These Two Women Started a Business to Improve Your Daily Well-Being

Starting your own business is always a scary decision, but for Naomi Hirabayashi and Marah Lidey, the nerves were definitely worth the end result. As close friends who met on the grind, these two work BFFs quickly learned that leaning on each other for support, advice, and midday pep talks were essential to becoming more confident in both their professional and personal lives.

It was this realization that inspired them to start an ambitious side hustle called Shine, a free messaging app that sends daily, research-backed content related to confidence, happiness, mental health, and productivity to their users as soon as they wake up for the day. Now, Hirabayashi and Lidey’s passion project has grown from a cool side hustle into their full-time gigs, even awarding them a coveted spot as finalists for a L’Oreal Women in Digital Next Generation Award. We recently got the chance to catch up with Hirabayashi and Lidey to learn about their unique path to success, the Impostor Syndrome epidemic, and how other motivated women can enter entrepreneurship with confidence.

B+C: How did you first come up with the idea for Shine?

NH + ML: We met working together over six years ago and instantly became close friends. As coworkers, and as friends, we were able to lean on each other through the highs and lows of our day-to-day — everything from how to be the best managers to talking about personal finance to relationship advice. Through our friendship, we were able to help each other with our wellbeing every single day.

Inspired by our own relationship, and building on our expertise in messaging, we developed the concept behind Shine: to scale the support we provided each other through our first product, a daily messaging experience that helps you work on your well-being.

B+C: You originally started Shine as a side hustle. Can you tell us a little more about how the project evolved from a single great idea into your full-time jobs?

NH + ML: When we started Shine as a side project, the driver was, one, curiosity — we asked ourselves, “Why hasn’t anyone else done this before?” Two, it was core to our background — combining the power of messaging with the support we gave each other. Three, we didn’t see any major brands addressing well-being in a way that really spoke to us or how our friends talked about their own well-being.

All of the main drivers for starting Shine as a side project were validated, and we were completely blown away by the response. Day in and day out we were getting powerful testimonials like “How did this not exist before?” and “You just get me” and “Shine is fundamentally changing the course of my morning.” Shine instantly became bigger than us — it was something we had to build and take to the next level given the organic growth and user feedback.

From there, we used that momentum to raise a pre-seed round and went full-time in April 2016.

B+C: A recent study from the University of Salzburg claims that over 70 percent of workers suffer from Impostor Syndrome. Do you believe this is one of the reasons why millennial women are turning to daily motivation and wellness resources like Shine?

NH + ML: It definitely plays a part. Impostor Syndrome makes you feel like you don’t deserve your success and you’re going to be “found out” (never fun). But what you also face with Impostor Syndrome is something we called the compounding-stressor spiral. You have a feeling (Impostor Syndrome, insecurity, stress) and then you feel stressed about the fact that you feel that way. (Why can’t I just be more confident? Why can’t I just feel more balanced? Why can’t I just own my worth?)

One of the single most impactful things we hear from users is: You made me realized I’m not alone in my daily struggles. Through Shine, we’re helping hundreds of thousands of users every day realize they’re not alone for feeling how they feel. And that is incredibly powerful.

B+C: Congratulations on being chosen as a finalist for a L’Oreal Women in Digital Next Generation Award! Along with being able to pitch your idea to over 500 venture capitalists and L’Oreal executives, programs like this offer mentorship and coaching opportunities from some majorly inspirational women, including GE Vice Chair Beth Comstock and Thrive Media CEO Arianna Huffington. Why do you think it’s so important for successful women to mentor up-and-comers?

NH + ML: Everyone started somewhere. We’re quick to attach ourselves to stories in media that are a perfect build to optimal success — the narrative fallacy. Where true growth comes from on the mentee side is to learn from mentors around the struggle, the grit, and the hustle that helped them build successful companies.

B+C: It’s no big secret that diversity in tech and entrepreneurship is a big problem. As two WOC who have experienced great successes in both of these industries, what advice do you have for other hustlers who are trying to rise above this diversity gap?

