29.12.16

How To Make Your Legs Look Great Instantly

How To Make Your Legs Look Great Instantly
Having spent the majority of December in bed (post-op), my legs are let's say, off-season and not quite ready to be seen in a dress come New Years Eve. And whilst I understand you need to feed your skin with the right products and shave at the end of your shower when your skin is soft, I need a quick fix to ensure my legs look their best. So if like me you're feeling a little self-conscious about your pins and want to get dress friendly legs in a flash read on...  

This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle £37.00*
The This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle is a leg perfecting lotion with a flattering caramel tint and a bit of hyaluronic acid thrown into the mix to quench parched skin. The product has been formulated without synthetic colour or fragrance and multiple skin care ingredients such as vitamin C, which with daily use treats pigmentation and Arnica, which is used for the relief of bruises and insect bites. Despite its price only a few pumps are required per leg and once applied, the subtle colour and very fine, subtle glitter particles instantly even out blotchy skin and make my legs appear toned, sleek and seriously smooth. It's great for fair skin, works well all over the body (I like to apply to my legs, arms and hands!), washes off, is easy to use, isn't greasy and delivers an instant healthy glow without any tanning. 

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Medium Glow £9.99
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs simply settles on the skin and smooth imperfections - it's a little like foundation for the legs! This product is not something I use on a regular basis, but a product I pull out for special occasions. It's perfect if you suffer from scars, veins or cellulite and require a little coverage. I like to exfoliate and moisturise before applying and spray the product onto a tanning mitt and rub into my legs in circular motions, otherwise it can be a little messy! And a word of warning, the matte shades run quite dark, so opt for a shade lighter and whilst it is water resistant I'm still wary of wearing a white dress with this one! But once applied, it's as though I've just pulled up a pair of nude tights. It's odorless, has no sheen or glitter, applies streak-free and removes easily in the shower. 

Cocoa Brown Instant Tan Bronzing Gel Matte £6.99*
If you're in a crunch for time and love a bit of false tan, Cocoa Brown Instant Tan Bronzing Gel in Matte is hands down the one to pick. Scented with Cocoa Browns signature scent Tahitian Gardenia, the gel is fast absorbing, super lightweight and can be quickly applied with no visible streaks. It adds a bronze shimmer-free matte sheen, without looking orange. It applies best using a tanning mitt and is also non-comedogenic which means it's safe to use on the face. All in all, it's far easier to use and apply than regular self-tanner and is a great option if you're looking for a natural looking tan in an instant that can be washed off at the end of the evening. 


Have you tried any of these products? 
Emily
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27.12.16

5 Festive Fixers

5 Festive Fixers
Lots of booze, bad food, unrivalled stress and freezing temperatures, it's no surprise that good skin can go bad and start misbehaving during the festive season. And unfortunately beauty crisis are unavoidable. But this doesn't mean they can't be treated. So today I'm sharing a few common issues and how to deal with them so you shall go to the ball...

1. Spots
Ever woken up the morning after with a throbbing spot that has appeared outta nowhere and you have big event that night? I have and ain't no body got time for that! More often than not, I will panic and pick, which only makes them worse. But, if you catch a spot early, massage over it using a little of Tea Tree Oil by The Body Shop (£8.00), pushing out towards the ears to drain toxins under the skin and then apply a generous amount of your favourite face mask directly to the spot with a cotton bud and leave it to work it's magic. I personally like Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque (£30.30)and for on-going breakouts I forever reach for La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] (£15.50), which is quite possibly the best anti-blemish cream

2. Dry Skin
It's inventible to suffer from dry, dehydrated, reddened skin in the winter months. And whilst it can be hard to fall into the trap of over  moisturising (which can cause an outbreak of spots), it's important to treat the skin using products that attract water like hyaluronic acid. Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly (£24.99)* and their Moisture Boosting Sheet Mask (£19.99)(if the name doesn't already suggest), is a range created to help provide instant and sustained moisture to skin. And obviously, but necessary: drink more water! 

