Here’s two questions for you to think about. One is probably quite straightforward to the answer, the other… maybe not so much. Here you go:
- Question 1: Did you celebrate National Best Friends Day on June 8th?
- Question 2: How good of a friend are you?
National Best Friends Day is a celebration to honor those who hold the title of best friend in our lives. Of course, if you didn’t celebrate the day, or didn’t know about it, that doesn't mean you aren’t a good friend. But perhaps Best Friends Day is a good moment to stop and think about our friends, and especially our best friend. Do we give them what they need? We tend to see the world through the lens of our own personality, our likes and dislikes, and it can be difficult to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. That’s when knowing something about our personality, and how it differs from that of other people, can help.
One really useful framework in building and maintaining relationships goes by the name of “FIRO”, code for “Fundamental Interpersonal Relationships Orientation”. That’s a bit of a mouthful, but it describes what the FIRO does. It measures what you need, and what you show, in your interpersonal relationships. This can help explain why sometimes other people, including our friends, don’t seem to understand us, or give us what we need from them – and why sometimes we don’t understand our friends.
KoolShooters/Pexels
The FIRO framework looks at three different types of interpersonal needs:
- Inclusion, our need to belong. How much do you need to be part of a group? How much do you want to be included by other people in their groups, and how much do you want to include others in your group?
- Control, our need for influence. How much to you need to have clear direction and structure in your relationships, both on a one-to-one level and in groups
- Affection, our need for intimacy. How important is it for you to have close personal relationships with other people at a one-to-one level?
The FIRO looks at two different aspects for each of these areas. First, how much of that need is expressed to others, how much of that behavior we initiate to others. For Inclusion, for example, how much do we try to include other people in our activities – your FIRO Expressed Inclusion score. It also looks at how much we want from others.
Karolina Kaboompics/Pexels
- For Inclusion: How much do we need other people to include us in their group and involve us in their activities? Wanted Inclusion.
- For Control: The extent to which we try to influence and control others, and how much we want to be in an environment that provides us with structure and clarity. Expressed Control and Wanted Control.
- For Affection: How much we try to be warm and friendly to others, and how much we want others to be warm and friendly to us. Expressed and Wanted Affection.
That gives scores; Expressed and Wanted Inclusion,Expressed and Wanted Control,Expressed and Wanted Affection. And we can have a high, medium, or low score for each of these six areas.
Helena Lopes/Pexels
So how can this explain why someone might be misunderstood? Well, this can happen when someone’s expressed and wanted scores are different. Let’s look at an example. Joe has high Expressed Inclusion, but low Wanted Inclusion. He wants to involve lots of people in his activities but doesn’t want them to include him in their activities. He’s likely seen by others as outgoing and sociable, but he also has a real need for privacy.
Because people see his high Expressed Inclusion, his friends are likely to invite or include him more than he wants to be, and he’ll refuse some of those invitations – which might leave them feeling hurt or otherwise harm the friendship. But knowing his FIRO profile will give Joe the language to describe his behavior and keep the friendship alive.
Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels
Of course, our interpersonal needs involve other people too. Let’s look at Joe alongside his friend Joan. Joe has high Expressed Inclusion and low Wanted Inclusion. Joan has low Expressed Inclusion and high Wanted Inclusion. This might make for a good relationship. Joe wants to include Joan (high Expressed Inclusion), and she wants to be included (high Wanted Inclusion). Joan doesn’t much want to include other people in her activities (low Expressed Inclusion), and that’s fine with Joe, who doesn’t much want to be included (low Wanted Inclusion).
However, things might be a little different on Affection. Joe has high Expressed Affection and high Wanted Affection. Joan is low on both. Joe wants to be warm and friendly with Joan, to get a connection, but Joan, with low Wanted Affection, doesn’t want that. And Joe is looking for warm and friendly behavior from Joan, which she probably doesn’t want to express. This may be an area where understanding their FIRO results helps them to understand why their relationship may sometimes be strained, and gives them the knowledge they need to make that relationship work.
Karolina Kaboompics/Pexels
So take a moment to think about your relationships, your friendships. Are there places where your best friend doesn’t seem to understand you, or you them? Are there times when they don’t quite seem to give you what you need, or vice versa? Maybe understanding your interpersonal needs, or knowing your FIRO profile, could help.
