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ColourPop Cloud 9 Palette Swatches
ColourPop Cloud 9 Palette is a new, smoky/gray color story in a 12-pan format. The quality was as expected for ColourPop, though I’d say the shimmers felt a bit firmer and were more emollient while being on the thinner side, which is not my favorite […]
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ColourPop Cloud 9 Palette is a new, smoky/gray color story in a 12-pan format. The quality was as expected for ColourPop, though I’d say the shimmers felt a bit firmer and were more emollient while being on the thinner side, which is not my favorite texture from the brand as I find it doesn’t work as well with brushes. Here are swatches!
ColourPop Cloud 9 Palette Swatches
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
ColourPop Cloud 9 12-Pan Pressed Powder Shadow Palette
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Here are swatches of three smaller-format holiday palettes from Guerlain, Tom Ford, and Natasha Denona, respectively. Guerlain and Natasha Denona’s formulas both felt comparable to past releases, while the Tom Ford quad felt drier, thinner, and was generally a miss. Gallery Options Products Swatches Glittery […]
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Here are swatches of three smaller-format holiday palettes from Guerlain, Tom Ford, and Natasha Denona, respectively. Guerlain and Natasha Denona’s formulas both felt comparable to past releases, while the Tom Ford quad felt drier, thinner, and was generally a miss.
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Holiday 2023 Palette Swatches (Guerlain, Tom Ford, Natasha Denona)
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Cheek Trios Swatches
There are three variations of the Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Cheek Trios with them basically being lighter-leaning, more medium-leaning, and deeper-leaning. Each trio includes a bronzer (all from the permanent range), blush (all new shades), and highlighter (all new shades). While the blushes are new […]
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There are three variations of the Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Cheek Trios with them basically being lighter-leaning, more medium-leaning, and deeper-leaning. Each trio includes a bronzer (all from the permanent range), blush (all new shades), and highlighter (all new shades). While the blushes are new shades, I felt like they covered similar territory as past releases, so you may find the trios redundant if you have a lot of Divine Blushes already. The quality felt slightly thinner/dustier compared to the permanent range, particularly with respect to the lightest highlighter.
Here are swatches!
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Cheek Trios Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Cheek Trios Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Cheek Trios Swatches
Chanel Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Chanel Holiday 2023 Color Collection is a short ‘n’ sweet collection featuring a few lip products along with an eyeshadow palette and highlighter. As it is taking me longer to push out full reviews, I’m going to try to offer some initial thoughts when I […]
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Chanel Holiday 2023 Color Collection is a short ‘n’ sweet collection featuring a few lip products along with an eyeshadow palette and highlighter.
As it is taking me longer to push out full reviews, I’m going to try to offer some initial thoughts when I feel fairly confident about those impressions (e.g. I have experience with the formula/brand that it feels pretty routine!). In this case, the highlighter is lovely but one of the more glittery releases from the brand so those who do not like larger particles should skip. The eyeshadow palette seems decent enough but not the best texture (slightly drier/frostier) that I’ve seen from Chanel.
Here are swatches of the products I purchased!
Chanel Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Chanel Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Chanel Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches
There are two versions of the Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette that were released this season. Each palette contains two blushess and nine eyeshadows. Each of these palettes includes one new blush and one blush from the permanent range. The texture of […]
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There are two versions of the Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette that were released this season. Each palette contains two blushess and nine eyeshadows. Each of these palettes includes one new blush and one blush from the permanent range. The texture of the mattes felt slightly thinner, and they did not seem to be pigmented as the mattes found in the Mothership palettes. The shimmers were more comparable to past releases. Note, the formula in these larger palettes does differ in texture from the five-pan palettes.
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eye & Cheek Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (x4)
There are four, five-pan Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palettes available for the holiday season. The quality is comparable to the last batch of five-pan palettes released: all of the shades were more emollient, cream-like, and a bit thicker. The shimmers apply better in practice […]
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There are four, five-pan Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palettes available for the holiday season. The quality is comparable to the last batch of five-pan palettes released: all of the shades were more emollient, cream-like, and a bit thicker. The shimmers apply better in practice than swatched, while the mattes have a more velvety, silicone-like feel than the brand’s mattes in Mothership palettes.
