Beauty Vixen: hair

Spring came and went, and I started this post a month ago and got distracted/stuck. So with that, here are the things I really enjoyed during the spring months.

Conair Double Ceramic Thermal Round Brush*

I picked this up at the end of March and fell in love with it on the first try. My hair has been less than put together the last while, and frankly, I feel frumpy. I got this and instantly have been able to style my hair better and make second or third day hair look like something other than bedhead.

I can give my hair a little flip on the ends, I can de-frizz the messy waves that developed overnight, and I can make air-dried hair look polished.

I really enjoy how easy it is to use, and the fact that it was only $35 was a real selling point. I cannot believe I was looking at ones that were $200 when this one was available at such a good price point.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

I picked some Embryolisse up last year as one of the products for my Vintage Vanity project (which I promise I will get back to), and left it untouched. At the end of March, my skin got very irritated and red. It was bad. As part of my repair routine, I started to use Embryolise. It felt great and smelled amazing. A month back, I got a mini tube in a Shoppers' charity bag, so that one lives in my purse now.

It is a very soothing cream, and I can see why it has been loved since the 1950s.

L'occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream*

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I got this a while back from Butterly to try out. L'occitane has never let me down, and this cream is no exception. It is rich and thick and essentially a 25% Shea Butter cream that is as thick as a Body Butter. It hydrates my skin when dry and cracked, it soothes when it is red and irritated, and it feels nice every time I use it. Best part is I need so little, and it now has a recyclable insert for clean swapping when it is used up.

I like eco packaging ideas, but I know people won't actually rinse and sterilize their containers before refilling properly, and the swap-it-out method, I think, is a great idea.

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick 50+ SPF*

It wouldn't be spring without me using a lot of SPF. While I have a big bin full of face ones I love to use, Shiseido's clear stick has won me over for on-the-go use.

I got this stick at the Shisheido warehouse sale last winter and again at the Lisa Cosmetics sale this spring. I keep it in my purse and use it for touchups daily. I really enjoy the formula, texture and the fact that it won't leak in my bag. It makes touching up my sunscreen so easy, and it feels nicer than any stick I have used before, and it is completely clear, so no mirror is required.

YSL Make Me Blush*-

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This one might not be a shock to anyone. I have not stopped talking about the YSL Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balms or Loveshine Lip Oil Sticks all year long, particularly shade 44. Well, now that I have the blush, I am even more in love. Why can't all blushes blend this well and make me feel this great? Did I also mention I have shade 44 in the cream blush, and that it, too, is fantastic?

Ok, do I love the blush or do I just love shade 44 (Nude Lavalliere)? I think both. The blush looks fantastic on my skin, blends well and is just the right amount of pigment I want. If I want more, layer it with the cream blush. I also have the perfect match for my lips with the butter and oil, so it makes for a really easy wear.

If you are looking for a new blush, I highly suggest you look at these, because they are really nice.
So there you go, 5 things I really loved this past spring. Is there anything you've been loving?

* denotes affiliate link, which may earn me a small commission. - denotes a product I received in exchange for an honest review.

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I placed an order with The Inkey List online quite a while back. I was worried about whether there would be any customs or duties, but they ship the orders from Canada and the sale was done in Canadian funds, so it was a super easy process.

Now I am a huge fan of The Inkey List, I was at their Canadian launch 4 years ago and have been using their skincare ever since.

Now they don't offer shampoo and conditioners, but they do have hair and scalp treatments. I picked up the Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Hair Treatment, Peptide Volumizing Hair Treatment, Shea Oil Nourishing Hair Treatment, Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, and the Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub. A few items I wanted to try were sold out.

First off, I really do love that The Inkey List makes the whole figuring out where the product fits in your routine easy with their packaging. In this case, I am a little confused because a few of the items give the option to "Boost your Shampoo/Conditioner", but do not give any instructions for it and don't list it for those products on their website.

Secondly, I really like that their hair products are easily distinguished from their skincare products by being a different colour, but hate that it is black plastic. While there are claims that it is recyclable and non-carbon, my city, and many others do not take black plastic.

Finally, I love that the brand gives all the info you need on the box and inside it. Nothing is hidden and I really enjoy that.

So with that, here is a review of all the products I got.

