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New Summer 2023 Japanese Makeup Recommendations from Canmake ・ Fresh Outdoorsy Beauty vs Summer Festival Glamour

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This season, do you want to glow under the summer sun, or glitter under the sparkling fireworks? Day or night, mountain hike or evening festival – what do you want your summer to look like?

What Cosmetics Will You Use for Your Best Summer Looks?



When you think of a summer trip to Japan, what comes to mind? Green mountains, blue seas, camping trips, and outdoor adventures? Or maybe your mind jumps to Japan's spectacular firework displays, and the summer festivals that really heat up after dark? Whether you prefer one or the other (or you just love everything about summer), each event and every occasion is a new chance to put together the perfect summer makeup look! On afternoons in the bright sunshine, it's all about creating a fresh, natural face, using products to give you glowing skin and protection from those harsh rays. After dark, it's your time to shine, with bright colors that glimmer in the moonlight.

Today we're looking at all the new Canmake products you need to achieve these two looks, so you know exactly what to bring (or buy) on your adventures this summer!

① Sunshine and Glowing Skin: Products for a Refreshing No-Makeup Makeup Look



Strolling through the sunshine on a bright summer day, a light touch and a natural look is just the thing, but choosing the right products is vital. Not only do you want UV protection to keep away the harmful rays, but light breathable cosmetics can also help you avoid feeling hot and sticky despite the heat. This year, Canmake has released a number of new products that are perfect for summer, from moisturizing Mermaid Skin Gel UV sunscreen with derivatives of vitamin C to Medicated Secret Beauty Powder that's extra gentle on the skin. Let's take a look at what we need for our first look.

Base Makeup | Mermaid Skin Gel UV – [C02] Sunny Yellow & [C01] Cica Mint



Vitamin C has long been a popular ingredient in cosmetics thanks to its skin-brightening and anti-oxidation properties, and in recent years it's become an increasingly popular addition in sunscreens as well. So this year, the new additions to Canmake's classic Mermaid Skin Gel UV line included the [C02] Sunny Yellow version, which uses vitamin C derivatives to give the formula extra stability. On top of a base strength of SPF 50+/PA++++ (defined as "extremely high UVA protection"), this Mermaid Skin Gel UV protects your skin with the extra strength of vitamin C! Plus, the texture is as silky as any lotion, without any of the stickiness left by similar products, and the yellow tint helps even out your skin tone.

In addition to yellow, the Mermaid Skin Gel UV also comes in [C01] Cica Mint, which uses "cica" extract from the Asian pennywort (or centella asiatica) plant. Not only does it have a refreshing herbal scent, but the mint color is great at reducing redness.

The whole Mermaid Skin Gel UV line is also easy to remove at the end of the day, coming off with just your everyday face wash or body soap. You can use it on your face, or anywhere on your body that you want to protect from the sun, without worrying about the need for makeup remover.

Base Makeup | Secret Beauty Powder [Medicated] – [M01] Clear



After a layer of easy-on-the-skin sunscreen, we recommend following it up with Canmake's new medicated Secret Beauty Powder. The two original varieties of this translucent powder, "clear" and "natural," have long been customer favorites for setting a fresh face of makeup, or touching it up throughout the day. This new medicated version of the powder is more gentle on the skin than ever, making it great for avoiding skin irritation or breakouts. Day or night, this powder gives you that natural, glowy, fresh-faced look you're aiming for. It's also great for days when you don't feel like wearing a full face of makeup, but you still want your skin to look its best.

Base Makeup | Nose Shadow Maker – [01] Greige Yellow & [02] Grayish Pink



Light sunscreen and powder will give your skin the glow you want, although you can always add a layer of foundation for good measure, but to give your face a little definition you'll need to do some contouring. Canmake's Nose Shadow Maker comes in two color palettes, [01] Greige Yellow and [02] Grayish Pink, to suit a range of skin tones, and each compact includes a special double-ended brush engineered specially for nose contouring! The solid formula has four different moisturizing ingredients, but no mineral oil, artificial colors, or fragrances, so it won't irritate your skin, either.

Blush | Cream Cheek – [05] Sweet Apricot, [19] Cinnamon Milk Tea, & [21] Tangerine Tea



The best addition to any no-makeup makeup look is a little color in the cheeks, and if your own complexion isn't quite giving you everything you were hoping for, then all it takes is a dab of a natural-colored blush to level-up your look. Canmake's Cream Cheek blush has been a best-seller ever since it landed on shelves, thanks to its convenient cream formula and the fantastic variety of colors to choose from. To boost your natural complexion, [05] Sweet Apricot is a cute, innocent pink and [19] Cinnamon Milk Tea gives a slightly more elegant impression, but [21] Tangerine Tea is the newest addition to the series – making it a fun new option to try out. Choose the color that best matches your own skin tone, test out a color that matches the latest trend, or go crazy and try out all the different options.

Optional Addition | Eye-Bags Concealer – [03] Peach Orange



To add a trendy touch to this natural face of makeup, try recreating "aegyo sal," the youthfully soft "eye bags" that are so popular in Korean makeup. With a narrow 3 mm (1/8") tip, Canmake's Eye-Bags Concealer is the perfect tool for the job! The smooth formula is gentle on the skin, easy to blend, and effective at concealing too, on top of being waterproof and long-lasting. It won't just rub away at the slightest touch, so you can have fun at the beach or hiking up mountains without worrying about your makeup! This summer, the new [03] Peach Orange color is available for a limited time, for an extra dose of color.