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (x4)
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (x4)
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (x4)
Pat McGrath Bijoux Brilliance Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (x4)
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork V Palette Swatches
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork V Palette is a new, limited edition release for the holidays, which includes various finishes but all with a fairly high level of shimmer/sparkle. The formula seemed on the thicker side with a few shades being flakier (which is a […]
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Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork V Palette is a new, limited edition release for the holidays, which includes various finishes but all with a fairly high level of shimmer/sparkle. The formula seemed on the thicker side with a few shades being flakier (which is a type of texture that can be harder to work with and/or have more fallout–those who LOVE flaky formulas love them and there are those who would run away quickly!). Some of the duochromes/multichromes were quite shifty while others seemed on the weaker end of what we’ve seen from more indie brands, though.
Here are swatches!
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork V Palette Swatches
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Danessa Myricks I Am Lightwork Palette
Dior Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Dior Holiday 2023 Color Collection is a new, limited edition launch that included several products, including two new eyeshadow palettes and two blushes, which are the pieces I purchased for review. Everything seemed decent – not particularly out of line with past releases but not […]
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Dior Holiday 2023 Color Collection is a new, limited edition launch that included several products, including two new eyeshadow palettes and two blushes, which are the pieces I purchased for review. Everything seemed decent – not particularly out of line with past releases but not the “best of” either. I think those who tend to use Dior’s eyeshadows with a dampened brush will get the best results out of it. The blushes blended out well but were a little powdery.
Here are swatches!
Dior Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Dior Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Dior Holiday 2023 Color Collection Swatches
Sponsored: Fenty Beauty Fenty Fam Sale September 2023 | Editor's Recommendations
The Fenty Beauty’s Fenty Fam Sale is here! Temptalia readers get early access to the sale today, September 20th through September 21st, plus it’ll be the biggest discount of the event if you shop during early access. Get early access and 30% off with […]
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The Fenty Beauty’s Fenty Fam Sale is here! Temptalia readers get early access to the sale today, September 20th through September 21st, plus it’ll be the biggest discount of the event if you shop during early access. 
Get early access and 30% off with code TEMPTALIA30 — if you’re shopping the sale, make sure to do it while this code is active, as the public sale will only be 25% off (which goes from September 22nd through September 25th). On September 22nd only, you can also get 20% off Fenty’s Eau de Parfum, which is the only time it’ll be available at a discount during the sale.
You can get even more savings when you shop the brand’s pre-made bundles and sets, which are already discounted to reflect a bundled price. The 30% off also applies to products already on sale. The only exclusions are: CLF products, gift cards, Fenty Faves, and Eau de Parfum.” The sale includes Fenty Skin products, too, which recently released fragrance-free options.
- Come Correct Skin Perfecting Bundle ($67, $81 value)
- Soft Matte Complexions Essentials ($86, $110 value)
- Fenty Skin Start’rs Full-Size Bundle ($86, $101 value)
- Fenty Skin Body Start’rs Bundle ($78, $92 value)
Have you ever wondered what the brand’s bestsellers were? Here’s a list!
- Gloss Bomb
- Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
- Butta Drop Body Cream
- Cherry Treat Lip Oil
- Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick
Editor’s Recommended
Below, you’ll find my favorite Fenty Beauty products from products I’ve reviewed in the past and gave an “Editor’s Recommended” nod to when the review was originally published! I also shared a few of my favorite formulas, generally.
Fenty Beauty RiRi
Fenty Beauty RiRi Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer ($21.00 for 0.3 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and fine, barely-there… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Riri
Fenty Beauty Riri Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium-dark, pinky-mauve with subtle, warm undertones and cooler,… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Strawberry Sangria
Fenty Beauty Strawberry Sangria Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain ($24.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a vivid, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Wine (9)
Fenty Beauty Wine (9) Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a new, limited edition release that includes three matte… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Retro Rose
Fenty Beauty Retro Rose Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a light-medium coral with moderate, warm undertones and fine,… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Vamps Who Brunch
Fenty Beauty Vamps Who Brunch Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, cool undertones and… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Scholar Sista
Fenty Beauty Scholar Sista Icon Semi-Matte Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.134 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with moderate, warm yellow undertones and a satin… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Cool Berry
Fenty Beauty Cool Berry Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with cool undertones and a warmer, golden… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Afternoon Snack/Mo’ Hunny
Fenty Beauty Afternoon Snack/Mo’ Hunny Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo ($34.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains highlighters in soft, peach-brown and… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Chocolate
Fenty Beauty Chocolate Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer ($32.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a rich, deeper brown with muted, warm yellow undertones and a satin… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Petal Poppin’
Fenty Beauty Petal Poppin’ Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a medium pink with moderate, warm undertones and fine, golden… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Fuego Flush
Fenty Beauty Fuego Flush Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a bright, tangerine orange with strong, warm yellow undertones and… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Strawberry Drip
Fenty Beauty Strawberry Drip Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink-coral with moderate, warm… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Toffee Tease
Fenty Beauty Toffee Tease Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush ($32.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a deep brown with muted, cool undertones and a natural finish. It… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Fu$$y
Fu$$y is a muted, medium pink with warmer undertones and a luminous finish with fine pearl and a high-shine. The texture felt lightweight, smooth,… Read full review.
