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 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. 😍

Upcoming Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10.14.2024] Take a sneak peek at the weekly themes to come.

Spoiler

Week 43 (October 21 - 27) - The "How Low Can I Go?" Makeup Capsule and/or The Global Makeup Capsule - Two new themes this week - curate a capsule inspired by one or the other, or both. 

You may be asking, for the "How Low Can I Go?" prompt,  What do you mean by "low", itsfi? Like the green capsule we did back in Week 17 (April, 2024), you tell me what "low" means to you this week. Low can mean:

• minimalist - as in the number of makeup products you will use this week
• budget friendly - are the makeup beauties in this week's capsule awesome and affordable?
• low-key - like this fall's demure makeup trend
• other: your definition of "low" for this capsule prompt

October 24 is United Nations Day, a day that is intended to be "devoted to raising awareness of the goals and achievements of the [United Nations] and gaining support for its work." I imagine so many things can be said here; I am intending that this prompt be an opportunity for folks who so desire to do so, to create a makeup capsule consisting of products or brands from around the world. This can be one or more product. It can be based on a brand with a founder born, raised or based in a country that is different from yours. It can be as simple (a US-based BIC'er including a product from a Canadian brand - e.g., MAC, Cheekbone, Nudestix; or a Canadian-based BIC'er using a product from a US brand) or as diverse as you want to make it (having a product from a brand based in each continent, though probably not Antarctica; a Japanese beauty or Korean beauty based makeup capsule, etc.). 

⏭  Additional October themes can be found here - October 2024 Makeup Capsule Themes

Previous Makeup Capsule Themes: [Updated 10146.2024]

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
41 - The "Dynamic Duos (or Trios)" Makeup Capsule and/or The "Products with Interesting / Attention-Grabbing Names" 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. 

[CynthieLu]

Great minds @frenchycyrine I think Fenty's Stain is perfect for summer. Long lasting is my favorite quality a lippie can have, right up there with non drying. 😜

Do you have a favorite shade in the Fenty?

[itsfi]

Everytime I see the Fenty lip stains in store, my first thought is "@CynthieLu loves that stain!!" Awww, I adore that you went with the sentimental choice for your eyeshadow palette - and that it still smells like peaches?! Fantastic! Their go-to product for me back in the day was their Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer 1.35 oz/ 40 mL 

[CynthieLu]

Thank you @itsfi ahhh see, I think Too Faced is a great brand and maybe a good introductory brand. It was for me, for sure. 😊

[caitbird]

@CynthieLu  ooh, what a great capsule full of excellent picks! I love that you shared a little about what you love about each of them too. Some of these products I already knew that you love, and some I haven't really seen before, so it's interesting! It's so fun to see everyone's favorite products!

[CynthieLu]

Thank you kind lady. 💕🙏 I love that part of the capsule challenge to @caitbird I'm all ears to hear about everyone's faves. I definitely appreciate community inspiration 😉 thou my wallet begs to differ. 

[itsfi]

Week 28 - The "If I Were To Curate My Ultimate Makeup Capsule Today" Makeup Capsule   

Okay, so I've been both excited for and dreading this week's capsule. 😂 I like the idea of having a capsule makeup collection but I'm less comfortable with having a very pared down collection of products. Throughout the last 27 weeks, I've arrived at the mindset that my ultimate capsule will be more moderate in size than minimalist, and that's what I'll be aiming to come up with by the end of the year, or, at least, be working towards that. 

Here's a general breakdown of what my "ultimate makeup capsule" would look like today. The chart in the spoiler references more products than I have in the photo. I'll come back during the week to tag products. By the look of the list, there are some categories where I may need to set up a showdown later this year (e.g., waterproof mascaras 😮 and maybe that medium coverage foundation group though I am not feeling inclined to let any of those foundations go)

