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34 Products With Before-And-Afters That Will Give You FOMO

34 Products With Before-And-Afters That Will Give You FOMO

Buzz Feed15-07-2025
Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream your skin will be SO happy to soak up — this is formulated with aloe, salicylic acid, and jojoba oil to help hydrate, tighten, and gently exfoliate your skin so effectively that you should be able to see early results in two weeks. (For some reviewers, it only took a few days!)
Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder to absorb oil and blur pores so effectively that you'll be like, "Oh ... witchcraft??" Might be the only explanation for how this can matte-ify your complexion while still keeping it radiant and glowy ✨.
Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes.
The Pink Stuff's new "Sqeezy" sponge set, which is living up to its "miracle" catchphrase by helping reviewers with their toughest cleaning projects, like grimy pans, mildewed showers, and marked-up walls. If you aren't already in the cult of Pink Stuff cleaning paste, it's so good at its job that reviewers call it "gold in a jar" and "witchcraft."
A no-scrub weekly shower cleaner you can quite literally "set and forget" to maintain its cleanliness over time — once you apply it after a shower, you just have to wait eight to 12 hours and it'll quietly tackle the soap scum, grime, oils, mold, and mildew stains without any elbow grease from you.
Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which became the internet's holy grail — now in four shades! — for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes so fast that everyone's old concealers are doing double takes. This lightweight color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference.
Plus Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel, a cult-fave product for your beauty arsenal that will quickly help minimize eye puffiness and swelling thanks to its winning combo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. It's basically an alarm clock for your eyeballs, because boy howdy are they awake now!!
E.l.f's Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required.
And Japonesque's Compact Eyelash Curler, aka your secret lash weapon — this ultra-compact version isn't just great for travel, but is designed with a lash pad to make it gentler on real *and* false lashes. The unique pressure of this version also makes it ideal for hard to curl lashes, monolids, and deep set eyes.
A bottle of wood polish to instantly make your scuffed-up doors, hardwood floors, and furniture look so spanking new that you'll wonder if it's not actually wood polish but a time machine. Why get new tables or fancy professional restoration when you've got a $9 secret weapon??
A deliciously soothing, super gentle Briotech spray reviewers compare to the pricier Tower 28 SOS Spray. It's similarly designed with hypochlorous acid, which targets bacteria that causes acne, skin irritation, and blemishes *without* drying your skin. Reviewers swear by this handy little spray for helping not just with acne, but rosacea, eczema, dryness, dermatitis (scalp included!), and even toenail fungus.
A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo that thousands of reviewers swear by for helping restore their hair and promote healthy hair growth over time. It also includes nourishing ingredients like rosemary oil, zinc, and coconut oil to help moisturize locks and give them a fuller, more volumized look.
And Boldify Hairline Powder for anyone who's like, "Hmmm. Wasn't there ... a lot more hair there before??" when they're styling their roots. This "makeup for hair" helps effortlessly fill in the gaps in your hairline so you don't have style around it. Reviewers also swear by this for touching up their roots between appointments!
A set of Bottle Bright tablets so you can tackle all the sludge caked on your automatic kettle, coffee maker, or favorite ceramic mugs instead of replacing them for a pretty penny.
Lumify Eye Drops, a product so beloved by TikTok that despite being more $$ than other brands, it's the number one selling brand on Amazon right now. Reviewers swear by this for instant reduction in redness in their eyes, with visible differences within a minute of use.
A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen reviewers swear by as an alternative to pricey professional treatments and strips. This gets results from the very first use, lightening up years' worth of stains from coffee, tea, wine, or just, you know, existing as a human with teeth.
A bottle of callus-removing gel so effective at sloughing off dead, hardened skin that one reviewer described it as, "Horrifically satisfying." It's also super easy — you presoak your feet, apply for five minutes, and rub a pumice stone or foot file on the calluses and corns to watch them effortlessly slide off.
A "spray and go" enzyme-based laundry stain remover that works its magic in one wash to help you instantly get rid of all that discolored dried sweat, oil stains, or deodorant residue on your favorite clothes.