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If I'm completely honest, there are very few celebrity couples I care about the way I care about Tom Holland and Zendaya. Aside from the fact this couple is like a walking friends-to-lovers plotline IRL, and are both power houses on their own, these two actors and philanthropists are just unstoppable together. They also keep their relationship pretty private. Here's the latest news on it.
The Latest News On Tom Holland And Zendaya's Relationship
Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
July 2016 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Join Spider-Man: Homecoming
Tom Holland and Zendaya met and became friends when they were cast in the MCU's Spider-Man: Homecoming. Tom had already made an appearance in Captain America: Civil War, but the new Spider-Man movie was a huge deal for both Marvel fans and the couple themselves! Not only did Tom Holland and Zendaya spend time together on set, but they also hung out at the pool together during their free timeand goofed around during San Diego Comic Con.
Image via Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
November 2016 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Are On The Cover Of The Hollywood Reporter
Tom Holland and Zendaya basically broke the internet when they graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter's Nov. 2016 issue. The shoot was filled with plenty of classic Hollywood throwbacks, but I have always *loved* the blue dress Z wears on the cover. "Over the moon with my first cover," Tom writes on Instagram. "So grateful that I got to share it with the one and only @zendaya. Thanks mate for helping me out."
"Honored to share it with the very best...Spider-Man himself @tomholland2013," Zendaya says in her post. "Thank you for this beautiful cover @THR."
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
May 7, 2017 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Attend The MTV Movie And TV Awards
At the 2017 MTV Movie And TV Awards, Tom Holland and Zendaya premiered a clip from Spider-Man: Homecoming...and Tom did a flip onstage and then asked Zendaya to homecoming.
Image via Robert Marquardt/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
July 13, 2017 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Are Reportedly Dating
In July 2017, a source seemingly confirmed what many fans had been wondering for months: that Tom Holland and Zendaya had been dating. Considering the two other sets of Spider-Man leads (Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst and Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield) both dated, it felt like this was one relationship that was bound to happen.
"They started seeing each other while they were filming Spider-Man," the insider tells People. "They've been super careful to keep it private and out of the public eye but they've gone on vacations with each other and try and spend as much time as possible with one another."
"They're both really ambitious and they challenge each other — but, most importantly, they make each other crack up," says another insider. "They seem to have a really similar sense of humor and love joking around together."
Tom Holland and Zendaya actually took to Twitter (now X) to tackle the rumors. "Wait wait...my favorite is when it says we go on vacations together HA! I haven't been on a vacation in years!" Zendaya says, to which Tomreplies, "Does the press tour count[?]"
Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
August 8, 2017 — Zendaya Shuts Down Dating Rumors
"We are friends," Zendaya tells Variety. "He's a great dude. He's literally one of my best friends. This past how many months we've had to do press tours together. There's very few people that will understand what that's like at 20 years old."
Image via Noam Galai/Getty Images for New York Magazine
May 8, 2018 — Tom Holland Supports Zendaya's Iconic Met Gala Appearance
Zendaya showed up to the 2018 Met Gala (which had the theme Heavenly Bodies) as Joan of Arc, and it's quickly become one of her most iconic and recognizable carpet looks. Tom loved it just as much as we did and wrote on Instagram, "All hail the queen. Killing it mate."
Image via Theo Wargo/Getty Images
July 2019 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Have A Very Chaotic Press Tour For Spider-Man: Far From Home
For Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jacob Batalon did dozens of junkets together, and many of the interviews have gone viral — like Tom and Jacob finally meeting their favorite Watch Mojo hostandthe cast playing games with Jimmy Kimmel. Junkets are always fun to watch, and this one is no exception!
Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM
July 2, 2021 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Are Seen Kissing
After years of denying they were dating, Tom Holland and Zendaya really and truly broke the internet when pictures of them kissing in a car showed up on social media. This was such a vital moment that I remember exactly where I was when I found out.
"THEY ARE END GAME DREAM COUPLE," one X user tweeted. "I don't know if I want to be Tom Holland to kiss Zendaya or be Zendaya to kiss Tom Holland," another user joked.
Tom Holland and Zendaya were later seen attending a friend's wedding...and sitting very close to each other.
Image via Tom Holland/Instagram
September 1, 2021 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Make Their Relationship Instagram Official
On Zendaya's 25th birthday, Tom Holland posted the sweetest picture from the Spider-Man makeup trailer on Instagram. "My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays," he says in the caption. "Gimme a call when [you're] up xxx."
Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
November 17, 2021 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Open Up About Their Relationship
In an interview with GQ, Tom Holland opened up about his relationship with Zendaya and how their relationship to fame has impacted everything. "One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world,” he says of their July 2 kiss. “I’ve always been really adamant to keep my private life private, because I share so much of my life with the world anyway...We sort of felt robbed of our privacy.”
“It was quite strange and weird and confusing and invasive,” Zendaya agrees. “I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other."
“Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible," Tom later told The Hollywood Reporter. "We don’t think that we owe it to anyone, it’s our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers.”
Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
December 15, 2021 — Zendaya Posts A Tribute To Tom Holland As Spider-Man
Before Spider-Man: No Way Home hit theaters, Zendaya posted a pair of photos featuring Tom in his superhero costume on set, and in a costume as a kid. "My Spider-Man," the caption reads. "I’m so proud of you, some things never change and good thing♥️." Adorable!
Image via Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
February 22, 2022 — Tom Holland Says He'd Love To Be In Euphoria
Zendaya shattered records when she became the youngest person to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Rue in Euphoria. Tom also made headlines related to Euphoria when he said he'd be interested in making a cameo in the series. "I would be in Euphoria. I think I would be a really good Maddy," he jokes during a BuzzFeed puppy interview. "I'm a big Euphoria fan. I love the show and I love season 2. I visited a lot while they were shooting it and I really, really enjoyed it...I would love to guest star or just be an extra in it. Or maybe I am and you just don't know."
Image via Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
April 20, 2022 — Zendaya Talks About Tom Holland's Support During Euphoria
"I think it's great to have that support and love around you, because you need that," Zendaya tells Entertainment Tonightduring Euphoria's Emmy For Your Consideration event. "This isn't an easy job, so it's good to have that to free you up from it every now and then."
Images via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME and Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
June 1, 2022 — Zendaya Celebrates Tom Holland's Birthday
For Tom's 26th birthday, Zendaya posted a rare photo of her with Tom, captioning the post, "Happiest of birthdays to the one who makes me the happiest <3."
Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
March 20, 2023 — Zendaya Wears A Ring With Tom Holland's Initials
I am always in favor of cute, meaningful, and minimalist jewelry, and apparently, Zendaya is too! When Zendaya's nail artist posted a video of the actress' new ballet pink manicure, fans quickly noticed the "TH" ring Z was wearing.
Image via Ethan Miller/Getty Images
April 27, 2023 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Go To An Usher Concert
2023 was the year of concerts for everyone, including celebrities! While Zendaya attended CinemaCon to promote Dune 2, she also went to an Usher concert with Tom Holland. "Childhood dreams come true, going to an @usher concert," Zendaya said on her Instagram story (via People).
Images via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images and Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
May 4, 2023 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Attend An NBA Game
Tom Holland and Zendaya had another date night in May, complete with the perfect athleisure, popcorn, and relaxed smiles.
Image via Xavi Torrent/Getty Images
January 12, 2024 — Tom Holland Confirms His Relationship With Zendaya Is Still Going Strong
After Zendaya unfollowed everyone on Instagram ahead of her new movie Challengers (Blake Lively pulled a similar move before her film A Simple Favor, as did Taylor Swift before Reputation), rumors started swirling that the pair had called it quits. When asked whether they had broken up, Tom says (via TMZ), "No, absolutely not."
Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
January 14, 2024 — Tom Holland Says He Loves Watching Spider-Man: Homecoming With Zendaya
During the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, Tom Holland told Extra how much he loves rewatching his first Spider-Man movie, especially when he watches it with Z. "Zendaya and I will, every now and then, watch Spider-Man 1 and reminisce about being 19 and making those movies again," he says. "I love those movies, and I love savoring those moments, so I try not to watch them as often as I would maybe like to because it’s so special. It's such a luxury, such a gift to be able to sit down and sort of relive your youth.”
Image via Tom Holland/Instagram
January 23, 2024 — Tom Holland Shows Zendaya Some Love
Since Tom Holland and Zendaya are very private, they don't often post about their relationship on social media. But when Zendaya debuted a new look at Paris Fashion Week, Tom Holland couldn't help but post a pic of Z to his Instagram story with three heart-eye emojis. We share the same sentiment, Tom, what a coincidence!
Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images
February 15, 2023 — Tom Holland Supports Zendaya's Dune 2
The London premiere of Dune 2 was *very* eventful. Zendaya basically broke the internet by wearing a Mugler "Machinenmensch" robot suit (before changing into this chic black dress from Mugler by Casey Cadwallader), a certain actress spoiled her appearance in the movie by showing up to the carpet, and Tom Holland and Zendaya were spotted at the afterparty together. I love the care and attention Tom shows Zendaya (I, too, would be overwhelmed if I was surrounded by paparazzi like in this video of the couple), and I hope they got to unwind after a crazy night!
Image via Tom Holland/Instagram
February 21, 2024 — Tom Holland *Also* Supports Zendaya's Challengers
After the new trailer for Challengers dropped, Tom Holland shared it to his Instagram story, promising the movie looks just as good as we're hoping. "You ain't ready for this one!" he says alongside the trailer.
Image via Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
February 21, 2024 — Zendaya Says Tom Holland Has The Best "Rizz"
When asked who has the best "rizz" (short for charisma) in the Dune 2 cast, Zendaya immediately pivots and makes the answer more personal! "Everybody's kind of got their own [rizz]," she tells Buzzfeed. "I think someone who has beautiful charisma, not on the Dune cast, but...it works for me, is Mr. Tom Holland."
"I'm more shy and kind of quiet, so it takes a little bit more to pull me out of my shell but he's great at just talking to people and getting to know people," she continues. "He's just naturally very good at that. Or as for me, I've definitely had to pull it out of me a little bit. He's got that natural gift."
Image via Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
March 17, 2024 — Tom Holland And Zendaya Watch A Tennis Game
Ahead of Zendaya's spring movie Challengers (in which she plays a tennis pro-turned-coach opposite Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor), she watched the BNP Paribas Open Men's Final at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Alongside Tom Holland and her assistant Darnell Appling, who she frequently calls her brother, Zendaya got comfy in a cream-colored tennis skirt, tank top, and zip-up hoodie ensemble. Spring really is here!! My favorite part of the afternoon is when Tom Holland and Zendaya sang along with Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
Image via James Gourley/Getty Images
April 9, 2024 — Zendaya Raves About Tom Holland
In her Vogue cover story for May 2024, Zendaya talks a lot about how fame has affected both her life and Tom Holland's. “His [career] changed overnight. One day you’re a kid and you’re at the pub with your friends, and then the next day you’re Spider-Man,” she says. “I definitely watched his life kind of change in front of him. But he handled it really beautifully.”
That star power was evident in 2022, when Tom Holland and Zendaya spent the afternoon at the Louvre in Paris...and almost broke the internet. “You just kind of get used to the fact that, 'Oh, I’m also one of these art pieces you’re going to take a picture of. I just gotta be totally cool with it and just live my life,'" Zendaya continues. (She also says that when the museum let them walk around after-hours, "it was like Night at the Museum.”)
This spring, Zendaya can't wait to see Tom Holland in his London production of Romeo & Juliet: "[I] could not be more proud. I’m going to try to see as many shows as I possibly can.”
Image via Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
April 10, 2024 — Challengers Premieres In London
Tom Holland showed up for the London premiere of Challengers, and got to support Zendaya in the sweetest way. In this video captured at the premiere, you can see Tom and Z share a hug and a kiss on the cheek during the evening. Even the smallest gesture can mean a lot during a busy night, and I love how in sync Tom Holland and Zendaya are!
The latest viral clip about Tom Holland and Zendaya also has to do with Challengers. During another Challengers press tour stop, Zendaya's overjoyed to be presented with a bouquet of gardenias. “These are my favorite flowers!” she exclaims. When asked if Tom Holland buys her flowers, she points at the camera and jokes, “I hope he's watching!”
While not every girlfriend necessarily wants a bouquet, every couple definitely has to figure out each other's love languages so they can get to know each other better — and apparently A-listers are the exact same!
Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for LVMH x Vogue x NBC
August 31, 2024 — Zendaya And Tom Holland Match On A Day Date
After a summer starring in Romeo and Juliet, Tom Holland took a late-summer stroll with Zendaya in Calabasas, California. They also ended up wearing matching white tanks (Zendaya styled hers with trousers and ballet flats, while Tom opted for cargo-esque joggers and white sneakers) for the ultimate twinning moment.
