Let’s talk about capsule collections! In my fashionista head, I like to apply fashion terms to just about everything in my life. When it comes to beauty, I think of a capsule collection as a core set of standard makeup items that you keep going back to, and often buy on repeat because each fits the purpose it should perfectly. These items become the part of your collection that will, likely, never really be done away with. Sometimes, you create such a strong association with those items, that others start to associate you with them whenever they hear of it. For instance, a lot of my Instagram fam know I’m a sucker for Clarins products!
It took me a while to create this capsule collection, and a lot of the trial and error came from the fact that I was (and still am) an Indian Classical Dancer and had to do stage ready makeup quite a bit. My teacher demanded a certain level of professionalism when it came to makeup and some products just didn’t work out for me. Maybe they weren’t effective, potent, or pigmented, or otherwise, maybe not user friendly at all. After years of perfecting the art of stage makeup, I came to a capsule collection. What I love about these items is the fact that I can use them for any makeup look–whether I’m going full glam or in search of something subtle.
BH Cosmetics Desert Oasis Palette
Smashbox Shapematters Palette (for highlight and contour)
Surratt Artistique Blush in Rougeur
This less is more mentality of mine is heavily driven by the fact that an organized, simple life creates a calmer mind. The more I have on me, the more of a mess things typically end up being. My mother always told me cleanliness is next to godliness and reiterated the fact that your living space is a reflection of your state of mind–and vice versa.
As a beauty lover, however, it becomes difficult to resist the splurge urge on new, tempting products. I’ve learned how to balance it out: I try to do an assessment of what I have, and if a product is pretty similar to something in my current collection, then no matter how tempting it is, I hold off on buying it until I’ve finished my current product(s). For instance, I personally feel like there’s no need to have more than 3 mascaras because there aren’t that many different effects that a mascara can produce.
👀 Mascaras: One that lengthens, one that volumizes, and one that gets the mini + bottom lashes.
✏️ Pencil Eyeliner: Just need one, really dark one.
🍷 Blush: One that suits my medium skin tone best, and will go with any of my simple + crazy makeup looks.
✨ Concealer: A lighter shade than my foundation to take care of my dark under eyes.
🎨 Palettes: One extremely comprehensive one for eyes, and one for contour + highlight + brow purposes.
– The BH Cosmetics Desert Oasis Palette has tones that work for every season and every mood. Whether I’m feeling Earthy, Fiery, Fall, or Summer, I have more than one shade ready for me.
– The Smashbox ShapeMatters Palette comes with a few different browns, and creams, depending on how deep and dark you want your contour and your brows to be, and how light you want your highlight to be. Too, the brush that comes with the palette has a precision tip for brows!
👄 Lips: This is one area where I don’t save. Whether it’s my collection of matte shades and glossy shades, or few different clear glosses, I must confess that I have a great deal of lip products in my beauty drawer. It’s too tough for me to share just one because I use them all depending on mood and season! From YSL to Givenchy, and even Pixi Beauty to Kimchi Chic, my lip collection is one I’ll continue to grow proudly.
Well, guys, I hope this post inspired you to get thinking about which few, key products you’d keep as a part of your capsule collections–hopefully they’re ones that allow you to do more, with less!
XO,
-MS
