Top 10 Ways To Pamper Yourself On Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day offers the perfect excuse for a little pampering. Whether you are single or have a significant other, you have no reason to be bummed out on Valentine’s Day. A little pampering will contribute to improving your mood, motivating you and helping to avoid burnout, so what are you waiting for?

There are so many ways to treat yourself, and I am here to share my top 10 Ways to pamper yourself on Valentine's Day.

Love Is In The Hair
What girl doesn't LOVE getting her hair done? Therefore, I always make a hair appointment on Valentine’s Day at my favorite salon Dupres Salon and Day Spa.  This is an excellent way to look HAIRtastic on V-Day, whether for yourself, to impress your sweetie or if Valentines is a fun girl’s night out! Many salons have specials on this day, so check with yours to see what they have!



A Spa Day
I’m a big proponent of having some me time.  We all like to feel like a princess, so why not treat yourself to a Me Day! So, grab your favorite fleece robe and slippers, like this cute set from Adore Me and enjoy a day of pampering with quality makeup, a manicure, and pedicure and let’s not forget about skincare ladies!  Speaking about skincare that leads me to my next way to spoil yourself…

Show Your Skin Some TLC
Properly exfoliating your skin is a must if you want healthy, glowing skin.  As we get older, the process of cell regeneration slows down. Therefore, the body is slower at shedding dead skin cells and generating new ones. Proper exfoliation removes the old skin and uncovers the new beautiful you below the surface! So, if you have wanted to indulge in some great skincare products, go and splurge.  A company that I recommend if you want to show your skin some TLC is Michael Todd Beauty and their Soniclear.

Wine A Bit, You'll Feel Better
You noticed I said WINE not WHINE.  No need to cry on Valentine’s Day.  Instead get with the girls and enjoy a wine tasting! Each of you can bring a bottle of wine and celebrate your loving friendship.  My favorite place for wine is Trader Joe’s, as they have an incredible selection of wine for a fantastic price.

Don’t Forget The Chocolate
As Forest Gump, would say “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” Or maybe in this case you do since you will be buying the chocolate.  And, chocolate goes great with wine, so you can bring this to your wine tasting or save it for yourself, don’t worry we won’t tell if you do!

Get Your Beauty Sleep
Oh, how do we all wish we could be sleeping beauty at one time.  But, the importance of having a good night sleep affects us both mentally and physically, so why not sleep a little more on this day.

Another element of getting a good night sleep is wearing something comfortable! And Adore Me has some great items made for lounging and sleeping.

Snuggle Up With A Great Movie
For this, snuggle up in your comfy Pj's and can grab your man or your cat and watch a FUNNY movie. Laughing can have an incredible effect on your well-being, so make sure that you are laughing on Valentine’s Day! And Don't Forget The Popcorn!

Treat Yourself To A New Bra And Pantie Set
Now some of you may be thinking, what?? How is this pampering if I am single?  But the truth for me there’s nothing like a matching bra and pantie set to make me feel amazing.   It’s the kind of thing we don’t treat ourselves too often enough, but knowing you’re wearing something pretty underneath your clothes can really make you feel great about yourself.

These gorgeous sets can be purchased at such reasonable price too, this is why I like to do all of my shopping at Adore Me.

• 1 set for $19.95 
• 2 sets for $49.95 
• 3 sets for $79.95

From demure push-ups to seamless strapless bras, you’ll want their bras & panties to be the foundation to every one of your outfits, Valentines or not, I know I sure do!

Ladies, if you want to look beautiful, you need to feel beautiful.   It is no secret that beauty is more than what is on the outside.  My grandma always used to say,  “If you  don’t feel good about yourself you won’t look good.”  And I agree with her! Beauty is more than our physical appearance; it is a state mind! There are many great things that we all can be doing, not just on Valentine's Day that will help us to look and feel beautiful from the inside out.

Until next time!

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Insider Secrets To Blending Your Eyeshadow To Perfection

One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to eyeshadow application is those who do not blend their eyeshadow! That harsh look is not flattering!  The goal with makeup whether natural or bold is for it to appear seamless and the only way to do this is to blend, blend, blend your eye makeup, with the right makeup brushes.