L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a FAST-acting, anti-redness moisturizer with results that feel like legitimate magic — especially considering its competitor, the Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream, is over twice as expensive. Reviewers especially love this as a base for their makeup, because it leaves skin super soft and primed.
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil so deeply nourishing, hydrating, and protective that your hair will crave that sweet, sweet honey like it's gone full Winnie the Pooh. This splurgeworthy "weightless" hair oil works on all hair types restore frizzy and heat-damaged hair to its usual glorious mane with just a few small drops between washing and styling.
A pack of dual-sided SneakErasers designed so that one side of them cleans scuffs, dirt stains, and grimes, and the other side whitens them, restoring your sneakers and their soles to their former glory. Take THAT, passage of time.
TruSkin vitamin C serum that just short of startles reviewers for how fast it visibly brightens and firms skin even from the first use, and how well it reduces wrinkles and the appearance of dark spots over time. This may be on the pricier side of skincare, but reviewers compare the cult-fave blend of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to the $182 SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum. With over 95,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and dozens of before-and-after reviewer photos, the hype is more than earned.
MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, which lives up to its name and THEN some — one quick spray of the foundation on the included brush, and it glides so smoothly and subtly over your skin texture that you'll feel like a makeup artist did it for you. Reviewers in their thirties, forties, and up especially swear by this lightweight but effective formula, and love that it's ridiculously easy to use.
A portable car vacuum that lets you explore the great outdoors or enjoy a particularly messy snack without worrying about it all piling up until you have to get an expensive deep car clean. With this easy peasy gadget, you can scoop it all up and leave your interiors looking brand spanking new.
An over-the-door stuffed animal organizer so the next time you're all, "CLEAN YOUR ROOM I AM BEGGING YOU," the kiddos can have a blast racing to get all their beloved plushies off the floor and in their little pocket homes.
PanOxyl Antimicrobial Hydrating Acne Creamy Wash, the gentler version of the OG foaming wash. This sensitive skin-friendly formula effectively clears up bacteria that causes acne on your face *and* body, helping clear and unclog pores so your skin can ~thrive~. Reviewers swear by this both for clearing up existing acne, and preventing more blemishes!
A bottle of Angry Orange pet odor eliminator that's working OVERTIME on preventing you from replacing your carpets — not only does this vanish the evidence of pet-related stains and odors, but it leaves the area smelling so nice that you'll be like, "Um, is this my new signature perfume??" Extremely bonus: it also deters pets from peeing, so if there's a ~hot spot~ your doggo loves to frequent, this ought to curb the habit.
A Benzene-free, travel-friendly applicator of I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder so easy to use that you can just dab it on your hairline and rub it in for an instant, oil-absorbing refresh. Now your "no wash" days are a secret that you and your roots will never tell 👀.
A jar of all-in-one decor paint, a chalk-style paint with a built-in primer designed to easily glide on furniture, upholstery, and any wood, metal, and glass surfaces. It's eco-friendly and dries with a chalky matte finish within 30 minutes of application, making it a boon for parents doing DIY projects. Reviewers use it on everything from old couches to front doors to dressers to fences.
A ridiculously handy adjustable bread slicer guide perfect for cutting loaves, bagels, and even pound cakes as uniformly (and safely!!) as possible. This takes the guesswork out of it *and* positions your hands more safely when you're using a knife.
Mixsoon's Bean Essence, a TikTok-beloved K-beauty staple for exfoliating and hydrating that anyone chasing the ~glass skin~ look will want to know about immediately. You can use this as a low-maintenance, high results exfoliant by massaging it into your skin two to three times a week for a smoother, brighter, more even complexion.
A bottle of Tend Skin Solution to help prevent the infection of ingrown hair, you don't have to spend hours psyching yourself up to shave knowing that you're gonna be dodging a bazillion sensitive spots on your skin.
And a facial hair trimmer for anyone whose thoughts on razors, waxing, or tweezers are simply, "Thank you, next!" This pain-free, ridiculously fast solution has over 99,000 5-star reviews singing its praises.
A touchscreen mist cleaner, because your laptop, phone, tablet, and car screen all have one thing in common, which is that they are BEGGING you to (gently!!) clean them. They have put up with your grubby post-lunch fingers for FAR TOO LONG!!! The mister itself even doubles as a microfiber cloth to wipe it down streak-free.
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43 Cheap Versions Of Products For Thirtysomethings
43 Cheap Versions Of Products For Thirtysomethings

