Why This New Body Positive Hashtag Is Trending

Why do people want to share their relationship status with others?

My sister used to ask me this question when I was in my 20's, and I always looked at her like she had two heads growing. I couldn't fathom the idea that people wouldn't want to talk about their relationship online because it felt like everyone was doing it. I mean, a study from Pew Research Center shows 8 in 10 people on social media see relationship posts, so it clearly wasn't outrageous to think it was normal.

But, that still doesn't answer why people are drawn to sharing cute little updates about their partner or relationship. Luckily, Bray has a good indication of what drives people to give others a sneak peek into their lives. "People share their relationship status for all kinds of reasons. Some want to mark their territory — nothing says 'back off' quite like a cute couple selfie! Others are just excited and proud of their partner and want to share the joy," she says. That stems from people's "need for a sense of belonging or to receive positive reinforcement from others," she adds.

But, this doesn't necessarily make people weird. It's just human nature that makes us act the way we do. "We as humans are just hard wired to seek connection, and broadcasting our connections, makes us feel more accepted and secure in our social lives."

Should couples have conversations about their social media expectations?

I don't care how hot you think someone is, you're going to have to learn how to communicate with them. It's true even if your chemistry is off-the-charts because healthy relationships don't fall out of the sky. They're built via honesty, respect, forgiveness, and other important factors.

Before assuming your partner is or isn't okay with you posting about your relationship, Bray is 100% convinced you should talk things through. "Social media is still in the wild west of relationship etiquette, and without discussions, assumptions about 'correct' behavior can run wild," she hints. For example, you could be happily posting about your partner only for someone to point out that they're not following you on social media.

"Some people are super private, while others practically live their lives online. Misunderstandings happen when expectations aren't laid out so talking about it can prevent messiness in the long run," Bray observes.

If two people have gone on a couple of dates, should one of them be upset if the other isn't publicly talking about them?

So, you swiped right on Tinder or Bumble, and you had a few amazing dates with one of your matches. Before you start publicly declaring your love for them, Bray wants you to reconsider. "Hold on! It's just a few dates! Let’s pump the brakes. The early stages of dating is not the time to make grand social declarations," she declares. As someone who tried to 'date' people from Tinder, those first few dates aren't a guarantee that you've found the love of your life.

"Posting someone on social media can feel like a big step to some people so expecting that level of public commitment too soon might be too much pressure. If you’re already thinking, 'Why haven’t they posted about me yet?' after two dates, it might be a good time to check in with yourself about where those expectations are coming from," advises Bray.

I've recovered from my former, "Is he the one" obsession so also take it from me — see where things go first and then refer back to question #2!

Is it a red flag if someone doesn't post their partner on social media?

It would be so much fun if we personally had Dustin Poynter, the flag guy, from TikTok helping point us in the right direction — but this is one of those things that errs on the subjective side. Though Bray doesn't feel it's necessarily healthier to keep your relationship private, she thinks "context matters." "Some people are just more private or feel weird about social media in general," she says.

But, that doesn't mean certain behaviors don't warrant a few eyebrow raises. She notes," If someone is super active on social—like posting about their dog’s morning routine and every cupcake they’ve ever had—but doesn't ever mention their partner, it could create a need for a deeper conversation." Before you feel justified about grilling your partner — as satisfactory as that may feel — take a second to breathe.

Bray would prefer you work to understand "why they don't post, rather than assuming your partner is keep you a secret." If you discover the latter to be true, follow your instincts and let that person go because you don't deserve that!

Do you think it's healthier for couples to keep certain aspects of their relationship private?

Everyone has a different view of what makes a romantic relationship healthy, so this is one of those things Bray says, "absolutely depends on the couple" because some "genuinely enjoy sharing their lives online." You've probably seen your share of couples who make cute content together whether they're married or not. I'd be lying if I said I don't specifically keep up with a few whose content makes me smile.

But, other couples may not be interested in sharing their relationship online because they "want to be private and keep the relationship free from the judgements or opinions of others," according to Bray. That's not to say they have something to hide, though. Instead, think of it as a personal preference.

"As long as both partners are on the same page and it’s not a source of tension, it’s all about finding the balance that works for them. If it starts to feel like a performance for likes rather than genuine connection, though, that’s where it can become problematic," Bray reminds.

How can someone bring up their partner's posting habits without sounding accusatory?

You may feel eager about posting about your partner while they're less enthusiastic and this could make you feel upset. It's easy to jump to conclusions when you're already upset, but Bray feels "tone is everything." Ironically, she suggests something I've heard in therapy sessions and that's "to be curious, not confrontational." Hopefully this stopped you in your tracks if you were ready to give your partner a piece of your mind.

