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Allure Beauty Box Review – October 2020

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Oct 30, 2020 | 48 comments

Allure Beauty Box
3.6 overall rating
721 Ratings | 155 Reviews

Allure Beauty Box is a monthly beauty subscription from Allure Magazine. Each month they send out a mix of deluxe and full-size samples from mostly high-end brands. (It was named one of the best beauty subscription boxes by MSA readers in the 2020 Subscription Box Awards.)

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About this Box

The Subscription Box: Allure Beauty Box

The Cost: $23 a month + free shipping. Save with a yearly subscription.

The Products: Deluxe and full-size beauty and makeup samples. Ordering through Allure also means you receive a newsletter with tips, tricks & exclusive promotions like limited-edition boxes, access to members-only virtual events, promo codes, and more!

Ships to: The US and Puerto Rico for free

Allure Beauty Box October 2020 Review

 

This handy booklet has all the product info inside.

 

 

Verso Super Eye Serum, 0.67 fl oz – Retail Value $65.00

I know a lot of people are a little 'meh' on eye creams and serums, but I have always liked them! They are just an extra step to add even more hydration and care to an area of your face that is extra sensitive and prone to signs of aging. If an extra step helps even just a tiny bit with that, I am all in. This serum has a cream texture and is full of some really great stuff! Squalane, glycerine, and hyaluronic acid are here to help moisturize that delicate skin while ingredients like retinol-8 help with those fine lines. Want more? This stuff has it. Think tons of botanical extracts and antioxidants to boost your skin's radiance and ability to fight off free radicals. Just a few taps of this are all you need around your eye. I like to use this after my cleansing and toning, but before my moisturizer. If you still aren't sold on eye-specific products, you can totally use this on your whole face for the same benefits. No judgment here!

 

Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in 'Irene', 12 mL - Retail Value $16.00

I have been wanting to try out Static Nails polish for months now, and 'Irene' was one of the colors I was choosing from. (The other was 'Mocha'. I swoon.) I have nails that polish just doesn't like to stick to. Even a salon gel polish lasts maybe a week without starting to peel up! It is really frustrating. While this still didn't last that long, it did last 3 days without any chipping or peeling, which is basically a lifetime on my nails. Add in that the formula stays super glossy? Winning! This color required 2 coats but it was worth it. The nude pink shade is pretty darn close to my actual skin tone but the effect is chic, especially since my nails are stubby. I think I will be adding 'Mocha' to my cart. I am pretty impressed!

'Irene' is very, very close to my skin tone, but I love her!

 

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, 10 mL - Estimated Value $9.60 (buy a full size 50 mL for $48.00)

I know this is a product that isn't super uncommon in boxes, but I honestly don't care. I will happily take a tube a month, please! Especially with cold weather well on its way. I absolutely love this rich cream. Shea! Ceramides! Algae! Hyaluronic acid! Cocoon me in this heavy cream that my skin drinks up, especially in the winter months. If you have drier skin or, like me, you get really scaly and just plain icky around your nostrils, hairline, in your eyebrows, and around and behind your ears, this is a redness soothing godsend that I highly recommend. A little goes a long way, especially if you spritz a toner right before application to add even more slip.

 

Sigma Liquid Lipstick in 'Venom', 0.05 oz - Estimated Value $5.00 (Buy a full-size 0.2 oz for $20.00)

I am sorting through my mental files and I actually don't think I have ever reviewed a Sigma lip product. How is that even possible? Well, I am glad my first one is this classic cool red. Can we discuss the pigment first? It is out of this world and getting full lip coverage is effortless. Admittedly, I am someone who doesn't always love a matte finish, but this one is pretty fantastic, and it never totally dries down while still giving that matte finish. It's not entirely transfer-proof, but it's a fair trade-off for how comfortable this finish is.

This is the sort of red that makes me feel like a total badass and easily distracts from the fact that I am often a hot mess who didn't even put mascara on or brush her hair. Because the shade is cooler, I can actually get away with wearing it on a bare face, even though I am on the redder side.

Here it is on my arm.

And here it is on my face. Honestly, this is a great example of the power of red lipstick. I have nothing else on my face (not even a moisturizer, gasp!), my hair just came down out of the knot I slept in, and the color makes me look like I tried, at least a little!

