Cream

30 years ago a young Chinese man set up an ice cream stand. Now he leads an emporium with more stores than McDonald’s

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It’s hard to believe in a world dominated by big brands and multinationals, but there is a hospitality chain with more stores than McDonald’s and Starbucks that you’ve probably never heard of. His name is Mixue (Mìxuě Bīngchéng) was founded in the late 90s by a university student from Zhenghou, China, and today it is considered the largest food and beverage chain in the world. This is how it is recognized, for example, by the magazine TIMEwhich has included it in your listing of the 100 most influential companies of 2025. It is estimated that it has more than 46,000 stores spread throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East and South America, a vast network of stores offering a menu based on ice creams, smoothies, coffees, traditional teas and bubble teas. Bigger than McDonald’s? Yes, if we talk about the number of establishments. The benefits already they are something else. While McDonald’s boasts of having more than 43,000 restaurants spread across more than a hundred countries and Starbucks managed 40,576 stores At the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, Mixue surpasses (and quite comfortably) both figures. A few months ago the magazine TIME assured that the chain has more than 45,000 spread mainly throughout mainland China, although it also operates in other regions. Do you have so many stores? Yeah. Fortune calculate which exceeds 46,000 points of sale throughout Asia, Austria, the Middle East and South America. Other sources speak of more storesraising the total network to 53,000 points selling. Beyond these dancing numbers, one thing is clear: Mixue is normally considered the food and beverage chain with a greater deployment of establishments in the world. In addition, its branch network continues to expand to good If in the West its brand is less known to us than McDonald’s or Starbucks, it is because (despite the international jump that has given in recent years) most of the Mixue stores they remain focused in China. The firm also has another handicap that helps understand its global expansion: while in the case of Starbucks more than 50% of the stores are in the hands of the company itself, in Mixue practically all They operate through franchises. What is your story? Mixue’s is the typical story of improvement and accelerated growth that gives shine to the classes of coaching business. The father of the company is Zhang Hongchao, who laid its foundation almost 30 years ago from scratch. Your story starts in 1997in Zhengzhou, when Zhang, then a university student, managed to get his grandmother to lend him 3,000 yuan ($420) to set up a small slushie and soft drink stand. Despite the challenges that were encountered along the way (and some other business failure), Zhang moved forward, managed to adapt to the changes in Zhenghou, reinvested in machinery and found the key to creating a million-dollar business. Sam Tang account that his first success came in 2006, when he launched ice creams for one yuan. In 2014, its brand already had 1,000 stores. In 2020 there were 10,000. And how has it succeeded? The big question. Mixue’s business model has several clear characteristics. The first, its commercial approach. The chain basically sells ice cream. soft servesmoothies, tea drinks and bubble teasalthough in your menu coffee and Fortune assures which in the future plans to expand its offering with beer. The other great features of your menu are the affordable priceswith ice creams for less than one euro. Other peculiarities of the company are its commitment to dominate the supply chainits commitment to a clearly identifiable brand thanks to symbols such as its mascot (Snow King) and, above all, an expansion through franchises. In a report from a few months ago the company itself recognizes that almost all of its stores (99%) are opened and operate through franchises. Mixue is responsible for supervising businesses, choosing locations, decoration and assessing the capacity of the staff. For her, the business is not so much in the fee that those stores then pay as in the equipment, merchandise and packaging that she sells to them. And the future? It doesn’t look bad. In spring the company went public in Hong Kong and managed to raise nearly 450 million of dollars, starring in one of its best premieres of the first half of 2025. The company seems willing also to get into the powerful (and disputed) US market. According to precise Fortuneduring the first half of the year the company reached a revenue volume of 2,000 million dollars (40% more than in 2024) with profits of 370 million. Despite its humble origins, its founder and his brother now manage a fortune of billions of dollars. Images | Choo Yut Shing (Flickr) 1 and 2 and Jeremy Thompson (Flickr) In Xataka | One of the biggest wine critics is French and has toured China. There is no good news for French wine

There are people freezing mandarins and clementines to eat them later as a “ice cream”