NH + ML: The best advice we can give is to have conviction around the problem you’re trying to solve and why you’re the best person to solve that problem because of your experience. Our background is our strength. We know our user — it’s us. And that’s a key part of Shine’s success.

B+C: Finally, as two busy bosses, we can only assume that your typical work day involves a lot of stressful moments. What are a few ways that you practice self-care as hardworking entrepreneurs?

NH + ML: Biking. Lots of weekend biking in beautiful Brooklyn. And we read books that are totally separate from our day-to-day (hint: murder mystery novels — don’t judge).

Would you use a messaging service to spark confidence in the morning? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo and check out Shine for more details.

(Photos via Kimberly Li)

HBO Max renewedEuphoria for a third season back in 2022, but we sadly haven't seen any progress on the show in the way of filming. Though details surrounding the plot for Euphoria season 3 haven't been revealed, we are awaiting the TV show with excitement!

Euphoria has inspired our coolest makeup looks and on-point Halloween costumes, so we can’t wait to see what the next season of this neon-lighted, drama-filled story holds. Here’s what we know about season 3, thus far. Stay tuned for more updates!

Keep reading for everything we know about Euphoria season 3, filming in 2025.

  • Euphoria season 3 is officially moving forward, and will start filming in 2025.
  • Cast members like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer are returning.
  • Despite the fact creator Sam Levinson suggest Zendaya's schedule caused Euphoria production delays, the actress said she's "just waiting" to return to the show.

Is Euphoria season 3 coming out soon?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Release Date

Variety confirmed that we should be seeing Euphoria season 3 in 2026...but after an almost-three year wait...does anyone actually care anymore? I'm excited to see Zendaya return to the role that won her an Emmy (as well as the rest of the cast, obvi), but it's hard to be thrilled about something after such a long time. Luckily, fans are familiar with waiting a long time for new releases (remember that 2 ½-year wait for Euphoria season 2?), and hopefully the pent-up hype will be worth it when the show finally comes to streaming.

What's going to happen in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Plot

Season 2 of Euphoria left us with a lot to unpack: Rue’s (potential) sobriety, Lexi’s chaotic play, Fez and Ash’s shootings, Cal’s insane sexual spiral, and of course, the glorious girl fight between Maddy and Cassie. The third season has some loose ends to tie up, and we can’t wait to see how it’s done.

Sam Levinson tells EllethatEuphoria season 3 is more of a “film noir,” and that Rue's plot line will “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.”

Originally, Sam showed multiple story ideas to both Zendaya and HBO (and although Z doesn't have total creative control, as an executive producer, she does get a say in where her story goes). The show will feature a time jump, bringing the characters closer to the actors' ages. According to Variety, the first draft of the script gave the "meaty" storyline to Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi, and featured Zendaya's Rue as a private detective in more of a background role. More recent rewrites incorporated Z's idea of making Rue, who would now be sober, a pregnancy surrogate. Unfortunately, "the new scripts simply didn’t feel like the show tonally."

HBO chairman & CEO Casey Bloys told Variety that Sam Levinson is furiously working on the scripts. "One of the issues I think that Sam is thinking about is that he doesn’t want to have it in high school anymore. That’s where it was set and what made sense then," he says. "So when you take it out of that, there’s a lot of back and forth about where to set it and how far in the future to set it and all that stuff. But I think he’s got a take that he’s excited about, and he’s busy writing."

Is Storm Reid going to be in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen/HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Cast

No, Storm Reid won't be in Euphoria season 3. On November 20, she revealed she wouldn't return as Zendaya's onscreen sister Gia. “I’m very excited for Season 3,” she said in a Rotten Tomatoes interview at the Governors Awards. “Unfortunately, Gia’s not returning to the third season, but I am so so indebted to the cast and the crew of that show, to HBO. Euphoria’s a really special thing and I’m so glad that that’s a part of my legacy and that I was a part of such a cultural phenomenon.”

However, we also know that Barbie Ferreira (Kat) won’t be returning for season 3, due to butting heads one too many times with the show’s creator, Sam Levinson.