Bero
October 15, 2024 — Tom Holland Launches A New Company With Unexpected Help From Zendaya
After going sober in 2022, Tom Holland announced on October 15 he was launching a non-alcoholic drink company called Bero. “When I got sober, I started exploring the world of non-alcoholic beers and realized there was space for me to fit in,” Tom says in an interview with Forbes. “My first year sober was really difficult, and had I had Bero, I think it would have been easier.”
“Zendaya hates beer, like, absolutely hates beer," he continues. And when she helped with the taste testing, a joke helped guide the overall brand. "She does not drink beer at all, and the first round of testing she was like, ‘Wow, these are really tasty’, and I was like, ‘Well, that's probably not a good sign.'"
And at the launch event for Bero in New York City, Tom and Zendaya wore matching shades of burgundy! Z stunned in a floor-length leather dress while Tom paired a short sleeve sweater with black trousers.
On
October 15, 2024 — Zendaya Reveals Why She'd Never Take A Dance Class With Tom Holland
While speaking to Teen Vogue for her partnership with On, Zendaya reveals she'd probably avoid dance classes with Tom Holland because "he's too good, it would piss me off," she jokes. "I would want to take someone who could be equally as bad as me."
"Kayaking, I would choose Tom because I think that, if I can remember correctly, with the kayak, you have to be in sync with the person," she continues. "And I think it would be hilarious because we are both very controlling and we both want to be in charge. So it would be funny to watch us be like, no, we're going to go this way. No, we're going to go that way. And I think it would be a good story after the fact."
Keep checking back here for the latest news on Tom Holland and Zendaya's relationship, and see what Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are up to as well!
This post has been updated.
Making friends as an adult can be hard, and if you ask me, nothing is harder than having to wade through small talk. Asking about work or how someone's day went makes every interaction feel like a first date. Of course, I want to know about work and how someone's day went — I just want to know more.
The key to making small talk more fun is figuring out what someone likes to talk about. Are they into pop culture? History or sports? Their faith? Once you crack the code on what they love to talk about, your conversation will instantly flow. Here are 11 questions you can ask a new friendthat make small talk feel bigger.
What are your hobbies?
My favorite thing to do when talking to a new friend is to ask them how they spend their time. Because while school and work can have elements of responsibility or obligation, hobbies are pure fun! This is a good question to open your small talk with because it'll help you both loosen up and think about something you love to do. Plus, if you end up learning you share a hobby, you have even more to talk about! (As I discovered during my conversation with author Yulin Kuang!)
What's your favorite way to unwind?
If you want your conversation to feel more relaxed, well, ask about relaxation! Whether your new friend does yoga, they spend a half hour doing skincare, or they read a book chapter every night, this question is sure to get a positive response. Speaking of books...
What are you watching or reading right now?
Netflix
There are so many movies, TV shows, and books out right now that you're both bound to be in the middle of one title or another. I can (and do) spend hours upon hours talking about my favorite TV shows. This is one small talk question that can make even the most awkward convo enjoyable.
What fictional character is closest to your personality?
Netflix
And if the TV conversation goes well, take it a step farther by asking which fictional character your new friend relates to the most. It'll give you a little more insight into their personality, and it's just plain fun.
Which Taylor Swift era are you in?
If you and your acquaintance are both Taylor Swift fans, dive deep into your current eras. Whether you're in your Lover era or you're embracing the carefree chaos of 1989, this is the perfect excuse to queue up your Taylor Swift playlist.
Are you a morning person or a night person?
If you're both morning people, you can bond over how nice it is to be the early birds, while two night people will have plenty to talk about when it comes to nightlife or the best places to look at the stars. And if you're opposites, you can give each other tips!
Are you a chocolate person, vanilla person, or neither?
I don't know about y'all, but I refuse to order ice cream unless it's chocolate. I love consistently knowing what to expect. Maybe your new friend feels the same way, or they prefer the spontaneity of ordering a new flavor every single time. Either way, it'll give you a look at their personality AND lead you to the ice cream store. It's a win-win.
What fruit are you?
My current go-to question was born out of my interview with The Outsiders cast (in honor of character Cherry Valance). My current answer is strawberry for a few simple reasons: you know what you're in for, it can be super sweet, and on a good day, it's the same on the inside at the outside.
What's something you're proud of this year?
It's crazy that we're halfway through 2024! Let the conversation take an exciting turn by remembering something fun, memorable, and beautiful.
What's one thing you want to check off your bucket list this year?