3. Melting Makeup
Nothing is worse than leaving the house with a flawless base, to then hit the dance floor for it to slides off your face. So to make sure your base stays put, blend your foundation in thin layers, apply a very light dusting of your favourite powder to the areas that tend to get a little oily (forehead, nose and chin) and spritz with a fixing product. I've currently been using the Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day Setting Spray in Peach, which impressively prevents both fade and shine and costs a mere £14.50.

4. Frizz
Humidity, lack of moisture and a few styling sessions can cause poofy hair, frizz and frayed ends. But a few simple steps and you can fight the frizz and give your locks some much-needed love. 1) to replenish the moisture load up on conditioner, 2) do not towel dry your hair (it can break and damage the ends), 3) use heat-protector, always, 4) smooth it out with a nourishing hair oil such as John Frieda Frizz-Ease Perfect Finish Polishing Serum (£6.99)* for super silky controlled locks. And during the winter months, don't forget to treat your hair once a week using a good deep conditioning treatment my favourite is Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Conditioner (£4.99)

5. Cracked Lips
Whilst I suffer from dry lips on and off all year, this condition worsens during winter. So to combat chapped lips I like to buff them with a soft warm flannel and follow up with a hydrating lip product. And one balm that has received VIP status during 2016 is the Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips (£12.00)*. It's natural blend of oil and waxes revive badly chapped lips and can be slathered on and used an intensive lip mask, or worn as a lip primer and I can guarantee it will leave your lips super soft and smooth. Plus, it can be used on cracked heels too! 


What's your favourite festive fix?
Emily
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25.12.16

GIVEAWAY | Moprhe 35F 'Fall Into Frost' Eyeshadow Palette

Yay! It's finally Christmas Day! I wish you all the very merriest Christmas! Hopefully Santa Claus popped by and gave you everything you wished for and you're healthy, happy and loved. And now that the presents are unwrapped and family time and the Christmas movie session has begun, I've decided no seasonal celebration is complete without one last little present of my own...

We all know I have a not-so-secret hoarding problem when it comes to eyeshadow palettes. And one palette which has been BBA approved during 2016 is the Morphe 35F 'Fall Into Frost' Eyeshadow Palette. The winter appropriate Morphe palette was yet another sell-out (and is still is!), but I managed to get my mitts on another for one lucky reader...  

To enter and be in the chance of winning the Morphe 35F 'Fall Into Frost' Eyeshadow Palette, all you need to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below. The only compulsory entry is that you must be following British Beauty Addict via Bloglovin'. I have also added a few additional entries, if you fancy increasing your chances of winning. The giveaway is open internationally and ends on 31/01/17. One winner will be chosen at random and all entries will be checked.

Right, I'm off to go and sip on prosecco (as I'm no longer dosed up on antibiotics - hooray!) and unwrap a few more gifts... and a few more Quality Street toffees! Best of luck and I'll be back next week with the last few blog posts of 2016!

Lots of love, your resident British Beauty Addict,
Emily
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22.12.16

Christmas Day Makeup

Christmas Day Makeup
With Christmas Day just 3 days away, like all beauty-lovers I'm just as excited for Christmas Day makeup as I am about gift giving. And although Christmas day for me is about scoffing the contents of a Quality Street tin and serious QT time with family and friends. I still like to get dolled up and look badass in my Christmas jumper. So here are of my favourite makeup picks to ensure I feel festive and look my best in any family photographs...

