If the "liquid to ultra-matte" liquid lipsticks are not for you, then you must try out the new Bare Minerals Gen Nude Liquid Lipcolors line. Not only does this line focus on wearable neutral aka "nude" lip shades for all skin-tones, but a comfortable semi-matte liquid lipstick formula. These lipsticks dry down to a semi-matte finish once they have been on the lips for a good few minutes and maintain a smooth and creamy feeling on the lips. If you prefer a true matte liquid lipstick, then this is definitely not your cup of tea.
They do transfer, very slightly, especially when freshly applied. These are easy to reapply and layer because they're indeed weightless. These do take longer than the average matte liquid lipsticks to dry down so initially you will notice a sheen for sometime. These shades did wear off a bit after I eating. I wish there were more deeper shade options than the shade Scandal, but perhaps the brand will expand the shade range in the future.
If y'all are looking for a comfortable liquid lipstick that is available in subtle, everyday-no-fuss kind-of-shades, then I would recommend these Gen Nude matte liquid lipcolors. One does not necessarily need all or even several of the shades because the line consists of only nudes - geared for different skin-tones/under-tones - thus far. As an added bonus, these smell delicious... like a sweet warm freshly baked dessert. If you like your lipsticks to smell like brownies, cupcakes, cookies, or the like, then you will be sold on these at first sniff. Honestly, don't judge me, but that was a major attraction for me personally.
Please view my video above for demo-application and lip-swatches. Thank you!
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The Dose of
Color liquid lipsticks are primarily available and sold on the brands
website.Other online retailers, such as
Naimie’s and Ricky’s NYC, do carry the Dose of Colors brand, but might not
necessarily carry the entire Dose liquid lipsticks line. Given that Dose of Colors is an indie-brand,
its products are in stock periodically and go out of stock quite easily due to
popular demand and limited stock.Following the brand via a social media platform or signing up for an
e-newsletter is the best way to keep a check on new releases and
re-stocks.The Dose of Colors liquid
lipsticks cost $18 (USD).I would advise
not to purchase this brand via websites such as Ebay or “unauthorized sellers”
because I have heard that such popular, in-demand, yet small-scale brands’
products are easily copied and sold as fakes.Dose of Colors runs promotions (free shipping or 20% off) once in a
while, on certain national US holidays, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or
Memorial Day.
Pigmentation
The Dose of Colors
liquid lipsticks shades – Mood, Cork, Desert Suede, and Chocolate Wasted – are
richly pigmented, applying fully opaque in a single swipe.With the exception of the shade Cork, I did
not feel the need to layer a second layer.Cork required a little layering/building up, but only in the center
portion of the bottom lip. I’m not sure why, but Cork was slightly sheer
(unnoticeable really), despite layering, in the inner center portion of the
bottom lip.I think this was only
noticeable because I was testing it out and observing it close up.I was impressed that Desert Suede, despite being
a light neutral greige-taupe shade, showed up fully opaque in one swipe, single
layer.I was also pleased with Mood and
Chocolate Wasted, despite being such deep, bold, vampy shades, applied opaque
in one coat.
Application, Texture, & Comfort
The Dose of
Colors liquid lipsticks have a lightweight, non-tacky, creamy consistency. The
formula is not runny or thick and sets within a couple seconds, but setting
time is “unnoticeably” slower if you layer a lip balm underneath. As you might
have already assumed after reading my thoughts on pigmentation, these shades
apply like a dream.Usually light shades
and dark shades are difficult to apply because they might need (1) layering to
avoid patchy-ness, streakiness, and to achieve a polished evened out look and
(2) precision.Neither was an issue
here! As I already mentioned above, a single swipe gave rich, opaque color
payoff. The design of the applicator is fantastic – one of my favorite aspects
of this brand of liquid lipsticks. It is a doe-foot applicator that is angled
such that it cups the curvature of your lips. The only shade that lagged in
application, that too only very slightly, like negligibly, is Cork. Its pigment
didn’t adhere well to the inner center portion of the lips.