But don't spend all your time talking about the past! Think ahead to the second half of the year and talk about a dream or goal you have. It can be as small as finally ordering frames for your gallery wall or as big as scoring a promotion.
Where do you want to travel?
Summer's not over yet! Daydream about somewhere you'd like to see one day, like Italy or Seoul. And in the meantime, plan a day trip somewhere close by :).
Read up on 10 Thought-Provoking Questions To Know Close Friends More Intimately for more!
Lead image via Laura Du Vé/Refinery29 Australia for Getty Images
Move over expensive MAC haul — I've discovered the best drugstore lipstick that rivals my $20+ purchases. I love finding dupes for my beauty lovers who can't continuously drop a huge amount of money on new products that eventually expire. Since I'm 100% against using old makeup, I'd rather chat your eat off about the affordable drugstore finds I'm using consistently these days.
IMO, the best drugstore lipstick is the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick! Coming from one of the OG beauty brands, it's formula was surprising because I almost expected it to fail. It sounds silly, but trying drugstore brands used to be a hit or miss before social media started demanding that all makeup products stop being subpar.
Since this lipstick passed the test, here's everything you need to know about it — including why I l keep buying it and all the other best drugstore lipsticks I love!
What is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink used for?
Jasmine Williams
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?
Maybelline
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
Jasmine Williams
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:
- 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.
- 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.
Target
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
Target
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.
Target
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!
Target
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.
Target
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.
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ICYMI, we live for Halloween. All year we look forward to pumpkin decorating, costume DIYing, and trick-or-treating. But, most of all, we’re always on the hunt for unique and innovative ideas to slay our favorite October holiday. Lucky for us, sometimes all we need is playfully dramatic Halloween makeup to really pull a look together. Scroll on for 70 of our favorite original Halloween makeup ideas — ranging from easy-to-achieve to jaw-droppingly advanced — and prepare to take your disguise to the next post-worthy level.
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Pop Art Makeup
Channel your inner Warhol with a creative take on an iconic art movement. (via Brit + Co)
Taylor Swift
The only thing you REALLY need to dress like our favorite popstar is bright red lipstick and bangs, if you're feeling adventurous. Sounds good to us.
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Harley Quinn
She may have been corrupted by the Joker, but Harley is still H-O-T. (via Brit + Co)
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Bowie Emojis
Pair an Aladdin Sane lightning bolt with your own karaoke version of “Ziggy Stardust” for a Halloween costume that’s sure to turn heads. (via Brit + Co)
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Jungle Cat
Definitely not for the intro level makeup artist, but major makeup #goals. RAWRR. (via Brit + Co)
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Wonder Woman
It’s your turn to become the feminist-friendly box-office sensation that we all need. (via Brit + Co)
Shepard Fairey Painting
A tribute to Obama is always worthwhile in our book, especially when it’s this creative.
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Jem
Clearly, we are as obsessed with ’80s cartoon characters as we are with Halloween makeup. Light pink hair, a simple star, and a bold pink pout will bring your Jem look to life. (via Brit + Co)
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Chill
Go crazy with all the blues to nail the icy half of everyone’s favorite Netflix and chill costume. (via Brit + Co)
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Madame D from Grand Budapest Hotel
Even though Madame D isn’t in the film for long, we quickly fell in love with her — especially her style. This elderly makeup look may seem tricky, but you can totally handle it! (via Brit + Co)
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Jellyfish
Not only will you look like one of the most magical sea creatures to exist, but you’ll be protected from the rain if the sky decides to open up too. (via Brit + Co)
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Witch Makeup For Halloween
The OG Halloween costume. Use a little green face paint accented with mossy contouring and a purple lip to get witchy with it in no time. Bonus points if you wear it to see the Wicked movie too ;) (via Brit + Co)
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Half Sugar Skull
Go halfsies on your DIY sugar skull so you don’t have to worry about keeping it symmetrical. Add your favorite lip color and a creative costume for a memorable look. (via Brit + Co)
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Robot
You don’t have to wear a spooky costume for Halloween shenanigans; there are getups that can be pretty and a little creepy, too. Take this colorful robot, for example. It blends equal parts artsy beauty with the futuristic fierceness that is sure to get the party talking. (via Brit + Co)
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Clown Makeup
A creepy clown has always been a go-to Halloween costume, but this year, why not put a creative, colorful spin on it? Featuring pops of bright blue, lime green, and hot pink, makeup artist Fernanda Machado’s original creation achieves those spooky, artistic vibes you’re longing to channel. (via Brit + Co)
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
They fight crime. They eat pizza. They’re named after Italian Renaissance artists. They’re Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! And, let’s face it, they’re the coolest reptile warriors in town. (via Brit + Co)
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Zombie Makeup
As much as we love channeling our inner Wonder Woman, pulling off a slightly gorier zombie costume presents the Halloween makeup challenge we crave. Here we’ve created an approachable zombie makeup tutorial so you can still feel like a babe while staying true to the holiday’s spooky vibe. (via Brit + Co)
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Creepy Clown
No matter if you’re going as a clown or as a mime, this kinda creepy, kinda cute look will achieve all of your Halloween dreams. (via Brit + Co)
True Colors
Show us what you got with this playful, technicolor makeup DIY that’s definitely open to interpretation.