My go-to festive face is relatively simple. It's all about great coverage and dewy, healthy looking skin, plus a little sparkle. And the Backlight Priming Filter by BECCA (£32.00) gives a beautiful healthy glow, without looking greasy and keeps my foundation looking fresh, thanks to its 'soft focus' pigments that blur the visibility of imperfections. Greasy skin types may be put off by the extra glow, but if your skin is normal-dry you'll love it. For foundation, Makeup Up For Ever's cult-favourite Ultra HD Foundation (£29.00) is a winner, because of its weightless, natural-looking satin finish. It's perfect for those up-close selfies and you can reach the level of coverage you want by buffing the product into your skin in thin layers. It knocks-back any redness and it really does last. To disguise many late nights, Too Faced 'Born This Way Naturally Radiant' concealer (£20.00)* is creamy, provides a medium coverage but still looks (and feels!) like actual skin. And if you're worried about too much shine, set your foundation with a light layer of MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in 'Medium' (£24.00), which provides a tad more coverage with a velvety soft (and never cakey) finish. To add a touch of warmth, definition and to counteract the potential washing-out effect of flash photography, using Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow (£49.00) simply swipe the contour shade under your cheekbones and temples and then buff it in with a large fluffy brush. Then taking the 'Glow' shade and a fan brush, sweep on-top of the cheekbones, below the brow bone and inner corner of your eyes to ensure your skin is seriously lit. 

Next fill in and brush up your brows. And it will come as no surprise that I'll be reaching for my holy-grail ABH Dipbrow (£15.00), just remember to use a light hand and a little, otherwise you'll resemble the pantomime dame! Whilst I will keep the rest of my makeup soft and natural, for my eyes I'll opt for neutral metallics such as gold, copper and bronze. These shades are not only my favourite, they work on all skin tones and are easy to build up into a smoky eye. Applying a little primer to hold the eyeshadow place all day, I'll take Makeup Geek 'Crème Brulee' (£6.00) and blend into the crease and pop the shade Makeup Geek 'Legend' (£9.25) a beautiful foiled warm copper onto the lid keeping the colour within the socket. It's super flattering and super simple. I love ultra black, defined and slightly exaggerated lashes. So apply a few coats of Maybelline Lash Sensational (£7.99), let them dry and apply another coat on the outer corners to create a feminine almond shape. And if I'm feeling super fancy, I'll add some Lash Unlimited False Eye Lashes in the style 13 (£3.49). Admittedly I'm not one to embrace the statement red lip come Christmas Day. My current favourite nude lipstick is MAC x Mariah Carey in 'MCizzle' (£17.00) it's the perfect amount of polish and enhances my assets without fuss and leaving any marks on the mince pies. But if you do wear red it's hard to perfect when applied straight from the bullet, so keep it clean and use a lip brush for extra control. And all you need to finish is a spritz of Gerard Cosmetics Slay (sleigh) All Day Setting Spray (£14.50) to stop any makeup meltdown. And voilà! There you have it, my Christmas Day makeup menu. 

Christmas Day Makeup

What makeup products will you be wearing Christmas Day?
Emily
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20.12.16

How To Make Your Skin Glow With BECCA Cosmetics

How To Make Your Skin Glow With BECCA Cosmetics

Whenever I'm looking to branch out and truly treat myself, Cult Beauty is the place I turn to when I'm feeling spendy. And with BECCA products being adored by many and being conveniently stocked at Cult Beauty, I thought I'd make way in my beauty stash and introduce a few new glow-getters to help perfect my complexion. And in short, I'm impressed. So much so, that I'm already considering which BECCA highlighters and luminisers I should pop into my basket next... 

This primer from BECCA has instantly stepped up my winter makeup routine. The BECCA Backlight Priming Filter creates a natural luminous sheen, with no shimmer in sight. Its subtle opalescence and blendable lightweight texture is beautiful. It imparts a little moisture, blurs any pesky imperfections and diffuses light for that lit-from-within glow we all lust after, without being shiny, or greasy. It melts into clean skin and any foundation that follows glides on. Mixed with foundation they become more skin-like - even with full coverage foundations, a subtle sheen is still evident. It does also extend the wear of my foundation, but only for an extra couple of hours. But anything that ensures my complexion is photo ready, or enhances my favourite beauty bases is a winner - especially over the holiday season! 