Buzz Feed

time6 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

43 Cheap Versions Of Products For Thirtysomethings

A tinted lip balm that's eerily close to the same magic as "Black Honey," TikTok's beloved $25 ~universal shade~ from Clinique, that it will genuinely startle you — especially when you see the price. This is a perfect, non-sticky "go-to" lippie that's just a step above the "no makeup makeup" look, giving the perfect subtly polished effect. An affordable, Lululemon-esque longline sports bra so comfy, supportive, and versatile that reviewers love it both for outdoor workouts, gym use, *and* errand running — especially since it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the usual $68 version. This is designed to be supportive without being too compressive, with lightweight fabric that keeps you breezy in the heat. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream your skin will be SO happy to soak up — this is formulated with aloe, salicylic acid, and jojoba oil to help hydrate, tighten, and gently exfoliate your skin so effectively that you should be able to see early results in two weeks. Reviewers especially love how affordable this is compared to creams that often cost three times this $12 price tag (or more)! A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball that honestly has no right smelling so delectable and layering so well considering it's only five cash dollars. Reviewers are obsessed with the scent's warm sweetness with a hint of citrusy zest, comparing it to waffle cones, lemon pound cake, and warm vanilla scones ... and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀. A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment, an Olaplex-like repairing mask infused with collagen ingredients and protein extracts that will help restore hair health and reduce shedding (*without* the $30 Olaplex price tag). All you gotta do is apply it on wet hair after a shampoo, wait five minutes, and rinse it out. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which will be your holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes when your summer schedule is throwing you for a loop. This lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference — one that a lot of reviewers compare to the $33 Becca version. Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm, a game-changing makeup remover made with a blend of pearl barley and vitamin E that reviewers adore for getting that ✨ CLEAN clean✨ feeling — it's designed to leave zero residue or oiliness, *plus* brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. People compare it to pricey versions like the $36 Farmacy Green Clean, $49 Dermalogica Precleanse Oil Cleanser, and $69 Elemis Cleansing Balm! A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen reviewers swear by as an alternative to pricey professional treatments and strips, like the $45 Crest White Strips. This gets results from the very first use, lightening up years' worth of stains from coffee, tea, wine, or just, you know, existing as a human with teeth. A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~! Hawaiian Tropic's SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush, aka your scalp's BFF this summer — reviewers don't just swear by this for face coverage and a protective setting powder, but for protecting their hairline without their hair getting goopy from sunscreen scalp sprays or regular sunscreen lotion. Bonus — this is a heck of a lot cheaper than its competitors, like the $35 Supergoop and $36 Brush On Block! E.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm for all the ultra fans of Summer Fridays, Rhode, and Laneige whose bank accounts are begging them to put a stop to the lippie madness. These new deliciously tinted, moisturizing, buildable glosses are just as buttery and decadent as the balms that inspired them, for a fraction of the price. (Brb, drowning myself in the "Strawberry Shortcake" and "Vanilla Toffee" flavors.) A set of Victoria's Secret–inspired seamless "invisible" underwear so soft and stretchy your butt will want to *sing* when you slide them on. This is a true holy grail underwear that doesn't show, doesn't ride up, and somehow manages to look cute all at the same time. A trendy, adjustable slouchy shoulder bag reviewers compare to the $300 Coach Brooklyn version — it's basically all of the effortless cool and useful roominess, without the big ole price tag. In case that wasn't enough of a perk, it also comes with a free