professional application, but I was impressed. I'm still learning to work with this one but it's got good staying power

* Dior Diorshow Iconic Waterproof Mascara Extreme Black - one of the mascara I consider tops and that has been repurchased from time to time. 

CHEEK:

* TOM FORD Soleil Glow Bronzer 02 Terra - cool toned, matte finish. It's on the sheer side which I don't mind as I'm more on the fair side and don't mind doing a little more work to build up the color. This will work best for those with fair / fair-to-light complexions and who prefer a soft, sheer, subtle wash of bronze

* Dior Forever Glow Maximizer Longwear Liquid Highlighter 014 Rosy (🛍) is a beauty. I was doing fairly well with not picking up any of these new Dior liquid highlighters, but, in the end, literally, on the last day of the sale I think, resistance was futile - it's a pretty 2-in-1 blush and highlighter. A little goes a long way, I need just a teeeeeeensy, tiiiiiiiiny dab of color. And then, blend, blend, blend...

LIPS: 

* Westman Atelier Lip Suede Lipstick Palette Les Nudes - part of this year's Pan It! Challenge - it's gotten a harder to reach for it now that I hit pan on that lightest shade (I used it solely as a primer); that's not becuase I don't like the colors remaining because I do - I'm just trying to make my way through more of my lip stash. At least to set aside the ones that are in that "do I keep it or do I let it go?" camp.

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!

[makeitup305]

@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!

[itsfi]

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. 😂🤣😂 

[makeitup305]

@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. 

[missjeanie]

@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! 

[itsfi]

@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 

[missjeanie]

@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. 

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you for the swatches @itsfi 🌹 I’m eyeing YSL translucent and shade 1 as well. Though I need to look into Lawless too 😘

[Samtian]

@missjeanie I'd collect more if I used single shadows more haha. What colors are you thinking about?!

[missjeanie]

@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.  

[blackkitty2014]

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 😘

[itsfi]

@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? 

[blackkitty2014]

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) 😘

[itsfi]

Oh, I was unclear @blackkitty2014; I meant to ask if you’ve tried any YSL bronzer before, not specifically the new one. 

[blackkitty2014]

@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 😘

[itsfi]

Ahhh yes, I do like their primers, @blackkitty2014, and ohhh, those new quads are very nice - packaging and the shadows! I hear ya as well on bronzers; I don’t need more, but still intrigued by the YSL. We’ll learn about their bronzers together. Someone on BIC will surely give them a go. 😆 I’ll live vicariously through them. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Haha I love your various green themes. That Armani is good stuff!!!

[itsfi]

Thank you @Samtian! I had fun with the different takes on “green” - it doesn’t just have to be about clean. 😆 Ohhh yes, Armani LSF is a must have for me. It’s been good to me over the years! 

[caitbird]

@itsfi  great choices! So interesting to hear your thoughts on each item & your reasoning for choosing them ("now I have less green in my wallet" had me rofl 🤣). I love your pics (as always, you inspire me!) & how you incorporated some pops of green in them!

💜

[itsfi]

Thank you @caitbird! Thats very kind of you to say. 

I had a good chuckle over the less green 💸💸💸 take on this week’s capsule. 😂 I have a good amount of products that I don’t reach for often or sometimes that I don’t even open. 😔 If I were a collector that would be one thing and it’d make sense but I’m not. I spent the 💴 on them so I should use them, right? Going to try to make that happen - shopping my entire stash during my low buy. 

[itsfi]

Week 17: The "Green" Makeup Capsule - Days 1 thru 3

Okay, coming in with a mid-week check-in - my goodness, how is it already mid-week?!! 😦 Here are my "green" makeup capsules to date. Products with an asterisk (*) next to its name denotes a product I'm using for the first time with the capsule. 

Day 1 - Green = Clean at Sephora or as denoted by the brand. 

We're going to pretend that the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Mineral SPF 30 Refillable Moisturizer (that I used as primer) is really a part of my skincare routine that photobombed my capsule pic. That way I have 6 products to make another capsule for the Sephora Six - Fast & Furious Edition, which is where I'll post more detailed thoughts later tonight on the products used. As a teaser, this combination of beauties turned out pretty well and made for a quick & easy look. Exactly what I needed this past Monday. 

Spoiler

🌻  Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Mineral SPF 30 Refillable Moisturizer 
⭐  Sweed Glass Skin Foundation mixed with Isle of Paradise Sunny Serum Instant Face Bronzer 1.01 oz / 30 mL 
‌‌💖 HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica 11 ... 
👁  MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Clay 
💗  Victoria Beckham Beauty Bronzing Brick Duo (#2)
😎  Soleil Toujours Clean Conscious Body Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C SPF 30-50 6 oz / 178 mL SPF 30 

Day 2 - Green = packaging, product color/hue & Clean at Sephora

Spoiler

💐  Primer - Dr. Jart+ Mini Cicapair Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 15 mL/ .50 fl oz  - green hued cream that neutralizes redness. Wears well alone or as a primer. 

❤️ Founation / Tint - Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50+ PA+++, one layer by itself, followed by a layer mixed with Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Bronzing Drops with Peptides - this is my favorite way to use the D-Bronzi.

👁  Eyeshadow Primer - about face Shadow Fix Eye Primer* - not bad but I'm going to need to play with this more before deciding how I feel about it.

👁  Eyeshadow - Bobbi Brown Jadestone Eye Shadow Palette (limited edition) - this has some beautiful greens and browns. Swatches in spoiler below.

😍  Setting Spray - Soleil Toujours Clean Conscious Body Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C SPF 30-50 6 oz / 177 mL SPF 50  

🏵  Mascara - #SEPHORA COLLECTION Love The Lift Curling + Volumizing Waterproof Mascara Ultra Black 
 has really been performing beautifully. This is seriously giving my Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof and all my waterproof mascaras some solid competition. 

💋 Lips - yes, I had 2 lippies for the same day. One for the morning (Merit Lip Liner Bespoke (limited edition) and MERIT Shade Slick Classics Tinted Lip Oil Au Naturel)  and one for the afternoon ( Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil for Moisturizing Sheer Coverage Blush Dreams) 😂 Both were great. I'm going to have a hard time whittling down my lipstick stash. 

Day 3 - Green = Clean at Sephora / Self professed clean beauty & one dirty product containing the color green 

Spoiler

🌷  I wanted to test out the LAWLESS Skin-Smoothing Talc-Free Perfecting Powder as a powder foundation and not as a setting powder. Because my skin is really dry at the moment, I first applied the Farsali Skintune Perfecting Serum for its blurring and skin smoothing properties before applying the Lawless powder with the Sigma F80 Kabuki brush. Ohhh, the powder looked amazing. I'm working my way through MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation and when that's been used up, the Lawless will be one of my primary powder foundations in the rotation.

🌌  MILK MAKEUP Sculpt Cream Contour Stick - this is going to take some practice on my part but these types of sticks are generally easier to use. I just need to work on my blending.

🤔  I'm not sure this Iris & Romeo Ceramide Multi-Balm - Radiant Glow (can't seem to tag this) is best suited for my complexion. I'm on the fiar-to-light (maybe light-medium) side and this didn't show up on my skin no matter how hard I rubbed it in. I'm thinking this may not be long for my stash.

💄  MILK MAKEUP Odyssey Hydrating Non-Sticky Lip Oil Gloss Werk Trip is a beauty! 😍

Swatches of Bobbi Brown Jadestone Eyeshadow Palette (limited edition): 

Spoiler