Sorry, But Your Jet Black iPhone Won’t Stay Shiny for Long

Sep 20, 2016

There’s no denying that the iPhone’s new finish is pretty(and so is the fact that it’s shipping way sooner than expected). But the cost of its appeal is the inevitable wear and tear (like scratching and smudges) it’s going to receive from daily use. It’s really a shame, because we think the phone is gorgeous and wouldn’t want to put it in a case — it was made to be pretty on its own.

According to the folks over at The Verge, the jet black iPhone is actually easier to grip than the matte black version, another reason why you wouldn’t want to put it in a case. And if it’s easier to hold, you’ll probably drop it less anyway. In theory.

The most important thing though is to remember that the jet black iPhone is every bit as hardy and durable as the other finishes; it’s still water- and dust-resistant, and everything under the hood works exactly the same. It’s purely a cosmetic issue, and one that isn’t even always obvious. The appearance of scratches and smudges is dependent on the lighting in your environment.

If you’re really concerned about the safety of your jet black iPhone but don’t want to sacrifice the look, we’d recommend a clear case. This is a sad case of you can look but you can’t touch!

What do you think about how easy it is to scratch the new iPhone? Let us know @BritandCo!

(Photos via Apple)

Meet The Latest Apple Lineup – The New iPhone 15 And Apple Watch

Apple unveiled their latest and greatest today, most notably introducing the iPhone 15 suite, improved iCloud storage plan options, and the Apple Watch Series 9. The new products bring forth some reasonably big changes to Apple’s existing technology – the company saying ‘goodbye’ to the Lightning port is just one example. Read on for everything, new and improved, that was just announced at the Apple Event.

The iPhone 15

New iPhone

The latest iteration of iPhone is the iPhone 15, and it will also be available as the iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. They’ll come in 5 colors: white, black, pink (rejoice!), green, and yellow. The Pro models are fitted with a strong, lightweight titanium casing, and have a 6.1-inch screen, while the Plus models boast a 6.7-inch screen.

No More Lightning Cables

And yes, you read it right – the Lighting charging ports are no more for new Apple products, including the iPhone 15. From now on, users will only be able to use a USB-C cord (that, according to Apple, ushers in potentially faster charging times) for charging their devices. The change makes things fairly easy for cross-functional purposes, as USB-C cords are also compatible with non-Apple products.

Action Button

The Lightning port isn’t the only thing that Apple said they’re retiring. The new iPhone no longer has a ring silencer slider on the side. Instead, it’s now called an “action button.” The action button will still silence alerts, texts, and calls by default, but will also be capable of other handy commands you tell it to complete.

Sharper-Than-Ever Camera

As expected, the iPhone 15 variations boast an updated camera system. The company’s stepped it up so that the smartphones have a 48-megapixel main camera with a larger sensor than ever before. The back camera also has a new “nanoscale coating” for handling lens flares and lowlight with expert skill. The camera system reportedly has more enhanced color, better image stabilization, and a 4K cinematic video mode.

Improved Connection

The new iPhones also feature an ultra wideband chip, which expands the device’s connection strength. This chip allows iPhones to connect to other devices from up to three times farther away. It’s incorporated into the “Find My’ technology that you may already use to find your friends, devices, and more.

Apple made sure to address pricing for the new iPhone, as well as existing models:

iPhone SE will start at $429.
iPhone 13 will start at $599.
iPhone 14 will start at $699.
iPhone 15 will start at $799.
iPhone 15 Plus will start at $899.
iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999.

The new iPhones start shipping and hitting stores on September 22.

Store More With New iCloud+ Plans

Apple also announced that starting September 18, iCloud+ will offer 6TB ($29.99/mo) and 12 TB ($59.99/mo) storage plans, which expands their previous largest offering of 2TB ($9.99/mo). The new plans are ideal for large photo and video libraries, or users of Apple’s Family Sharing.