These liquid
lipsticks do set down to a full matte finish. However, fortunately these shades
are not ultra dry matte in texture, such as Anastasia Beverly Hills or Colour
Pop’s Ultra Mattes.I prefer liquid
lipsticks these days to any other lipstick formulation because they set to a
velvety matte finish, but I don’t care for the ones that dry down to such an
extent that my lips look very wrinkly and de-hydrated as if I’m recovering from
flu and soar chapped lips due to cold soars or frostbite.It is a fine line though!I find this the toughest aspect of a liquid
lipstick review because I want to make sure I describe the texture just
right.Although these set to a full
matte finish, my lips do not feel uncomfortable, heavy, tight, or parched.Additionally, my lips look matte, but not dry
or wrinkled. In my experience, these shades fortunately do not abnormally
exaggerate natural lip lines.If you are
prone to or suffering from chapped lips, I would advise you to prep your lips
and wear lip balm underneath, but generally speaking I did not find these Dose
of Colors shades to be drying.
Lastly, I want
to make an observation, which you might be wondering about if you have seen my
previous/first Dose of Colors liquid lipsticks review.The first two shades I tried from Dose of
Colors were Truffle and Stone.My review
of Truffle and Stone is contrast to my review of Mood, Cork, Desert Suede, and
Chocolate Wasted.If I wasn’t such a
curious cat for lipsticks (to put things politely because I cannot admit that
its an addiction) and it wasn’t around my birthday, I might not have taken the
risk to purchase these four new shades when they released after the jaded
experience I had with Truffle and Stone.Also, a birdie on Instagram told me that it was rumored that Dose of
Colors tweaked its formula with the latest shades – Mood, Cork, Desert Suede,
and Chocolate Wasted. I can confirm that I felt a difference! At first I
thought maybe the formula was not tweaked, maybe formula just varies with
different types of colors. However, Desert Suede is a light shade, like Truffle
and Stone, but I love and prefer Desert Suede’s formula version.Now if Dose of Colors did improve its formula
– as in it looks and feels less drying – I’m not sure if Truffle and Stone have
been be re-formulated prior to their re-stock.I imagine the formula gets upgraded across the board, but I don’t have
first hand information regarding the manufacturing process here so I can’t comment.
Longevity
Honestly, I
don’t like to eat with lipstick on, especially if the colors are as bold and
pigmented as Mood or Chocolate Wasted.If I don’t eat, these shades stayed in place. Chocolate Wasted wears off
a tad in the center of the lips just by talking. I’m experiencing this as well
as feathering in the inner corners of my lips with very dark colors generally.
Chocolate Wasted doesn’t feather though, which tends to happen more with the
dark burgundy, wine, and plum shades I have tried (i.e., Kylie Cosmetics liquid
lipstick in Kourt K). I have tried to concentrate a lip liner in the inner
corners before applying a liquid lipstick on top, but it doesn’t make a
difference for me personally.
I have tested
the staying power of Cork while eating Ramen and Chocolate Wasted while eating
one breaded chickpea ball (kind of like mozzarella sticks, but with chickpeas
as filling instead of cheese and not as greasy or deep-friend).Obviously, the Ramen soup was liquid and a
tad oily and I dabbed my lips with a napkin a few times so Cork completely wore
off in the middle portion of my lips. I wiped Cork off completely (using a
small oil-based eye makeup remover pad) and re-applied it; wiping it all off
wasn’t really necessary before re-application, just more of my personal
preference. Although the chickpea ball was not greasy, Chocolate Wasted wore
down slightly in the center portion of my lips – it wore off enough that I’d
feel like re-applying if I were going to a dinner with friends, but not if I was
just stepping out for coffee with the Hubby. Keep in mind that if you layer a
lip balm underneath, the liquid lipstick will not be transfer-proof and it will
wear off quicker as it transfers onto stuff, like a teacup or straw.In the video you will see that Desert Suede
transferred onto my hand quite a bit and that happened before I had prepped my
lips with lip balm before wearing that specific color.
