Friday, August 30, 2013

My beauty product obsession that makes no sense!


I suppose we could also call this my perfume collection post!  Why pointless?  Well because I have no sense of smell!!

Seriously, I haven't been able to smell since May 2012 following a particularly nasty bout of the flu.  On a good day I can catch a top note-the first drop of coffee as it hits the cup or the top note of a perfume but 95% of the time you could put a tub of vicks under my nose and I wouldn't be able to detect even a whiff.

It can be quite depressing though-it's amazing how self conscious you become-in fact my perfume collection has grown massively since I haven't been able to smell because I am so obsessed with smelling good.

I'm actually seeing a new doctor at the moment and trying some new medication-there has been a little improvement in the past week but things either all smell the same or smell differently to how I remember them!  He did say I would need to wait 2 weeks to see if there was any real improvement though so fingers crossed!

So how do I pick perfumes?  Well I like floral, clean and fresh perfumes.  I don't like musky or powdery perfumes.  I basically buy off descriptions-the slightest mention of 'an orchard at sunset' or 'a barefoot walk along the beach' and I am sold!

So here is a photo heavy post of my current perfume collection.  Many lie unopened at the moment as, with everything, perfume has a shelf life once open of about 12-18 months and there is only so much perfume you can use at one time!

My perfumes are displayed in a beautiful leather tray from Lucrin.  Lucrin is a french company that produce gorgeous leather goods and ship worldwide.  My trays are monogrammed as well with my initials.  They're absolutely beautiful and very hard wearing.  Mine are made of granulated cow skin and are the 'large miscellaneous holder' in fuchsia.  I love the studded details in the corners as well.



I am obsessed with monogramming!  Love the details on these trays.



When Jo Malone released this collection in Spring this year I went absolutely crazy and bought 2 of everything!  They all work SO well together and layer up really nicely (I've been told lol!)  Ginger Biscuit is my absolute favourite and one I can actually smell!  I wish Jo Malone would release this in the permanent collection.  My best friend Danielle loves this scent too.



Issey Miyake has been a long long time favourite and so a safe bet!  There was a point last year that I could pick up one note in it but it was quite musky and it made me feel unwell.  This week I have been picking up the top note I love so much again!


The top note of Jo Malone red roses is so lovely I think.  But none of the boys in my office like it when I wear this perfume!


When Estee Lauder re-released Bronze Goddess this summer I had to have it given everyone was saying it was like holidays in a bottle!  I am so easily led!

And I don't just have one tray of perfume, there is a second!



I bought Stella Summer on description alone, I can't catch any of this perfume when I spray it!  I love the design of the bottle though.



I keep one of the trays on my dressing table right in the corner.  They're so easy to clean which is great with the amount of cat hair that collects!


The second tray sits on top of my ikea make up drawers on the other side of my dressing table.


Do you have any pointless make up obsessions?  Maybe like you can't stop buying lip glosses even though you hate the feel of it or a certain eye shadow colour you know you can't pull off?  Please tell me I am not the only one with a strange obsession!

Do you see any of your favourite perfumes in my collection?


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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Guerlain Le Voilette De Madame collection Fall 2013


I am a big fan of Guerlain cosmetics-unfortunately they are super expensive but they are oh so luxe.

Their newest collection 'Voilette de Madame' does not disappoint in the luxe stakes and I knew as soon as I saw it I would snap up the limited edition blusher.  After I read Sara from Colour Me Loud's post on the eyeshadow duo's I was smitten!


The packaging is sleek and shiny!  The eyeshadow comes cased in a gold compact embossed with Guerlain with a long mirror inside.  The blusher is packaged in a glossy black shell.  Seriously sleek on the outside, seriously beautiful on the inside.



The blusher is the key piece of the collection and it's absolutely stunning to look at.  The compact houses a raspberry pink, coral, peach and neutral pink.  The 4 shades can be swirled together to create a unique combination of colour or you can use your brush in a more concentrated way on each of the 4 colours.  The silver overspray disappears after a couple of uses but the embossed circle pattern remains.