GLYCOLIC ACID EXFOLIATING SCALP SCRUB / $20.00

This is a scrub in a bottle with a nice tip to help apply it right to the scalp without any mess. It has both chemical and physical exfoliators. Apply it wet or dry before washing your hair and let it sit for 10 minutes. The result is an exfoliated scalp and a protected microbiome. All this is supposed to help with hair growth, scalp health and hair volume.

I fully reviewed this in my Scalp Scrub Showdown Part 3, and let's just say it isn't the best Scrub. I do enjoy using it, but know it's not really lifting much.

When I first bought it, it retailed for CAD 16.99, it went up $3 in two years.

SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATING SCALP TREATMENT / $22.00

This is very similar to the Glycolic Acid Scrub but without the physical exfoliators. It uses just chemical ones to help remove buildup and help with itchiness of the scalp. This one is particularly good for those with excessive oil production. There are other ingredients to help hydrate the scalp and reduce redness.

I also reviewed this in Scalp Scrub Showdown Part 3, it also failed to remove buildup.

When I first bought it was sold for CAD 18.99, it went up $3 in two years.

SHEA OIL NOURISHING HAIR TREATMENT / $9.99

This is a basic hair oil made up of Shea Oil. Shea is so well-loved for hair care so having a liquid version seemed pretty amazing to me. Shake the bottle and apply a little to your hands and then to your hair, wet or dry.

The formula is quite thin, which I was not expecting when I first applied it. I used far too much because it just poured out into my hands. My hair as a result was a little too oily. Since then I have been very careful not to apply too much and have seen great results. I really love how easy it is to add to my routine to make my hair softer and healthier.

After over a year of reaching for this, I will say I wasted about half the bottle because of the huge whole and liquid texture. This is its biggest failure. I still don't love the scent, but I like to use it post shower lightly or pre-shower heavily as an oil treatment. You can't go wrong with Shea for your hair so I would buy it again but maybe put another lid on it.

This product is no longer sold by The Inkeylist, which makes me feel a whole lot better about my feelings on it. The bottle's opening was too big, it was too runny and it smelt strange. That being said, it worked well, it was shea oil.

HYALURONIC ACID HYDRATING HAIR TREATMENT / $15.00

Just like with our skin care, Hyaluronic acid for the hair attracts moisture to the hair and helps hydrate it. It is meant to be added to hair post-washing but can be used any time to wet or dry hair to help with hydration and frizz.

I still can't really get this to work for me. I don't know what it is about it, but it's just another step that doesn't result in anything great for my hair.

It says you can use it to boost your wash, I tweeted the brand and was told to use it while conditioning. It didn't really do much.

When I first got this it was CAD 11.99, it went up $3 in 2 years.

PEPTIDE VOLUMIZING HAIR TREATMENT / $19.00

A lightweight serum for your hair that helps with thickness and volume. Like many of the other hair treatments, it is meant to be used wet or dry but recommended post-washing.

I once again didn't really end up with great results from this one. I don't know if I'm using it right or if my hair is just too long. It's ok at best for me.

When I bought it, it was CAD 14.99, so it went up by $4 in two years.

PCA BOND REPAIR HAIR TREATMENT / $19.00
I picked this one up a bit later. It is a spray that you add to damp hair to help strengthen it. It uses Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid to help bond repair your hair and other conditioners to make it a leave-in to help keep your hair strong.

This is definitely my favourite in the lineup. I like using it daily and find my hair is responding well to it. It has almost no scent to it. My only complaint is the pump, it is strange for some reason and you need a lot of finger strength to use it.

My Thoughts:

Pros:

High-quality products
Reasonably priced
Packaging lets you know quickly it is not their skincare line

Cons:

Had to order online (is now in Sephora stores in Canada though)
Black plastic (no recyclable)
Products didn't work great for my hair type (wavy, dry-damaged)

Overall, I really enjoyed adding these products to my hair routine. It was nice to try a new brand without spending an arm and a leg (although the prices did go up since I ordered them so long ago). The Salicylic and Glycolic acids were so easy to apply to my hair, which is refreshing when most scrubs are messy to use. I just wish they were more effective at lifting my degree off my scalp.

When it comes to repurchasing, I don't know. I don't think I would get any right now. I still have the PCA repair, and would probably repurchase it when I run out. I am currently trying The Ordinary's glycolic peel for a scalp scrub. I do think they are comparable.

I think, if you like The Inkey List, try it out, but don't expect the world. There is a good reason on Sephora the line has mixed reviews.

In the end, I like the brand, but most of these weren't for me.