BECCA's products are all about complexion perfection and the BECCA Under Eye Brightening Corrector isn't far off perfection. The salmon pink toned corrector, neutralises dark circles and brightens, leaving me wide-eyed and deceivingly well slept. Unlike other correctors I have tried including those from Bobbi Brown and Benefit, it's far thinner in texture, without compromising on coverage, making it appear more natural and easier to apply. Its formulation is smooth and using my fingertips and just the right amount, a sheer layer does the job pretty darn well, doing most of the hard work, leaving the concealer to more often than not to just neutralise the colour. It imparts that soft-focus effect that BECCA evidently does so well and has a satin finish. But apply too much and you'll be left with pink frosty under eyes, so practice to get the right amount! 

‘Champagne Pop’ is the highlighter of 2015 that broke the internet and Sephora’s record for the most purchased product on the day of release and is still highly sought-after. And believe the hype, ‘Champagne Pop’ is a unique light-medium gold, with a warm orange undertone - it's stunning. OTT on first impression, this highlight from BECCA is not for those who like a subtle highlight. Soft and smooth in consistency and a little bouncy in the compact ‘Champagne Pop’ can be blended out for a less intense finish opposed to a strong sheen. I prefer to use a fan brush for application, as it can empahise pores when applied with a heavy hand or a dense brush. 


Have you tried any of these products from BECCA? 
Emily
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18.12.16

Makeup Geek Duochrome Highlighter in Lit | Review & Swatches

Makeup Geek Duochrome Highlighter in Lit | Review & Swatches
Last week Makeup Geek dropped a selection of brand new highlighters and I had to resist the temptation to buy them all! The new collection features 7 signature highlighters and 6 duochrome highlighters. Personally I'm fascinated with colour-shifting products and as I'm besotted by Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in 'Insomnia', I had to buy one. So after a little deliberation, I popped the shade 'Lit' into my bag. Now don't be deceived by its bland appearance in the pan - 'Lit' leaves me looking like an ethereal Christmas fairy...

The Makeup Geek Duochrome Highlighter is housed in pretty mirrored compact, with a gunmetal lid and soft touch bottom and the product itself has the same pressed pattern as the Makeup Geek Kathleen Lights Palette. Now, not only is the packaging gorgeous, the formulation is near enough faultless. 'Lit' is super soft, smooth, blendable, has no fallout, doesn't emphasize uneven skin tone and isn't chalky, patchy or sparkly. The shade is icy-looking in the pan - a far stride away from the champagne highlighters I love! But 'Lit' is actually translucent when applied to the skin and has a subtle pink shift that is surprisingly forgiving on the skin (no white frosting in sight!). I was left in ore on first application, tilting my head left to right to catch the shift in the light. The shade lifts, brightens, and doesn't leave you beaming like a lighthouse, it just imparts a luminous multi-tonal sheen. Unlike other duochrome highlights I've tried, Makeup Geek's Duochrome Highlighter in 'Lit' is the most wearable, as it's not a strong duochrome, which frankly I'm thankful for as I wouldn't want it to look unnatural against my skin tone. The pigmentation is good, but it's not opaque. You can use a light hand for a natural glow, or pack it on for an intense, high shine. 

Makeup Geek Duochrome Highlighter in Lit | Review & SwatchesMakeup Geek Duochrome Highlighter in Lit Swatch

I would have expected these to sell out, but they're surprisingly still in stock! But having said that, the price point is a little steep (£19.25) considering Makeup Geek currently retails, however, I'd happily pay the price again to add another to my collection. And I must admit, the swatch doesn't do this highlight justice! It's bloomin' lovely - trust me.

Have you tried any of the Makeup Geek Duochrome Highlighters?
Emily
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16.12.16

MAC x Mariah Carey MCizzle Lipstick & New Ombré Lip Pencil | Review & Swatches

MAC x Mariah Carey MCizzle Lipstick MAC x Mariah Carey MCizzle Lipstick & New Ombré Lip Pencil | Review & Swatches

It's been some time since I purchased anything from a limited edition MAC collection. But MAC x Mariah Carey Collection for Holiday 2016 has arrived and I squealed with excitement when Debenhams announced a preview before the range was set to hit stores (16th December). The 23-product collection is a sweet fantasy (sorry, not sorry!) and includes five lipsticks, five lip glosses and two lip liners amongst others and the packaging for every single product luxurious and completely covered in glitter. And although I didn't get my mitts on the glint-y gold, all-over body sparkle (aptly named 'Touch My Body), I did buy 'MCizzle' lipstick and 'New Ombre' lip pencil. If you're a Mariah fan, or love sexy nude hues, this collection will be all you want for Christmas. But be quick, it's going to sell out fast! 