 

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP + Body Cream, 15 mL - Estimated Value $0.71 (Buy 400 mL for $19.00)

I have dry skin even in the height of summer, so it only gets worse the colder it gets outside. I also spend a whole lot of time focusing on my face and ignoring the rest of me, which is...just as dry. I skip lotions on my legs because my calves break out, but a super nourishing cream like this is a dream for my arms, hands, thighs, and feet! In fact, this is exactly the sort of heavier cream that I would coat my feet in before slipping them into socks at night and letting the warmth of my heating blanket melt all of that hydration deep into my skin. The shea and niacinamide here are both must-haves for parched skin and the price of a big bottle of this makes me want to pick up the full size before the dead of winter sets in.

 

Wilma Schumann Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads - Estimated Value $3.60 (by 5 pairs for $18.00)

This is another little product I have tried before and loved. I am a sucker for a good eye pad and these leave my undereye looking really refreshed and bright. In the summer, I like to stash them in my fridge for extra depuffing, but tbh, it's below 60 degrees now (which means I am freezing), and enjoyed this without the extra cooling power. Hyaluronic acid and collagen are a dream team for dull under eyes that need a little love very quickly.

 

BONUS Samples:

PUREMIX Native Fig Replenishing Shampoo For Normal Hair, 0.34 fl oz - Estimated Value $0.51 (Buy 12 fl oz for $18.00)

PUREMIX Native Fig Replenishing Conditioner For Normal Hair, 0.35 fl oz - Estimated Value $0.53 (Buy 12 fl oz for $18.00)

My final item was a bonus sample of a fig shampoo and conditioner formula. I have tried the leave-in conditioner of this same variety and I liked it a lot more than I liked this shampoo and conditioner. Both smell great and a lot more sophisticated than expected, but no big wow here for me. To be fair, these formulations are for normal hair and mine is super thick and dry.

Verdict: This Allure box has a total value of around $170.95 which is really great for a $23 box. I have to say I thought this box was a good time. I love the adventurous nature of the powder formula that I can add to nearly anything. It has a huge value and I don't have anything quite like it in my arsenal. I also thoroughly enjoyed the eye area and nail polish. AND one of my fave Dr. Jart+ creams makes an appearance? Two thumbs up from me. These products made the awesome lipstick, eye gels, and body cream feel like added bonuses because I was already sold. I think the value here is great for the price of the box which is important to me since Allure just raised the monthly subscription cost. I am looking forward to what the team comes up with for the next few months.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! Scroll down this page to see what items you will get when you first sign up.

Value Breakdown: At $23 for this box, here is what you are paying approximately per item:

  • The Nue Co Vitamin C Powder $9.42
  • Verso Eye Serum $8.75
  • Static Nails Polish $2.15
  • Dr. Jart+ Cream $1.29
  • Sigma Lipstick $0.67
  • La Roche-Posay Balm $0.10
  • Wilma Schumann Eye Pads $0.48
  • Rusk Shampoo $0.07
  • Rush Conditioner $0.07

Alternatively, each of the 9 products has an average cost of $2.56 if I include the shampoo and conditioner foils. Without, each item has an average cost of $3.29

Check out all of our Allure Beauty Box reviews and some more of our other favorite beauty subscriptions. 

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of the October Allure Beauty Box? What was your favorite product in the box?

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Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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48 comments

Mui

I’ve been getting my boxes directly from Amazon and my subs are still at $15. I was billed for Oct at $15, and my account says it will be charging me $15 for Nov. I don’t know if I’m just locked into this rate, but, for all those paying $23 directly from AB, maybe check out Amazon. The products are still the same.

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Rhonda

My subscription page on Amazon still shows $15 but I was charged $23. I would check your orders page to see what you were actually charged.

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Lynda

I don’t know why you are being charged $15 but Amazon shows it as $23

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Elle

If there is anyone who absolutely falls in love with the idea of vit c powder, there’s one on theordinary.com that works really well and is much cheaper. It’s one of my favorite products

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missann

I don’t see the improvement for the new cost. That’s all I need to say. Disappointing.

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Me either!!

I agree with you!