*I purchased everything with my own money. There are some affiliate links in this post. I appreciate your support of the blog.

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It's time again for another Scalp Scrub Showdown. I've done this twice before, so don't forget to check out my past posts here and here.

Today I'm going to test out four different scalp scrubs, under the microscope and give them a review. This round of Scalp Scrub Showdown gets a little bit more interesting with the addition of chemical exfoliants. I picked up The Inkey List's Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub and their Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatments as well as two traditional scrubs, one high end (Oui) and one Drugstore (Neutrogena). Let's get started shall we!!!

As always I'm following the instructions on the bottles and using a scalp massager to help loosen things up before following up with silicone free conditioner.

When The Inkey List launched hair products last year I jumped on ordering most of the collection from their online store, this included their scrubs.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Water (Aqua/Eau), Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mannitol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Benzoate.

I am starting with their glycolic acid scalp scrub. It has 7% Glycolic acid and claims to remove product buildup and dead cells. You shake the bottle well, apply it to dry hair, let it sit 10 mins then wash hair as usual. Simple right. I found the applicator quite easy to use, until it clogged on me. I ended opening it up and finding that there were in fact a bunch of crystals inside that were the culprit, they appear to be castor beads to help with the exfoliating.

The basic instructions are use applicator to apply to dry or wet scalp, saturate well and let sit for 10 minutes until rinsing and shampooing and conditioning as usual.

I found once applied it easily ran into my eyes, so leaning back was my best option to avoid this. I never felt any tingling or discomfort at all. Once rinsed my hair felt nice and my scalp felt pretty normal for the day. The next day I noticed a bit of itchiness but nothing intense. I enjoyed how my scalp and hair felt but didn't notice a gigantic change.

The microscope photos told me the full story, this scrub mainly lifted my buildup but didn't remove it like a physical scrub would. Honestly, these were the worst photos I had taken in the whole series. These were bad. I couldn't find one where my hair looked clean or my scalp free of buildup.

Overall, my scalp and hair felt fine but not a wow effect or anything like that. The photos showed that barley anything was removed with using it, my hair and scalp had plenty of build up. I am certain a regular shampooing and conditioning would have had the same results.

Pros:

Easy to buy on The Inkey List site or Sephora.ca
Under $20
No irritation
Easy to apply

Cons

Did absolutely nothing for my hair or scalp
Ran into my eyes quite a bit
Black packaging that can't be recycled.

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Water (Aqua /Eau), Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Betaine, Panthenol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-37, Hexylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate.

This one doesn't use the word Scrub in its name, instead Scalp Treatment, regardless it is exfoliating and it promises a lot of the same things. It has 2% salicylic acid in it to help with flakes on the scalp. It also is supposed to help with redness on the scalp and itchiness. You apply it exactly the same way, to wet or dry scalp for 10 minutes then rinse and wash and condition as normal.

The results of using it were almost exactly the same. It ran into my eyes, I had no irritation while using or after. My hair and scalp felt clean but not fantastic.

The results under the microscope was only mildly better then with the Glycolic Scrub. My hair looked like it still was full of buildup, but the scalp at least had some clean areas.

Overall, it is a better product then the Glycolic but not fantastic.

Pros:

Under $20
Easy to buy at The Inkey List site or Sephora.ca
Isn't irritating to the scalp
Easy to apply

Cons:

Ran into eyes
Black plastic that can't be recycled
Did not much at all

OUAI Cleansing Scalp & Body Sugar Scrub

Sucrose, Water / Aqua / Eau, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, Propanediol, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Apium Graveolens (Celery) Seed Extract, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Peg-150 Distearate, Cocamide Mipa, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate,Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Bht, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate,Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Citronellol.

This is a sugar based scrub that can be used on the scalp or body. You are to apply it to damp scalp and massage it in before rinsing and conditioning the hair. I happen to have a Ouai branded scalp scrubber tool so I used it for this. Being in a tub it was a little awkward to get out and apply without getting water into the tub. It was super thick, which made applying it straight to the scalp a little challenging. I had to just make parts in my hair and apply it as close to the scalp as I could.

The formula was thick and the crystals a bit large, but my scalp felt good after using it and my hair clean. The microscope showed it worked pretty well to get my scalp clean and the hair had a lot less buildup left on them. My scalp was a tad bit itchy the next day, but nothing that was too much to handle.

Overall this was a pretty good product, it got the job done without too much effort, but for the price there are better options out there.