MAC x Mariah Carey MCizzle Lipstick Swatch

MAC x Mariah Carey Lipstick in 'MCizzle' £17.00
Glitter has been having a grown up moment (case in point Jouer's infamous Lip Toppers and L'Oreal's Color Riche Gold Obsession Lipsticks) and whilst Mariah's collection featured a handful of frosty formulations, it will come as no surprise that I gravitated towards one of the three Cremesheen shades available; 'MCizzle'. The shade, which is comparable to MAC Hue, is a light-medium peachy pink with warm undertones. Applied to my lips it's pinker than peach and has a natural finish (with no shimmer in sight!). The texture is lightweight, comfortable and buildable and lasts around 2-3 hours before a top-up is required. Nevertheless, the shade is low maintenance and totally dreamy. Speaking of which, the packaging alone was enough for me to part with my pennies, from the silver glitter, the champagne gold accents, Mariah's signature and the pretty imprinted butterfly, I would be lying if I didn't say I've spent hours ogling it! Worn alone, or on top of 'New Ombre', me and 'MCizzle', we belong together... 

MAC x Mariah Carey MCizzle New Ombré Lip Pencil Swatch

MAC x Mariah Carey Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in 'New Ombré' £17.00
Lip liner is more often than not an afterthought when I apply my makeup. But, I do appreciate that lip liner is to lipstick what primer is to foundation. So I thought it would be wise to buy a lip liner to accompany my new lipstick (mum, if you're reading this; it was a necessary purchase!). The shade 'New Ombré' is a medium peach with warm undertones and has a matte finish. I recommend prepping before application, as although it applies smoothly and with ease, once dry the pigment tends to cling to dry patches. The longwear lip pencil can be used along the outer edge of the lips, but I prefer to fill in my lips with it entirely. After a few hours wear it does become a tad drying, but that's nothing a little balm can't fix. It's versatile and looks pretty layered with gloss, or a metallic topper. But paired with 'MCizzle' it enhances its underlining peachy tones and keeps the colour from migrating (top snap). It reminds me a little of peachy take on a classic nude Rachel Leary lip and whilst this isn't something I'd usually wear, I kinda like it (and its got my sisters seal of approval too!).

Have you bought anything the MAC x Mariah Carey Collection?
Emily
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14.12.16

A Mini Beauty Bay Haul

A Mini Beauty Bay Haul

Beauty Bay is a delightfully dangerous place. I very rarely browse without hitting "add to bag". So when Black Friday came around last month and Beauty Bay had some crazy discounts, I simply couldn't resist - I mean, I had done all my Christmas shopping, so it only seemed fair. And I apologise for my photo editing skills. On this day in particular, I just couldn't get it quite right. Anyway, here's the low down on what I bought... 
Customising your own makeup palette, is a little like being at a buffet and picking just your favourite courses. And Z Palettes are the Queen of makeup customisation, the blank, magnetic, slim and sleek palettes allow you to fill them up with your favourite shades and products from multiple brands, without a throwaway shade in sight. And having recently placed a Makeup Geek order my previous Z Palette is no longer large enough and the Z Palette Extra Large is big enough to fit up to 35 standard round sized pans, meaning I can go ahead and place yet another Makeup Geek order... 