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In one of the many viral videos that can be making a Scroll Fast in social networks, a young woman a frozen cucumber is passed by the face with the solemnity of who applies a luxury mask. It seems absurd, but the clip accumulates thousands of “like.” It is not an isolated case: in networks, frozen foods have become homemade cosmetics, visual snacks and even summer rituals. This year, a new trend makes its way with force: freezing fruits, and especially Clementines. The goal is not to keep them for later, but enjoy them in their most refreshing and surprising version. A citrus explosion. The phenomenon, baptized by some like the “Frozen Clementine Hack”, became popular after the video by creator Hannah Rose, who already exceeds 10 million views on Instagram. The procedure is simple: freezing clementines, passing them under hot water for a few seconds and cutting them in half. The result is small frozen segments that easily detach from the skin, ready to eat as if they were natural jelly. As They have detailed in a Food & Wine reportattractiveness goes beyond flavor: crunchy texture, the sound when bite and the star pattern that appears when cutting the fruit contributes to a complete sensory experience, ideal for sharing in networks. Is it another posture sample? Beyond the visual impact, the truth is that there is a logic behind this viral gesture. Fruit fruits is not new, but some lend themselves better than others. Clementines, for example, have less free water than other fruits, which reduces the risk of large ice crystals that break its structure. According to My partner explained in this media“The more water a food has, the more its structure is altered when freezing.” Hence, the defrosted lettuce is soft and watery, while small and firm fruits such as mandarins, or starch vegetables such as peas, support the process much better. Is it healthy? In principle, freezing clementines is perfectly safe and healthy, provided that minimal precautions are followed. The ideal is to consume them directly frozen or fresh from the cold, avoiding leaving them at room temperature too long. At a nutritional level, most important compounds – fibra, minerals, proteins and fat -soluble vitamins – remain stable in the freezer. Yes indeed, As we have explained in this mediumsome hydrosoluble vitamins such as C can decrease during the defrosting process. In other words: it is not a miraculous way of consuming fruit, but it does not have relevant inconveniences. And if that helps more people eat fruit in summer, maybe I have already fulfilled its purpose. Opening the door to other fruits. As they have pointed out In Food & Winefrozen grapes, for example, They have been a typical snack for some time In summer. The mango in Frozen cubes It is ideal for soft milkshakes or ice cream. And the watermelon, although it is not recommended to defrost to eat raw, it works well if it is consumed directly crushed as graniza. The summer fruit. What began as one more curiosity in Tiktok has ended up consolidating itself as a summer habit with some scientific support. Beyond the filter and the sound effect, freezing fruit – especially the one that tolerates it well – can be an accessible and attractive way of maintaining healthy habits even In full heat wave. Image | Instagram and Unspash Xataka | Solving the big question that always arises when we freeze food: whether it loses nutrients or not