Spoiler

COMPLEXION
Primer (Face):	Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer* (fall to spring) ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Secure The Sweat Waterproof Mattifying Primer (summer)
Skin Tint:	Tower 28 SunnyDays*
Foundation (Medium):	Armani Luminous Silk Foundation* Dior Forever Glow Haus Labs Urban Decay Bond Foundation
Foundation (Full)	Touch In Sol Estee Lauder Double Wear
Foundation (Stick)	Merit Foundation Concealer Stick Westman Atelier Stick Make Up For Ever Stick Ilia Foundation Stick
Concealer:	Haus Labs concealer Dior Backstage Face & Body Concealer
Setting Spray:	Gucci*  Charlotte Tilbury One/Size Mattifying
Setting / Finishing Powder:	By Terry Charlotte Tilbury Givenchy Hourglass Lawless
EYES:
Primer (Eyes):	NARS Pro-Prime* Valentino (for metallic or glitter shadows)*
Eyeshadow (Stick):	Bobbi Brown* - Golden Bronze  Thrive* - Bronze
Eyeshadow:	Burberry Single Shadow - Pure Barley (?)* - original formula Surratt Zibeline
Eyeliner (liquid):	Danessa Myricks  Dolly Wink* (discontinued)
Eyeliner (waterline):	Makeup by Mario* (discontinued)
Mascara:	Dior Iconic Curl Waterproof* YSL Lash Clash Waterproof* Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof* Sephora Collection Lift Waterproof*
Eye Brow:	Glossier Boy Brow Tom Ford
CHEEKS:
Blush (powder)	Chanel  Dior (older versions)
Blush (stick):	Ami Cole Hibiscus Haus Labs Hibiscus Rhode Pocket Blush Sleepy Girl
Blush (liquid):	Dior Rosy
Bronzer (liquid/all over):	Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzer Drops
Bronzer (powder):	Makeup by Mario Enhancer Gucci* Victoria Beckham Beauty* Wayne Goss Bronzer*
Highlighter (Liquid):
Highlighter (stick):	Victoria Beckham Beauty
Contour:	Sephora Collection Contour Stick
LIPS:
Primer (lips):	Mac Prep & Prime
Lip Liner:	Givenchy* Chanel Dominique Cosmetics Make Up For Ever (brown / beige / nude shades)
Lip Tint/Balm:	Rhode Lip Treatment* Tower 28 Summer Fridays
Lipstick:	Gucci*  Sephora Collection Liquid Lipstick Gucci Liquid Lipstick Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick
Lip Gloss:	Fenty Holla'gram (topper)* PML Bronze Divinity (topper) Dior Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss* Clarins Lip Perfector Lip Gloss*
Lip Oil:	Ami Cole Lip Oil - Romance*, Smitten, Bliss Summer Fridays Lip Oil* Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil* YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick*

Products with an asterisks (*) next to their name means it's a very well loved product, a possible candidate for the Top Shelf or even a 🐐. 

For this week, I'll curate 3 subcapsules from the products in this larger group - (1) a work week makeup capsule; (2) a date night makeup capsule; and (3) a weekend makeup capsule - and will check back in with photos of the products in each subcapsule throughout the week. 

Here's The Ultimate Makeup Capsule: The Work Week Edit - 

I took the Rhode blush (the newbie of this group) on a test drive earlier today and it performed very well - glided onto the skin, blended easily, nicely pigmented, and long-wearing (stayed all day even without a setting spray / powder).

And it all fits, too! 🙌

[caitbird]

@itsfi  seeing your organized list/chart of your favorite makeup products makes my list/chart-loving little heart go pitter-pat! 🤣 I may have to make one of those for my faves too...Looking forward to seeing your different sub-capsules!

Glad to see you are liking the Rhode blush - I have definitely been eyeing them lately, and will probably pick up a couple at some point (maybe not right away though - still trying to remember I'm supposed to be on a low buy rn 😅).

[itsfi]

Awwww, a fellow chart / list devotee! Loooove that @caitbird. I like lists. A lot. 😍 Oh my goodness, you definitely should make a list or chart with your favorites. Cataloging it has been great fun. It's also interesting to see it all on my screen too - you can see what categories or products are ones you like a lot or have a lot of. I didn't think I'd have that many medium coverage foundations I'd like so much, but seeing it, well, it made me wonder about them. I think a lot of it is that with a medium coverage foundation, I can adjust for less or more coverage depending on amount of layers as well as how I'm applying the product. 

Excellent call on holding off on the Rhode blush if you're on a low buy. I am really liking the blush but there will be time for you to get them - they're not limited edition and since they're selling well, she'll likely be constantly restocking her inventory.

