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 49 (December 2 - 😎 - The Beautifully Bold or Delightfully Demure Makeup Capsule and/or The "Savvy Shopper" Makeup Capsule - The "Beautifully Bold or Delightfully Demure" Makeup Capsule prompt was inspired by a comment by the mom of our marvelous @caitbird. Mama caitbird is a gem - bringing broken mugs back to life, making delicious meals and treat. She's a superwoman and it just made me laugh heartily when caitbird shared about an occasion when her mom gave her major side-eye over one of caitbird's stunningly vibrant and beautiful makeup looks of the day.

Curate a capsule with the one or more products you use for a beautifully bold or delightfully demure look. Or, a capsule with a mix of these two looks. Also, for this theme, you may want to consider a tie-in with Cheek Challenge Winter 2024/25, The Frost, The Glitz and The Wardrobe for a princess / prince - like flush of color.

Discover a loved product from the Sephora sales event? Or, did a holiday savings event item just find its way to your front door? Were there beauties too good to pass up during the Black Friday, Green Friday, Small Business Saturday,  Cyber Monday, or general holiday sales? Share a makeup capsule consisting of one or more beauties you picked up during the holiday sale season. 

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.2.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come.

Spoiler

Week 50 (December 9 - 15) -  The Sticks 2.0 Makeup Capsule and/or The "Favorite Theme From The Challenge" Makeup Capsule 

Ahhhh, stick products - they're easy to use, portable and get the job done! Shine a spotlight this week on one or more stick products that bring you joy. Thank you to @danielledanielle and @missjeanie for their love of stick makeup products.

Sticks not your thing? Not a problem. Curate a capsule based on your favorite theme from this year's makeup capsule challenge.

Week 51 (December 16 - 22) -  The Winter Wonderland Makeup Capsule and/or The "Take 2" / "Do Over" Makeup Capsule - With the winter solstice coming December 21, let's put together a capsule of one or more product that celebrates the season!

Week 52 (December 23 - January 5) - The Holiday Glam Makeup Capsule and/or  The "2024 Makeup Capsule Collection" Makeup Capsule - A few 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. 

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 12.2.2024]

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

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. 

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi I have blown out a blush or two, 😆, I just lean into it and clean it up when I get the chance.  Until then it's  "Yeah, I meant to do that"  Blush blindness? I say it's BLUSH BOLDNESS.

I really like all the swatches, but 19 without blending is ooohhooohhh.  Both blended out are great, too

Spoiler

I don't know if this helps, but I've also used diffusion to drag a blush upwards, but I use a lighter color.  It helps marry the complexion products better.

 

 

Here I used Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight Captivate  as a blush and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Virtue to soften.  I use the glazed cheeks technique and then diffuse it with my foundation brush I used so it blends the color and complexion

I then set the upper part with a powder, using NARS Talc-Free Powder Blush Dolce Vita – 888 as they are lighter and build up-able (?)

[itsfi]

This is incredible @danielledanielle! 😍 Thank you, thank you! 

After a break for the summer, BIC University is back in session, loooove it! This should be on the curriculum for 
🏫🎓BIC University 🎓🏫 

You look fab! 

[danielledanielle]

Yes, back to school, indeed @itsfi

I can def put it there, or somewhere. Need to update! Will update!

Also, thanks!  I've been leaning into some new style choices as of late.  Inspo stitch incoming!

[peculiarzmakeup]

Another amazing and reflective capsule @itsfi , these are so informative I think what you said made sense! I like how organized and how you describe what works. When I read capsules when I first read the group thread I thought about the ones you would put away for a while and then come back to in time,  I hope you archive these! Scrapbook! These are so fun to watch unfold. Beautiful swatches! ❤️ 

[itsfi]

Ohhh, time capsule @peculiarzmakeup. My brain is coming up with ideas for a future capsule theme  - thank you! 😃 I’ll be sure to tag you. Fun! 