The Right Makeup Brushes
The first step is using the right tools to apply your eye makeup.  So, if you are one of those that have used your finger, brushes that come with drugstore brands or the sponge brush, stop right now!

Problem With Using Your Fingers
A smooth finish is what is required if you want to look your best. Using your fingers and the fingertips makes it tough to get this smooth finish.

Additionally, there are various oils in your fingers which can easily transfer to your eyes which can make it look blotchy. This oil can also transfer itself to the make-up which can make it difficult to use in the future. It is also far easier to control the amount of eyeshadow when you apply it with a make-up brush.

Sponge Applicators
You want to make sure that you avoid these as they absorb a lot of product. Your goal is to get the product on your eye, not the applicator.

Brushes That Come With Drugstore Shadows
You want to stay away from brushes that come with the drugstore brands; they are inferior quality, and the bristles usually fall out on your eyelids.

Selecting Your Brushes
Most people believe that long handled brushes are by far the best for applying makeup, this is mainly due to control.

When looking to purchase these brushes you normally get what you pay for, but some companies do have great prices on quality brushes.  Keep in mind; a great brush can LAST you years, when a cheaper brush needs to be replaced more often, hence getting a great quality brush saves you money in the long run. Also, when you use makeup brushes you end up using less product, so your makeup will go further, saving money there as well.

Which Type Of Eyeshadow Brush Should I Use
Choosing the right eye shadow brushes can also make a big difference between a great smoky eye, and a disastrous, “you got beat-up look.” While there are tons of eye shadow brushes, the following two brushes are the most widely used eye brushes in the industry, especially if you are first starting out.

A Oval Shadow Brush

• This flat, stiffer brush has multiple uses.
• Great at picking up pigment and can be used to apply an all-over eye shadow.
• Use it to apply a base eye shadow color.
• Use it to apply a highlighter.
• Overall this brush helps for a smoother finish.

Eye Shadow Blending Brush

• This crease brush has a full, domed head that’s ideal for diffusing and softening harsh lines and blending colors seamlessly. 
• The bristles on this brush are densely packed, allowing you to pick up a lot of colors.  
• This brush also is good for applying shadow to the crease of your eye, shading, or to even use to highlight the brow bone.

How To Use The Blending Brush
Dip the tip of this brush into your favorite eye shadow (make sure to tap off any excess).  Then you want to apply the shadow in a windshield wiper motion starting from the outer edge of your eye and blending into the crease.  I finish the blending effect by swirling the brush in a circular motion to blend out to perfection.

Where Can I Get Great Brushes That Won’t Break The Bank?
Morphe brushes and BB Cosmetics are an excellent choice for some great starter kits. While they are on the cheaper end, the quality is not cheap! 

MORPHE WOODEN HANDLE SET W/ CHEETAH SNAP CASE

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
Let's first start with the fact that our makeup brushes can harbor bacteria and dead skin cells, YUKO, and who wants to put that on their skin, NOT ME!  But, if you are NOT cleaning your makeup brushes regularly this is exactly what you are doing.

Properly washing and storing them can keep your face clean & healthy. Furthermore, cleaning your makeup brushes will ensure they remain in the best shape and increase longevity. Makeup brushes are just as important as the composition itself, so taking care of them is essential.

Eyeshadow Types And PRIMER
The texture of your eyeshadow has an impact on the result as well, so take this into consideration when deciding on a frost, shimmer or matte shadow.  But before you even start to apply your eyeshadow you want to make sure you are using an eyeshadow primer, THIS IS A MUST!  I explain primer in makeup, the same way, I would with a house.  Like the primer that you would apply to a wall before painting, you want to do the same with your eyes and face.  Primer allows the color to adhere better, last longer, with little transparency and minimal fading.  Also, if you have an excellent primer, it will prevent creasing and false wrinkles.

So, there you have it beauties, my Insider Secrets To Blending Your Eyeshadow To Perfection.

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The Best 10 Minute Morning Routine For Those Short On Time

With all of our hectic schedules and trying to get out the door in the morning, sometimes applying makeup takes the back burner.  But not any longer as I am going to share a 10-minute morning routine. 

