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 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 with two or more products that fit better together, or if you have a set of products that just work seamlessly, please share your all-star beauty combinations. 

OR, 

Put together a capsule with one or more 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". 😮

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10.6.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come.

Spoiler

Week 42 (October 14 - 20) - The "Makeup I'm Thankful For" Makeup Capsule and/or The Do Over / Take 2 Makeup Capsule - To celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving (October 14) with our Canadian BIC beauties 🇨🇦, let's curate 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
• or, just because

OR, use the week to repeat or "do over" a past makeup capsule or capsule theme. Consider posting your "Do over" / "Take 2" 🎬 look 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 10.6.2024]

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
40 - The "Pop of Colour": Fall Edit Makeup Capsule and/or The Musician Founded or Owned Beauty Brands 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]

Week 29 Recap, Part 1 - The Sticks Makeup Capsule: The $20 & Under Edit

It's been a few days now of wearing stick products in the $20 and under capsule and thought I'd check in with my assessment of this group of beauties before moving on to play with the over $20 sticks, which I will get to do later today.

Spoiler

Top Shelf: 

🏆  The new addition to the Top Shelf (I don't recall designating it as such before) takes the form of the SEPHORA COLLECTION Microsmooth Multi-Tasking Baked Face Powder Foundation, which is actually a GOAT product for me.

Standouts (in a good way):

👍  e.l.f. Stay Cool Primer Stick is lovely and cooling, indeed. 😊 I'll be keeping this within easy reach this summer.

👍  I like the ease and convenient application of NYX Pro Fix Stick Concealer 06 Natural - glides on smoothly, blends evenly and does a nice job of concealing blemishes and redness. It wouldn't fall within my group of top concealers when all is said and done, but it's a nice one.

👍  NYX Fat Oil Slick Click Vegan Lip Balm Stick (That's Major) - lightly hydrating, wears comfortably, and comes in a good range of pretty colors

Undecided:

❓  I was really surprised by the drier texture of the Revlon Photoready Insta-Blush Stick (Berry Blushing). My recollection of the original formula was that it was a little more creamy. It didn't drag against my currently normal-to-dry cheeks but it took a little more elbow grease to apply than I expected, due to it being on the formula being on the drier side. I wonder if this consistency would fare better with oily or oilier skin types. I'll keep this one around through October - we have late summers here, with temps peaking in September and October and my skin is typically at its oiliest around that time of the year so we shall see. Stay tuned...

❓  Not sure about the Wet n Wild The Impossible Primer Stick, but I'm willing to give it another try when we are experiencing more traditional summer weather on a regular basis here. Will keep you posted.

Declutters:

🏡  The NYX Pro Fix Stick Concealer (05 Vanilla) is just not the right shade. It could work for under the eyes, but interestingly, it has a tendency to look cakey when applied to that area. 

🏡  I really wanted to like both these e.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick but they don't feel great going on my lids, and the color payoff is more patchy/grainy than I care for.

All three decluttered items will be re-homed.

[cianni]

Ive walked by the NYX fat oil slick at my local drugstore a million times but haven’t pulled the trigger on actually trying one. But if it’s @itsfi approved then it’s worth a try to me ☹️👍🏼

[itsfi]

@cianni, my store has half of the 12 shades. I’ll have to check out other stores to see if I can check out the full range. These are definitely worth looking into. 👍🏼 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@cianni those are in my cart RN...waiting for a good sale.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Beautiful capsule @itsfi I love the themes they are so creative and really help elaborate on bringing products to the forefront, such a fascinating concept. That cooling stick looks incredible I’m glad to see you had successes and only a small portion undecided. ❤️

[itsfi]

Aww thank you @peculiarzmakeup. It’s so fun to see what everyone curates for their capsules. 

[ather]

@itsfi  I love this capsule!!! Sticks are my jam!! Great job decluttering!!! The e.l.f. Cooling priming stick sounds great!!! 😊 

[itsfi]

I can definitely see you and makeup sticks being a model match @ather! 😍 I love how convenient they are, and how little space they take up. Well, for the most part - there are a couple of sticks in my over $20 capsule that are on the bulkier side. 

Thank you! I'm trying with the decluttering - and yet, it still feels like I have so much. In large part because I do. 🤣 It's all good - I just have to remind myself that chipping away at it little by little is fine and I just have to keep at it. 

[ather]

@itsfi  that’s awesome!! I know the feeling about needing to declutter and chip away on things! I may even need to set out some better plans to use up some of my less favourite items!! 

[caitbird]

@itsfi  thanks for the update! I am glad at least some of them were loves in this capsule. The e.l.f. cooling primer stick sounds intriguing, it sounds like it would be perfect for summer! Too bad some of the others didn't work for you, but hey, at least you were able to do some decluttering! I think I have at least one of those e.l.f. shadow sticks - I may have to pull them out and try them in an upcoming capsule to see whether I'll end up keeping them or not. I know I've tried them before, but I don't remember them really standing out one way or the other. We shall see!

[itsfi]

@caitbird, the e.l.f. cooling stick was just the pick me up I needed the other day. I thought "where have you been this whole time?!" 😂 It's one of those things that I'm not sure if it's the best in my collection for its intended use (primer) but it functions so well for another purpose (cooling, refresher, etc.) - I've appreciated that about these weekly capsules. 