Okay, so who's actually in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

At the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Dominic Fike (who played Elliot in Euphoria season 2) told Variety it “would be dope” to come back for Euphoria season 3, but that “I don’t really talk to them anymore.” And after Angus Cloud's (Fez) tragic passing, some fans were calling for HBO Max to cancel the series.

But when we finally do see the series again, we’ll see more of the main cast: Zendaya (Rue), Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Hunter Schafer (Jules), Alexa Demie (Maddy), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Maude Apatow (Lexi), and more – but who knows? The production team may surprise us with new additions, like they did with Dominic Fike’s Elliot.

And the cast is even more excited for the show to return than we are! While Sydney Sweeney says she "honestly" doesn't “know anything about it,” (although she's hoping for "Crazy Cassie": "The crazier, the better for me."), Sweeney can't wait to reunite with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, and everyone else from the show.

“They were the crew and the cast that were there at the beginning of my career,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We all came up from different places but came together and were navigating so much at the same time, so it’s really nice having that core group. They’re experiencing a similarity to what I’m going through. It’s nice to have that community.”

Why is Euphoria season 3 delayed?

Eddy Chen / HBO

We've been waiting for Euphoria season 3 for over two years, but there's a very good reason for the delay. After a source told THR Zendaya was to blame, the actress reportedly laughed at the idea. “I will say, I have been off for a couple years, so not delayed because of my [schedule]…I’ve been open, just waiting,” the actress told Vanity Fair. "I haven’t read anything yet, but I’m excited to see what everyone has been working on, and what the future looks like for Euphoria...My most important thing is to do justice by the people who love and care about Rue, and make sure that she’s looked after as a character. I think that’s my number one duty."

Actor Colman Domingo has another explanation for the delay: “[Sam Levinson is] a person who writes and rewrites and writes and rewrites again, because I think he's wrestling with what's important,” he tells GQ. “He's responding immediately to what the ills of the world are. I know that the one thing I can tell you is that he's very much interested in the existential question of who we are right now. Our souls. That's what he wants to figure out with season three.”

“HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” HBO says in a statement to Deadlineabout the show's official, if temporary, pause. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”

So much has happened in the real world since the end of Euphoria season 2 that could have an impact on the new installment, and I can't wait to see what that looks like!

When will Euphoria season 3 start filming?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria season 3 will begin filming in January 2025. “We are shooting Euphoria,” HBO's Casey Bloys said at an HBO/Max press event on November 12. "I think we have a start date, mid to late January. Nothing’s changed...We are shooting the season. I have read the scripts. We’re happy. We’re moving ahead. All of the actors are in the show.”

The Euphoria season 3 delay comes down to significant script rewrites (not to mention how busy the cast is!). According to Variety, the original plan was for the Euphoria cast to work on other projects throughout 2024, and that filming the new season could take at least 25 weeks. However, it looks like that plan could change at any time.

In a March 2024 interview with Who What Wear, Sydney Sweeney shared her excitement to return. "It’s going to be very, very wild,” she says. And regarding the time gap between seasons 2 and 3, Sydney “actually [likes] it because there’s so much room for growth for both me as a person and also Cassie as a character."

Storm Reid, who plays Rue's (Zendaya) little sister Gia in the series, expressed her hope (and a bit of hesitance) in for Euphoria season 3 in talks with E! News at the Challengerspremiere in April 2024. "We're on pause right now, but we're anxious to get back," she said. "If it's meant to be, we'll be back soon and we'll give the audience what they want and deserve. Hopefully, we will be back."

On the other hand, according to an article published by Vanity Fair, another cast member (who wished to remain anonymous) said at the time, “I just don’t think it will happen.”

The anonymous actor also shed some light on the show's delay. “Since January of 2022, we have had a start date of March that turned into June, that turned into January,” they say. “And then they kept pushing every month from then on. It was two full years of HBO telling all the actors we were going back soon, so we couldn’t take some jobs.”

Now that Euphoria season 3 is officially on hiatus, the cast members aren't barred from taking further jobs, they say: “Before last week I couldn’t take any TV jobs. Since they have put it on hiatus, I can now take any job. But what sucks is that we all had more momentum right when the show came out but now it’s been 2 years of waiting.”