In full birth crisis, the ice cream industry has found a new reef in Spain: dogs

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No, it’s not yours. For a long time in the parks of Spain (and in the streets, squares, shopping centers and thus a long etcetera of places) it is easier to find pets than with babies. Some calculations They point out that in our country there are already six companion animals for each child under four years. Hence the sector dedicated to your care be growing and tante new business roads, such as Cruises canines or the elaboration of ice cream and “Cafes” Suitable for dogs. In Barcelona there are already a few examples. Pet ice cream? That’s how it is. And we don’t talk about ice cream for pets suitable for pets, but ice cream specifically elaborated For dogs and cats, thinking about the foods that tolerate and advertise as such. One of the most recent examples leaves it Zampa Gelatothat He just launched In Barcelona Tarrinas that are announced with A slogan that leaves a few doubts about his approach: “The ice cream one hundred percent natural that makes your pet happy and veterinarian.” In its catalog it includes watermelon options and red fruits, apple, pear and kiwi or coconut, pineapple and banana, elaborate ice cream, says, based on pasteurized yogurt without lactose without lactose, lyophilized and mineral fruits. “It is not another product within a range, it is our specialization. Zampa Gelato focuses exclusively on developing healthy pets for pets,” They claim From the firm. Is it an isolated case? Not at all. The pet ice cream market is perhaps still far from the centered in humans, but there are more examples. Bibì e Bibò ice cream shops, with a presence in Madrid, have created a Special line “100% suitable for dogs” that elaborates, among other ingredientswith several fruits, ill -free yogurt without lactose and dispensing with added sugars. The newspaper of Catalonia Precise also that one of the partners who has embarked on the launch of Zampa in Barcelona is in turn part of the team behind Il Gelato Dell´amorea “Mixed ice cream shop” which boasts of having ice cream for both humans and their four -legged companions. They are just a couple of examples, but there is more. Now A couple years Barcelona’s Badiani ice cream shop also elaborated a GELATO For dogs. They called him Dog Gelato and in 2023 the magazine Elle I presented it as a sweet refreshing with 96.65% less lactose than the rest of its ice cream and basically made with whipped cream, egg yolk, plant fibers, water, fructose and whole milk and low dust in lactose. In 2024, to give him More visibilityBadiani launched a campaign that offered customers a portrait with their pets. But … why? Basically because there are interested owners and especially willing to pay for those services. “Given the growth and demand of premises Pet-Friendly We did a small market study, “said Nebot recently to The newspaper. “The acceptance by the clients was fulminant. The idea is to go out for something with your pet and that is not under the table sucking an ice or waiting for the last piece of cookie of your ice cream.” As a reference last year Il Gelato Dell´amore sold More than a thousand tarrines Canines in August. Are there only ice cream? No. ice cream are just one more example (perhaps the most summery) of the growing range of pet products and services. The list is wide and includes articles that we so far believed exclusive for humans, such as “coffees”, “cocktails”, “snacks” or even “champagne benjamines”. All this with proper quotes because these are products designed for dogs that play with recognizable formats in the market for their owners. The Ciudad Ciudad has just left another good example. Not long ago opened its doors there Voilà Concept Storean exclusive cafeteria for dogs and that includes in its letter “dogguccinos”, “dogtails”, meat lollipops, donuts (“Woof-Waffle”) or empanadillas and special cakes. The canine capuchino is made, for example, with cream without lactose and puppy milk and TOPPINGS They are used are pork, chicken or fish. In the establishment there are also pet accessories. What shows us? Beyond the concrete articles or businesses, the previous examples tell us about two clear trends: the changes of a society in which it is increasingly common to meet pets than with children and the business that is promoting. In February The country did A poll Between veterinarians and it came out that at the end of 2024 in Spain there were 1.6 million cats and 9.3 million dogs. A sum that far exceeds eight million minors. The first two are data that must be handled with some caution, but still give an idea of ​​the growing weight that pets have in the country’s homes. And it’s not something that happens Only in Spain. With that backdrop in recent years they have launched Nursery, Spas, hairdressers, Hotels And even Cruises For dogs. That impulse explains that in 2017 the pet care sector invoices in the EU 36.5 billion of euros, with clear forecasts Growth. Images | Callum Blacoe (UNSPLASH) and Christian Bowen (UNSPLASH) In Xataka | The broken bones of a dog from 16,000 years ago tell an important story: it was already our pet

The OCU has analyzed about thirty Tarrina ice cream, the results are not excellent