It's all good; with such a healthy collection as mine, there are bound to be products that just don't work as well or at all. To your point, I am glad that I am decluttering ones that don't work. Having a more manageable collection is what I'm aiming for. I suspect I'll still have a lot more work to do towards that goal and won't be able to get there by the end of the year but I do think my stash will at least have made some significant strides in being a more manageable size for me.  

[caitbird]

@itsfi  having a more manageable collection - and a collection where, ideally, I really like and regularly use pretty much everything I have - is my goal, too. Of course, sometimes I feel like I'm taking one step forward, two steps back (or several steps back) in that direction, in terms of empties/destashes vs hauls 😅 but, I am trying to do better. I am planning to do a big go through of all my mascaras in the coming weeks - I have way too many and a lot of them are getting to the point of being past their recommended discard-by date, so I want to test each of them out to see which are the best repurchase-worthy few before I declutter them. I like your approach of going category by category, when inventorying and decluttering - helps keep things from seeming so overwhelming. So I think I'll probably try to stick to that approach for the most part.

[itsfi]

Oh, that "one step forward, two steps back (or several steps back)" resonates with me 1000% @caitbird. It happens. Some days are just better than others.

On the good ones, I pat myself on the back and try to think about how I was able to <<insert accomplishment du jour, be it stick to a low/no buy or not make an impulse purchase or not giving in to FOMO. Or, shopping my stash consistently for X weeks, or declutterin or using up my products, etc.>> On the days where I fall back a step or two, I hit reset, sometimes trying to figure out what caused me to get off my game a bit and other times, just resolving to do better. And, find some distractions occasionally. 

lol, I was good with only having 2 or 3 mascaras open and in the rotation, good until ... this challenge! Hahaha! I'm holding at 5, possibly 6, I think (I wouldn't be surprised if it was 6, ugh!), which is just more than I should personally have rotating in and out of capsules. 😞 

Going category by category helps me a lot when I want to inventory my stash and/or declutter products - I can see how different products in the same category perform on their own and in comparison with one another. It helps me to gauge what really is the best suited, or in some instances, the better (if not best) suited product.  

[caitbird]

@itsfi  "some days are better than others" isn't that the truth! Oof, I don't even want to think about how many mascaras I have open right now 😅 It's definitely more than 5 or 6! 🙈 But at least I haven't opened any new ones in a while, and I am hoping to declutter a bunch of what I already have open in the next couple of weeks.

I think doing inventory/decluttering by category is also helpful when it comes to getting an overall picture of how many items you have, and how many you might need/want, in each category, and then you can work on decluttering from there until you get to a number that works for you. At least, that's my hope, anyway.

[itsfi]

You’re so right @caitbird, it (decluttering by category) does help to get a feel for what that “right” number of product per category is for you. And figuring out if a particular category has subcategories.

For me, right now, I’m good with 2, maybe 3, brow products - one brow pencil and two brow gels/pomades (1-tinted, 1-clear) and of that latter one, I could be just as well off with just 1 tinted brow gel. I have a very general idea of the number for most categories but you bring up an excellent point that this capsule challenge can fine tune that number or help to identify it. I’m interested to see what numbers fit me and my needs and lifestyle by the end of this year’s challenge.

If/when you come up with the number that works for you in each category, I’d love to know, and to hear how you arrived at that number.

[caitbird]

@itsfi  I am pretty much the same as you with brow products - tinted brow gel, brow pencil, and I'm good. I do have a couple of clear brow gels I've yet to try, so once I do one of those may get added to the rotation if I like it. But other than that, I really don't need more than the basic essentials for my brow makeup collection.

Apart from categories like that where I know I only need/want a small number of essentials, I'm really not sure yet what number I'll arrive at for a lot of categories For example, I have accumulated quite a few blushes & highlighters, but how many of those do I really need/can I use? I'm still trying to figure that out, trying to think of how often I realistically do my makeup, and what products/types of products I'm most likely to reach for when I do. As well as things like, what shades/formulas do I want to have on hand as options. It's something I'm hoping to work on throughout the rest of this year (and probably ongoing after that, too).

[itsfi]

Week 29 - The Sticks and (Gem)stones Makeup Capsule

I knew I had a good amount of stick products but I didn’t realize I had thiiiis much. 😳 Ruh-roh. Looks like we’ll have more than one capsule this week. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

The Sticks and (Gem)stones Makeup Capsule: The Under $20 Edit 

If we take out the eyelash curler and Sephora powder, each product here retails for $14 or less. 😀  I'm interested in trying out that purple eyeshadow stick - Rich Amethyst (my lone gemstone entry) - it looks darker IRL than I expected; it might work as an eyeliner. We shall see. Will tag / list products at a later date.

And then we have The Sticks Makeup Capsule: The $14 & More Edit, which will involve several showdowns over the course of the week. 🥊 I'll list and tag products another day. 

After moving things around a little, it all fits ... snugly, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get everything to fit again.

Huge thanks to @danielledanielle and @missjeanie for putting sticks on the radar for this challenge! 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi I've been using that MUFE stick foundation lately... Love it! 

[itsfi]

@missjeanie, it's really good! 😆 I think they are phasing this stick out; wondering if they'll reformulate it and, if so, if it'll be just as good. I say this as if I've used up so much of it that a restock will be necessary. 😅 There's a lot of product in this stick.I should be good for a while. A long while. Ha! 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Um....... I might already have a back up... 🙄

[itsfi]

lol, of course you do @missjeanie. 😝 I should have known - always prepared!!