The blush is fairly sheer which for me makes it perfect for day wear, but the formula is long lasting.  I love the way you can vary the colours by sweeping your brush across different parts of the palette making it a really versatile product-it works well on my pale skin tone but I do wonder if darker skintones would see the same colour payoff.  The cooler tones are towards the bottom of the palette and the warmer tones at the top.  It also has a matte finish.


The Ecrin 2 Couleurs Eyeshadow duo comes in 8 fairly unusual colour combinations and me being a sucker for green I chose 'Two rock' which is a combination of sage green and a glittery black.

The sage colour is a matte formula with a satin finish; swatched it looks a little flat and unimpressive in my opinion but on the eye it really brings out the colour of my green eyes.  The black is a glitter and looks like it has a gritty texture in the palette but is actually as smooth as silk to apply.




When I received these in the post (I bought mine from Selfridges online) I was dying to play with them so one morning as soon as I woke up I started to apply the shadow to a naked face and without an eyeshadow primer.  Seriously within 1 minute I had created the best smokey eye I have ever done-the colours were so easy to blend and really flattering.  The black doesnt look harsh at all and could easily be blended out BUT it is very glittery and has a fair bit of fallout so I would recommend doing your eyes first before the rest of your make up so that you can clean up any glitter spilling all round your face!

Overall I am not disappointed with either purchase and feel like I don't have anything similar in my collection.  Totally ready for their Christmas collection now!

Has anything caught your eye from this collection?


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Monday, August 26, 2013

Lip Six!

Here's my lip choices from the past six days!


Top row (L) Mac cremesheen lipstick in Speed Dial (R) Nars matte lipstick in Dressed To Kill

Middle row (L) Lush liquid lipstick in Believe  (R) OCC lip tar in Trollop

Bottom row (L) Buxom big and healthy lip cream in Berry Blast (R) Nars lipstick in Damage



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Sunday, August 25, 2013

The new additions-part 2!


I wrote my first New Additions post earlier this month and whilst I didn't expect to be writing one again so soon it seems to have been a month of finishing things up and a few new things have crept in again so here is my second 'the new additions post'




In my last new additions post I blogged about Mac Studio Sculpt but I just couldn't get on with the gel based formula.  I have had the Estee Lauder Double Wear in my stash for a while so decided to try this and I am loving it so far!  I prefer a heavier coverage and this sets to a powder finish and probably wouldn't be liked by those preferring a dewy finish.  Having said that it isn't totally matte and I find I only need to touch it up with my Mac Blot powder once in the day.  The colour is a great match for my pale skin (I am Bone) and I find that I get the best finish using a primer and then using my Real Techniques expert face brush to buff it into my skin.  I find that for some reason the bristles on the brush don't seem to soak up this foundation so you don't need to use tons to get an even and decently covered base.  I don't feel like it sits heavily on the skin either.  Definitely a winner!  I am not sure how it photographs as it does contain SPF but I'll let you know!  The only downside?  No pump on the glass bottle-although Vanessa from The Other VW did a great review of this very foundation the other day and I discovered that the Mac pumps will fit the bottle.


I am really enjoying using this Caudalie face mask once a week but it is not at all what I expected!  The texture is a smooth thick white cream-similar to a cold cream which you apply to your face for 10 minutes then rinse off.  It feels lovely and soothing on the skin but because of the 'peeling' aspect of the name I expected it to contain grains or to set on the skin or to be a gel formula-it doesn't and it isn't.

The mask contains AHA's like glycolic acid to give radiance and clarify and renew skin.  I have stopped using all manual exfoliators now and use AHA's instead as chemical exfoliants.  The mask also contains patented Viniferine, a natural compound from vine sap that brightens, lightens and evens. Viniferine is 62x more effective than Vitamin C I am reliably informed.

It's a nice soothing treat but I wish it came in a larger size than 50ml.  I've used it 3 times now and each time been left with baby soft and glowing skin.


I haven't been able to find one review of the Astalift Complete Make Up Remover Oil on any blog so here is my mini one!

This is the first thing I have tried from Japanese skincare brand Astalift and unfortunately I am a bit disappointed.  I have been using a cleansing balm for months but when I finished my Elemis Pro Collagen balm recently I decided to try using this in it's place as my first cleanse to remove my make up.