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Cassie Howard from Euphoria
This is one Halloween makeup look you can wear even after Halloween's over. Check out our Euphoria makeup tutorials for more inspo, or create your own eye makeup look. Whatever you do, don't forget the rhinestones! (via Brit + Co)
Rainbow Skull
Brighten up an otherwise dark and spooky look with not one, but all the colors of the rainbow.
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Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy
A makeup sponge is key when creating this simple mean green look. (via Brit + Co)
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Gorgeous Ghost
Swap the normal ghost sheet for a makeup look that everyone will love. Or wear this as Narnia's White Witch! (via Brit + Co)
Trick-or-Treat
We’ll always take some sweets on Halloween — especially when they’re in the form of colorful makeup.
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Queen of Hearts
Are Tim Burton fans attending your bash? Then they’ll definitely approve of this look. After all, why not be a queen for Halloween? (via Brit + Co)
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Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy
This raccoon look is pretty dang convincing. Even if you opt for the store-bought costume, this makeup adds that homemade touch we live for. (via Brit + Co)
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Millennial Pink
We’re getting Zenon vibes with plenty of sparkly, metallic makeup to match. (via Brit + Co)
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Modern Vampire Makeup
Fangs will forever be in fashion. But that doesn’t mean you have to have blood dripping down your chin to let people know what you are. You’re a classy vampire. (via Brit + Co)
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Skeleton Makeup from “David S. Pumpkins”
If you’ve yet to see SNL‘s skit, then TBH, that needs to be the first item on your checklist. Recreate this extremely goofy twist on the traditional Halloween character for guaranteed all-night laughs. (via Brit + Co)
Pop Art Zombie
We live for out-of-the-box zombie looks, and it’s fair to say that this show-stopping peekaboo number hits the mark.
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Bombshell Skeleton
Hoping to harness a spooky mood that doesn’t sacrifice style? Look no further than this glam take on the undead. (via Brit + Co)
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Zoya the Destroya and Liberty Belle from GLOW
Contouring is key when it comes to creating these wrestler babes’ game faces. Who will win: Zoya or Liberty Belle? (via Brit + Co)
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Fairy
This costume at its core is really simple to make, but adding makeup and hair accents will take it from makeshift to masterpiece. (via Brit + Co)
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Started from the Bottom Ilana from Broad City
Possibly one of the most epic episode intros of all time, season one’s “Apartment Hunters” begins with a music video short where Ilana looks like an absolute kween. (via Brit + Co)
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Olivia Rodrigo Sour Album Cover
All you need for for a Sour Halloween makeup look is your go-to makeup routine and some stickers from the craft store, and voilà! (via Brit + Co)
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Woodland Fairy
Minus the butterfly lashes, we would wear this look to a festival. All right, you got us. We’d wear the lashes too. (via Brit + Co)
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Wisdom Teeth Abbi from Broad City
Season two’s “Wisdom Teeth” episode is arguably one of the best ever. After Abbi gets her wisdom teeth pulled, she takes too much pain medication combined with a ganja-infused smoothie and passes out. Ilana then decides to paint her face with makeup while feeling particularly lit. This is THAT look. LOL. (via Brit + Co)
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Snapchat Puppy
The trick here is to take a screenshot of yourself in the makeup filter of your choice and then use that as your makeup inspiration photo. (via Brit + Co)
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Hocus Pocus Witch Makeup
Who's more iconic than the Sanderson sisters? Those lips, tho. (via Brit + Co)
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Dinosaur
Any makeup look that calls for finishing touches of glitter, wins. Tap it on anywhere that your little dino heart desires! (via Brit + Co)
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Snapchat Flower Crown Filter
Highlight heavily and contour softly to recreate this popular floral filter. Pro tip: wear lavender or gray contacts to complete the lewk. (via Brit + Co)
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Anna from Frozen
Begin by following this tutorial to get your base makeup for this look. For your bronzer, apply in a more circular motion to create her doll-like facial structure. Keep your blush bright pink but blend just on the apples of your cheeks. (via Brit + Co)