Eddy Chen / HBO

Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules in the series, joined the Call Her Daddy podcast podcast in August 2024, discussing everything from relationships to fame. The topic of whether or not Euphoria season 3 is going to happen came up – as it's pretty hard to ignore at this point – and Schafer immediately got emotional.

Alex Cooper, the host of the podcast asked, "Is season 3 happening? What are we doing?"

"I think everyone feels a certain sense of anticipation for, like, if we are supposed to do a season 3," Schafer said between tears. "Obviously, I'm still coming to qualms with what's happened, and losing people that we really loved and were a part of this family and everything," she said, referring to the passings of co-star Angus Cloud and screenwriter Kevin Turen.

"If we do go back, that's going to be tough," Schafer said. "I think there's a world in which we can channel that into making it a beautiful season 3."

Will there be a time jump in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Multiple stakeholders in the Euphoria-verse expressed their interest in seeing the characters out of high school. When asked about season 3 in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Zendaya expressed her eagerness to see what post-East Highland will look like for the cast:

“I think it’ll be exciting to explore the characters out of high school,” said Zendaya. “I want to see what Rue looks like in her sobriety journey, how chaotic that might look. But also with all the characters, in the sense where they’re trying to figure out what to do with their lives when high school is over and what kind of people they want to be.”

Heidi Bivens, the HBO show’s costume designer, hinted further at a time jump between seasons 2 and 3 when talking with Vogue: “There is talk of [season 3] being approximately five years in the future, and that they’re not in high school anymore. Dorothy’s not in Kansas anymore.”

How many Euphoria seasons are there?

Eddy Chen / HBO

There are currently two seasons of Euphoria — both of which you can stream on HBO Max now. And it sounds like Euphoria season 3 will be the final installment. The Euphoria cast is contracted for the junior season, and according to a Variety source, they're all committed to seeing the story "through to the end with a third season."

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things Euphoria season 3 — plus all the new TV shows coming your way, like Stranger Things 5 and The Last of Us season 2!

This post has been updated.

Dunkin’s winter menu for 2025 is lookin’ pretty sweet. Seriously – per recent menu leaks, 3 out of 5 new drinks (allegedly) coming to the menu are inspired by cake. Since there’s little I love more than a good, decadent dessert (other than coffee, of course), I’m especially excited about this speculated lineup!

The Dunkin’ winter menu leaks also report one sweet snack and an iced espresso drink that are both hauntingly similar to what Starbucks has to offer. Is the competition heating up, or is it just me?

Rumor has it that the Dunkin’ winter menu will drop on December 31, just ahead of the new year. This new menu leak is not to be confused with Dunkin's holiday menu, which dropped on November 1.

Let’s officially get into it. Here’s everything rumored to join the Dunkin’ winter menu for 2025!

Drinks On The Leaked Dunkin' Winter Menu

@snackolator

NEW! Lava Cake Signature Latte

Lava Cake Swirl flavoring, whipped cream, mocha drizzle, and hot chocolate powder. Now that's a mouthful! That's exactly how this new rumored drink is built – with tons and tons of chocolate. If you've got a strong sweet tooth, start marking your calendar for December 31 (AKA when the Dunkin' winter menu is rumored to drop).

@snackolator

NEW! Lava Cake Coffee

Dunkin' is also rumored to feature the new Lava Cake Swirl flavoring in this creamy coffee. It looks like it'll be available to order hot or iced!

@snackolator

Brown Sugar Shakin' Espresso

Um, Starbucks dupe, anyone?! Dunkin's version of the famed Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso is rumored to follow a very similar recipe to the Starbies way: espresso (shaken until frothy), brown sugar syrup, and oat milk. I can't wait to try this one and see how it measures up to my routine Starbucks order.

Dunkin'

Brown Sugar Oat Iced Matcha Latte

Per menu leaks, it also appears Dunkin' will offer two new in-app exclusive drinks, the first being the Brown Sugar Oat Iced Matcha Latte. It's like your average iced matcha latte, amped up with some brown sugar syrup and oat milk. Yum.