Morphe Brushes 700 8 Piece Candy Apple Red Brush Set £13.50
I've never been a top-your-makeup-up-midday kinda girl. Having worked in a Zoo for 2 years previous to my new job in London, it didn't matter if my complexion wasn't selfie ready. But as unexpected meetings, post work drinks and lunches are now a common occurrence, midday makeup application is now a necessary evil. So naturally a selection of basic brushes for my handbag is essential. And the Morphe Brushes Candy Apple Brush Set is a collection of 8 brushes with natural and synthetic fibres (they're super soft), housed in a bright red roll and cost a mere £13.50. The cute kit includes; Tapered Powder Brush, Tapered Blush Brush, Flat Foundation Brush, Oval Fluff Brush, Chisel Fluff Brush, Pointed Crease Brush, Angle Liner Brush - all the tools I need for a quick fix! 

Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day Setting Spray in Peach £10.15 RRP £14.50
I reach for setting sprays over primers daily as they're convenient and by far my favourite way to ensure my makeup will last for as long as possible. And it was about time I put the Insta famous setting spray from Gerard Cosmetics through its paces. Available in 5 different colours/scents the GC Slay All Day Setting Spray promises to keep your makeup from sliding down your face and reduce any oil buildup after a long day spent outdoors. And whilst I'm yet to truly put it to the test, on first spritz the setting spray is sweet and heavily scented (reminds me a little of Topps Mega Mouth Candy Sprays) and has a serious cooling effect.  

Louise Young Concealer Trio in Light £14.00 RRP £20.00
Whilst my beauty base and concealer collection is bursting at the seams (see here for reference). I lack a concealer for disguising blemishes. Spot concealer hasn't always been an essential in my makeup regime, but as mentioned previously, rather than starting from scratch and reapplying my makeup midday, spot concealing is a handy and quick. And the Louise Young Concealer Trio features three shades of concealer, a light formulation specially designed for the under eye area and to deeper shades to blur the appearance of any complexion imperfections. The palette itself is slim and fits perfectly in my everyday makeup bag. 

Can you resist the temptations of Beauty Bay?
Emily
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12.12.16

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in 'Moonlight' | Review & Swatches

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in 'Moonlight' | Review & Swatches
When I swatched the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in 'Moonlight' in my local Space NK I lost my shit. No really, if unicorns had tears, this is what I'd imagine they'd look like. So when I was told the concentrated liquid metal highlighter drops were out of stock, I could have thrown myself on the floor there and then in true Veruca Salt style. I walked out empty handed with a heavy heart and subsequently added myself to the wait-list. But fast forward a month or so, I tracked down the sold-out shade 'Moonlight' online at Fabled by Marie Claire. And let me tell you, this highlighter is so freaking good, I just gave it holy-grail status.  

The Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops are ‘formulated with a high concentration of pearls that produce a lit-from-within glow without appearing too glittery or overdone'. Available in two bronzing and four illuminating shades ranging from pink to gold, copper and a deep, almost russet brown they're ideal for highlighting, strobing and bronzing. The shade 'Moonlight' is a beautiful pale rose champagne with a high metallic sheen and a very fine shimmer. Housed in a glass vial with a dropper dispenser, the drop formula is weightless, fragrance free and highly concentrated (a little goes a long way). It can be worn alone, or added to your primer, foundation, lipgloss and even body cream - it mixes with everything! Whilst the formula is incredibly pigmented, the liquid consistency makes the product easy to sheer out and blend. I apply the product to my cheekbones with the tips of my fingers and blend out with my Real Techniques Complexion Sponge. The coverage is buildable, so you can use as many, or as few drops for your desired effect, and the dropper is easy to use, dispensing just the right amount. However, the product sets within a few seconds, so I recommend working fast. Because once it's set, it's set! The result? A beautifully lit, pearly, glowing effect that shines from morning until night without fading, smudging or transferring. 

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in 'Moonlight' | Review & Swatches
Frankly I've never used a better liquid highlighter. The Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in 'Moonlight' are innovative and utterly beautiful. And whilst I hate to recommend a product with such a high price point, if you're a sucker for a good glow I recommend you follow the crowd on this one, it's worth the hype! Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in 'Moonlight' are available online at Fabled for £34 (I even got £15 off my first order, free delivery and got to pick the hour slot it arrived - not bad eh?!).
Have you tried the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops?
Emily
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