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Summer is already here more than one awaits an ice cream binge. Ice cream are rich in sugars and fats, generally ultraprocessed foods and therefore Not especially healthy. Despite this (or perhaps precisely because of it), choosing the healthiest option can be a good idea. New report. Now the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has published the results of its analysis of the Tarrina ice cream that we can find in supermarkets. Your verdict is not optimistic: too many additives, “some not recommended”; and scarce in dairy fats. 32 ice cream. In its analysis, the OCU studied 32 Tarrina ice cream like the ones we can find conventionally in supermarkets. They chose “Family Format” of three flavors (vanilla, chocolate and caramel). The analysis focused on white brand ice cream although it also included specimens of two “first brands”. According to Explain the organizationthe analysis consisted of an assessment made from labeling, nutritional quality (including energy content, fats and sugars used and composition), degree of processing, and a tasting test. The latter represented 50% of the final grade assigned to each product. Bad notes. According to the organization, only 10 of the 32 selected products exceeded the tests, with four of them “highlighting for their quality.” The 28 that did not reach this category, continues to explain the OCU, exceeded the levels in aromas, concentrated, dyes or syrups, which “mask the lack of product quality.” According to the OCU, the low quality in the ingredients was reflected in the taste of the products in the tastings to the palate. “It is not for less, because these are ultra prosecuted products, poor in dairy fat and rich in aromas, syrups and additives, some not recommended,” The organization explains in its statement. Too many additives, few dairy products. As for additives, the OCU identified a total of 20 (an average of 4 per product). Of this twenty additives, the organization highlighted four qualified by OCU itself as “not recommended.” It’s about E442, E471, E472C and E14XX. Only one of the analyzed products was described as “additive free.” The OCU also paid attention to the fats present in the products. He noted that only eight of the ice cream analyzed used dairy or cocoa exclusively. Better chocolate, caramel worse. In the results published by the OCU, a pattern can be perceived, and that is that among the ice cream analyzed, those of chocolate presented Better scoreswhile the caramel scored lower. “Caramel ice cream are the worst valued (in addition to the most caloric)”, details the organization. A product not so healthy. There is no healthy ice cream and that is why it is recommended that this food so desired in summer is only consumed in moderation. Ice cream are foods rich in sugars and fat regardless of the type of sweeteners and fats used. Choosing one or another option can depend on our tastes and what we want to prioritize in our diet. In Xataka | The ice cream are going to get very expensive this summer. There are two guilty strangers: coconut oil and the Philippines diesel Image | Titopasini

If the question is whether to freeze a yogurt is a healthy alternative to ice cream, science is clear about the answer

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The kit to survive summer goes through having something cool: from icy drinks, watermelon in the fridge and, of course, ice cream. But in times of social networks and healthy lifestyle, the classic tubs or cucuruchos have been replaced by options that seem, more “healthy.” Yes, I’m talking about frozen yogurt or, in a more viral version, he Yogurt Bark. What is it? This recipe has gained popularity for being visually attractive and simple to prepare. The idea is simple, Greek yogurt is mixed with fruit or nuts and then extends on a tray, taking it to the freezer. The next day is split into pieces and enjoyed as if it were a sweet tablet, but like many viral trends, you have to go beyond the wrapping. A “healthy” option? Although natural yogurt, especially Greek, provides important nutrients such as proteins, calcium and in some probiotic cases, freezing it can alter some of its functions. According to Mayo Clinicmany probiotic strains do not survive the freezing and defrosting process, especially if proper temperature management and product formulation are not performed. In addition, it is essential to consider the composition of the yogurt used. Many yogurts available in the market are not “natural” in the strict sense: they can contain high levels of added sugars, artificial sweeteners, flavoring and thickening. And if we add sugary topings, the result can be a more caloric preparation than a moderate ration of traditional ice cream. So? Here comes the key summer question: if neither the traditional ice cream nor the frozen yogurt are ideal … so what? The answer is in balance. Eating ice cream every day is not necessarily bad, provided that the rest of your diet is healthy and have no conditions that advise you. The problem is not the ice cream alone, but how it integrates into your habits: do you take it for dessert after a balanced meal? Or do you use it to replace fruits, water or nutritious foods? In that sense, both ice cream and Yoghurt Bark They can have a place, provided they do not replace essential foods or take by system as “healthy without further ado.” THE FIT phenomenon. Taking care of food does not go on to change an ice cream ball for a frozen yogurt sheet and think that it is already. This quick replacement logic – bad, well frozen yogurt – is part of a superficial approach that has been installed thanks to Aesthetics Fit In social networks. However, all this does not go on trends or Hacks. It will understand what one eats, of exercise, rest … health is not measured in calories or Likesbut in balance. Image | Pexels Xataka | There are people eating human placenta. Science strongly asks you that, please, don’t do it

Is it healthy to eat an ice cream each and every day of summer? Science already has an answer