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Donna

I have loved Allure and have subscribed on and off beginning when their name was Sample Society. They usually have a nice selection of items and the price was right. I was not happy with the price increase from $15 to $23! I understand that they have to raise prices now and then to stay in business, but a 35% increase is too much. Increasing the price a little bit at a time would have been easier to handle. But they said that it was going to be so much better that I decided not to cancel. I didn’t notice a big difference in this months box. The box itself wasn’t fancy like it usually is, but that’s a good thing. I’d rather have them focus on quality products than a fancy box that I hate to throw away but have to because I’ve run out of ideas about how to use them. I liked the vitamin C powder and the nail polish lasted for over a week with no chips. The color wasn’t what I expected but it’s growing on me. The rest was the usual creams, masks and another red lip color. I think that all of the sub boxes think that everyone likes red lipstick.

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Errmmm

It’s actually a 50% increase, which is even worse…..

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Donna

I think that you’re right! I calculated the amount of the price increase to the new price. You calculated it to the old price which is correct. Thanks, but either way it stinks. The value didn’t go up enough to justify the increase.

Sarah

I like this box a lot but was super annoyed by the pricing debacle this month, where they sent out the email saying prices would go up in October and then sent another saying prices would go up in December. I emailed them asking if I could get credit for the difference if they now weren’t going up until December. Someone sent me a fairly snotty email back saying I had been notified on XXX date. I wrote back saying I knew and was totally okay with that until I received the email after I had been charged saying the prices wouldn’t go up for two more months. Later that day, they sent around an apology to everyone saying the December price increase email was sent in error. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have said that earlier in the day when they responded to me instead of being all snotty about it and not alluding to making a mistake at all. For that, I cancelled and will restart with Amazon so I can skip when it doesn’t look great. They offered me the two months for $15, too (only after I said I wanted to cancel, not initially to apologize for the error and confusion), but I’d rather pay more and have the ability to skip with a click of a button than be locked in with Allure. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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LeanGreenBean

I would be so pissed off too, Sarah. I wonder why I didn’t get any of the emails in error. Maybe because I subbed for a year before they went out. Anyway, I just want to say for others on here that I’ve never had a problem skipping a month. I call or just send them an email and they do it immediately, no questions asked. I even have a draft saved in my notes to make it easy to send out the same request whenever I want to skip so I don’t even have to compose a new email every time 🙂

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Lynda

I also signed up for a year but I did get the erroneous email.

Deana

I cancelled. After so much “bigger & better” hype, this box had maybe 1 item that could be considered “full size”—the vitamin c powder—but it doesn’t even say what the % of C is. Everything in the box was small—mini or travel-sized. Even the eye-serum that Allure claimed was full-size wasn’t—full-size is 1 oz and this was .67. Shame on them! Save your money and get a box that really has full-size products if that’s what you want. This was a complete scam.

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Meghan

But if the normal “full size” for this particular item is being sold in other places at 1 oz – then that is problem. Same with the eyeliner too. And should be addressed with them. I may write them about this. I am feeling like they are playing with us. Starting to lose faith in the way these beauty subs do business.

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Meghan

Actually full sizee eye creams are normally 0.5 oz so for it to be 0.67 oz – that is larger than most. I don’t think that is an issue. Eye skin care is normally smaller than regular face serums & creams.

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Blue

Elle it doesn’t matter what other brands size is. What matters is what size that exact item sells as. In this case they claimed it was full size but it’s not. This isn’t the first or even second time Allure has done this either.

Elle

They did the same in September. They said that eyeliner was full size but it was only 2/3rds size. It’s really disheartening that they’re always lying

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Desertcape

I just called to cancel and they offered me another 2 months for $15 each. I’ll keep it and see how it goes.

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SharonDK

Megan- This is a well written, comprehensive review. I am so glad the Sigma lip is not an orange red, as so often happens in sub boxes. I think Static Nails has a nerve calling that small bottle of nail polish full size and Allure has a nerve counting it as one of the three full size products this month. I do like the neutral color though. I have short, weak, and sometimes bitten nails so this will serve as a gnaw deterrent. For me, at 60, eye products are always welcome. I appreciate the info on the Dr. Jart cream- we just got snow in Mass yesterday so I’m sure the winter cold is not far behind. This cream will be great when my rosacea is aggravated and my skin is flaky from the cold. I’m putting the Nue aside since I’m using retinol products and testing another serum right now but I will use it. Thanks!. I’m one of those who signed up for the year at the lower rate and got the Mega Bundle. This is a box I’m satisfied with.