@snackolator

Raspberry Lava Cake Coffee

The second in-app exclusive drink on the leaked Dunkin' winter menu is the Raspberry Lava Cake Coffee, which features a dose of Lava Cake Swirl alongside a raspberry flavor shot and cream. You'll be able to order this one hot or iced.

Food On The Leaked Dunkin' Winter Menu

@snackolator

NEW! Whoopie Pie Specialty Donut

Now, onto the good stuff. The Dunkin' winter menu leak suggests that a new donut is on the way! The Whoopie Pie Specialty Donut will feature a halved glazed chocolate cake donut that's filled with vanilla whipped buttercreme icing and topped with a cute lil' buttercreme rosette.

Dunkin'

Iced Lemon Loaf Cake

Okay, yet another Starbucks similarity! The menu leak speculates this zesty-sweet snack will return on December 31. Dunkin's Iced Lemon Loaf Cake is moist as can be, and is topped with a thick layer of lemon icing.

More Leaked Dunkin' Menu Items

Dunkin'

Dunkin' Valentine's Donuts

The menu leak that announced the Dunkin' winter menu for 2025 also dropped some hints about the chain's Valentine's Day offerings.

According to the leak, the Brownie Batter (pictured above) and Cupid's Choice donuts will return on January 29. What's even more exciting is that a new iteration of Dunkin's Munchkins will be available, too!

The new Valentine's Munchkins will reportedly be made from glazed chocolate donut holes coated in Valentine's-esque sprinkles. I'm craving them already!

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Everyone deals with family issues, but some people had more dysfunctional childhoods than others. Are there ways to tell? According to family psychologist Caitlin Slavens of Mamapsychologistsand therapist Rachel D. Miller, Ph.D., LMFT of Hold The Vision Therapy, yes!

Slavens says, "As a family psychologist, I’ve seen how growing up in a dysfunctional family leaves its mark. Sometimes the signs are glaring, like obvious chaos or neglect." However, she said the signs can also be "more subtle" being that they're "things you don’t even realize were 'off' until you’re older." You may even "start noticing patterns in yourself or your relationships" if you've become retrospective, according to her.

Here are all the subtle signs you grew up in a dysfunctional family

1. You're never sure what kind of mood your parents will be in before you walk in the living room or kitchen.

Emma Bauso

Let's put this on record: parenting is tough — especially on top of trying to maintain a work-life balance. But, this doesn't mean you're meant to be unsure of what to expect every time you come around your parents. If you have to "'read the room'" a lot "before speaking," Slavens indicates this is one of the more subtle signs of dysfunction.

This is where you may have learned how to become passive-aggressive if that's something you struggle with. The reason for this is because "clear and direct communication is avoided and/or seen as bad or aggressive," according to Dr. Miller.

2. You tend to feel like you're constantly compared to and in competition with your siblings.

August de Richelieu

My heart truly wants to believe this isn't intentional behavior from parents, but I can't say I haven't heard people talk about feeling like they'd never measure up to the 'golden child' of their family. You may have felt insecure about your grades, the college you chose to go to, your career goals, or even your physical appearance. Slavens says this "struggle with self-worth or second-guessing yourself constantly" is yet another sign that your family's dynamic wasn't the healthiest.

Also, Dr. Miller says this could've caused you to learn to "shrink yourself in the presence of loved ones." Even worse, you may "feel the need to hide pieces of yourself in order to be loved and accepted."

3. There was constant yelling and screaming during arguments, making you fearful of disagreements or hardships.

Kaboompics.com

If you grew up in a home where arguments always led to screaming and yelling, chances are you're not a fan of loud voices or hard moments. Honestly, Slavens says it's not hard to believe that "conflict make you anxious, even when it’s minor." Unsurprisingly, you may have become a referee during these arguments and currently find yourself being a mediator in your platonic or romantic relationships. Why?

Dr. Miller says, "You constantly feel the need to manage everyone else’s emotions often at the cost of your own needs and wellbeing." You know, to keep the peace.

Here are some more obvious signs you grew up in a dysfunctional family

4. You had to take on a parental role when one of your parents decided to stop being an adult.

cottonbro studio

I imagine that having an emotionally immature parent is one of the most aggravating and stressful things to deal with. Not only that, but you may have had to help keep the household afloat. You may have had to get a job or two to help pay bills, listening to an adult conversation as your mom or dad laid their problems at your young feet, and more!