Given the name, you would think this would be perfect for that but it's actually quite ineffective.  It's nice to use and is a red/orange coloured oil that I apply to dry skin, massage and then remove with a flannel.  But it doesn't remove all your make up and a second cleanse is absolutely essential.  It seems to basically break down your make up but it isn't effective enough to remove it all-and by 8pm in the evening I am certainly not sporting the full face I was at 8am.  It's a new addition for now but I am not sure how long it will last as I fear it is breaking me out on my chin.


This was a recent discovery for me which I blogged about here.  Considering it was a purchase out of desperation I have actually fallen in love with it!  It looks as good when I remove it as it does when I apply it but it is a heavy duty waterproof mascara and does require a heavy duty eye make up remover-I use and adore the Garnier 2 in 1 soothing eye make up remover.  I think I love the brush most-it's just the perfect fit to my lashes.


I am loving the Double Wear foundation but it's a bit too heavy for chilling out at the weekend in so I have opened this lovely foundation from YSL which has been sitting in my stash for a couple of months.  YSL launched Le Teint Touche Eclat as the foundation version of their cult 'touche eclat' concealer.  It's a lightweight liquid foundation that can be used as a very sheer coverage or a heavier medium coverage.  It had a dewy finish and the formula claims to be illuminating and to add radiance which I agree with.  I need to powder it to set it but it's a really beautiful foundation-easy to blend and reasonably long lasting.  It comes in a super luxe glass and gold bottle (which I am dreading one of my cats will knock it onto our stone floor) with a pump which seems to dispense just the right amount of foundation.  It comes in 22 shades so there should be a colour for everyone.  I'm NC 15 in Mac and BD20 in this foundation.

Anything here you use and love?

I am also running a blogsale and there are still some really nice bits left-check it out here








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Saturday, August 24, 2013

Blogsale!

This blogsale is currently closed


UPDATED 26TH AUGUST

I have had an amazing response to this blogsale and there are just a few items left now.  To make it easy for any new readers I have listed below what is left.
All items appear in the order in which they appear in the post so you can scroll down for piccies!
Thank you to everyone who has bought something.  Anything that is left by the time I leave the UK will be donated to Give and Make Up.
Please please please do read the terms of the sale especially that I am unable to post until 5th September
Thanks, Stacey

What's left!  REDUCED PRICES!

Cargo eyeshadow quad in Shanghai-brand new! NOW £8
Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes eyeshadow quad in Beautiful Purples-used once  NOW £8
Mac Mineralize eyeshadow in Time to Tango from Tropical Taboo collection-used once NOW £8
Illamasqua Empower eyeshadow palette-used once NOW £8
Laura Mercier refillable palettes-brand new!
Too Faced Glamour to Go palette, spun sugar edition-used twice NOW £5
Eyelashes from Shu Uemura, Girls Aloud and Illamasqua-all brand new and boxed!
Xen Tan Perfect Blend-brand new! NOW £13
Effaclar Duo-brand new! NOW £7
Rapidbrow-brand new! NOW £18
Pop neutral palette-brand new!
Illamasqua Liquid Metal-brand new!
Mac Paint Pot-Constructivist-used once  SOLD
Mac Paint Pot-Blackground-swatched only NOW £7
Estee Lauder cream eyeshadow in Chained-used 5 times  NOW £5
Wet n Wild eyeshadow palette in 'Blue Had Me At Hello'-swatched only
Mac Veluxe Pearlfusion palette in Brownluxe-only just released in the UK-swatched only NOW £15
Benefit Browzings in light and medium
Too Faced Magic Mushroom single eyeshadow-brand new!
Laura Mercier under eye perfector-used once
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation in 52-brand new!
Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic  NOW £5
Opi Rainbow Connection-limited edition, brand new!
Rococo Boutique Sheer Gloss-brand new!
Illamasqua Pink Raindrops-used once NOW £4
Swarovski nail polishes-set of 3 NOW £8
Benefit Dr Feelgood-mini size-brand new in box!
Kiehls leave in conditioner-brand new!
Nicky Clarke instant calm balm-brand new!
Too Faced Status Gloss in Sugar Daddy-brand new!
Estee Lauder lip gloss-brand new!
Make Up For Ever Aqua Gloss in 15-brand new! NOW £6
Revlon Colourstay in Couture-brand new!
Lipstick Queen Rose Shimmer lipstickp-brand new!  NOW £5
Liptini lip stain in SoCo-used once
Virgin Vie Coral Creme lip gloss-brand new!
Stilla kitten lip gloss x 2-brand new
Juicy Couture magnets

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hello lovelies!

