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. 

[itsfi]

@Mellmars1185, thank you. I'm feeling better; it seems that the first couple of days it was a bug and the lingering cough had more to do with being around all the dust from the house remodel. I was going over every night after work to clean. They're still working on different rooms so I'm just going to wait until they are completely done and then have a company come in to clear out the dust and sawdust, and then I'll do a deeper clean - I'll probably wear a covid mask to help block out dust. How are you feeling? Are you fully recovered?

Right now, my favorite combo with the Merit is to use the Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation as my foundation and the MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick Linen as a spot concealer over any redness or discoloration I have. What are you using to prep / prime your skin before using the Merit a foundation. I've found that the formula is thinner / easier to spread if my skin is well moisturized, either with a traditional primer or with skincare - either a moisturizer or oil. Or, even the Gucci mist has helped it to spread and not feel as heavy as when I don't use a primer.

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Oh, I am glad you're doing better now. It sounds like you are going to have a beautiful new space. I bet the wait will be worth it! I am better now, thank you. Whatever I had knocked me out for a full week, and I just have a bit of a cough and headaches. I am not sure if the headaches are now weather related. It has been gloomy and grey here all of January and now into February. I was using an SPF also with the Merit. When I try it again, I will use the Skinfix serum with my spf and use the Merit as a concealer. I don't know why I didn't try it as a concealer before. Actually I recently I am much more into concealer. I used to be afraid to wear it because of creasing, but I have that figured out now. I am excited to give this a try again!

[ather]

@itsfi  Sounds like you had a great week overall!! It’s such a great way to try other products you may have been passing over!!! I can’t wait to see what you picked out this week! 

[itsfi]

@ather, I feel like the week goes by more smoothly when I have my capsule put together - the mornings are definitely easier. I've been rethinking a few things with my approach to curating my weekly capsules; I may make some adjustments with the February capsules - if I like the current way I'm doing it better, I can always go back to it. 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi It's funny that I have the opposite issue with the NARS Powermatte Long-Lasting Lipstick Thunder Kiss - 115 , in my head it's always a super dark red.... but in real life it's quite wearable for me. 

Curious to see what makes it into your Best Of week!

[itsfi]

Oh no, that's what I meant too @missjeanie! In my head I think it's a deep, dark red, the kind that makes me think I'll wear it but not go outside because it's too bold (though very beautiful) a shade for me to pull off. Then I look at the tube and put it on and it's MLBB-plus, but not too plus, just plus enough - lololol

I think I'm going to pad my Best Of capsule with more lip products. Because ... that would be more fitting for me. 🤣

[cianni]

My capsule that I’ve been using this week! Although I’m currently on leave, an on-the-fly (or in the car) capsule is just what I need these days! It also gave me an excuse to use this super cute MAC bag - it zips from the top and the bottom into separate compartments, so one side is face and the other side is eyes/lips!

products in spoiler ☺️

Spoiler

MAC Cosmetics Macstack Mascara - not my fave mascara, but it doesn’t leave product all over my lids when I apply, so it does work for quick applications! 

REFY Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel with Lamination Effect 0.28 oz/ 8.5 mL - translucent is definitely my friend when it comes to on the go makeup. I also love how put together my brows look with this product, even without adding color

Smashbox Primer Water - extra hydration and adds dewiness back to my face! It plays well with a powder foundation. 

NYX Born to Glow Concealer in Medium - puff applicator and it easily blends with my fingers, plus it doesn’t dry down too quickly so I can work with it!

L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Powder
Foundation in 220 Sand - adds just a bit of coverage that can be built up, plus it comes with an applicator sponge and a mirror, so it was a no brainer for this capsule!

Touch in Sol No Pore-blem Primer - this one doesn’t really fit in the bag, but I apply in the mornings and it just smoothes everything out, and makes for an easier quick makeup application later. It also is translucent so mistakes are undetectable!

Buxom Power Line™ Plumping Lip Liner in Hush Hush Henna - this doubles as a liner or an all over lip color, plus it includes a brush! This is a MLBB type of shade, so even with a rushed application, you can’t really tell if it gets messy 

LAWLESS Forget The Filler Lip Plumper Line Smoothing Gloss in Rosy Outlook - sheer gloss with just a tint of pink that works well with the liner, or just a quick wash of color on its own! 

ROSE INC Cream Blush Refillable Cheek & Lip Color Delphine - one of my favourite cream blushes, and in a gorgeous shade. It has a big mirror, and I apply it with my fingers, so no need for extra brushes or sponges. Bonus that it can double as a lip color in a pinch! I don’t normally use it that way, but maybe I’ll try it out as part of this capsule

SKYLAR Pink Canyon Eau de Parfum Rollerball 0.33 oz/ 10 mL - a mini I had in my collection that neeeded some love. I first tried it while pregnant and was not a fan at all, but I find it’s smelling differently to me now that I’m not! 

 

[Mellmars1185]

@cianni Wonderfully curated capsule. The bag is beautiful. I also have the same shade of the Rose Inc blush!

[cianni]

@Mellmars1185 Delphine is such a pretty shade! I bet it looks so pretty on you!