Before I get started is important to know that it all starts with prepping the skin, if you skip this step, you’ll look like you did your makeup in a JUST a FEW minutes!

Prep the Skin
You want to start with the healthiest looking skin as possible.  You see, there are tons of damaging elements that are skin is exposed to every day, like dust, pollutants, sweat, even makeup, all in which can clog the pores, leaving the skin looking dull and uneven. Hence when you apply makeup to this skin, you end up creating false wrinkles, your makeup can cake and draw attention to your imperfections.

So to thoroughly prep the skin I suggest using the Soniclear Petite Deluxe system from Michael Todd Beauty, which includes the Soniclear Petite and the Damascus Rose Milk Cleanser, that is suitable for all skin types! After your sonic cleansing, you are now ready to start your makeup application.

Multiple Uses Of Your Makeup
To stay in the time-frame, I recommend using some of the same makeup items for multiple purposes. You want to start with your eyes first as you don’t want any eye makeup to mix in with your foundation.

Eyeshadow
For a quick, all overlook, a bronzer or the one color shadow approach works wonders. Simply apply on the entire lid from the lash line to a bit above the crease and don’t forget to blend out.  

Mascara
This one takes the cake as it has tons of uses for the eye.  You first want to start by using it on your eyebrows; this is one step you don’t want to skip as eyebrows frame a person’s eyes. The mascara is perfect for defining and setting the brows.  If you want more of a defined look combine it with an eyebrow pencil and make sure to fill in the brow with tiny strokes; think of little hairs and blend.

Eyeliner
Next is to use it as an eyeliner and lastly on the lashes!  To save time on your eyelashes, apply to upper lashes and the corners only.

***IMPORTANT. You want to make sure you do your eyebrows before applying your eyeshadow.  As once you have framed your eyes, you will have a better idea as to where you should be using the shadow.

Even Out Your Skintone
Instead of using a thick foundation that would require an extra step of using a primer as well as a moisturizer.  You can use a multipurpose product like a BB or CC cream, as most of these can serve as a primer, moisturizer, and a sheer foundation for a quick application.

The best product for me is one from ItCosmetics, Your Skin But Better™ CC+ Illumination™ with SPF 50+. This is a Color Correcting Illuminating Full Coverage Cream that includes Anti-Aging Hydrating Serum + SPF 50+ UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Physical Sunscreen. Not only does this go on flawlessly, it also adds that illumination so it is many products in one!

Bring Yourself To Life
It 'd be good if we all woke up with a radiant glow, but most of us don’t.  So the key to adding this extra pop of radiance is with a highlighter. 

Where to Apply
Under The Eyes: This is perfect for banishing those under eye bags.  It also brightens your look, allowing you to lighten the most shaded area, giving you an instant lift appearance.

For an added luminous look, sweep under the brow bone, corner of the eye, above your cheekbone, and the center of the forehead.

A Universal Makeup Brush For Your Face: To save even more time, you need to add the Michael Todd Beauty SonicBLEND makeup brush to your beauty arsenal, as it applies makeup at sonic speeds up to 200 times per second.  It is also ideal for applying your foundation and highlighter, hence saving you additional time from having to use multiple brushes!

Cream Blush: Cream blushes are moisturizing, and because of this, they are going to give you slightly dewy look that you can’t achieve with a powder. Plus the texture of the blush is perfect for aging skin and for applying to the lips for a hint of color.

Finish your look by applying a lip gloss!

And there you have it! After a few tries, you’ll have this down in no time!

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How To Get The Most Out Of Your Skincare Products, With The Soniceraser Pro

There has been an increase over the years for people wanting to look and feel younger.  With reality TV shows the use cosmetic surgery to erase the signs of aging, has been become more popular. However, for some people, invasive procedures are not an option.

Fortunately, there are all kinds of anti-aging creams and serums on the market that can help you to achieve a more youthful appearance with great results. But what if I told you that most of these creams we spend our hard-earned money on don’t get absorbed properly, and a lot of it gets wasted on our fingers.