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When you have quite a few liquid lipsticks
lined up on your dresser, but the Smashbox Always On is the one you can’t take
your eyes off of… “Call it magic or call it true…”
Availability and Price
The
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipsticks are available on Smashbox’s website and at
other Smashbox retailers, such as Sephora, Nordstrom, and Macy’s.These liquid lipsticks are a smidge higher in
price ($24/0.13oz) than some of the other mid-range high-end liquid lipsticks,
like Kat Von D ($20/0.22oz) or Anastasia Beverly Hills ($20/0.11oz).
Personally,
I don’t pay much attention to product quantity.Of course the lipstick price has to be within
my budget and that is why I wait to make my purchases during sales and
promotions.I purchased my Smashbox
Always On Liquid Lipsticks during their Friends and Family sale event (25% off
for a purchase over “x” amount).
I
care more about quality than
quantity.I would rather have one
excellent quality lipstick costing $20 rather than four $5 lipsticks that are
not as good or don’t meet my standards/expectations from a lipstick.
Pigmentation
The
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipsticks (*6 of the 8 shades I tried) are richly
pigmented and have excellent full-coverage color-payoff in one swipe across the
top and bottom lip.This is demonstrated
in “Part 1: Demo and Swatches” portion of my video.
*I
did find that the shades Thrill Seeker and Girl Gang applied sheer and appeared
less creamy (more watery) in comparison to the other six shades I own.I layered Girl Gang three times and was able
to do so as long as I applied each layer patiently and gently.However, Girl Gang felt too heavy once it
dried down to the extent that I did not feel comfortable wearing it for longer
than half an hour or so.Thrill Seeker
is not as sheer as Girl Gang, but it also did not layer well.
Grade: Stepping Out (5/5), Driver’s Seat (5/5),
Out Loud (5/5), Thrill Seeker (4/5), Big Spender (5/5), Girl Gang (3.5/5),
Shockaholic (4.5/5), and True Grit (5/5)
Application and Texture
The
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipsticks (*5 of the 8 shades I tried) applied
beautifully.These lipsticks are creamy,
yet lightweight.They don’t feel thick
and heavy or thin and watery.A little
amount of this product goes a long way and knowing this is key to a clean and
effortless application.
These
lipsticks set quickly so it is a good thing that you only need a single swipe
of product, but feel free to layer them if you need to tweak or perfect any
areas because I found that applying a second layer once the first layer has set
does not disturb the first layer.
*The
only three shades that did not apply evenly and required a lot of patience and
manipulation to look opaque and somewhat presentable were Thrill Seeker (I
completely gave up on this one), Girl Gang, and Shockaholic (listed in the
order of most troublesome to slightly troublesome).Thrill Seeker appeared patchy and streaky,
uneven, and settled into my natural lip lines.I would not recommend this shade for people who do not have fully plump
smooth baby lips.Girl Gang on the other
hand is not streaky, but it is sheer and need layering, which can make it look
patchy if one is not meticulous with the layering process.Shockaholic is opaque and does not need
layering, but it settles into and exaggerates the lip lines significantly once
it dries down to a matte finish.Shockaholic doesn’t look patchy or streaky per se, rather it breaks down
into the lip lines and clings onto any dryness or natural texture on the
lips.
The
applicator has a user-friendly, cupped tear drop shade.The teardrop applicator’s pointed tip is
great to navigate across the curvature and shape of lips. However, one major
point I want to highlight about this applicator is that it picks up more
product than you need (or at least that I need) for a single application so be
sure to wipe some of the product back into the tube if you’re worried that it
will go to waste.If I end up with too much
product on my lips I use my finger to smoothen it out.While we are on the subject on the
applicator, lets talk about the packaging as it is connected to the
functionality of the applicator.Also,
see the Comfort and Longevity section below to know more about the Texture
aspect.