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In a balanced and varied diet it is not difficult to find a hole for occasional whim, a sweet dessert or a Snack from time to time. Now, finding balance is not always easy, even more so when we often receive news that they point out that foods like ice cream They are healthy, something that seems to contradict our most basic ideas about nutrition. So is this true? How often can I eat ice cream? First, bad news: no, eating ice cream is not especially healthy. As with the consumption of certain alcoholic beverages such as wine, the fact that some study finds positive properties in any of its converters, does not necessarily imply that a food will be healthy. Here it is important to address several issues issues. The first is that there may be other components that cancel the positive effect detected. In the example of wine, its alcohol content tends to counteract the impact of compounds such as polyphenols. A key question to ask ourselves here is if we can obtain the beneficial compounds of a source that does not contain the harmful compounds. It is also relevant to attend to what aspect of health a certain study refers. Analysis can be carried out focused on A specific aspect of healthsuch as the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or cancer. It is therefore important to understand that what can be good for one aspect of our health may not be so much for another. Interpreting the results of a study is important, but sometimes the methodology can also give us important clues when making this interpretation. An example we have In an article for The conversation Written by Duane Melor, expert in Medicine and Nutrition of Birmingham Aston University. Although it is an interesting result, some factors must be taken into account, the first, the fact that ice cream represents a small element of the diet and that sometimes other variables can play a bad pass. Melor In a doctoral thesis published in 2018 and focused on the heart effects of dairy products. The thesis, the expert indicates, included a study in which it was observed that, among the study population (composed of people with type 2 diabetes), those who consumed ice cream no more than twice a week showed a 12% lower risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases, compared to those who did not consume this sweet. Although it is an interesting result, some factors must be taken into account, the first, the fact that ice cream represents a small element of the diet and that sometimes other variables can play a bad pass. “It is important to note that this bond between ice cream and heart disease only becomes apparent when other aspects of people’s health are taken into account, including how healthily they ate,” MELLOR EXPLAIN IN YOUR ARTICLE. “This suggests that eating A generally healthy diet It is possibly more important when reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to eating ice cream. ” Establishing causal relationships in observational studies such as this is difficult and mellor gives us an example of why. A person with problems prior to the study may decide to stop consuming ice cream to improve their diet. This implies that this person will be seen for the purpose of the study as a person with a worse level of health despite leading a seemingly healthier life. If there is a marked trend, that is, if there are numerous cases like this, the results of the study may present biases. Practice and theory Ice cream are usually high caloric food in sugar and in fat. This, as we point out at the beginning, can fit perfectly into a balanced diet, but it does not mean that a food is healthy. He sugar consumption It has been linked to very different problems that cover from oral health to an increased risk of cancer, also through diabetes. Fats and excess calories can also facilitate the appearance of overweight or obesity. While this is not a health problem in itself, it is a risk factor in the appearance of diseases and disorders, including cardiovascular diseases. There are also studies that point in this direction, some of them cited by Melor in their piece. A study Made by an Italian researchers team and published in 2019 in the magazine Nutrientsdetected that greater ice cream consumption was linked to the appearance Non -alcoholic fatty liver diseasesomething that is not exclusive to this food, but we must also take into account when making our nutritional decisions. We explained before something that we must take into account is whether we can find healthier alternatives. Part of The benefits that can give us ice cream come from milk, thanks to elements Like calcium either The probiotics. That is, non -sugary yogurt (or less sugary), cheese, or milk can give us some of these nutrients, turning them into alternatives that may perhaps fit more into a daily diet. So how much can I eat ice cream? There is no clear response, it depends on factors such as the type of ice cream we are consuming (the nutrients that each type of ice cream provides can vary) and the size of the ration, our diet and countless factors such as our weight or our state of health. If we wanted Consume ice cream every day We should make sure first to have A varied diet (and healthy lifestyle habits), consume reduced amounts and eliminate other added sources. And still nothing guarantees that this cannot lead to other problems such as the aforementioned fatty liver disease. In Xataka | We have been studying chocolate and tea compounds for more than 75 years. Now we know that they help control blood pressure Image | Lukas