Availability
Fenty Beauty Fenty Glow (Universal)
Fenty Glow (Universal) is a muted, medium coral with strong, warm orange undertones and a pearly finish paired that was very shiny and glossy. The… Read full review.
Availability
Favorite Formulas
Below, you’ll find my favorite formulas from Fenty Beauty and some of the top-rated shades within each formula. It should come as no surprise that the Cheeks Out Cream Blushes top my list–really a category that I’ve been waiting for a brand to fill with something fantastic, and Fenty did it!
I also keep a few of Fenty Beauty’s Killawatt Highlighters (duos or singles) in my drawer of go-tos. Afternoon Snack/Mo’ Hunny and Wattabratt are two I’ll use for something quick ‘n’ easy for review photos, and they’ve been in my vanity drawer since they launched (you can read more about them in my Must-Haves from 2020).
I’ve repurchased the original Fenty Gloss Bomb a few times at this point, and it’s been a favorite for awhile (see Must-Haves That Stayed Favorites from 2018!). I keep one in my bag as well as in my vanity for easy, on-the-go application that’s shiny, comfortable, and has a bit of dimension (but goes with any look).
Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
View a shade…
Berry BangerFuchsia WifeGem and IMai TypeStrawberry SangriaZesty Bestie
The formula is supposed to have a glossy finish that leaves a “soft tint” behind while being hydrating, feather-resistant, and offers “sheer-to-medium coverage.” It has a a thinner, more watery texture initially, which developed to something smoother and plusher without being too tacky. This helped the product stay in place and be bleed/feather-resistant while having longer-wear, but it was still comfortable to wear. Read more…
Top Rated Shades
Availability
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
View a shade…
Big MelonsBikini MartiniCool BerryCrush on CupidDaiquiri DipDrama ClassFenty GlowFuego FlushMali’boozePeach FacePeony DroppaPetal Poppin’Pinky PromiseRaisin StandardzRiriRose LatteStrawberry DripSummertime Wine
The formula is supposed to give a “fresh wash of color” that is “effortless” to blend with a “natural-looking” finish. The coverage is designed to be “sheer, buildable” with a “sweat- and water-resistant formula.” The brand recommends to apply with fingertips or their 125 brush (which is a fairly dense, angled brush). Read more…
Top Rated Shades
Availability
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer
View a shade…
Bajan GyalCaramel CutieCoco NaughtyI$land TingInda SunMocha MamiPrivate IslandShady BizThick Mint
The formula is supposed to have “long-wear” that is “transfer-resistant,” “easy to blend, and “light-as-air” with buildable coverage that “is hard to overdo.” The pigmentation was more medium to semi-opaque with some shades being nearly opaque in a single layer. For truly buildable pigmentation, I would recommend using a light hand initially or a less-dense brush to pick up and to apply the product. Read more…
Top Rated Shades
Availability
Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick
View a shade…
BubblerumCookies and CocoaGlazedGoji GangMakeout BreakQuartz CandyRetro RoseSuga KissTang ThangVamps Who Brunch
The formula is supposed to have “sheer” coverage that is “ultra comfortable” that “lock[s] in moisture.” It’s designed to be something you can apply without a mirror (which just really make it clear that it is a sheerer product), but it does say “buildable” with multiple layers. The consistency was moderately dense in the tube but melted subtly as I applied it to my lips, and it felt more emollient after a few seconds of wear. They felt lightweight without being tacky, and it had more of a light-medium level of slip, so it didn’t seem to slide around a lot during wear. It definitely has a balmy feel on the lips but has some staying power (but less than say, an opaque, satin lipstick). Read more…
Top Rated Shades
Availability
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer
View a shade…
Baby BrutCake ShakeChamp Stamp FantasyCheekyConfettiDiamond MilkFenty Glow (Universal)Fenty Glow FantasyFu$$yHot ChocolitHot Chocolit FantasyPretty PleaseRiRiRuby MilkSweet MouthTaffy TeaseTrophy Wife
The formula is supposed to have a “peach-vanilla” scent (I’d agree–sweet, lightly fruity) and be “conditioning.” It was designed to be worn alone or layered over other lip products. The consistency was very smooth, light-to-medium in weight, non-sticky, and comfortable to wear. It had a plusher consistency that helped it stay out of most of my lip lines. The shimmer was moderate but noticeable, and it distributed evenly across the lips. They last about three hours on my lips but are hydrating.