Think about it, most of us apply these anti-aging products using our fingers or even our hands. Some may have a bit more knowledge and apply using the tapping motion of their ring finger to help reduce waste and not damage the skin.  But even with this approach we still we end up wasting product!

Also, anti-aging ingredients that are meant to be used on the delicate skin on our face work much better when they are penetrated deeper into the skin and our fingers can’t penetrate these deep enough for them to work at their best. But not any longer, with an amazing gadget created by Michael Todd Beauty.

About Michael Todd Beauty
Before I get into this skincare device, I'd like to share with you a bit about the Michael Todd Beauty brand.  Michael Todd is a luxurious line of highly effective skincare products combining only the finest natural ingredients with the latest advances in skincare science and technology—without the parabens—or other potentially harmful additives and the best part, they are cruelty-free!  Additionally, their skincare devices are top of the line, surpassing many other companies out there and the skincare gadget, Soniceraser Pro, that I will be talking about, lives up to this!

What Is The Soniceraser Pro?
This eraser utilizes a next generation 3-in-1 technology called Triplex Infusion which helps the beneficial ingredients in your skincare products absorb at maximum efficiency enabling you to get more out of your anti-aging serums and creams when you apply them with the Soniceraser Pro.

How Does It Work?
The Triplex Infusion Technology combines the use of Sonic, Ionic, and Thermal Infusion to gently and safely penetrate the ingredients in your skincare products deeper into the skin, so they can finally start working. Not only will it help your products to work better it is also much better for your skin, as using your fingers can pull and tug on the skin causing damage, which can lead to premature aging.

Thermal:
First up is the thermal technology in the treatment heads which gradually heats up to a 107F; the ideal temperature to gently open and prep the skin so that it absorbs more of your anti-aging products.

Sonic:
Secondly, the Soniceraser pro uses gentle sonic oscillations at more 30,000 times per minute.  EXACTLY, no ones fingers can come close to this, right?

Further more, the oscillation is what helps to evenly distribute your serums and creams into your skin. It also provides a stimulating anti-aging massage to revive the look of tired skin for a more youthful complexion.

Ionic:
Lastly, the ionic technology in the eraser eliminates the need for an on and off switch, as it forms a circuit when touched to your skin.  I love that the Soniceraser will turn on and then off when removed from the face, eliminating the worry of splattering or wasting your serums and creams.

It also creates a negative flow of electrons, using the body as a circuit.  These negative electrons are what attracts the skincare products and pushes and pulls them deeper into the epidermis.

My Final Thoughts
The Soniceraser Pro  is amazing, and the fact that I can use this with the skincare products that I already own makes it one of the best skincare investments ever!  Using this Skincare Gadget has allowed me to not only save money, but I can see the difference in my skin, especially under by eyes, where it is difficult to apply products when using your fingers. Additionally, some of the products that I thought sucked, actually didn’t, they just were not getting absorbed or applied incorrectly! But don't get me wrong, the results can only be as good as the product applied, so remember to use quality products to get the best use of your money and the Soniceraser pro. You can check here some of the best skincare products of 2016 to help get you on your way to younger looking skin!

Bottom line, this skincare gadget is a MUST have in my skincare arsenal, and it should be in yours as well, both men and women!

Click Here To Learn More About The Michael Todd Beauty Soniceraser Pro. Including clinically validated results from 32 women who participated in an independent study conducted to determine the benefits of adding the device into an existing skincare regimen.

Until next time!

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The Eyeliner Pen Of The Future, Clarins 4-Colour All-in-One Pen

I happened to be at Nordstrom over the weekend and heard about the coolest eyeliner pen from Clarins, the LIMITED EDITION 4-Colour All-in-One Pen.  I couldn't wait to get home to do a bit more research on it! And let me tell you the Clarins 4-Colour All-in-One Retractable Eyeliner Pen is the coolest ever. 

Clarins $30

While, I'm calling it the eyeliner pen of the future, there is some nostalgic to it, as it reminds me of one of those BIC ® 4-Color Retractable Ballpoint Pen I had as a kid! 

This innovative 4-Colour All-in-One Pen is an all in one makeup pen that includes four retractable colors. Three for your eyes and one for your lips. I so love this idea, simply throw this bad boy in your purse for quick access to perfectly lined eyes, lip color, and you can even use the brown on your eyebrows! 