I’ve had a blast with these capsules - shopping my stash has been fabulous. Not to mention eye opening. 😳 Though sometimes I’m sorry I looked. 🫣 It has made me think about how I acquire so much and I feel like I have a slightly better handle with impulse purchasing and how to curb it (when I need to or know it’s better to pass). I’ve yet to perfect it. A work in progress but it’s been nice seeing some progress along the way. 😅

[peculiarzmakeup]

I love seeing each one! Inspired 🫶 I love seeing everyone’s unique picks and thoughts for the week. I sometimes have a tad difficulty keeping on top of it and would like to be more consistent more cause of are there certain things that help you plan? Thank you so much for this thread ❤️ @itsfi 

[itsfi]

That's so nice of you to say @peculiarzmakeup; thank you. 

Usually for my weekly capsules, I don't really start thinking about putting anything together until the weekend before. My current bare minimum for makeup would be:

* concealer and/or skin tint, depending on what's going on with my skin

* a lip product (at least one, lol)

* eyelash curler

* Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light I 

For the most part, I work around my bare minimum and add to it, depending on the theme, what I have going on that week, and if there's anything in my current stash (or, that I've purchased, oops! lol) that I really want to try. I try to find at least one thing that fits the theme (or that I can make fit into the theme). 

If I happen to have something I really want to try for a particular week, I'll put it in a small bin so I don't forget. This also goes for if there's a product I'm using in a certain week that I want to continue using - at the end of the week, I'll drop it in that same bin, again, so I don't forget. From there, I just do a mental checklist over the weekend and grab items from my stash - to put into the bin. My mental checklist is basically as follows, but if I'm not feeling like any product on the list, I just skip it.

• Complexion = foundation + concealer + setting product + (optional: primer)
• Eyes - Makeup by Mario liner (or substitute) + eyelash curler + (and the following are optional - primer + eyeshadow + liner (upper lash line) + brows + undereye concealer, and maybe, under eye corrector)
• Cheeks - usually bronzer or blush + (optional - highlight + bronzer/blush, whichever I didn't choose)
• Lips - lip balm + whatever I'm in the mood for. My lip collection is by far the largest of all my makeup items, and I'm 99.99999% sure I'll be able to satisfy the theme with something in my stash from this group of products.

This type of system or routine works for me because I haven't been switching up my basics very often, or, if I do, something like my foundation and concealer choices are usually (80-90% of the time) chosen from the same 3-6 products. So that's pretty much already set, unless I decide I want to try something new or revisit something I haven't reached for in some time. Then I see what, if anything, I've set aside in the bin as wanting to use. After that, it's just running through my mental checklist and grabbing things from my stash. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you so much I appreciate you sharing what has worked for you in prepping. I think the weekend before is a good idea and I like how you have a bin to remind you. I like how you utilize a bare minimum format and add to it that helps to narrow down to the theme. I love this! It’s so helpful, it’s so neat to see how everyone formulates their capsules! @itsfi 

[itsfi]

100% agree, @peculiarzmakeup - it is fun seeing everyone's capsule and learning about how folks go about putting theirs together! Even though we have a process or system that works for us and our lifestyle, collection size, etc., it is so interesting to see what people do and pick up tips along the way. If you come up with a system that works for you, definitely let us know.

[peculiarzmakeup]

Thank you. I definitely will! This is so fun 🙂 @itsfi 

[CynthieLu]

They way you talk about Makeup By Mario's brightening pencil, I wish I'd seen more from it when it was still around. Ahhh, we all read about so many loved products go the discontinued route but it does sound like it was a really good one. So many of them disappeared ones were. 💔

I think we all feel that way a little about our beloved capsule repeats 😉 I know I've felt like I've put a few (or more than a few 🙈) items in many times now, but they reappear for a good reason, we love them! 

[itsfi]

Ahhh, I see a future capsule theme from your reply @CynthieLu 🤩 Will tag you when it hits the schedule. 

Yes, yes; there are just certain products that bear repeating. Capsule repeats speak volumes! I always love seeing what makes more than just a guest appearance in everyone’s capsules. 😍

[CynthieLu]

Oh my gosh, following the last capsule feels impossible. I'm still got my stars in my eyes from the layout, the photos and the pretty bag. 😍😉 But here we go!