② Twinkling Eyes in the Moonlight: Products for That Sexy Summer Glamour



On the hottest days of the year, once the sun sets, it's time for that summer romance – or at least a lovely stroll in the cool night air. In Japan, summer nights are when you'll come upon some of the year's most exciting events, like traditional festivals and massive fireworks displays. So to prepare for these glittering events after dark, you'll want to make sure you're shining just as bright as the fireworks in the night sky! This summer, Canmake is offering a selection of new produces that seem made just for that purpose – take a look at the brand's new eyeshadow options and moisturizing lip colors.

Lips | Muchi Puru Tint – [01] Butterscotch, [02] Peach, & [03] Wine Berry



When it comes to makeup, you might call a good lipstick the basic of all basics. Even for those of us without the motor skills to pull off fancy eyeshadow or careful contouring, just a touch of lip color adds a little something extra. And the Muchi Puru Tint from Canmake not only looks great, but the six different moisturizing ingredients work almost like a lip serum. The formula keeps your lips moisturized and smooth, and the bright, juicy colors look sexy all night long.



Despite being a lipstick, the Muchi Puru Tint has a soft texture and a shiny finish, melting into the heat of your lips for a long-lasting shine. You don't have to worry about added fragrances or alcohol irritating your delicate lip skin, either. Choose from the three colors – [01] Butterscotch, [02] Peach, and [03] Wine Berry – to bring out the best in your own luscious lips.

Eyes | Juicy Pure Eyes – [15] Sunset Kiss & [16] Silhouette Sunrise



A colorful blend of eyeshadows is the key to nailing all kinds of makeup styles, and the shimmer of a good eyeshadow never looks better than it does in the flickering light of candles, lanterns, and moonlight. Thankfully, these Juicy Pure Eyes eyeshadow palettes are a Canmake staple, and this summer's new colors – [15] Sunset Kiss and [16] Silhouette Sunrise – add even more tempting colors to choose from.

Not only are the palettes compact and portable, but each one contains a complete look, with a main color, a liner color, and a layering color for extra depth and shimmer. The moisturizing oils in the eyeshadow formula also help to keep the pigment on your lids through the night, and also to give the eyeshadows a little extra shine, although the pearlescent and glitter shadows are the flashiest of all. They'll leave you glittering long after the sun sets.

Eyes | City Lights Eyes – [03] Orchid Mauve & [05] Moon Diamond



For makeup lovers who prefer their eyeshadows in single colors over larger palettes, this year's limited edition colors of Canmake's City Lights Eyes eyeshadows are worth checking out. All it takes is a quick glance at the name to see how well this particular Canmake product goes with our look for the night. Formulated to look like a glittering city skyline after dark, these shimmering eyeshadows use a fine glitter for maximum sparkle, and have added moisturizing ingredients to stay on all night and still leave your eyelids feeling good.

City Lights Eyes comes in four basic colors – [01] Russet Brown, [02] Sphinx Amber, [03] Orchid Mauve, and [04] Chamois Pink – and Orchid Mauve is a perennial favorite, but this year they're re-releasing shade [05] as well, called Moon Diamond. Shining in their compact cases with all the glitter of a night sky, these little eyeshadows make great gifts, for a friend or for yourself.

Brows | Color Change Eyebrow – [08] Almond Brown



Tinted eyebrows are more and more popular on the Japanese makeup scene these days, using a slight change in shape or color on the brows for maximum effect. For different makeup styles, a small shift in how you do your brows can make a big impact, boosting the rest of the look. This new color for Canmake's classic Color Change Eyebrow, with the slightest reddish tinge, will give you more options than ever.

Canmake's Color Change Eyebrow comes in a variety of colors for different looks, and despite the beautifying formubeing sweat-resistant, it washes off easily with a little hot water. Use the brush's thick bristles to create soft, defined, and natural-looking eyebrows, perfect for any summer makeup look.

Optional Addition | Colorful Nails – [N83] Moon Ray & [N84] Hazy Rain



In addition to Canmake's many makeup products, their nail polishes are also a fan favorite – the huge selection of colors from their Colorful Nails line is hard to resist! To add to the temptation, this summer's new and limited edition colors include [N83] Moon Ray and [N84] Hazy Rain – perfect additions to your glittering summer night look.

The golden glitter of Moon Ray calls to mind the warm glow of city streetlamps, while Hazy Rain looks exactly like fresh summer rainfall feels – they make perfect summer gifts! This nail polish formula dries quickly with a glossy finish, meaning you and your friends will be ready to head out and hit the town in no time.

A Summer Beauty Haul, Just in Time for Summer Travel



Do you have plans for the summer yet? Which of these summery Canmake makeup looks do you like the best – and which would fit in with your own summer vacation style? No matter which one you choose, we wish you a summer full of glitz, glamour, and plenty of adventure! And if you want to know more about the popular Japanese cosmetics made by Canmake, you can read more in our article on Canmake's spring releases.

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

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    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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