Grade: Stepping Out (4.5/5), Driver’s Seat
(4.5/5), Out Loud (5/5), Thrill Seeker (0/5), Big Spender (5/5), Girl Gang
(2/5), Shockaholic (3.5/5), and True Grit (5/5)
Packaging
Although
the outer design of the Smashbox liquid lipsticks is aesthetically pleasing
–simple, sleek, petite, and chic – the opening of the tube is the part that I
have a slight issue with.However, I do
understand the intention behind the design of the opening.The opening of the tube is “small” meaning
that when I put the applicator back into the tube sometimes the applicator gets
stuck, slightly bent, and I have to use slight pressure to push the applicator
back into the tube.As I mentioned above
in the Application and Texture section, the applicator picks up more product
than what I need so as I am putting the applicator back into the tube, the
excess product coats the tube opening and eventually collects in that area.Now I know putting product back into a tube
like that (after being exposed to my lips and air) seems unsanitary even though
I cleanse my lips before applying my lip products and don’t share my liquid
lipsticks, especially using its own applicator, with anyone for hygienic
reasons. I am sort of in a dilemma! I don’t want to waste the excess amount
that the applicator draws out so I have started wiping the excess off and
pushing it back into the tube before
I put any of the product on my lips.
Grade: 4/5
Comfort
One
of the reasons why the Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick formula is my current
absolute favorite liquid lipstick formula is because of how comfortable they
feel on the lips.As I mentioned above,
only a few shades felt uncomfortable, either because of the way they dried down
or needed more than a couple of light layers.This liquid lipstick formula sets to fully dry (non-drying) matte finish
quickly, like within a few seconds.In
fact it dried down to a matte finish so quickly that I wasn’t able to film a
segment demonstrating how the lipstick looks when its “freshly applied” as in
still wet or in the process of setting.
The Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipsticks set to a fully dry matte finish and yes your lips may look a bit extra “pouty” to put it delicately with the lighter and brighter shades, but what I mean to say is that ultra matte liquid lipsticks, especially lighter and brighter shades, do show your lip lines if you have them. But! But! Wait for it… They DO NOT make your lips look parched or dehydrated or unnaturally dry or unattractively wrinkly if you know what I mean.
Grade: Stepping Out (5/5), Driver’s Seat (5/5), Out Loud (5/5), Thrill Seeker (0/5), Big Spender (5/5), Girl Gang (3/5), Shockaholic (3.5/5), and True Grit (4.5/5)
Longevity
This formula is transfer-proof and kiss-proof as I show you in my video
towards the end while I am modeling the shade True Grit.Of course if you are consuming something
greasy, oily, and liquid and your lips are in constant contact with something
greasy, oily, and/or liquid, the product will break down and begin to wear off
in the area of immediate contact (i.e., the inner center part of your bottom
lip).
Grade*: Stepping Out (5/5),
Driver’s Seat (5/5), Out Loud (5/5), Big Spender (5/5), and True Grit
(4.5/5)
*I
did not mention the other shades because I did not wear those long enough to
test them for their staying power. I
docked .5 from True Grit only because it is a very dark color so it does not
wear off as “elegantly” as it lighter mates, but I will note that it is easy to
reapply/fix-up. None of the shades I
tested budged off my lips unless I consumed a proper non-dry meal (like Indian
or Thai food) and reapplication/touch-up is easy.
Overall: I recommend! If Smashbox were
to expand the already beautiful shade range of the Always On Liquid Lipsticks,
I would be more than ecstatic to explore more shades.
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Hello, Beauties! Liquid lipsticks, specifically of the matte formulation, have acquired a large cult following of the masses. Cosmetic brands left and right, be they luxury, high-end, or drug-store, are releasing their version or interpretation of the perfect matte liquid lipstick formula. Over the last few months, I have taken on the quest of testing out these matte liquid lipsticks from several brands for my beautiful Lipstick-Loving-Peeps. On my YouTube channel andInstagrampage, I have reviewed liquid lipsticks (matte and non-matte) from brands such as Kylie Cosmetics, Girlactik, Dose of Colors, Giorgio Armani, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tarte, Milani, Revlon, Maybelline, NYX, The Balm, Colour Pop, and Dior. And there is more to follow soon!