Pros:

Worked well to remove buildup from the scalp
Smells really good (Ouai makes a fragrance in this scent)
Easy to buy at Sephora.ca

Cons:

Pricy, its $52.00 CAD
Tub format is always a shower challenge not to get water inside

Neutrogena Scalp Clarify and Shine Scrub, Grapefruit, 201 ml.

Sodium Chloride, Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide MIPA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Kaolin, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance (Parfum).

This one is salt based to help remove the buildup. You apply it to a wet scalp, massage, rinse and then shampoo and condition as usual.

I honestly wasn't expecting to like this one a lot, mainly because I really dislike grapefruit, but I ended up really enjoying it. The tube made it easy to apply, it wasn't too thick so I could get a fare amount into my hands easily and to my scalp.

As you can see in the photo, the Neutrogena formula is thinner and collapses on when squeezed out, while the Ouai still is holding its ball like shape on my hand. You can really see the Ouai crystals, but not so much the Neutrogena. This just shows how different the formulas are in thickness and crystal size.

When looking at the microscope you can see that my scalp is very clean and my hair is the cleanest out of all of the scrubs. My scalp felt great and had not itchiness in the following days.

Overall I enjoyed this one the most. It was easy to apply and it worked the best. It also was pretty cheap.

Pros:

Available at drug stores
Pretty cheap at about $15
Worked really well on both my scalp and hair
Easy to apply to the scalp
Tube prevents waster from getting into container

Cons:

Has a grapefruit scent (? if you don't like grapefruit)

That's it for all the scrubs. I very disappointed with The Inkey List products, I had extremely high hopes for them and really felt let down. This is probably the first time I have felt that way about any of their products. I think all the hype about glycolic acid for hair and scalp really got me thinking these products would be fantastic. They just loosened the buildup without actually removing it, and that was with the scalp massager.

I got pretty much what I expected from the Ouai, I wish it was better mainly because of the cost of it. Happily the cheapest option was the best. I really got great results from the Neutrogena scrub and it was a drug store product.

Once again the hardest part of this challenge was going a whole week without washing my hair for each scrub. Also some of my hair has fallen out again, but for the most part it is much thicker then when I first did this challenge in 2020, so it is harder to use the scrubs now then they were before.

*Contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I may make a commission. Thank you for supporting me and my blog.

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Live Clean is one of my faourite brands. It is made with ingredients that work well for me, they smell great and they are made in Canada! When I learned they launched a dry shampoo I got really excited because I just had to see what they had planned.

Refreshes and revives your hair on those non-wash days. Specially formulated to neutralize odours, revitalize and add bounce to your hair. Clear, scalp-friendly formula with no white residue to clog pores.
Features:
Made with plant and naturally derived ingredients.
Enriched with Certified Organic Botanicals
For all hair types
No silicone
Eco-conscious
No white residue
99% plant derived
Scalp-friendly
Leaping Bunny Certified
Dermatologist Tested
Hypoallergenic

Live Clean Dry Mist Shampoos come in four options, Fresh & Clean, Tropical Coconut, Lightly Scented and Salon Volume.

First off I want to stress that this actually isn't a dry shampoo, it is a Dry Mist Shampoo, meaning it comes out a bit damp and then dries up. Part of the reason for this is because it is aerosol free. It uses oxygen to propel it. Thus it kind of cascades out versus a strong pooooofff like traditional dry shampoo sprays.

It doesn't contain powders to cause build up on the hair or scalp, making it scalp friendly. Instead it uses Arrowroot powder, Nettle and Witch Hazel to help control oil and cleanse the scalp without needing a wash.

So how do I like it? It is just different. I think that is the big thing to wrap your mind around. I don't have the same expectations, because it isn't the same. I really enjoy the Salon Volume version because it is gives the most traditional dry shampoo results to me. I adore the scent of both the Tropical Coconut and Fresh & Clean (my faourite for anything Live Clean).

Overall it is a nice change from traditional dry shampoos in the fact it is more scalp, hair and earth friendly. But if you are going in expecting a Dry Mist Shampoo to equal a Dry Shampoo you may be disappointed. I find it really does help me extend the length of time between my hair washing a few days and all without any white residue on my hair, which I really adore.

You can pick up Live Clean Dry Mist Shampoos at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Real Canadian Super Store, and Well.ca

Have you tried Live Clean Dry Mist Shampoo yet? What do you think of it?