This week I leaned into the BIC Inspired Theme. It really is one I love. 💖 I have found and learned so much from this community over the years and it shows throughout my entire collection.

The products I chose this week are:

 

Product deets and inspo in spoiler:

👌👌

Spoiler

Natasha Denona's Retro Palette was my *first ever* ND palette. It was the whole BIC that put this brand on my radar, I never heard or knew of her before. The ND available locally was practically non existent at the time. ( completely non existent now 😅) The What are you wearing today Pt2 thread showcasing everyone using her palette's was a huge motivation.  

⭐ DIOR Forever Glow Star Filter Multi-Use Complexion Enhancing Booster 2N was @faeriegirl
💚Dr. Jart+ Cicapair ™ Tiger Grass Camo Drops Color Corrector SPF 35 1 oz / 30 mL @missjeanie 
❤️ Westman Atelier Lip Suede Hydrating Matte Lipstick with Hyaluronic Acid Minx  @lmaster @SportyGirly125 and @Mellmars1185 
✨ Gucci Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist 2.7 oz / 80 mL 
@itsfi @heartsmyface 
🧡 Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Lift & Flex Hydrating Concealer With Hyaluronic Acid & Caffeine 4 
@WinglessOne 
🩷 Fenty's Holiday Lip Luminizer @danielledanielle 
💜Burberry Weekend a friend 
🙏 Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Virtue @TeamBIC 🤍🖤

You are all an inspiration to me in so many ways. 💖🙏 

Everything except the huge palette (😅😅) fit inside my chosen bag snuggly. I like these brand bags, they hold so much more than you'd think. Especially something like the Gucci Must, she's not small.

 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Beautiful capsule! I love how it encompasses your experience at BIC and what you found have worked for you. Truly beautiful reflection and thought of this capsule. Great photos too! Thanks for the descriptions these are always helpful in my learning experience. It’s so neat to see everything together 💕 @CynthieLu 

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, your capsule this week has so many pretties in it! I love that you're using  your first ever Natasha Denona palette - she makes such beautiful palettes! 😍 Speaking of the ND Retro Palette, I like that last photo of it - the light is hitting in such a way that it's casting onto it some taupe, grey, blue, dusty peach watercolor hues that with the beige of the palette cover gives this look that makes me think of a film camera pulling away/fading away, at the end of beach scene where the colors from surf, sand, and sun all sorta come together. 

lol, the Gucci mist is on the larger side, which given the amount of the product, is a good thing. I transfer some of the product into a travel size spritzer. It helps with fitting it into a bag and with not dropping it when pulling it out to use - I'm clumsy so these little adjustments help when a product will inevitable fall out from my bag or slip out of my hands and onto ... desk, floor, etc. 🤣

[CynthieLu]

You made me smile at @itsfi lighting in our apartment is lacking. The light comes in the morning and only from one direction. I feel like if I don't take my pictures at a certain time of day it's just not the same once the natural light is gone. 😅 Thank you! 🙏

Ahhh Retro. I think she will always hold a special place in my collection. I remember how excited I was to use and experiment with this one, and I finally understood what everyone was talking about with the praise her formulas get.  They really are fantastic 😊 

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, I can relate about lighting being scarce. There was a long period where I would leave the house before the sun was out and got back home long after the sun had set. I will say that I learned how to take photos and set up my shots in a different way during that time - some good lessons and takeaways were had then. A ring light or the light from another phone can be helpful.

[CynthieLu]

We'll I do happen to have a cute little ring light @itsfi I should utilize it more. 😅😉 That's a good idea.  I've never thought of another phone.  I just position myself around the lights of the house. Lol

[itsfi]

Exactly, on the ring light @CynthieLu 😉 

"I just position myself around the lights of the house" - nothing wrong with that at all. It's what I did; still do, in fact. 