Apple Watch Series 9

Shout Out To Sustainability

The company introduced the Apple Watch Series 9, which is reportedly Apple’s first-ever carbon-neutral product. They’ll also be making another sustainability effort by eliminating leather materials from the Apple Watch. The wristbands will no longer be made of leather, but instead, a material called “fine woven,” which is made from 68% post-consumer recycled content.

With The Tap Of A Finger

The most notable news surrounding the new Apple Watch is the introduction of hand gesture controls. With the watch on, users can tap their index finger and thumb together twice to answer (or end) phone calls, play and pause music, or snooze alarms. Siri can also take commands via the watch now.

Apple Watch Tune-Up

The Series 9 watch is now made with a custom S9 chip for faster processing, according to Apple. The screen features a new edge-to-edge display that doubles the brightness levels, plus the model is available in a new pink color!

Apple noted these updated prices for the Apple Watch:

Apple Watch SE starts at $249.
Apple Watch S9 starts at $399.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $799.

Stay in the loop on current events and happenings with Brit + Co.

Images via Apple.

11 Healthy Late Night Snacks For When The Munchies Are Too Powerful

I am no stranger to the late night snack. Far too many times I’ve snuck into the pantry past midnight to find a little rat snack to nibble on. You know what happens when the sweet tooth strikes!

Sadly, enjoying the midnight snack I want to eat every night (ice cream, duh) isn’t realistic for the sake of my health (that sugar high goes crazy). Luckily, there are a ton of healthy late-night snacks to enjoy – with most of them being a bag open away!

My fave healthy late-night snacks range sweet to savory, and all of them hit the spot. Scroll to see the brands killing the healthy late-night snack game!

The Only Bean Crunchy Dry Roasted Edamame Snacks

These dried edamame beans are a great healthy late-night snack to have if you're aiming to eat a high-protein diet. One pack of this crunchy treat delivers 14 grams of protein, plus they're fully vegan, keto-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy free for all to enjoy! The individual serving packs also make this snack easy to take on the go!

Deux Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

I can't say enough about Deux! They sell edible cookie doughs and dessert spreads, too, but their donut holes just hit different. One serving of the Cinnamon Sugar flavor (the best flavor, IMO) has 140 calories, but what makes them a healthy late-night snack is the inclusion of B12 and L-theanine, which help support your energy & metabolism. Even though these bites are "healthier," they still taste like a real cake donut (icing and all), which is optimal for satisfying sweets cravings!

SmartSweets Sourmelon Bites Sour Gummy Candy

🎶 I want candy! 🎶 No, seriously – I want candy. But when I want candy that's not as harsh in terms of sugar content and artificial additives, I reach for these watermelon-flavored SmartSweets gummies. The entire bag is one serving, which is super satisfying to me! Plus, there's only 3 grams of sugar in one bag. I will say the texture doesn't really compare your regular sour gummies do (they're a bit sticky), but I'm still obsessed with the flavor given that this is a "healthier" snack.

Siete Grain Free Cinnamon Chips Churro Strips

Siete is another food brand that's stacked with options for healthy late-night snacks. My favorite pick of 'em all are these grain-free churro chips, which are made with minimal, whole ingredients and crafted using only 100% avocado oil. They're sweet, sugary (sweetened with coconut sugar – chef's kiss 🤌), and crunchy all at the same time, and taste ahh-mazing with some hot chocolate.

CHOMPS Grass Fed Original Beef Jerky Snack Sticks

There's nothing like a meat stick when you're strapped for a snack, IMO. They're packed with protein that'll fill you up, plus the taste and texture are often super pleasing when hunger strikes. That's the case with these snack sticks from CHOMPS – a single serving delivers an impressive 10 grams of protein for only 100 calories, and get this: there's 0 grams of sugar!