*This post features samples given to me for review purposes. All view and opinions are my own. This post my include affiliate links.

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* This post features PR samples

In a typical summer, I spend most of my time swimming and damaging up my hair big time, this year my condo board chose not to open the pool at all. While one would think this meant my hair would have been saved some damage, I regretfully inform you that it has not. For some reason, probably a combo of sun and heat and using the wrong hair products for a few months, has lead to my hair being absolutely fried. Add to that my current traumatic hair loss, which has resulted in about 50% of my hair falling out in the last six months, my hair hasn't been feeling its best.

I was super happy when I was asked if I wanted to try out Finesse's newly improved Hydration + Softness Shampoo and Conditioner. I haven't tried Finesse since I was a teen, so naturally, it brings back some nostalgia, but I was also very interested in seeing how the brand performs now and what improvements have been made.

This improved formula is now thicker and contains Camellia Oil to help hold moisture in the hair even during the hottest days. It does all this without weighing your hair down and providing a barrier against UV and Chlorine damage.

The shampoo has a slight creaminess to it, which just shows how moisturizing it is. It lathers incredibly easily into a nice rich foam and rinses easily.

The conditioner is a nice rich consistency that spreads easily onto my hair. It coats it while also feeling like it is being absorbed a bit. It also rinses easily and leaves no heaviness to the hair.

The end result of these two products is my hair feels amazing and surprisingly high end. The more I use it the better my hair feels. My hair never feels weighed down, it is far less frizzy and I cannot stop touching it. More hydrated hair, check. Softer hair, check. These products do exactly what they say they do. As you may be able to see below, my naturally dried hair is not frizzy after using it, but smooth and sleek.

Finesse products can be found at drug stores, grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide for under $4. That is less than $4!!! You really can't go wrong with this combo for a price like that.

*Pr samples featured. All views and opinions are my own.

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*Post Features PR Samples

Scunci has been the name in hair accessories for what feels like forever. In fact, they are the #1 brand in America for them. While I often grab items here and there, I was super happy to receive some goodies to try out.

Scunci Pleated Headband

Firm headbands are not always my best friend, but this one is amazing. It is nice and wide but also doesn't smoosh my head like others. I can wear this all day without any headaches. Amazing.

Scunci Triangular Snap Clip

Fancy pearl coated hair clips have been on my to-buy list for about a year now. I am so glad I finally got to try this one out. It is big but also super stylish. I love the snap clip versus that clamp version. It lays nice and flat on my head that way.

Scunci Everyday & Active Bright Headband

This headband has made me super happy. I can work up quite a sweat at work and having a good headband can make a huge difference. Get the wrong one and it starts to slide off while your working or sweat gets in your eyes. Worse yet you get a headache because it is too tight. I have none of these issues with this band. It stays put, keeps sweat out of eyes and feels nice on my head.

It is extra wide so it really helps keep it put. I love the bright coral shade and the little twist in it.

Scunci Velvet Scrunchies, 3 Pack

I don't know why, but I resisted the Scrunchie trend this whole time. Maybe it the fact I was a child of the 80s and a teen of the 90s, but I just never go on the bandwagon. These have completely won me over.

First of this 3 pack has three different shades of scrunchie that re velvet-covered. I can comfortably wrap them around my hair 3 times.

The best part of them is that they hold my hair in place, tight without being tight. There is no tugging or that super tight feeling you get when you use an elastic band. Plus no hair gets tangled in it.

Scunci Snake Print Scrunchie

This is my favourite item in the entire package I got. This one is slightly larger than the velvet ones, which means I can wear it on my wrist. It also is made of satin, which is just suer nice for my hair.

Since I am trying to grow my hair back after some massive traumatic hair loss this past year, I am super happy at how nice it feels to wear my hair up with it, it is just so comfortable.

Overall I have been having a fun time with these new hair accessories. I am so glad I got to try them out. I am especially in love with the scrunchies, they are fantastic for keeping my hair out of my way while not putting stress on it or my head. I also really love my new pearl hair clip for more elegant looks.

You can find Scunci brand hair accessories at your local Walmart starting at $5.

Do you have a favourite hair accessory? Why do you love it so?

*Products were sent to me from PR. All views and opinions are my own.

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Conair Double Ceramic Thermal Round Brush*

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

L'occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream*

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick 50+ SPF*

YSL Make Me Blush*-

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