I am coming home to the UK in two weeks so thought I would use this opportunity to do another HUGE blogsale!

When I have done blogsales in the past I almost feel like I have to justify why I am selling things but I do have a genuine reason for selling everything-am happy to answer any questions you have about why I am selling it and how long I have had it for but 90% of the time the answers will be I have something else extremely similar/it's the wrong colour for me/I have more than one of this item AND I have had it for less than 1 year.  Remember because I live abroad and don't like paying Dubai prices, 95% of what I buy is online so occasionally I do make mistakes and buy stuff that doesn't work for me.

So here we go:

The "rules"
**To purchase, please leave me a comment with the item(s) you would like.  First come first served.  Happy to answer any questions-you can leave a comment, email or tweet me @expatmuaddict with your question.  If you can't comment on the post (you should be able to post as a guest) please just tweet or email me**
1-Prices are in GBP and I would prefer to only post to the UK-if you are an international buyer please leave me a comment and I will quote you on postage
2-Postage will be £2.50 +30p for each additional item and will be sent on a trackable service.  I am willing to reduce postage on smaller items.
3-Payment is by paypal only-please leave me a comment or email me with you paypal address and I will invoice you
4-If you tell me you want an item between now and Wednesday 4th September it will be posted to you on Thursday 5th September.  If you would like to buy something after the 5th September it will be posted to you sometime during the next week-I will be on holiday in Cornwall so depends when I can find a post office! 
5-Payments must be made within 24 hours

Please use google for swatches-I have been honest about the size and condition of each item.

Ok, boring stuff done, lets have some shopping fun!


Nars Orgasm blush-brand new (I have 3!) £13 +pp SOLD
Lipstick Queen 'Honest Politician'-swatched only £5 +pp (Vivianna does makeup loves this!) SOLD
Nars Ltd Ed Pierre Hardy blush in Boys Don't Cry brand new (RRP30) £17.50 +pp SOLD


ALL BRAND NEW!
Bobbi Brown shimmer brick in Rose-brand new £15+pp SOLD
Mac 188 duo fibre brush-brand new RRP27 £15+pp. SOLD
Cargo eyeshadow quad in Shanghai-brand new, on beautybay.com for £18, selling for £10+pp


Mac Something Special, swatched only £10 +pp  SOLD
Mac Ltd Ed MSF in Lust £15 +pp  SOLD
Mac Ltd Ed  Honey Jasmine, used once £11 +pp SOLD
Mac Ltd Ed Royal Sunset brand new (soooo beautiful but I have 2!) £12 +pp SOLD


Unavailable in UK-Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Purples, used once £12+pp


Mac mineralize eyeshadow from Tropical Taboo range.  Time to tango, used once £10+pp


Illamasqua limited edition Empower eye palette, used once (colours are too similar to Mac ones I own) £10+pp



Aerin 'A Garden in Bloom' ltd ed palette (RRP45) £20+pp (brand new in box, would make great gift!)  Not pictured here but comes with small applicator brush and plastic protective cover. SOLD


Urban Decay Smoked palette brand new (RRP£30) £14+pp SOLD


Laura Mercier refillable palettes brand new- £3 for both +pp


Lancome Magic Voyage lip and eye palette-airport exclusive £10+pp brand new SOLD

 

Too Faced Glamour To Go Spun Sugar edition.  8 eyeshadows, 2 highlighters and a bronzer.  Eyeshadows have been used a max 2 times, a couple not at all.  The bottom tray with the bronzer/highlighter is brand new £7+pp


Dior nail polish in 402.  Part of a mini duo released for the Birds of Paradise collection.  Brand new £3+pp  SOLD


Eylure lashes all £2 each +pp-all brand new in box
Naturalites lengthening (2 pairs in the box)
Naturalites underlash
Naturalites natural volume
Naturalites special edition  ALL SOLD