Top Rated Shades
Availability
Sponsored: Fenty Beauty Fenty Fam Sale September 2023 | Editor’s Recommendations
Sponsored: Fenty Beauty Fenty Fam Sale September 2023 | Editor’s Recommendations
Which Blood Tests When Taking Rapamycin?
When taking rapamycin, and especially when starting with this drug, it’s important to keep track of some blood biomarkers that rapamycin could impact. First, tests that measure red and white blood cells levels to see if these are not declining. Rapamycin is an mTOR […]
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When taking rapamycin, and especially when starting with this drug, it’s important to keep track of some blood biomarkers that rapamycin could impact.
First, tests that measure red and white blood cells levels to see if these are not declining. Rapamycin is an mTOR inhibitor that impedes growth. Red and white blood cells are continuously produced at very high rates in the body, and in some people rapamycin could reduce the production of these cells.
This could lead to anemia (too little red blood cells) or leukocytopenia (too little white blood cells).
For example, a physician started to take 6 mg or rapamycin once weekly for longevity, but after a few months his red blood cell values started to go down. He decided to take 6 mg twice-weekly, and his red blood cell levels normalized again and didn’t go down ever since.
People also check their sugar metabolism: rapamycin might increase glucose levels and induce insulin resistance. However, keep in mind that increased glucose levels or insulin resistance is not always a bad thing in the context of taking rapamycin, as I explained earlier.
Nonetheless, it can be useful to keep track of sugar metabolism biomarkers, such as fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HbA1c, for example every 3 to 4 months, to see if rapamycin does not increase insulin resistance (in most people it won’t).
Overview lab work for rapamycin
Below you can find an overview of a blood panel done in patients taking rapamycin. It can be done every 3-4 months, especially in the beginning of the treatment.
Red and white blood cell levels and platelet count
– Red blood cell count
– Hematocrit: the volume of red blood cells compared to the total volume of blood
– Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH): the average amount of the oxygen-transporting hemoglobin in your red blood cells
– Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): the average size of your red blood cells
– Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC): the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells
– Red blood cell distribution width (RDW): looks at how varied red blood cells are in size (being too big or too small)
– White blood cell count (WBC), including lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and neutrophils
– Platelet count
Iron metabolism (required to make red blood cells)
– Iron
– Ferritin
– Transferrin
– Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
Metabolism
– Fasting glucose
– HbA1c
– Fasting insulin (and eventually HOMA-IR score to measure insulin resistance).
– Fasting triglycerides
– Fasting total cholesterol
– Fasting HDL
– Fasting LDL
This might seem like a lot. But don’t panic: these biomarkers are often checked in standard blood tests. You could go to your doctor and ask to get these biomarkers tested.
You could also look for blood testing labs close to where you live; many of these labs also offer blood tests to non-medical individuals to check their health, without needing to see a medical doctor. Of course, these tests are then not reimbursed; testing for all the biomarkers above will set you back by around 70 to 90 dollars or euro.
One does not necessarily have to test for all of these biomarkers. The bare minimum would be the number of red blood cells, hematocrit, white bloods, fasting glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
A note: total cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels can suffice to track one’s response to rapamycin. However, as I will explain later on, there are better biomarkers to measure cholesterol metabolism and heart disease risk.
Before one starts taking rapamycin, one could do a biological age test, like an epigenetic test, to see if the rapamycin reduced one’s biological age after at least 6 months to a year. However, most epigenetic tests are not accurate enough (yet) to measure an individual intervention in one person.
The post Which Blood Tests When Taking Rapamycin? appeared first on Kris Verburgh.