[Mellmars1185]

@cianni Thank you. I should reach for it more. I think I got it in a Sephora Favorites set.

[CynthieLu]

Oooh that bag is cute @cianni and two separate compartments? That's a good one! 

I'm glad you found you can use your roller ball now, do you think it was just a temporary scent adversion?

[cianni]

@CynthieLu It must have been a temporary aversion - I don’t seem to have any issues with it now 😊 although its still not my favourite haha, i was happy to give it another go

[ather]

@cianni  Great capsule!! Hopefully this week isn’t so on the go for you! 

[cianni]

@ather it was the slowest “on the go” week, just the right level of excitement haha

[missjeanie]

@cianni I'm loving that MAC beauty bag!  What a fun design.  Looks like you made some great product picks for this week.  Looking forward to seeing how this week goes for you!

[cianni]

@missjeanie thanks! It ended up being a pretty good capsule for me!

[itsfi]

@cianni, you’ve put together a great set of beauties for your on the go! capsule. I feel like products like the Smashbox priming water are excellent multitaskers in a collection. Extra hydration and drained, especially this time of year is so welcomed and I love how these types of products pair with foundation especially powder foundation. ♥️ Curious to know if the touch in sol no Poreblem will be something you repurchase. I finished a bottle last year and am contemplating picking up another one once I cycle through a couple of primers I have open. But I’m not sure - debating whether there are other primers I want to check out first/next.

[cianni]

@itsfi i actually think i will repurchase the Touch in Sol! I first tried this years ago. I think actually as a foil sample back from when the brand was sold at Sephora - it must have been 2017 or 2018 if I remember correctly! I immediately loved it, and have repurchased it several times over the years. I think this is possibly my third bottle, and I manage to find it relatively regularly at my local Marshall’s for around $12.99 CAD. It’s not something ill use all the time, because it doesn’t play nicely with all of my foundations, but i like how it looks on bare skin - pores are blurred and the slight pink tint gives a very subtle brightness to my face. I used to be really into pore filling primers, but now I don’t love how heavy most of them feel on my face now. This one doesn’t have that heaviness.

what other primers are on your list to try?

[cianni]

I have picked my capsule for this week, but haven’t had a chance to take a photo yet, so ill stick with my thoughts on last weeks capsule for now!

Hits - basically all hits, which is great because at this price point, there is no guilt about repurchasing! The main hit for me would be the PAT McGRATH LABS MatteTrance™ Lipstick - Divine Rose Collection Divine Rose and RImmel Lasting Lip liner in 90s Nude combo. I never would have thought to put these together, but i may go as far as to say that this is my favourite pinky-nude lip combo ever? I’m so happy this challenge had me pair them, because I couldn’t be happier with the discovery.

That being said, it did inspire me to pick up another Rimmel liner in another color i thought would be pretty, which defeats the purpose a bit, but i am more than happy with the product, color, and price of that one too.

Misses - the only obvious miss would be the fragrance, Manifest Your Future by The GOod Scent. It wasn’t bad by any means, but the projection and lasting power definitely left much to be desired, and it didn’t pull as complex on me as i would have liked. Ill use it as a body spray (my standards for body spray versus EDP are much lower), but will declutter the second one i have. This came in a set of two, one mini and one travel version. I haven’t used the travel bottle at all, and i think i have a relative who would enjoy it.

I also didn’t have much of a chance to play around with the Covergirl Trublend  highlighter. This was my only highlight that fit in the capsule, but I didn’t reach for it much during the week. It is really pretty, so i want to give it a better shot before deciding what to do with it.

Swaps

I celebrated my birthday over the weekend, so i swapped in some additional products that were not in my capsule. That being said, i tried to still incorporate the challenge, or other challenges I’m participating in (like the Pan It Challenge), so a lot of the products used were still under $20!

For a lip product, i switched out the PMG Divine Rose for the NYX Shine Loud Satin Lipstick in Chic. I paired it with the Rimmer liner i had in my capsule, and it was a gorgeous combo. I picked up the NYX for $6.50 on sale at my local drugstore, but i believe it retails for under $10 regularly anyways. I used the Maybelline Age Rewind Foundation. This may be a technicality, because i believe it retails for $25 CAD, but that’s less than $20 USD so I’m throwing it in here! It’s the closest to an under $20 foundation that i have. I also used the L’Oréal Infallible setting spray, which is both part of my pan project and under $20, so it was the perfect 2-for-1 choice!

I swapped out the Physicians Formula blush i had in this capsule for a Quo blush. This is a drugstore house brand here in Canada. Same as the NYX, i picked it up on sale for under $5, but it retails for $12 I believe. 

Outside the capsule, but part of my Pan Project - Milk Hydrogrip Primer, Smashbox Primer Water, Natasha Denona 5 Pan Holiday Palette in Aeris.

[missjeanie]

@cianni First... HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂🎉!!  Second.. I love that you found a hot new lip combo!  And buying another shade is just finding out what in your collection you love and focusing on the products you love.  I see that as a win!

[CynthieLu]

A huge Happy Birthday to you. @cianni 🩷🍰 Thank you for breaking your thoughts and experiences with your capsule. I can't wait to see this week's pick. 😀