matching cosmetic bag! A set of biodegradable ultra-soft face towels inspired by the much pricier $18 Clean Skin Club version — a lot of folks with sensitive skin and acne *swear* by these, particularly because it helps prevent exposing their skin to bacteria that may collect in ordinary reusable towels. A set of golden bracelets giving ~quiet luxury~ vibes at "I want to pay rent this month" prices. Reviewers especially love these mix-and-match sets because they look like expensive versions from Cartier — the middle one is giving the $8,000 "Juste Un Clou" and the studded one is giving the $6,000 "Love Bracelet!" An affordable cult-favorite luxury-scented candle with a scent reminiscent of Le Labo's $90 Santal 33 version, and a throw so satisfying that reviewers can't stop gushing about it. If you're in the market for a signature scent for your space this fall, look no further than this jasmine, oud, and sandalwood blend. An easy-to-apply one-hour (!!) self-tanner so much cheaper and more effective than its competitors (like the $46 St. Tropez) that your medicine cabinet will laugh at the old versions you used. This vegan blend is easy for beginners to use without streaking or uneven patches, and although the tan is instant, the fade is nice and gradual. A Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint reviewers compare to Charlotte Tilbury's $35 Pillow Talk and Nars' $22 Velvet Lip Glide. This one gets bonus points for the softness of the matte color, how buildable and long-lasting it is, and how it doesn't crack or leave skin feeling dry. A three-pack of vintage-inspired polarized sunglasses for anyone who needs to stock up on a few "these look like Ray-Bans, but I won't cry into my Baja Blast if I accidentally leave them in the Taco Bell parking lot" pairs this year. These are especially handy because you can match the subtle prints to whatever 'fit you're wearing! A set of lightweight, oh-so-dainty ruffled pajamas inspired by the $89 Piyama version. Revievers are in loooove with this set for summer, saying the fabric is so high quality that it feels like linen. If you're looking for breezy warm weather loungewear, this adorable set fits the bill! Billion Dollar Brows Eyebrow Powder to fill in your brows as naturally and realistically as the $23 Anastasia Brow Duo version that has held "holy grail" status for so long. Reviewers are stunned by how effective this is and how long it lasts, especially at such a low price point. A plated, jewel-embedded ring you can buy yourself as a little treat if the $1,250 Cartier Love Ring is decidedly out of your budget. Dare I say this version is ... prettier than the designer one? The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Foaming Facial Cleanser, a gentle, cult-fave Korean beauty product reviewers swear by as an alternative to the pricey $40 Tatcha Rice Wash. This hydrating cleanser removes waterproof makeup and sunscreen with ease, has an ohhhh-so-satisfying lather, and leaves skin moisturized after use. Essence's Drop of Sunshine Bronzing Drops, aka the more affordable version of the beloved $39 Drunk Elephant version. This buildable, hydrating formula is an easy way to add a ~sunkissed touch~ to your beauty routine without breaking the bank (or compromising your skin!). A pair of cheerful, super lightweight boxer-style shorts so comfy and adorable that you are about to put all other styles on notice for the rest of the year — especially since these are a MUCH cheaper alternative to the $98 Reformation version. Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume any fans of YSL's $95 bottle of Black Opium will want to snap up, FAST. This compelling, subtly layered blend of mandarin, vanilla, pink pepper, jasmine, and cedarwood is a beautiful all-seasons signature scent that reviewers can't stop raving about — especially because it has such great staying power throughout the day. A Lululemon-inspired mini wristlet wallet set that looks just like their $50 version, and also easily holds cash, cards, and lip balms, so you don't have to deal with the whole muss and fuss of a purse if you're going on a walk around the neighborhood. Plus, you know what they say — keep your friends close and your beloved lippies closer. E.l.f's Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes (and a much cheaper alternative to the viral $26 Blinc version). This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required. A simple faux diamond tennis bracelet to add a touch of sophistication to any