"You can say something like, 'Hey, I’ve noticed we haven’t shared much about each other on social media? What’s your take on sharing stuff about us online?' It’s important to frame it as a mutual exploration of rather than a demand for a public declaration," Bray points out.

What would you tell someone who wants to emulate couples who consistently post content together?

We've all seen couples who we think have the cutest relationship, even though we've never met them before. As much as you may admire a couple, Bray thinks it's a "slipper slope" if you want to try to recreate their online moments. "I’d encourage someone to focus more on what makes their own relationship feel fulfilling, rather than chasing #couplesgoals," she encourages.

However, this isn't a sign that you're not supposed to ever share anything about your partner or relationship! "If posting together feels fun and real, go for it! But if it starts feeling like a performance or that you are in competition with other couples, it's probably good to take a step back," she warns.

Also, keep in mind that social media doesn't show you every single moment of couples' lives so don't worry about trying to look picture perfect based on a 30 second to 30 minute video.

Torrid Full Length Comfort Waist Premium Legging

What's opaque and has a comfortable waistband? Torrid's Comfort Legging!

In addition to kicking sheer leggings out of the way, these are full-length with a slight tapered leg and are made of the softest cotton-blend you'll work your way into. We're talking about a 95% cotton and 5% spandex fit! No wonder they're Torrid's best-selling leggings!

Nike High-Waisted Graphic Leggings

If you don't mind a little sheer action, Nike's High-Waisted Graphic Leggings will give you what you want. They're spectacularly durable and have more stretch than ever. You'll still get that same cotton and spandex blend that makes the best plus size leggings comfortable, but these somehow maintain a lightweight feel that'll take you from an early morning parent-teacher conference to yoga in the park.

Forever21 Active Seamless Flare Leggings

We'd like to thank whoever designed seamless athleisure plus size leggings for anyone who enjoys working out in style and comfort! You'll get support that covers low-impact workouts and a stretch that moves when you do. Plus, these leggings are breathable and keep moisture locked in.

Tek Gear Ultrastretch High-Waisted Side Pocket Leggings

Need a little more security during your morning or afternoon hikes? Go for Tek Gear's Side Pocket Leggings. They're super stretchy and feature side pockets that'll keep your keys and phone in one or two places. They're also made of a moisture-wicking fabric that won't allow your sweat to completely drench you.

Ashley Stewart High Waist Faux Leather Leggings

Faux leather leggings are the easiest way to elevate your fall outfit because they don't require much effort to wear. They're still provide great stretch, but they're just a little sleeker in appearance than their cotton counterparts. You can pair them with one of the new leather jackets in your closet for a chic moto look or you can wear them with an oversized chunky kit sweater.

A New Day High-Waisted Slim Fit Faux Leather Leggings

Similar to Ashley Stewart's faux leather leggings, A New Day has a knack for knowing what styles are trending during fall. You'll still get a high-waisted effect, but you'll also experience a slimmer fit that gently hugs your body. The ankle zipper closures are also a nice touch!

Ashley Stewart Swirl Faux Leather Leggings

The weather may be cooling down, but you can still have a hot girl fall with these swirl faux leather leggings. The tawny port color is similar to the burgundy trend that's literally everywhere in right now, but the pattern gives it a unique twist that'll make you the center of attention.

Wild Fable High-Waisted Butterbliss Leggings (Navy Blue)

These plus size leggings had us at the word 'Butterbliss.' Offering a light-weight stretch, they're made to hug your body in the most cozy and flattering way. Though we're partial to the navy blue color, these leggings also come in brown, slate grey, and turquoise blue!

Torrid Full Length Signature Waist Pocket Legging

It's understood that dresses and plus size leggings that have pockets are going to make us go feral. The satisfaction of being able to stick your hands in something you're wearing continues to be unmatched and we'll also champion fashion that thinks about us in this way.

Of course Torrid couldn't be left out of the conversation. One customer they "love that these have pockets" and even asked "what more could you want out of a pair of leggings?"

Terra & Sky High Rise Leggings

These machine-washable plus size leggings are so budget-friendly we had to circle back to make sure they're worth buying. According to their 4.6 rating, we're pretty sure they are! Not only that, but they're made of the soft cotton and spandex blend that makes us weak in the knees.

Forever21 Split Hem Leggings (Grey)

Headed out for date night, but want a low-fuss outfit to wear? Better call on Forever21's Split Hem Leggings. They're not metallic, but the nice sheen on them makes them look glamorous without doing all of the work that often comes with super chic looks.

