Build a Minimalist Makeup Collection
A makeup capsule collection is a short lineup of products that align with your beauty look. It can help reduce makeup clutter and streamline your morning routine.
Start by taking a critical eye to your current collection. Throw away any products that are expired or no longer align with your beauty needs.
Eyeshadows
Streamlining your beauty routine to include a few well-chosen products allows you to look put together quickly and with confidence. It also saves time cleaning because you have less makeup to organize and it helps reduce waste and environmental impact by reducing the number of products that are thrown away.
Depending on your style, you may choose to include one or two eyeshadow palettes in your capsule. A neutral palette with a mix of mattes and shimmers is the perfect choice for any skin tone, while a more adventurous palette with pops of color can add a bit of fun for happy hours and date nights.
A good quality mascara is a must for any minimalist makeup bag, especially if you have light brows or no lashes at all. For the best natural, lightweight and long-wearing option, try Fitglow Beauty Vegan Good Lash+ or Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara.
Brows
Like the idea of a wardrobe capsule, you can apply it to your makeup drawer by only keeping what is necessary and will be used. This means getting rid of items that are a waste of money and packing up products you don’t use or will never use.
If you don’t have a good quality brow product, consider investing in one that will shape your eyebrows and fill them in at the same time. That way you won’t need a separate pencil for shaping and then a clear gel for filling in.
It’s also a great idea to get a highlighter or bronzer for your face that is a flattering match for your skin tone, so it will enhance your eyeshadow handiwork instead of creating an 80s streak look. I’d also advise having a translucent powder in your capsule to reduce shine throughout the day. It can be a great substitute for foundation or even blush! You can also pack a tinted multi-stick that will work for your cheeks as well. This will make it easier to streamline your beauty routine as everything will work together!
Lipsticks
Like a capsule wardrobe, a capsule makeup collection helps you focus on the essentials to build your ideal look and feel confident and capable of pulling off any look. It also helps reduce clutter in your bathroom or vanity, and can help streamline your morning routine with fewer products to choose from.
Creating your makeup capsule is an ongoing journey that allows you to discover and develop your style or signature look. It’s a great opportunity to declutter and get rid of any products you don’t use or don’t love, and can be a helpful way to find new makeup techniques that work for you.
Consider the makeup items in your capsule as multitasking “jewelry”—can they do more than one thing? For example, a tinted lip product can work sheered out with lotion for a no-makeup daytime look and offer more coverage when layered at night. Also, a face powder that works as a bronzer on the cheeks and highlighter on the forehead can double as an eyeshadow for extra definition. And, of course, a mascara can be used on both the eyes and lips.
Eyeliner
A makeup capsule is the ultimate way to simplify your morning routine, reduce product waste, and feel more connected to the beauty you’re wearing. The key is to only select products that really speak to you and fit with your beauty philosophy. This will lead to less decision fatigue, as well as help declutter your drawers and bathroom countertops!
A mascara is a staple in any capsule makeup collection. It adds just the right amount of definition to your eyes. Try Fitglow Beauty Vegan Good Lash+ Mascara or Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara for a lush, full look.
Bronzer is another essential in any capsule makeup collection, even if you don’t wear blush or highlighter. Adding a warm bronzer or powder to your face after your foundation will create depth, life, and dimension. You can also use a bronzer as eyeshadow for a neutral, sculpting look.
Mascara
You’ve heard about the concept of creating a capsule wardrobe, which is an edited lineup of basic clothing items that you can mix and match. In this post, we’ll apply the same philosophy to your makeup drawer and build a minimal makeup collection that you’ll actually use.
Then, with your makeup basics in place, it’s time to start thinking about your skincare routine. It’s important to focus on clean beauty products that are gentle on your skin, which will reduce the need for heavier foundations.
For your skincare routine, Spinney recommends a cleanser and moisturizer that work for your skin type. She also suggests a serum and eye cream that can multitask, as well as a tinted brow gel to shape and color your eyebrows. And to make your makeup look as natural as possible, she recommends adding a bronzer that doubles as a blush. Finally, she adds a setting powder or spray to help your look last all day.