All brand new
Shu Uemura lashes £10+pp
Nicola Roberts Girls Aloud lashes £3+pp
Cheryl Cole Girls Aloud lashes (packaging slightly damaged) £2+pp
Illamasqua orange lashes £2+pp


Mac 30 individual lashes (RRP10) £5+pp brand new. SOLD


All brand new
BABW body lotion (I have so much of this stuff its insane) £4+pp. SOLD
Fake Bake 60 mins (RRP24.95)  £12+pp  SOLD
Xen Tan perfect blend (RRP34.99) £15+pp


Shu Uemura Balancing Oil for all skin type, large size (450ml), just over half left.  Full size retails at £59, this is a great opportunity to try this oil £10+pp  SOLD


Revlon lash adhesive £1+pp brand new SOLD


All brand new
Eysilix (RRP24.99) £12+pp SOLD
Effaclar Duo £7+pp
Rapidbrow-I really like this and reviewed in on my blog but since having my brows tattooed I don't need this one I bought, RRP37, selling for £20 +pp


Cane and Austin retexturizing treatment pads, bought for £48, selling for £15+pp (about 10 of the 60 pads used)  SOLD


Lush Grease Lightening £2+pp-used once SOLD
Peter Thomas Roth Anti Aging buffing beads £3+pp-used once SOLD


This set is amazing! Contains full size Melting Cleansing Gel balm, full size Soothing Apricot Toner, a large sample size Papaya Enzyme Peel and  Maximum Moisture day cream. ALL BRAND NEW.  Also comes in a foldable travel pouch, bought for £50, selling for £25+pp (I have two of these kits and love it all but have so much skincare I won't get round to this for a while-grab a bargain!)  SOLD


Elemis foldable travel pouch £5+pp brand new SOLD



Pop neutral palette £5+pp from US-brand new


Bobbi Brown Eye palette-purple smoky colours £14+pp brand new, still sealed SOLD


Ltd Edition exclusive to Sephora Jasmine Magic Carpet palette £15+pp brand new SOLD


Illamsaqua liquid metal pigment £4+pp brand new


Mac paint pots £8+pp each (usage shown, all <3 times) Let's Skate SOLD, Blackground and Constructivist


Dior Fusion Mono in Hypnotique (hate selling this but my Chanel one is SO similar I will never get through both before they dry out) £12+pp, used once SOLD
Estee Lauder cream shadow in Chained £7+pp, used less than 5 times


Chanel les 4 ombres in Mystere from Fall 2013 Superstition collection £18+pp.  Used once only, this has not launched in the UK yet and I don't think it will.  SOLD


Wet n wild Blue Had Me At Hello £4+pp-swatched only
Kevyn Aucoin essential eye palette in #2 £7+pp-swatched only  SOLD


Mac Veluxe Pearlfusion in Brownluxe RRP30, only just launched in the UK £17+pp.  Only selling because I have a million other eyeshadows the same shade-have reviewed this on my blog!  Swatched only.


Benefit browzings in light and medium £6+pp each.  Used but TONS left.


Both brand new
Too Faced eyeshadow £2+pp
Urban Decay primer potion £2.50+pp SOLD


Both brand new
Dermologica skin prep £3+pp SOLD
Origins Clear Improvement £6+pp  SOLD



Laura Mercier under eye perfector in Mauve £5+pp-used once
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin perfector (only dipped a cotton bud in).  Fleur De Force does a fab review on this as does Tiffany at Will Work for makeup and the Pixiwoo sisters are big fans, retails for £38 in Space NK, selling for £15+pp  SOLD


Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation in I'm pure 4 sure £9+pp (used twice) SOLD


Both brand new
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation in 52 £5+pp (I like this but 52 is the wrong shade for me)
Laura Mercier deluxe sampler tinted moisturisor in Nude £3+pp  SOLD


Benefit Confessions of a concealaholic palette £8+pp-no erase paste and top concealer used once, rest is brand new


Models Own Blueberry Muffin £2+pp used once  SOLD
Opi polishes in Divine Swine SOLD and Rainbow Connection £5+pp each brand new