If you "family roles were flipped" and you "maybe had to parent your own parents," Slavens says this is a form of emotional dysfunction.

5. You weren't allowed to go anywhere with your friends because your parents wanted to keep an eye on you at all times.

Ketut Subiyanto

Slavens says boundaries that "didn't exist" or "were rigid and controlling" is a sign your home was a little...interesting. Being concerned about your whereabouts is one thing, but it's another when you're unable to do anything without your parents' eagle-eyes on you. Something as simple as going to the mall with your friends may have become a lecture about the dangers of shoplifting or car wrecks. Again, these are valid concerns but they shouldn't be treated like the verbal form of doom scrolling.

6. You consistently witnessed one of your parents abuse alcohol or drugs at home.

Ksenia Chernaya

This is a tough because substance abuse is so prevalent in varies socioeconomic statuses and communities. From the functioning alcoholic to the one who becomes belligerent after they've had too much to drink, it always affects those around them. Slavens says if "there was ongoing neglect, substance abuse, or verbal/physical aggression," your home probably didn't safe.

I recognize some of these signs of a dysfunctional family. But that doesn't mean they're affecting my current relationships, right?

Ron Lach

I hate to break it to you, but it's possible your childhood wounds have shown up before. "Dysfunctional dynamics don’t stay in childhood — they tend to creep into how you connect with others," says Slavens. Similarly, Dr. Miller agrees that "we typically repeat what we learned at home with our families in our other relationships." How?

"This includes the beliefs and rules we follow, often completely subconsciously, about what can and can’t talk about and why, as well as what emotions are allowed to be expressed, who can express them and how, and how we should or must respond to those people and their emotions," explains Dr. Miller.

Another way to look at this is how Slavens has outlined it:

In Platonic Relationships:

  1. Overextending yourself to please others, even at your own expense
  2. Feeling like you have to "earn your friends' affections.
  3. Avoiding vulnerability because it feels unsafe.

In Romantic Relationships:

  1. Struggling to trust your partner or feeling overly suspicious
  2. Repeating patterns like dating people who are emotionally unavailable or controlling.
  3. Feeling overly responsible for your partner's happiness — or relying on them for yours.

OMG! How do I unlearn habits from my dysfunctional family?

Antoni Shkraba

Honestly, everyone has a few bad habits they've carried from their childhood to adulthood. You're not an outlier because some things weren't 100% normal so I don't want you to feel like you're a failure for not having having it all together. "Dysfunction doesn’t have to define your future relationships," Slavens assures. Dr. Miller says you can start to unlearn things "that aren't working for you anymore" by "gathering your family's larger context to gain insight into how and why, for them, the behaviors make sense."

By taking a look at your family's "history and larger social and political contexts" gives you a chance to "see them as whole people with full lives," she says. Once you do that, she believes "you can examine what pieces make sense for you to keep and what parts you'd like to learn to do differently." Her other suggestion? Don't forget you're ability to utilize a "therapist who works systemically, like an LMFT" who "can be a huge support in this process."

Anastasia Shuraeva

Slavens' tips include the following:

  1. Practice self-awareness: Notice when a response feels automatic — like people-pleasing or shutting down during conflict — and ask yourself, Is this helping me, or is this a leftover habit from the past?
  2. Set boundaries: If your childhood lacked healthy boundaries, learning to say “no” without guilt is a game-changer. Boundaries protect your energy and teach others how to treat you.
  3. Learn healthy conflict skills: If conflict made you feel unsafe growing up, it’s natural to avoid it. But healthy conflict is necessary in relationships. Practice expressing your needs calmly and directly.
  4. Therapy, therapy, therapy: A good therapist can help untangle the messy, “weird” things that got normalized and give you tools to rebuild healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
  5. Surround yourself with healthier models: Whether it’s friends, mentors, or books/podcasts, seek examples of functional relationships and start observing what feels different.

