How to Build a Capsule Makeup Kit So You Have More Time to Live Your Best Life

Quick, easy, instinctual: that is what I think getting ready should be.

You could say it’s because I want more time to live the full breadth of life. Or, if you’re my mother, you would say it’s because I’m lazy.

Both are correct. One is more correct than the other but I’m not saying which.

What can I say? I like what I like: when products can play multiple roles, so I can spend my big bucks on other things and never have to make a new decision ever again.

So if you’re a capsule shopper like me and are in the process of curating your ultimate do-it-in-5-minutes kit, let me share what I’ve figured out so far.

Before We Add to Cart.

There are two main things you need to decide on:

1. What are your priorities when it comes to your makeup look?

2. How many different functions are you happy for your product to serve?

When I was doing this, it helped to theme my products and then rank my facial features in terms of what I can’t leave the house without being done up and what I can relax about without feeling exposed.

Once you know this, along with the occasions you need makeup for and what looks make you feel like a woman in a perfume ad (effortless, beautiful and joyful), then you can start buying.

Here are some of the staples in my capsule makeup kit.

For the Eyes.

What: Make Up For Ever The Professional Mascara -16ml

I am 100% convinced this mascara was made for the likes of you and me.

Two wands, one for thinner and one for thicker application, with formulas that can be worn separately or layered together.

It’s so perfect.

It doesn’t smudge, both formulas go on smoothly and you never have to make another decision about which mascara to commit to for the next three months! Bliss.

For the Lips & Cheeks.

What: Clinique Almost Lipstick - Black Honey

I said what I said: lips AND cheeks.

For the ultimate easy, coherent look, gently pat whatever you use on your lips onto your cheeks.

Clinique Black Honey is famously flattering on everyone.

It has a soft formula that changes and interacts with your skin tone to become the shade that’s right for you.

The hardest working lip product out there!

Sadly, you'll need to put more thought into your lips. You need a daytime and nighttime option.

Here’s what I recommend: figure out the shade of lipstick you KNOW you love with your complexion and figure out the texture of the lip product you enjoy wearing (glossy, velvet, matte?).

Once you know all that and have caught your breath from all the hard work we’re doing here, add a bold red to your cart for good measure.

For the Face.

What: Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation

Bare face is sexy but for those special occasions when you want to glam up a little more, you want something that will get you there in one layer.

Personally, I’m a matte girl.

So I have the pleasure of introducing you to the Bobbi Brown Powder Foundation.

It blurs imperfections without hiding your cute freckles, is soft to the touch, and creates a matte effect that looks seamless, all in 30 seconds tops.

Honourable mentions:

• Huda Beauty GloWish Multi Dew Skin Tint

• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF50

For the Brows.

What: Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel

If you can be bothered getting your brows done, I salute you and wonder why you’re reading this.

For the rest, there’s tinted brow gels.

They colour and set in one step, and give a flexible hold without any of that dandruff some other brow gels give you.

Done, next.

P.S. I am very blonde and my brows are my number one on my priority list, so I prefer to have more control over their colour.

I don’t use tinted gels anymore but when I did, this one by ABH was my go-to.

For the Nails.

What: OPI Nail Lacquer - Bubble Bath (Sheer)

Nails are absolutely part of this.

You want to look put together without doing anything? Yes.

You want my mother calling you lazy? No. Do your nails.

Choose a colour that will go with everything you wear. Stick to that colour.

When your nails chip a little … just brush them over with the same polish, no one will know.

For this, I love OPI Bubble Bath.

It’s such a gentle colour, only needs one coat and reapplies very well.

Final Thoughts.

So, what have we learned here today?

1. You can absolutely use one product for multiple things.

2. It’s not lazy if you call it ‘capsule’, it’s chic.

3. Your makeup is here to serve you and make you feel fantastic, make sure it puts the hard yards in for you, so you can go live your beautiful life.

P.S. I timed myself doing the full look and I got 5 mins 16 seconds, but I think if I really take it seriously I could get it done faster.

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