What I learned from the Capsule Makeup Series

Hi friends!

Now that the Capsule Makeup Series is done and dusted, I thought it would be interesting to look back and share with you what I learned from the experience.

If you remember, the whole concept was to create five unique makeup looks using the same six makeup products (which were chosen by my Instagram followers). I mainly did it to test my own creativity, but also to show that you don’t need tons of products in your collection to create interesting looks. You just need a few really good-quality ones to last the distance.

Here are some quick links to all the posts in this series if you’d like to catch up!

Introducing my capsule makeup series!

Easy Everyday Look | Capsule Makeup Series

Yellow Eyeshadow Look | Capsule Makeup Series

Colorful Editorial Look | Capsule Makeup Series

Glowy & Glossy Look | Capsule Makeup Series

Winged Eyeliner Look | Capsule Makeup Series

So without further ado, let’s get into it!

THE MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY OF PRODUCTS

I’ve mentioned this here and there throughout this series, but that’s because it’s probably my biggest takeaway. Products don’t have to be used for one sole purpose; said another way, products don’t have to be used solely in the way they are promoted by brands and companies.

For example, a cream blush doesn’t have to be limited to the cheeks only. It can be used on the lips as a stain, or even on the eyes as a cream shadow. Or a lipstick, conversely, can be used as a cream blush as well. It’s all about shifting your mindset to think how a makeup artist would use products, as opposed to thinking like a consumer.

The best example of this multi-functionality is in my Glowy & Glossy Look where I used the Glossier Cloud Paint as both a blush and an eyeshadow. I also mixed a powder eyeshadow from the Saharan Palette into a creamy matte lipstick, and then applied it to my lips. It’s fun, creative and engaging to think of makeup in this way. I absolutely love it, and I’ll try to continue experimenting going forward.

(If you’re interested in seeing how a MUA applies makeup in creative ways, there are so many you can follow on social media but I’m linking Katie Jane Hughes’ Instagram here. She’s amazing!)

REALIZATIONS ON PRIMING

I have two. First, priming the eyes with a base product isn’t as nonsensical as I initially thought. For the longest time, I never really understood priming with concealer or foundation. After all, eye primers are made specifically for that purpose. And doesn’t concealer crease on your eye anyway?? Well in this series, I didn’t include eye primer by design; I wanted to push myself out of this whole boxed-in way of thinking. (Just for reference, I’m married to the Paint Pots from MAC for all my eye priming purposes.)

So I used the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer as a primer in almost every look in this series. And I was pleasantly surprised by the results. The Juvia’s Place shadows never creased and stayed on very well all day; just as long as they would with a “stereotypical” eye primer. Who would have thought?!

Second, I realize now that my face really does need some kind of hydrating primer before makeup application. For years and years, I just never really believed in primers. I thought they were an unnecessary step, or mainly for people with oily skin who had trouble with makeup shifting on their skin. Not anymore.

I realize how much better face products apply and sit on my skin with a layer of hydration underneath. Otherwise they can tug and pull across my skin and look quite dry overall. I didn’t have a designated makeup primer to use in this series, so instead I used a skincare product to add that necessary moisture and slip to my skin.

THE VERSATILITY OF GLOSSIER CLOUD PAINTS

Besides the Juvia’s Place Saharan Palette, the Cloud Paint in Dusk from Glossier was the stand-out product from this series for me. What versatility! On either the cheeks or the eyes, it performed very well. And it’s an ideal product to mix and layer with other textures. I think it all has to do with the texture of the product itself; it’s a cream that’s extremely easy to apply and blend out, and then it sets quite nicely. I wouldn’t say it’s the longest-lasting product out there by any means, but you can get a good 6 – 8 hours of wear out of it.

That being said, I did try this product patted on my lips in the Colorful Editorial Look  and when used on its own it’s a pretty drying formula. So I wouldn’t recommend using it in that way, unless you’re going to layer it with something more hydrating.

WINGED EYELINER – STILL NOT A FAN!

When I first got into makeup ages ago, it used to really bother me that I couldn’t master winged eyeliner on my hooded eye shape. I desperately wanted to make my eyes more cat-like to compensate for the slightly droopy outer-corners.

But the more I attempted it throughout the years, and even recently when I created my Winged Eyeliner Look  I realized I just don’t prefer the shape on me. I still think it looks amazing on others, but I like much softer makeup without many (or any) harsh lines or precise angles. Overall, I think it’s much more youthful to keep everything very blended and blown-out.

Have you learned any useful beauty tips or come to any makeup realizations lately? I’d love to know!

Xo, Erica

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