While you're busy unlearning things, Dr. Miller also wants you to remember something. "Recognize that how your family does something is simply that; how your particular family system figured out and were taught to navigate the world. It isn’t inherently right because you’ve normalized it nor is the way another person or family does it inherently wrong," she says.

Slavens' final thoughts? "It’s not about blaming your family but recognizing how your experiences shaped you — and giving yourself permission to do things differently. You’re allowed to rewrite the script."

Visit the top signs to recognize if you have toxic friends on Brit + Co!

A Complete Unknown finally rolls into theaters on Christmas Day (you know..like a rolling stone?) but the cast is already generating serious buzz. Timothée Chalamet snagged a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Bob Dylan, while Monica Barbaro just won the Astra Film Awards' Breakthrough Performer Award. But when I sat down with the actress, I couldn't help but go all the way back to the first day of filming the December movie.

Here's what A Complete Unknown's Monica Barbaro had to say about meeting Timothée Chalamet and learning guitar for the role of Joan Baez.

Monica Barbaro loved working with Timothée Chalamet on 'A Complete Unknown.'

Monica revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that she met Timothée Chalamet a week before filming — and that he was already more-or-less in character. "The first time we met was a music rehearsal," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "So we just really launched right into it, which was nice because I admired his work so much from afar and any level of intimidation that I may have had, I could just sort of funnel into music prep, which was great."

"It was a beautiful experience of getting to hear our voices harmonize as these characters and hear the accompaniment of our guitars," she continues. "And we were able to kind of like anchor ourselves in the music and have sort of a meeting of minds that was maybe a little more similar to Joan and Bob because they met in the music scene as already very proficient musicians. So that was a beautiful magical day. And then we like launched right into filming."

Monica Barbaro (who you'll recognize from Top Gun2) stars as musician Joan Baez, and even though Monica had to learn how to play guitar for the role, you'd never guess just by watching the film. She carries herself with such confidence and ease that I'd have believed she'd been playing her whole life. And the fact her voice sounds like a Disney princess is just the cherry on top.

"I'm not a singer, I didn't play guitar," she says. "So there was sort of this introductory level thing going on where I just had to figure out how to form my hands and in some way, I thought about how she might have done that at like 14, I think, when she first picked up guitar. But that was just like an overhaul of everything — I mean, all my time just poured into that training."

She was doing her own research, but also worked with vocal coach Eric Vetro, who's also worked with Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shawn Mendes. "He encouraged me to consider what the lyrics of songs meant to her," Monica says. "Because the best musicians are storytellers and that's one of the best things about he renditions of these folk songs is you feel the story of the song."

And because of that, focusing on the lyrics "was also a part of the character development. So there were sort of siloed things like voice, guitar research, and then her speaking voice," she says. "And then all of those things started to just kind of like meld, you know. You have to play and sing at the same time and tell a story and do it from the perspective of Joan. And so so they just sort of over time kind of like bridged."

But no matter how much prep Monica, Timothée, and Elle Fanning (who stars as Sylvie Russo) did for the film, they still had to film in the middle of New York City, which came with its own set of 2024-specific challenges. "It was interesting to be filming and have people sneaking videos and posting them on the internet," she says, admitting that she "really just tried to turn all of that off to the best of my ability."

The film highlights the tension between celebrity and fame, considering we meet Bob Dylan right before he becomes, well, Bob Dylan. "It's a privilege to have to have so much attention and excitement on a project and I appreciate the intent, but you kind of just sort of turn it off a little bit and disengage," Monica says, "especially when you're talking about just a very different kind of fame in the sixties."

Read up on 23 Hilarious Tweets About The Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Contest That Timothée Crashed for a good laugh.

I can't always make it out to the salon when it comes to my nails — and I definitely don't have the time to give myself a full-blown manicure at home — so I'm always looking for cute press-on options to wear. From almond-shaped to abstract designs, there are so many sets I can't get enough of.

But I have a secret: I've also figured out how to make them last a little longer. I mean, that's always everyone's gripe with them, so why not share what I know? So scroll on to find all my favorite press-on nails you can find right now — plus the best glue to use to make them stay!