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Jailbird
Simple tutorial alert! We used the Cat Eye Kit to create these fierce, winged eyes. Continue the eyeliner line down the nose to make a bird beak. (via Brit + Co)
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Dalmation
Whether you’re one of 101 or just a solo, spotted pooch this Halloween, you only need to use black and white face paint to create a doggone (get it?) adorable look. (via Brit + Co)
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Rainbow
This is actually really simple to recreate — all you need are rainbow cream colors and a small paintbrush or makeup brush to apply them with. (via Brit + Co)
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Scarecrow
There’s nothing wrong with keeping it classic for Halloween. Amp up your traditional scarecrow outfit with a little face paint for a pulled-together look in 20 minutes or less. (via Brit + Co)
Zombie Skeleton
Our very own beauty editor knows a thing or two about how to wield makeup for a creepy-meets-gorgeous Halloween makeup look. Talk about a new meaning for the phrase “drop dead gorgeous.”
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Frida Kahlo
Trace on a unibrow and you’re well on your way to emulating Frida’s signature look. (via Brit + Co)
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Mermaid
Who says that your mermaid dreams have to stay just dreams? With the right pastel makeup and brightly colored mane, you’ll be giving off mermaid vibes in no time. (via Brit + Co)
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Elsa from Frozen
Channel Elsa’s icy cool vibes by using a much lighter foundation than you normally would paired with bright cream eyeshadow. (via Brit + Co)
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Ursula
Even if you’re not a makeup artist, you can easily recreate this look by capturing the shape of her face. Look at each part before you start painting yourself, and do each step in order. (via Brit + Co)
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Pot of Gold
Rainbow hair atop a highlighted and bronzed beauty look makes for one leprechaun-approved Halloween makeup idea. (via Brit + Co)
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Purrfect Black Cat
Being a black cat is always a solid option. Grab your liquid liner to DIY this look. Don’t forget the ears! (via Brit + Co)
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Snapchat Bee Filter
Dramatic lashes and yellow cream makeup go a long way when it comes to pulling off this popular — or should we say buzzy — Snap filter. (via Brit + Co)
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Vampire
This vamp costume is perfect for the dark-haired, busy gal on a budget. It doesn’t take a vampire’s life span (AKA eternity) to make — and with just a few easy steps you’re transformed into a picture-perfect creature of the night! (via Brit + Co)
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Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” Makeup
Katy Perry is undeniably the queen of costumes. So, why not take a page out of her book and DIY her standing ovation-worthy “Dark Horse” look? (via Brit + Co)
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La Croix
Pick your fave fizzy flavor and you’re sure to win the contest. After all, La Croix is life. (via Brit + Co)
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Mad Hatter
This makeup is an understated version inspired by the original and is really easy to recreate. And yes, those are fake eyelashes we used as eyebrows for the ultimate Halloween hack win! (via Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
Unicorn
Pastel hair and makeup, a flower crown, a white body suit, and a unicorn horn make for one seriously simple Halloween look. (via Brit + Co)
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Andy Warhol’s Marilyn
Head to your local beauty store and grab all the pink face paint you can to get ready to rock your inner pop self. (via Brit + Co)
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David Bowie
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” (via Brit + Co)
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Barbie
This makeup look is super subtle and totally customizable to your favorite shades. As long as you have a pink lip, you're good to go. (via Brit + Co)
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Trump
All you need is some bigly orange bronzer to make this your greatest Halloween look ever. No Halloween has ever been this great before. It’s the greatest. (via Brit + Co)
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The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s never too early to start the Christmas festivities. Try out this simple makeup DIY from The Nightmare Before Christmas to jumpstart the holiday season. (via Brit + Co)
What Halloween makeup look are you choosing? Be sure to ‘gram it and tag us @BritandCo.
This post has been updated.