[itsfi]

Week 37 - The Runway Inspired Makeup Capsule

For this week, I'm going with a runway-inspired look, with some BIC-inspired beauties added into the mix to help me feel more at home. The focus will be on terracotta-hued blush, and more low-key but still radiant makeup a la a few of the early shows for the spring/summer 2025 collections at New York Fashion Week.

The layout of my photos of this week's capsule was also inspired by the runway / fashion week prompt. I started using magazines as props about 3, maybe 4, years ago and have done something similar (a "Take 2" 🎬) every year since. I thought it would be fitting to go that route this week and voila ❣️

Product Details:

Spoiler

COMPLEXION:

🐐  Foundation: My base will be a custom mix of Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation, Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation and Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Bronzing Drops with Peptides. This combination has worked well for me this summer, giving me a good radiant(Tower 28) and velvety smooth (Urban Decay) complexion, with a soft, casual, glowy warmth (Drunk Elephant)

⭐ Setting Powder: The Urban Decay is self-setting but just in case, I'll add a light dusting of the SEPHORA COLLECTION Translucent Loose Setting Powder (gratis) which I'm currently trying to use up - there's a lot, and I mean, A LOT, of product in this jar. I may bring in ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Mini On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray 1 oz/ 46 mL if temperatures heat up here this week. 

EYES: 

🌺 Primer: Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment - Nudes Collection (this sample pack I received as part of Sephoria 2023: NYC)
👁 Eyeshadow: Natasha Denona Biba Palette (@pan it! challenge - I'm determined to hit pan on one remaining matte shadow (prairie) and fully pan an shimmer shadow (rustic) so I've been trying to incorporate his palette one way or another into my eye looks, so here we are.

😘 Eye liner (waterline): The since discontinued Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Brightening Pencil - Light I has been a mainstay in my makeup capsules this year. A quick swipe along my lower lash line and my entire face opens up! What's not to love about that?! I don't foresee myself going through this pencil anytime soon, but I feel the need to say, "Please bring it back, Mario; pleeeaaase!!"

💗 Eyelash curler: Tower 28 Beauty 

💎 Mascara: Tower 28 Beauty Mini MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet has so far been the only non-waterproof mascara that I've reached for frequently - it does smudge a bit after a long, warm day but I'm impressed

CHEEKS:

🏵 Blush: Okay, I had to dig deeep into my bin for something that resembled a terracotta tinted blush, but I found the Canmake Cream Blush 16 Almond Terracotta. Not gonna lie, the idea of terracotta hued cheeks is making me a bit anxious - it's outside my comfort zone, so I'm hoping the more muted leanings of Asian beauty brands like Canmake, a Japanese brand, will mean this Almond Terracotta shade is more toned down than some of the shades put out by US or European brands. If it is still outside of what I'm comfortable with, I'll mix it with Canmake Cream Blush 19 Cinnamon Milk Tea, to soften the red in the Almond Terracotta blush. 

LIPS: 

💋 Lipstick:  Westman Atelier Lip Suede Lipstick Palette Les Nudes  has been a surprise hit for me this year. I've really been reaching for it more and more this year. I have the darkest two shades left and they should complement the terracotta blush and slightly bronzed face very nicely.

The "Fits": 

Also in keeping with the runway or fashion week theme, we've got to have complementary accessories, right?!!!  I'm going with the Merit x Proenza Schouler bag 👝 to hold all the beauties that make up this week's makeup capsule. 😉

This bag holds so much ... 😍

I had so much fun putting together this capsule and even more fun doing the whole photoshoot 📸 for it! Shout out to @Samtian  and A Year of Beauty- Photography Challenge- Year 2 for tips, tricks and techniques that I still refer back to and work on from time to time, to this day! Photography is my "whenever-I-get-the-opportunity" hobby and that thread really gave me an amazing and amazingly insightful playground to learn and play. And, a huge shout out to samtian & @fatimamummy for providing such thoughtful comments and constructive feedback and help. 😘

[CynthieLu]

I'm in awe too @itsfi these photos are giving high fashion! 📷👌😍 Absolutely beautiful photos and array of products for your Runway Inspired Capsule. *Claps enthusiasticly*

Your makeup bag thou, that's a beauty!