Get the “CC Cream ‘best selling and other products

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Prepare for the madness of Black Friday 2024. This year, there will not only be appetizing offers in electronics and fashion, but the offers in beauty products will be a real show. Best of all? Some brands have begun to lower prices weeks before the big day, so you can already hunt the best Beauty Deals without having to wait until November 29. If you are a lover of makeup and skin care, this is your chance to get worship products that are not only the most desired of the year, but also are very low! Do you want to know what are the essential beauty that this black friday should not be missing in your shopping cart? From the CC Cream Best -selling anti -aging in the United States, until Favorite makeup makeup base of the CelebritiesThen, we present the six products that are already on our desire list and that, without a doubt, should be in yours too. And now you will understand why. © It Cosmetics The CC Cream Anti -agency 3 in 1: serum, base and sunscreen If you have not tried this wonder yet, Black Friday is the perfect moment. The CC Cream Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 50+ of It Cosmetics It is much more than a cream with color. It is a three product in one that Not only does it provide impeccable coverage, but also acts as a powerful anti -aging treatment and sunscreen with SPF 50+. The result? Radiant skin, with a uniform and protected tone of UV rays. It is no accident that it is The best -selling CC Cream in the United Statesand is that its formula is enriched with collagen, peptides and antioxidants that help soften the expression lines and keep the skin hydrated all day. A basic in any makeup bag worth its salt. © Ysl Beauty The luxury corrector that corrects and illuminates in a single gesture We cannot talk about cult products without mentioning The iconic Touche Éclat of Ysl Beauty. This corrector-cuminer has been the best saved secret of the models and Celebrities. Its light and luminous formula Not only hides imperfections, but also provides a natural shine to the areas of the face that need a touch of light. A true lifeguard in those days when you need to see yourself fresh and rested (even if you have slept a few hours). Black Friday is the ideal time to get this product and add a touch of glamor Instant to your beauty routine. © Ysl Beauty The new lipstick with ‘wet’ effect that you will not be able to resist If you are a fan of the lips with a juicy and brilliant finish, you will love the lipstick Loveshine of Ysl Beauty. This new launch promises a spectacular wet effect, Perfect to wear irresistible lips with a touch Glowy Subtle, but lasting. In addition, its formula is super moisturizer, so not only embellishes, but takes care of your lips. The result? Soft lips, nourished and with a vibrant color that is maintained for hours. Undoubtedly, a jewel to always carry in your bag, retake at any time and, best of all, with an unbeatable discount. Do you now understand why he is one of the chosen ones for me Wishlist? © Lancôme The tab mask with a post -ze eyelashes Dramatic eyelashes are always fashionable, and the mask Hypnôse of lancôme It is the best ally to get that infarction volume that we all want. With just a few layers, This mask gets dense, long and perfectly separated eyelashesrevealing a shocking look. Its formula is modulable, which means that you can apply several layers without fear that lumps are formed. Ideal to move from day to night in the blink of an eye. And this Black Friday, is the perfect time to get it at an irresistible price. © Armani Beauty The makeup base to which Celebrities and makeup artists have sworn eternal love He went viral for Meghan Markle, but had been make up artists Eternal fidelity swore from all over the world, and, recently, the influencer María Pombo revealed that she is her makeup base of head (and the most precious secret behind that impolute skin), in addition to the successful actress of Euphoria Sydney Sweeney. Yes, we are talking about the famous Luminous Silk Foundation by Armani Beauty. This makeup base has A velvety and bright finish that enhances the natural beauty of the skin. Its coverage is modulable, which allows it to work by layers to get a lighter base or a high coverage. In addition, it is perfect for all types of skins, since it unifies the tone without leaving a feeling of heaviness. It is as if you won’t carry anything, but the skin looks spectacular. Take advantage of Black Friday discounts and get this beauty icon. © Prada Beauty The luxury lipstick balm with incorporated treatment The lips deserve as much care and the rest of the face, and Prada knows. His Lip Balm Blue Astral It is a universal lip balm that not only hydrates, but also treats them to leave them soft and juicy in record time. This balm is completely colorless, which makes it a perfect basic to use alone or on top of your favorite lipstick, as a way Top Coat. Another of its characteristics that has not happened to me inadvertent? Its formula adapts to the pH of the lips, that is, revives the tone and embellishes them in a personalized and very natural way. Its formula rich in nutritional ingredients, such as bifidus extract or jojoba oil, act as an intensive treatment, ideal for those cold winter days that dry the lips. If you are looking for a Must-have To keep your lips careful (already so forgotten) and fashion in this new era of Skincarethis is the product you need. (Tagstotranslate) Hello! Beauty Addict

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