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Snow

You just can’t beat this for $13.75

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Nat

I am not sad about canceling this box. While the value is there, there is nothing that I would want to try

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Pink5

I had a hard time opening the nail polish bottle. I’m underwhelmed by the color and my nails are so awful I don’t even want to try it.

I loved the lip color enough to go to their website and order a full size, along with another color. I signed up for their emails so I was able to use the 30% discount I got.

I haven’t tried anything else yet, but I’ve had good luck with Rusk products in the past. The conditioner packet won’t be enough for my long hair, but that’s not unusual.

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Katrina

Megan – That Lipstick is stunning on you! PowerHouse!

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SM

The nail polish is the perfect neutral for me and I love how it applies! Between that and the vitamin C powder this box is a win. I got the annual deal and definitely feel I got my $14ish dollars worth this month.

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Izzie

Nice review! I was satisfied with the skincare items included in the box, but I’m still unhappy that the nail polish shade wasn’t similar to the one they show on the allure website and in the booklet. the red lipstick burned my lips (that’s a first), but it’s a small size, so I am not overly bummed, and tbh it’s not a color I wear everyday nor I have somewhere to go (with a mask). I’m just sorry that I tried it and now I can’t give it to a friend…maybe I’ll give it another test when I’ll want to feel posh around the house.

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Amy44

After the initial shock of the presentation, I rearranged the products and felt better. Then, I tried them and am quite satisfied with my $13.75 haul. Skincare, bodycare, haircare, and some fun colors – they covered everything (with mostly new-to-me and good formulas!)

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Kristin

Somehow I lost my box ;(

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Beth Ellen

I loved this box. The powder c and eye cream are great and they will last me forever. I never would have dared take a chance on a $70 face product, so this was a treat. The nail polish is a nice neutral. I will use everything here.

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LeanGreenBean

I have been loving what I’ve tried out of my box so far. The C powder is just what I’ve been looking for since having too many bottles of C serum de-stabilize. It makes a noticeable difference every time I’ve used it. I used the Verso both just around my eyes and all over my face and liked it a lot both ways. I already knew I loved the La Roche Posay cream, but I happened to get some contact dermatitis on my knuckles and was extra grateful to have more of this around. I don’t love the color of the polish, but I’ll probably use it a few more times. The hair stuff isn’t curly girl method friendly so I won’t use it. I can’t be the only one sick of red lipsticks, can I? Maybe I am! They just don’t look as amazing on me as they do on Megan and I’m always disappointed to get them. That being said, I did try the Sigma to try out the formula and it is fantastic. I just wish it was in a more casual color! I’m excited to try the Dr Jart on my always dry skin and I’m hording the eye masks for when I really need them. Overall a really great box for my needs!

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Amy44

LeanGreenBean (I love your handle, btw!) Me, Me, Me! I really thought the lipstick would go in the trash – another red? Now, I want to wear it all the time! It is my perfect red, feels so velvety on, and leaves my lips smoother than before application. Oh, and it didn’t make my cup look like I murdered someone!

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Candice

Im so glad to see a positive review for this box, I was starting to think I was the only person who loved every product this month. Im new to allure but actually liked it enough to sign up for a year.

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Zo

With so many negative comments for this month in the spoilers post I, too, was surprised at how much I loved almost every item. My favorite is the nail polish. It never chipped and lasted a really long time.

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LeanGreenBean

Amy44,
How do you use that Beautaniq cheek balm? I can’t figure it out. It’s kind of dry and waxy, I can’t get any color transfer. Do you have any tips?

Amy44

Zo, I was also”meh” about the polish – just another neutral. It’s turned out very pretty and performs well! Also, it makes a perfect trio with the LAX lip gloss from the mega bundle and the Beautaniq cheek balm from a recent box.

Becca

This box is terrible for $23. 2 more dollars and you get ipsy plus+ or boxycharm with all full size items! I canceled in august and they still keep charging me.