Let us take a slight drive down memory lane, shall we? If y'all prefer to skip ahead to the next paragraph, then please feel free to do so. My blog is a diary of sorts and I like my posts to be somewhat personal in nature. Some of you may consider it off-tangent or long-winded... Well, y'all have been warned! Liquid lipsticks were present in the market ever since and even before my curiosity and love for makeup developed. I think I was in the final year of high-school, preparing myself for occasions like senior prom and graduation, when I began experimenting with makeup. Some of my peers had already started wearing a full face of makeup back then, but thanks to my parents (I really do appreciate their strictness today) I did not dare wear anything more than my mother's lipsticks. Anyway, I fondly remember the evening my mom took me makeup shopping for these two special occasions. She bought be a coppery gold eyeshadow by L'Oreal and a baby pink blush by Physician's Formula. My mom's policy was that there is a time and place for everything. She discouraged impulsiveness because she believed that it created insatiable expectations, which ultimately result in dissatisfaction and disdain. Today, thanks to my mom, I feel very comfortable without makeup and don't feel the need to use it as a guard, but rather to make myself feel dolled-up once in a while for outings, occasions, and filming. I love you, my Momma Bear.
I was never a fan of lip gloss because it was too sheer for my liking, but liquid lipsticks - basically glosses with the pigmentation of an opaque lipstick really intrigued me. Well, there were three types of liquid lipsticks back then: opaque glossy, which didn't stay in place; opaque patent-shine lacquers, which felt too tacky; and matte, ultra drying ones called "stains," which were paired with clear balms to make them feel more comfortable (they really were not the least bit comfortable though). I shall label these "Originals." The weak points of these opaque glosses and lacquers was that they were not lightweight, felt sticky like honey or oil, and transferred everywhere possible. The stains, on the other hand, were so drying that my lips look abnormally wrinkly (given my age) and felt itchy, hot, and irritated. Although I do really like some creamy liquid lipsticks at present (ex., Too Faced Chocolate Honey), I prefer the semi-matte liquid lipsticks, which set to a flat, matte finish and are not drying. I don't care to compromise on the staying power and transfer-proof features because I like to remove my lipstick prior to eating anyway. Even liquid lipsticks that are transfer-proof and long-wearing breakdown near the inner portion of the lips while consuming foods with an oil base and that are generally not dry.
The first few Originals I tried were from two brands at Kohl's called Flirt and American Beauty and drug-store brands such as Covergirl and Maybelline. Back then I thought a store like Sephora and makeup counters in department stores, like Macy's were for the high-society people. Now social media has changed the demographics for brands as a new, fast-paced affordable medium for advertising. There are so many baby brands on the rise, like Colour Pop, merely two years old and competing with a long time established high-end brand such as MAC Cosmetics. Now Kohl's carries prestige brands on which coupons cannot be used. Drugstore prices have sneakily increased, but coupons justify the margin in the minds of the consumer. Anyway, my point is that I tried what was affordable back then, but the quality might not have been ideal.
While in college, I recall trying one of the Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks (another Original) in the popular shade Patina and it was so drying that I absolutely hated it. More recently, during law school I had contemplated purchasing the very famous Lolita by Kat Von D and it was also so trying that I decided not to commit to it. In a nutshell, my impression of liquid lipsticks was bad - a strong dislike! I decided that my lips were simply too delicate for these super drying lipsticks. I could not fathom why anyone enjoyed wearing them.
The majority of matte liquid lipsticks that are surfacing today are much better than the "Originals" I described above. My new perception, "where have you been all my makeup-loving life?" I am guilty of completely shafting "those regular lipsticks" at the moment. Most of my lipstick collection is being neglected because I am so intrigued by these liquid lipsticks. The biggest selling point of liquid lipsticks for me is the way they set into a flat, velvet like, deepened version of the liquid. So without further ado, I would like to share my reviews of many new Liquid Lipsticks, which I am calling the "Liquid Lipstick Extravaganza" (listed/linked below).
... ... ...
The "ChaiTimewithMeesha" Menu
Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner: The Kylie Lip Kit
Tarte Tarteist Lip Paints
The Balm Cosmetics Meet Matte Hughes Liquid Lipsticks
Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors
Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipsticks
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Hey y'all! I have posted my review, with swatches and demos, of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks on my YouTube channel, ChaiTimewithMeesha. I have five colors to show you - Neon Coral, Electric Coral, Persimmon, Spicy, and Vamp. Take a look at the description box below the video for any additional information. I hope y'all will enjoy watching this video and find it informative as well. Thanks for watching!