outfit without the price of name-brand versions like the $299 version at Swarovski (even though reviewers agree this looks like the Real Deal 👀). And a dainty gold-plated station necklace, another home run from jewelry brand Pavoi so close to the real diamond versions from Quince and Dorsey that run $400+ that it'll turn all your everyday looks into ~quietly expensive~ looks. A set of super affordable hydrocolloid nose pore patches (compare to the $16 Mighty Patch equivalent) that will make you go "boy HOWDY" when you see how much gunk collects on them overnight. Reviewers swear by these for gently lifting out sebum from pores and pimples and minimizing their appearance! An Anthropologie-inspired reversible quilted throw blanket you can get in all kinds of fun, lively prints that will startle your boring couch into having a personality, or give your bed a *much* needed reset. L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist so darn phenomenal at its job that one reviewer calls it "hairspray for your face," and several compare it to the $34 One/Size setting spray at triple the price. This ultra-fine formula sprays on lightly and leaves a natural finish, but just one spray is designed to LOCK IN your look for 36 hours. L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a FAST-acting, anti-redness moisturizer with results that feel like legitimate magic — especially considering the full-size price of its competitor, the $54 Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream. Reviewers especially love this as a base for their makeup, because it leaves skin super soft and primed. A charming and oh-so-comfortable tennis skirt with built-in shorts — reviewers compare the buttery soft quality to Lululemon's $78 Align Skirt, and love the secret inner pocket on the shorts for stashing keys and tennis balls. MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, your new favorite alternative to Dior's (discontinued!!) Airflash that lives up to the hype — one quick spray of the foundation on the included brush, and it glides so smoothly and subtly over your skin texture that you'll feel like a makeup artist did it for you. Reviewers in their thirties, forties, and up especially swear by this lightweight but effective formula, and love that it's ridiculously easy to use. A roll-up wide brim UPF 50 sun hat to protect your cheeks from the sun's rays *and* keep you looking effortlessly chic no matter how many days it's been since your last hair wash. This one is a real winner because of how absurdly packable it is, making it perfect for shoving into a tote bag on long days and a suitcase on vacation — and how affordable it is compared to $87+ versions from brands like Bloomingdale's, Wallaroo, and Cuyana. Olay's Firming Body Lotion full of collagen peptides and a Vitamin B3 complex for *ultra* hydration designed to visibly plump, firm, and moisturize your skin — all at a fraction of the price of other firming lotions, like the internet's beloved $48 Elasti-Cream. A ribbed button up tank top with some real Abercrombie & Fitch energy to perfectly straddle that line of "professional" and "I am 100000% going out after work today, and a martini glass will be involved." A pair of pretty pastel wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like the $399 AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price. Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, a beloved K-beauty staple reviewers compare to the $46 Gisou version for MEGA hair hydration and heat protection up to 450 degrees, so you can style your hair without sacrificing on ✨shine✨. This unique blend of seven-oil blend Moroccan argan, olive, coconut, apricot, Marula, jojoba, and camellia oil not only protects hair, but helps correct damage from dryness, *and* reduces drying time. A ~weightless~ liquid cream blush with some real $22 Rare Beauty blush energy that's having a whole moment and a half on Amazon right now. Reviewers adore how high-pigmented and blendable the colors are and how soft and dewy the effect is on their skin. A shockingly affordable "Glow Up!" Vitamin C Face Serum that packs a punch as powerful as the $30+ versions — reviewers swear by this for reducing dark spots, brightening skin, restoring tone, and giving skin a more radiant, firm look. This particular serum's secret is the 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, which helps boost ~radiance~, in addition to the hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E to help with hydration.