Find all the best press-on nails that'll save you a trip to the salon!

Olive and June

Olive and June Pink Checker Party Press-On Nails

This one's for the girls who love a little mix-and-match nail art and don't want to wear anything unless it's festive or bold. These easy-to-apply nails are the quickest way to achieve nails you'll be proud of without sitting for hours at the salon.

SALT

SALT French - Merlot

Content Editor Haley Sprankle says these nails are the realest looking press-ons she's ever used. Honestly, she feels like they look more real than some full sets she's had done at the salon! And with clear glue, you don't have to worry about having a bunch of white glue all over your fingers once you're done applying them.

Lilac St.

Lilac St. Seeing Stars Press-On Nails

These short and sweet almond nails are the classic French manicure we love to see, but there's also a bit of sparkle to them. They'll take you from your 9-5 to dinner with your friends without feeling like they're making too much of a statement.

Olive and June

Olive and June Linear Hearts Press-On Nails

Valentine's Day has come early with these short and sweet press-on nails. They have a minimal feel that'll also work with all of your winter outfits. I love the cute little hearts because they're not overly stated, but still manage to hold their own!

Amazon

KISS imPRESS No Glue Mani Press-On Nails

If you've finally sifted through Christmas dresses to find the perfect one to wear to that holiday party you've been waiting on, wear these cute press-on nails to complete your look.

P.S. Wear the sparkle design on your ring finger if you suspect you may get a surprise proposal.

Ulta

OPI Feelin' Capricorn-y xPRESS/On Big Zodiac

These press-on nails are strictly for Capricorns who are patiently waiting for their birthdays. Everyone you know will be green with envy when they see you wearing them, but that won't be your problem.

Amazon

Chillhouse Sea Siren Press-On Nails Kit

Are you waiting for the day you'll be able to take a dip in your pool or the ocean during vacation? I hear ya and know just what you need to hold you over until summer: reflective sea-inspired press-on nails.They may not completely cure your longing, but they'll look cool against your skin and outfits.

SALT

SALT Butterfly Press-On Nails - Red

Isn't this design so adorable? Content Editor Haley Sprankle wore these for her birthday this year, and she'd never gotten more compliments on her nails before! Definitely grab these to make a darling statement!

Amazon

Glamnetic Press-On Nails

No one ever needs a reason to wear super girly nails, but I'll give you one anyway: you deserve to wear something that feels carefree and quirky every once in a while.

Amazon

PaintLab Press-On Nails Manicure Kit

Tortoiseshell nails are such a vibe in my eyes. They're the moody accessory you'll fall in love with and can apply at home in no time!

Amazon

Chillhouse Fruit Hoops Press-On Nails

Ah, more fun abstract nails! They also remind me of summers in the sun so I'm sure I'll personally be stashing them in my beauty draw until the beginning of spring.

Walmart

Salon Perfect Glazed Press-On Nails

Give yourself the gift of metallic press-on nails that feel on par with the holidays. They're short enough to allow you to do everyday tasks, but have the right amount of shimmer for date nights.

Walmart

KISS imPRESS Holiday Press-On Nails

Need more Christmas inspo? These press-on nails are going to give you that and then some. They remind me of the sweet treats I see at my local bakery, but I don't suggest anyone try to see if they taste good.

Walmart

Paintlab Reusable Gel Press-On Nails

Sometimes you just want to wear nails that feel like your niece or young cousin could've designed them. Actually, I'm sure my niece drew something similar this year.

Ulta

OPI Nail Heart xPRESS/On Nail Art Press-On Nails

These nails have a hint of color that'll match your rosy cheeks this winter. The more I think about it, the more I feel it's a great idea to use them as beauty inspo for your next makeup look.

Amazon

Here's what to use if you want your press-on nails to stay put

Most press-on nail kits include a standard nail file/buffer and nail glue, but I've recently discovered something that makes sure nails don't budge: brush-on nail glue.It's easier to make sure the glue doesn't spill over the sides of the nails when you press down on them and it seems like they're made of the strongest ingredients that makes your temporary manicure last longer!

Glamnetic Super Strong Brush-On Nail Glue

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