Superfit Hero SuperSoft Pocket Leggings (Heather Gray)

Once you're done looking cute and stylish, head home so you can slip into these SuperSoft Pocket Leggings. They're Superfit Hero's award-winning design that makes you want to start the online yoga class you've been eyeing. No judgement here because we're in the same boat!

Once your first class starts, you'll appreciate the no roll waistband you don't have to fuss with as you begin learning how to properly stretch your body and calm your nervous system.

Bloomchic Jack-o-Lantern Leggings (Pre-Order)

We know these plus size leggings are for preorder only right now, but they have Halloween etched all over them! We love anything that reminds us of warm, gooey pumpkin pancake recipes and these look like the walking spicy dish we think you need. Don't miss out because they're estimated to ship by October 11 — which is next Friday!

What is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink used for?

Anyone can say that their lipstick is THE BEST, but that's not always true. So, what's the tea on the Super Stay Matte Ink formula? According to the brand's notes on Amazon, here's what you can expect to this lipstick to do:

• Glide on easily because of the "unique arrow application"
• Provide a "perfectly matte" finish
• Remain "smudge-free" for up to "16 hours"

It sounds like a lot of fluff if you've never tried the formula before, so I scrolled through the comment section to see what other customers think.

What are other customers saying about it?

Most of the customer reviews I read through on Amazon are extremely thorough so here are the ones that stood out the most:

• "I am really hooked on this lipstick! It's very long wearing and it's super gentle on my lips...Let me address some common complaints among other reviewers and why I think they're wrong...Oil takes this stuff off quite easily, so do some makeup wipes...Secondly, I do agree that this product is very sticky. I have found that I can put my Mac lipgloss on over top and now it's not sticky anymore!"
• "I’ve purchased this longevity wand type lipstick a few times and I like the texture and staying power. Sometimes I put another glossy lipstick over if it seems drying however it stays very nicely for the day."
• "This is my first time purchasing this brand. When I say it last all day, it doesn't come off until you take it off! Some might see this as bothersome, but having it stay on until I need it off is the greatest thing."
• My Favorite Review: "I put it on at around 3:30 pm and fell asleep with it on cause it was a busy night, it was still on the next morning. I had to use multiple makeup remover wipes and wash my face with a good makeup remover to get it off."

My Review For Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick

I used to be terrified of wearing 'nude' lip colors because I thought they would be too much of a contrast against my complexion, but watching a few YouTube tutorials nipped my fear in the bud. I make the 'Seductress' shade work for me by lining my lips with a dark brown liner. Once I did that, I immediately fell for the way it looks on me. It's to the point where I actually can't stop wearing lip combo — it's so easy to apply and takes less than two minutes to set!

How long does Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick last?

Before I started applying gloss over my nude lip combo, I wanted to test two very important things:

1. If this matte lipstick could pass the smudge-proof test. I've tried other brands, and they haven't always stayed in place — especially when eating or drinking something — so I was skeptical.
2. How long it actually lasts, smudge-proof or not. I mean, who among us hasn't gotten home after an evening out to find their lipstick basically nonexistent?

Like one of the customer reviews suggests, this lipstick has come off a little while eating things like pasta or pizza, so it's not 100% "smudge-free." Given that, I only had to reapply this lipstick once throughout an 8-hour day — which isn't a huge deal to me because it takes less than 30 seconds to reapply it. The best way I get it to stay put is by applying lip gloss and a teeny amount of setting spray over it.

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick

Lately, I've even been adding the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in the shade 'Stone' as a way to truly lock in the color. It highlights the 'Seductress' shade of the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick which is a huge plus for me.

For less than $12, I think it's absolutely worth buying multiple times!

More Best Drugstore Lipsticks

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick

When I'm in the mood for a universal red lipstick that has the best color payoff, I always turn to The Lip Bar's 'Bawse Lady.' She's a gorgeous blue-red that highlights all undertones without making anyone looked washed out.

Revlon Colorstay Limitless Matte Lipstick

I discovered Revlon's Colorstay formula while browsing for a deeper lipstick for fall and it does not disappoint! It's another vegan product that has triple hyaluronic acid and upcycled cranberry extract in it so it literally feels like you're not wearing anything on your lips!

Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick

The word 'Fetish' may be off-putting, but don't write this lipstick off because of the name — ha! I typically wear this when I don't want to wait for a liquid lipstick to dry. It's super velvety and also contains hyaluronic acid in it to help keep lips moisturized.

Nyx Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream

Last but not least, Nyx has never let me down in the lip department before. If I'm truly shopping on a budget, I'll reach for the Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream because it glides on my lips like butter. That's not to say I know what it feels like to rub butter all over my lips, but you get what I mean! It's soft and has a gorgeous color payoff that makes me feel like it's comparable to the best lipstick I swear by.