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Svetlana7e

Becca, I respect your opinion, but not all full size equal. I canceled ipsy because so tired of their same brands over and over, and filler full size items like mascara or black eyeliners. Also, cannot stand their full size collaboration product, which you never see in this subscription. I sub to boxwalla box and get only one full size item for twice price, but I rather have this one full size then five useless full size products from ipsy for half a price.

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Blue

I find it odd how we all get a lot of one specific item from Ipsy. I’ve only gotten one eyeliner and never any mascara from them (I only subbed starting this year) but I’ve gotten eyeshadow every month. It is listed as an often on my preference though. I was actually pretty pleased with my variety until this month when they had five different lip glosses for me as options in my choice and three of them were in one choice section. Allure has been more hit or miss for me but I also was very critical of the mega bundle they sent out. They had products that have been discontinued and some were dated back to over two years ago. I liked my previous Allure boxes until September then it was so so. October’s was horrible for me. The nail polish doesn’t look like the one shown here at all even though it has the same color name. The other items are things I either won’t use or not enough to be worth it. I’ve already passed a few of the items to my 17 year old. Ipsy’s gbp had horrible choice for me but I was surprised when I got it and ended up loving all except one of the products. I specifically have dermabrasion products as a rarely and I got the Dr. Brandt one. Everyone else was excited for it but I don’t know if I want to risk using it. I ended up with two eyeshadow palettes and both had amazing pigmentation with very different colors. I got the Haus lip gloss and the color is perfect going into fall and Christmas. I chose a lip duo that was from a brand I wanted to try and they smell really good and taste nice as well. I’m monthly with Ipsy gbp but I did annual with Allure. I’m giving Allure until January to up their game or I’ll cancel and request a prorated refund. For Ipsy as long as I keep getting things I enjoy I’ll keep going but if they start sending me mascaras and stuff I’ll be quitting them.

Flora

I’m with you too Svetlana! I canceled Ipsy for the same reason (Mascara wasn’t too bad since I actually use that but I kept getting lip liners and eye shadow brushes which I don’t use at all). I also got tired of getting excited by the spoilers then not getting anything in the spoiler list except my choice item. It was such a let-down.
Boxwalla has been killing it lately too! I thought that after Votary, I would cancel but I’ve been loving the spoilers AND the products that I’m still subscribed. I’m also tempted by the Fine limited edition single box after trying the eye serum from October (I also love the wine essence, I may have to repurchase that despite the expense).

Stephanie

I agree with this. With Ipsy you are pretty much guaranteed to get a mascara, liner, lip oil, or brow product a month. There’s only Been 3 times this entire time I’ve been with Ipsy that I didn’t get a mascara or liner in my monthly box. Plus some of the higher end products are made in China….I’ll take Allure any day over Ipsy.

Katrina

I agree with the lack of love for their collaboration items BUT I am shook at how much I actually love the Item Beauty Lash Snack mascara.

JEM

This is basically my thought. I cancelled ipsy a couple months ago, thinking I would just do allure as for 15 a month it was usually a very, very good deal. Immediately after I cancelled ipsy, allure announced their price increase, which led me to cancel allure, since yeah, if I wanted to spend 20ish bucks, ipsy gbp is top. But i didnt want to spend 23 or 25 bucks.

This box is fine, but no regrets canceling.

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Christine

I really like the nail polish and Verso eye cream. I bought another Verso eye cream for my mom from FFF’s add-on.

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Jennie

Great review. I accidentally ended up with those of these and tried to cancel the second one but allure wouldn’t budge. I haven’t used anything except the polish and its pretty good. I hope I can sell/give away the extra items. I will never get through two bottles of that Vit C. I dunno. Your review makes me a little more hopeful.

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Yasmin

Let me know if you’d be willing to sell the extra vitamin c! And for how much if you are I meant to buy this box for my younger brother who has acne scarring/discoloration, but it totally slipped my mind (I have a newborn 🙂

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Dianne

The cost went up alot. I don’t see the value. The products look small and inflated in cost. Birchbox is better.

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Lana

I loved this box! Great value for skincare I actually needed and the nail polish turned out to be awesome.

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Svetlana7e

Great review, Megan. I though this is very good box. I cannot stop using this nail polish :).

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