A Psychologist Explains Why The Nicki Minaj Challenge Became A Viral Sensation
A Psychologist Explains Why The Nicki Minaj Challenge Became A Viral Sensation

Black America Web

time19 hours ago

  • Black America Web

A Psychologist Explains Why The Nicki Minaj Challenge Became A Viral Sensation

Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Since #TheNickiMinaj challenge swept the internet last week amid the rapper's puzzling and pointed jabs at fellow music artists like SZA and Doechii, over one billion social media users have hopped on books, stacked dumbbells, and pool ledges to prove their physical aptitude on heels. The trend, that popped up seemingly out-of-the-blue and has now spread like wildfire, is an homage to a pose Nicki Minaj clocked in her 2013 music video, 'High-School,' balancing on sky-high beige heels beside a pool while rocking a long blonde wig and bubble-gum pink bikini. Twelve years later, an ordinary scene from an old rap video is now one of the most viral moments of the 2025 summer run, racking up over one billion views and counting. Every post appears aimed at outdoing the one before it, with TikTokers upping the stakes by balancing on increasingly outrageous household items like soda cans or cooking pots. So what's behind the latest wave of internet peacocking? We spoke to Columbia-trained psychologist, Bea Arthur, about why the high-heeled challenge has the social media world in a chokehold. Feminine Strength In A #TradeWife Era Arthur said that one of the driving forces motivating the trend's popularity is the 'brag-a-docious aura' of Nicki herself. 'One of the things that makes Black women so awesome and Black people so awesome is that we give ourselves confidence, that cockiness,' she said. The pose celebrates feminine prowess and seemingly superhuman strength, which is a visually captivating combination. 'The core strength in heels, it's so feminine. All the girls who were doing it in stripper shoes, I was like, 'Yes,'' Arthur said. 'And how they kept elevating it too. I think Ciara did it on three dumbbells,' she said. The pose is naturally defiant in a #tradewife era that demands women be more demure and submissive. Arthur said this trend calls forth a new message: 'The bad bitch will never die.' Showing Off Is In Our DNA Arthur, whose family is from Ghana, says that culturally, people of African descent tend to be 'shamelessly cocky,' a thread of gold we derived from our struggles. 'You look at hip-hop, we had to call ourselves kings. We had to put on gold. We had to flex, because it literally wasn't given.' She said in Black gay culture, we see the rise of the ballroom king and queen archetypes, who flounce about in a shamelessly vain way, but that's the magic marginalized people must tap into to create their own sense of value outside of systems of oppression. 'The human soul seeks balance at all times in our actions,' Arthur said. 'We seek to be understood, and we seek to be known on a subconscious level.' Participating in a trend like #thenickiminajchallenge is a chance to be seen and known by others, which is a form of self-regulation, albeit brief, she said. But seeking validation online can come with a dark side, especially for people who struggle with social isolation. Arthur said posting can cause spikes in dopamine, our brain's pleasure chemical, which can literally change social media from a pastime into an addiction. 'We're alone. Right? We're watching Netflix. We're scrolling. We're in the house. We're not connected. And so these likes feel like love.' she said. Social Media As Community Arthur said that it's no coincidence that TikTok's popularity took off during COVID when humans were socially and emotionally secluded for months. Viral trends give users an opportunity to feel a part of something, even if it's online and not in-person. 'We need community. We're social animals or tribal creatures, so we need to feel part of something and to be seen. These needs are innate, just like food and water,' she said. Being alone triggers cortisol, which is the body's stress hormone, to be more present in the blood, according to research. So viral trend participants may feel a sense of belonging and alignment by posting. 'That's why athletes love sports so much,' she said. 'Being with other people who love the game as much as you, is a beautiful thing, a necessary thing. Again, we are tribal social animals, but once it becomes ego serving, then it's an addiction, and then it's destructive,' Arthur said. SEE ALSO A Psychologist Explains Why The Nicki Minaj Challenge Became A Viral Sensation was originally published on

Julia Garner spills on Silver Surfer secrets: 'I never looked so cool'
Julia Garner spills on Silver Surfer secrets: 'I never looked so cool'

USA Today

timea day ago

  • USA Today

Julia Garner spills on Silver Surfer secrets: 'I never looked so cool'