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Hey y'all!!! The tide has come and gone, but here it comes again. I first purchased three colors from the L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks collection in early December when the collection was newly released. I remember rushing out to my car to try them and saying, "oh, wow, oh, love it!" Being that these lipsticks are liquid, I did not have to wait to get home and take pictures prior to trying them. Later on, in February, I purchased three more shades, which are the ones I am showing all of you today.
Coral Encore, Rouge Allegro, Orange Tempo (Left to Right)
If you are interested in reading my in-depth review of the Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks as well as seeing pictures of the three shades (Molto Mauve, Purple Prelude, Scarlet Concerto) that I had purchased initially, then click here.
I have already written an in-depth review of my overall impression of the Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks in a previous post, however, I will add a brief review here for each one of the colors shown below.
Coral Encore, Rouge Allegro, Orange Tempo (Left to Right)
Coral Encore - is a pink-coral shade. It applies uniformly and appears opaque in one to two swipes. The formula is a gel-creme hybrid. The application is precise and easy due to the unique shade of the applicator. Liquid lipsticks require proper control during application, which emphasizes the importance of a well-designed applicator. The applicator picks up a good amount of product, so you don't have to continue dipping the applicator in and out of the product.
Rouge Allegro - is a soft pink-red shade. This shade leans more gel-like, than creamy. It appears slightly plummy in the picture below, but in person it is a basic pink-red. This one applies a bit patchy and requires two to three swipes of the product to even it out across the lips. The shade is quite beautiful, but nothing special. Coral Encore and Orange Tempo on the other hand are the more exciting shades of the bunch.
Orange Tempo - is a bright orange. This shade does have warm and yellow undertones, so I was concerned that it would make my teeth appear yellow, but it did not. In fact, the effect was quite the contrary. Orange Tempo is falls between Coral Encore and Rouge Allegro in the formula and application gradient. Orange Tempo is more gel-like than Coral Encore, but not as much as Rouge Allegro. It does not apply patchy and appears opaque in one to two coats.
Overall, the L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks are a great invention, but I have come to appreciate certain shades a lot (Coral Encore, Orange Tempo, Molto Mauve, Purple Prelude), while not caring much for the others (Rouge Allegro, Scarlet Concerto).
Coral Encore, Rouge Allegro, Orange Tempo (Left to Right)
What to expect from this product? The high-shine, glassy effect, and gel-like consistency of a gloss and the semi-rich pigmentation of a medium coverage lipstick. What no to expect? Long-lasting staying power and staining effect. The staying power is quite weak. What else do I like about it? While this product is not a treatment for dry or chapped lips, it does not dry out my lips and leaves them feeling smooth. Any other dislikes? Now after owning these lip colors for months and comparing them to other liquid lipsticks, there is one thing about them that I feel uncomfortable with. When I am wearing one of the Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick, or even one of the Maybelline Color Elixirs, I feel like I have product on my lips. The weight of the product does not diminish over time. I think the weak staying power can be attributed to the fact that this product sits on your lips like an emollient film and thus comes off / transfers easily when you eat or drink.
Orange Tempo, Rouge Allegro, Coral Encore (Left to Right)
Generally, I am not a big fan of glosses because I don't like the feeling that I have a layer of something on my lips (foreign-body sensation). As long as you don't mind this sensation, which I don't mind much either, this lip product is worth trying. Lastly, this sort of lip product is ideal for someone who finds lipsticks and traditional lipsticks to be "dated" and typical glosses to be sheer, and desires a happy medium.
I would advise purchasing these lip colors during a "buy one, get one half off" sale and use coupons (ULTA $3.50 off $10). These lip colors retail for about $7.50 at Walmart and Target and $9.99 at other stores, such as CVS, Walgreens, and ULTA.
Well, seems like this post turned into an in-depth review part II. Apologies for the verbosity!
I hope this post was informative and helpful. Your friendly comments are much appreciated. Come back soon. Thanks!
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