Sally Hanson polish in Straw-ready £1+pp brand new  SOLD
Rococo Boutique Sheer Gloss £2+pp brand new
Illamasqua limited edition in Pink Raindrops £5+pp used once

Swarovski trio of polishes in purple, pink and orange, each with crystal top, sold as a set £10+pp (from Swarovski on 5th Avenue in NYC)-all brand new


Both brand new
Mac 130 duo fibre brush £12+pp. SOLD
Real Techniques eyebrow brush £2+pp SOLD


Benefit Dr Feelgood travel size £4+pp brand new


Guerlain Meteorites travel size powder in 01 Mythic (2 pieces) £5+pp each both brand new-one sold, one remaining.  SOLD



When the sugar and spice collection came out I went a bit mad and bought two of everything!  I have SO much perfume I will never get through these spares.  Both RRP at £38 each, both are brand new
Redcurrant and cream £22
Elderflower and gooseberry £22
Both for £40 (in a Jo Malone box)  SOLD


Kiehls leave in conditioning cream £7+pp-opened but unused
Nicky Clarke instant calm £3+pp brand new
Tangle teazer aqua splash £5+pp brand new  SOLD


Benefit Watts Up sample £2+pp used once  SOLD


Lush ltd edition popcorn lip scrub £3+pp used once SOLD
EOS lip balms £3.50+pp each brand new Strawberry sorbet SOLD, Summer Fruit available  SOLD


Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar and Apocolyptic £3 each (postage only £1), opened but never used. SOLD


Nars Velvet Gloss lip pencil (very sheer colour) £4+pp used once SOLD
Clinique chubby sticks £5+pp each used once (postage only £1)  SOLD


Hourglass lip glosses £4+pp each used once (postage only £1). SOLD


Lip gloss-postage only £1
Top to bottom
Givenchy Ltd Ed Gelee Interdit in Acoustic Wild Rose (very sheer with tiny sparkles) £4+pp brand new  SOLD
Mac plushglass in Posh it up (used twice) £4+pp SOLD
Mac plushglass in Big Kiss (used once) £4+pp SOLD
Too Faced status gloss in Sugar Daddy £2+pp (brand new)
Laura Mercier lip glace in Orange Tulip £5+pp used once  SOLD
Aerin gloss in Cassis £4+pp brand new. SOLD
Estee Lauder mini gloss in Raspberry Pop £3+pp brand new


All brand new
Make Up For Ever aqua rouge in 15 £7+pp
Revlon Colourstay lipstick in Couture £3+pp
Lancome colour design in Pink To The Club £4+pp
Lipstick Queen in Rose Shimmer £6+pp


Revlon lip butters £2.50+pp each, usage shown SOLD


Mac Ramblin Rose lipstick £6+pp used once SOLD
Nars Dressed to Kill £7+pp used once  SOLD


Mac Sandy B lipstick £6+pp swatched only SOLD
Dior Addict Charmant £10+pp used once  SOLD
Tarte Glamazon in Bold £7+pp used once. SOLD


Liptini SoCo lip and cheek stain (this Benefit benetint) £4+pp used once
Virgin Vie coral creme gloss £1+pp brand new
Stila silk shimmer gloss in Kitten £1+pp each brand new


Juicy Couture word magnets (one bag just turned over to show samples of the words) £5+pp

Finally I am selling this beautiful saffiano leather Michael Kors Large Hamilton tote bag.  It is in the colour red with gold trim and was bought from Macy's in NYC in March 2013.  The red colour was exclusive to Macys.  It has never been used and is still in its dust bag with the tag still on it.  Reason for selling is it's too small for me on a day to day basis.

I bought it for $358 + tax.  These bags retail for £310 on Selfridges website.  I am asking £200 for it.  It's brand new and in perfect condition.  All the specs of the bag are on Michael Kors-just google Michael Kors Large Hamilton Tote.  Postage will £10 extra. SOLD





Happy shopping guys!

PS if you live in Dubai where I live and want to purchase anything please just use the GBP/AED spot rate to convert the price to AED and I am happy to sell at that price for cash (or paypal).  Please arrange to collect from me from my office location which is DIFC in Dubai-thanks!



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