Julia Garner is enjoying her chrome era. There was instant fan love when Garner's Silver Surfer first appeared in a trailer for Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' (in theaters now). Since then, the character has inspired Instagram cosplayers as well as TikTokers meme-ing her in-movie message, heralding the coming of planet-devouring Galactus. 'I don't have a TikTok,' Garner says. 'People have been talking about TikTok. They're like, 'Did you know that this was going to be a thing on TikTok?' I'm like, no. I'm in disbelief that people even know me.' Playing the silver alien Shalla-Bal, though, 'I never looked so cool in my life,' Garner adds with a laugh. 'This looks almost like a Met Gala look or some high fashion thing.' Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Being in a Marvel movie is a departure for Garner, who won three Emmys for her role in the Netflix drama 'Ozark.' But she gets one heck of an entrance: In the retrofuturistic 1960s setting of 'Fantastic Four,' Shalla-Bal arrives in Times Square on a spiffy surfboard to warn that Earth is 'marked for death' and Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on the way. Since she's the one who identifies the planets that will be her boss' next meal, Shalla-Bal has a 'toxic relationship' with Galactus. 'There's no HR,' Garner quips. However, her connection with Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), the Human Torch and youngest Fantastic Four member, is one that's actually meaningful to her. 'She finds him amusing, but she doesn't really want to show him. Secretly, I think she likes the attention.' Garner, 31, who says she puts 'love, rage and secrets' in every role she plays, did a deep dive into Shalla-Bal's comic-book history. In Marvel lore, she was the lover of Norrin Radd, and when he agreed to be Galactus' herald (and the original Silver Surfer) to spare their planet Zenn-La, they were separated. The actress was most surprised by 'actually how tragic her story is. If this was a human, you would be like, it's devastating. So that really resonated with me and helped ground it.' One thing she didn't find going down that geeky rabbit hole: Her character inspiring the 1989 Joe Satriani guitar track 'Back to Shalla-Bal.' In 2007's 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,' Doug Jones played the Radd version of the Surfer. But director Matt Shakman wanted to use Shalla-Bal instead because 'First Steps' was a different universe than fans have seen – it takes place on Earth-828, as opposed to the MCU's Earth-616 – and that choice made for a 'really interesting story line' with Johnny. A lot of attention was paid to how the computer-generated Shalla-Bal would appear. Garner portrayed the Surfer via a motion-capture suit and a helmet with a GoPro-type camera attached, and it was important to Shakman that Shalla-Bal was shiny and 'completely reflective' but still 'emotionally powerful,' he says. Another fun fact: Copper veining was added to the Surfer's facade. 'There's a sense of old weathered metal in places, just this idea that she's been doing this a long time and she's gone through some pretty inhospitable environments. So there's a touch of history to her.' Shakman also hooked Garner up with surfing adviser Tehillah McGuinness to guide her with Shalla-Bal's movement. 'She surfs a neutron star. She surfs a wormhole, she surfs real water, she surfs lava. There's a lot of great ways to make use of her Surfer-ness in the movie,' the director says. With McGuinness' help, Garner learned how to feel comfortable and balanced on the board, 'and not look clumsy, like you're in control,' she adds. Garner, who next stars in the horror film "Weapons" (in theaters Aug 8), found ways to add her own secret sauce to the Silver Surfer. For the opening message to humanity, she studied how T.S. Eliot would read his own poetry. 'It was very eerie in a way but also comforting at the same time,' she says. To get in Shalla-Bal's mindset before takes, she'd listen to spacey '70s krautrock music ('I just imagined that that's what she would be surfing to') and also learned to speak her character's fictional native tongue, Zenn-Lavian. 'It's not as hard as you would think. It's not like learning Japanese or something,' Garner laughs. 'Would I want a monologue in Zenn-Lavian? No. But I can say a few lines.' And while Garner became the Silver Surfer, she hasn't tried out her newfound board skills in real life. Nor will she. 'The water that I enjoy is that kiddie water that doesn't have any sort of wave,' she says with a smile. 'I'm quite scared of waves.'

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