[caitbird]

@itsfi  haha yes, lists all the way! My best friend used to laugh at me when we were in high school together, bc I would spend time every day making a neatly organized to-do list of my homework and other tasks, whereas she would just get started right in on the homework itself 😅 but I like my to-do lists (and other, endless, lists 🤣)! It makes me *feel better* to have everything organized so that I can see it, and if it's not on my list it goes straight out of my head, most of the time.

Ugh, yes, the low buy...so hard for me 😅 but I will keep trying! 😣 I am thinking of maybe trying to do a beauty no-buy for August, which I've never tried before...we'll see if I can stick to it!

[itsfi]

@caitbird, I never get through all the things on my lists for work, but that doesn't stop me from making them. 😂  Ahhhh, low buys. Those can be such a challenge. Are you finding any challenges / obstacles to it that keep coming up for you? Or, that are the hardest to overcome?

[caitbird]

@itsfi  re: the never-ending cycle of making lists and not getting to everything on them and making new lists: same 🤣

With the low buy struggles - I keep getting tempted by sales and/or new releases. Especially sales! I am weak for sales. I know if I want to really get serious about saving/buying less beauty I should unsubscribe from mailing lists/uninstall apps, etc., but then I'm like, but what if I do that and then I miss out on some great deal/new drop?? Lol the FOMO is real 😅

Also, I have chronic insomnia and I have a bad habit of impulse buying things in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. It's a problem 😅

[itsfi]

Ugh, chronic insomnia. I'm so, sooooo sorry @caitbird! When I was younger, I didn't need a lot of sleep, but I do now and it's rough when I can't get it to sleep or stay asleep for more than a couple of hours at a time. 

[caitbird]

@itsfi  aww, thank you 💜 Yeah, when I was in high school I used to be able to get by on a few hours a night, but I can't do that anymore! I am hoping to be able to talk to my doctor soon about my sleep issues, and fingers crossed she can help me figure out something that will work, whatever that may be (I am just about willing to try anything, at this point).

[itsfi]

@caitbird, I hope you and your doctor are able to find a resolution for you and you are able to get both good quality sleep and hours too. 

Mine has ebbed and flowed over the last 5 years; had a bit of a relapse last month but have been making some adjustments with my bedtime routine and life that seem to be working or veering in that direction. 

[caitbird]

@itsfi  thank you so much 💜 I hope your sleep continues to improve too!

[danielledanielle]

Now I feel like I should go back and add sub capsules 🤣🤔🤔🤔 @itsfi 

[itsfi]

I mean, it is only Monday @danielledanielle. Plenty of days left in the week for subcapsules. 😂 

[CynthieLu]

3 subcapsules? Oooh that's a fun way to look at this week's challenge. @itsfi and great way to separate all your Ultimate Capsule contenders, this way everyone gets a little love. 💖

Your vacay capsule I hope gets to put to work this summer 🏝️ 🌞 

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, I’m good with having a few categories with more than a couple of products but I have a whole lot more than a couple of categories with more than that so my thought is if I’m going to have a larger makeup capsule, I should be using the extras, so subcapsules it is 😆. 

[CynthieLu]

That makes sense 😉 @itsfi a little more work involved but it's a fun way to organize a bigger capsule. Do you enjoy organizing your collection? I feel like I definitely do, it's therapeutic a little or something. It just feels good to sort it out. 💖💖

[itsfi]

@CynthieLu, my feelings are usually mixed when it comes to organizing my collection - I definitely like love the idea of an organized collection, an organized, well curated one at that would be the goal. And, by "well curated" I don't necessarily mean a very minimalist collection, but I'm not sure what the magic number would be. 😣 It does feel good when I've been able to do that, even partially. So I completely understand it being therapeautic. 😀 

Sometimes I can get overwhelmed and stuck when I see how much I have to organize. Doing it bit by bit but consistently here has helped. It also helps having the accountability - I've put it out there and so, I feel like I need to at least make the effort, even if there are weeks when I don't have anything to declutter. Those weeks, in particular, I try to think through what made that group of products (or theme) one where I didn't have anything I'd let go of. Was it me and just having a hard time passing on something? Or, is there something about that prompt or that group of makeup products that suits me? It's nice to have an idea of that and it actually helps me when I think about what I might want to buy. 

The battles / showdowns have been very good for helping to whittle down my stash to get it to a place where organizing my collection all at once will feel less ... daunting. And those throwdowns are a lot of fun, too!