Colors: The three-shade options for your eyes are black, brown and indigo blue. For the lips, there is a natural beige shade!

I am so getting this baby as it is a limited edition product! How about you?

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Skincare Goals For 2017 With Glossybox

While I am not much of a resolution person, I do like to set goals. And today I’d like to share with you one of my goals for 2017!  For this post, I have partnered up with Glossybox, a monthly beauty subscription.  Not only is their packaging gorgeous but most of the products you get are full size, which is one reason I LOVE Glossybox.

So, one of my goals for 2017 is to maintain healthy skin.  Skincare is critical as your skin says a ton about you to the outside world. And most of the time the way that your skin looks depends on how well you take care of it. 

It lets people know:

• How healthy you are,
• How much confidence that you have in yourself
• A lot about your personal hygiene... 

With the help of Glossybox, I can work towards this goal with some of the products included in this months box.

In January's GlossyBox...

La Théorie des Volcans Masque Exfoliant Mask Scrub
Ooh La La, a volcano paste, how cool is that?  This is a cruelty-free 2 in 1 product, a face scrub and a mask that helps to remove impurities, redness and dead skin cells to reveal new fresher skin. And beauties, exfoliating is essential, especially in the winter months!

Disclaimer: This Glossybox was sent to me a no charge. All opinions are mine

Daily Concept Exfoliating Body Scrubber

Aside from taking care of your face, it is also important to exfoliate your body. And the Daily Concepts Exfoliating body scrubber allows you to do just that. 

Designed with dual sides, one for regular texture where you need more exfoliation and a soft texture for the most gentle parts of your body.

This is what makes this scrubber unique:

• It has a label with an indicator that fades when it’s time to replace Your Body Scrubber.
• Natural cotton base layer with nylon exfoliating loops for the ideal texture.
• It is environmentally friendly, soy-based foam material (inside the scrubber) to create a rich lather.
• Clinically, allergy and dermatologist tested.
• Cruelty free

Eye Love Soin Visage Eye Contour
Bag those puffy eyes! Staring at a computer all day can wreak havoc on my eyes, and a little soothing is something I need by the end of the week!

Filled with vasoconstrictive, draining and detoxifying actives, the EYE LOVE helps to reduce dark circles and bags. By stimulating collagen synthesis, it reduces wrinkles that start forming first around the eyes. With its moisturizing and lifting actions, it also supposed to help the transformation of lines due to dehydration from becoming deeper wrinkles. I can’t wait to see the results of this product, especially as I’ve been using my Michael Todd Beauty Soniceraser Pro to help penetrate deeper into the skin!

Secret Flush Soothing Cream Blusher & Lip Stain Duo

In the winter our skin can become dull, and by adding a subtle flush to the skin, you can give yourself the look you need to brighten the skin instantly. The secret flush cream blusher & lip stain is a dual product, aside from being a cream blush it can also be used as a lip stain! MAUH!

Last but not least is some TLC for your hair with the AG's Cleansing Cream. With going from brunette to blond, I was excited to try this product. It is a gentle way to refresh dry or brittle hair, by clarifying as it removes unwanted toxins and environmental pollutants. The Cleansing Cream is formulated with AG's exclusive Sea Complex, combining anti-aging seaberry oil with natural seaweed extracts in a nourishing and conditioning base to gently remove dirt and pollutants from the hair. These oceanic superfoods strengthen hair, restore moisture and enhance natural texture.  It is unnecessary to condition after using this shampoo; now that is what I call HAIRtastic.

Want to start on your own beauty goals, with your own GLOSSYBOX, well you can by getting your very own subscription. The cost for a GLOSSYBOX subscription is anywhere from $17.50 a month to $21, depending on which payment plan you choose! So what are you waiting for, indulge today!

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The Best Damn Skincare Products Of 2016

If you follow my blog regularly, you know that I am a big skincare advocate and fan.  In 2016, I got to try out some amazing skincare products and have included some into my regular skincare routine.  Please see my round up of the best skincare products for 2016.

The Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear
We are constantly subjecting our skin to dirt, environmental pollutants and of course makeup.  All of this leaves a film on our face acting as a barrier to skincare products.  This buildup can leave us with an uneven skin tone, roughness, and creates false wrinkles; it can also clog our pores.  And if that wasn't bad enough, all of these can make us appear older!

That is why it is important that we have a great SONIC skincare device that is properly cleansing and exfoliating our face and the Michael Todd Beauty’s, Soniclear has been here to my rescue! It is better than any other sonic device out there! Not only is this the world's first antimicrobial brush it also helps to...

• Buff away those dead skin cells, revealing a more radiant, healthy-looking skin.  
• After sonic cleansing, it will be easier for the skin to absorb moisturizers and other skin treatments. 

Colleen Rothschild Comprehensive Radiant Cleansing Balm 

This product is like no other I have used. It is literally like a balm for your face that effortlessly dissolves all traces makeup and other impurities on the skin. And it has Clove and Rosemary for a natural aromatherapy smell that is to die for! This Cleansing Balm leaves my face feeling so smooth and radiant. You can see the glow on my skin. Plus, it was very hydrating, giving me a luminous, dewy look.

Paula's Choice: Skin Perfecting 1% BHALotion Exfoliant
An exfoliant is one of my favorite skincare products especially if you have any sun damage. Why? Because an exfoliant will remove the built up layers on the outside of the skin, it ends up revealing that younger looking skin.  Removing these dead skin cells can also improve any dull, uneven skin, you may have, as well as minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

I also liked that this BHA exfoliant has some anti-bacterial properties that helped when I start to get a blemish. 

Michael Todd Beauty WILD BERRY SKIN PEEL
This is a berry good peel, and a must have in your skincare arsenal. Not only does it smell amazing, but this weekly AHA & BHA exfoliating peel/mask is formulated with Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Fruit Enzymes in a soothing base of 100% Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, so it is all organic.

What it is formulated to do:
Intensely exfoliates to help remove dead dulling skin, improve the appearance of pore size, fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture and uneven tone. The Michael Todd Beauty Wild Berry Skin Peel is a cruelty free product that provides a more radiant, glowing, youthful look.

BeautiControl, BC Facial Exfoliating Polish
We expose our skin to so many environmental pollutants, and this polish helps to combat those.  It contains a mega antioxidant complex consisting of encapsulated Resveratrol, Acai berry, and green tea extract to protect skin from oxidative and environmental damage.

It gently exfoliates dead surface cells to invigorate and polish skin with natural jojoba beads.  It also provides skin-brightening benefits and antioxidant protection for newly exposed skin cells.

Skinlogics® Essentials Foaming Cleanser
This is an amazing cleanser that I have been using for years.  I included this in this round up as in 2016; I started using it in conjunction with my Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear.  The combination of both of them whisks away impurities and makeup while replenishing lost moisture, leaving skin energized and refreshed.

Regeneration Tight, Firm & Fill® Face Contour Creme
This is my go to moisturizer.  It leaves my skin looking smooth and firm with increased elasticity and luminosity. With consistent daily use, the patent-pending triple-action peptide complex creates an optimal environment for the skin to naturally produce collagen, the skin's building block of youth, so skin appears firmer.

Key Benefits:
• Hyaluronic Filling Spheres® attract and bind to moisture to instantly fill in the appearance of wrinkles, for a dramatically younger-looking appearance.
• Provides extreme moisture
• Helps to smooth the skin
• Helps skin appear plumper

Now that I have mentioned my favorite creams and serums, none of them mean anything if they don’t work at their full potential.  So make sure to keep a look out for my upcoming post on the best device ever that I just recently implemented into my skincare routine.  The Michael Todd Beauty Soniceraser PRO. 

This skincare device allows you to get more out of your anti-aging serums and creams when you apply them using the Sonic Eraser Pro. With a 3-in-1 technology called Triplex Cellular Infusion, this handy tool helps the beneficial ingredients in your skincare products break through the skin's outer barrier to reach deeper layers of the skin.

UPDATE, MY REVIEW... Click here to find out everything you need to know about the Michael Todd Beauty Soniceraser Pro.

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