MOSH Cookie Dough Crunch Protein Bars

If I could eat a MOSH bar every night, I would. The protein bar brand, founded by none other than Maria Shriver and Patrick Schwarzenegger, never misses when it comes to texture and taste. As opposed to most other protein bars I've tried that boast grainy, chalky formulations, MOSH bars are always creamy and smooth. They also have the perfect amount of crunch with tiny crisps mixed in! One bar of the Cookie Dough Crunch flavor is 160 calories, has 12 grams or protein, and 1 gram of sugar.

gimMe Extra Virgin Olive Oil Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks

These are crazy because I could eat ten packs and still want more. But they're healthy! Potato chips have truly met their match. These organic seaweed snacks made with EVOO are vegan, Paleo, Keto, low-calorie (30 cals a serving), and rich in vitamins B12 and iodine. You can even snag 'em in flavors like Wasabi, Chili Lime, and Teriyaki.

LesserEvil Himalayan Pink Salt Organic Popcorn

Another amazing alternative for a bag of greasy potato chips (love 'em, but my tummy doesn't), this minimally-processed bagged popcorn from LesserEvil is still wonderfully crunchy and salty. They also air-pop their popcorn to be lighter and fluffier than most other kinds you'll find on the market. This healthy late-night snack boasts a lower calorie count and higher fiber content than other bagged popcorns, too! Now that's what I call a win.

Grillo's Pickles Classic Dill Pickle Chips

Pickle girls, rise up. I am officially deeming pickles a healthy late-night snack! One serving of these gorgeous Grillo's pickle chips is just 5 calories... wild. Although they boast 200 mg of sodium (9% of your daily recommended intake), these pickles are made with clean ingredients for healthy, guilt-free late-night snack seshes. Crunch away, my love.

Hu Salty Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Candy

These dark chocolate bars from Hu are insane, I tell ya! Their formulations are free of any refined sugar, cane sugar, sugar alcohols, dairy, palm oil, gluten, and soy, plus they're primarily made with Fairtrade ingredients. If that's not an excuse to eat chocolate every night, I don't know what is.

Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps Lightly Salted

Snacking on plant-based protein is always a good way to go when you're looking for healthy late-night snacks. That way, you can actually feel full and satisfied after eating! I could truly shovel a whole bag of these Harvest Snaps crisps into my mouth, but they're worth savoring. In each serving of this perfectly-salted treat, you'll get 130 calories, 5 grams of protein, and even 4 grams of dietary fiber!

Liked this list of healthy late-night snacks? Check out our fave high-protein snacks for more eats, and subscribe to our newsletter to see the greatest snacks around!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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This Amazon Portable Phone Charger Is The Best Gadget I've Ever Used

I am a very prepared person, which means I do my best to handle life's unexpected chaos with grace. A recent curveball that I did not prepare for was my phone dying in the middle of New York City. When you live in Manhattan, there's always a show to see, friends to grab margaritas with, and events to attend. That means you lose phone battery pretty quickly, which is exactly the one thing you don't want to go without in the middle of the city.

Ahead of my show at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, I was #influenced to buy this viral gadget to bring into the stadium with me — and it's the best portable phone charger I've ever used. I can't believe I've gone this long without it!

First Impressions

I grabbed the iWALK Small Portable Charger(which I got for $30), and the first thing I noticed was the size. The whole thing is smaller than my iPhone, meaning that it'll fit in just about any size bag and works with a lot of stadium concert rules!

It comes in multiple colors like pink and teal, but I got it in white.

The Timeline

I left for the concert at 2pm with a fully charged phone. I had to use Spotify, Google Maps, Uber, and my camera all before Taylor even came out, which means that by the time Gracie Abrams and Phoebe Bridgers had finished their opening acts (around 8 pm), my phone was on death's door.

The portable phone charger went right into the port and kept my phone alive for the rest of the night! It also didn't interfere with the audio in any of my recordings, which was super important to me.

Final Thoughts On This Portable Phone Charger

Image via Chloe Williams/B+C

This product really surpassed my expectations because of how much power you get from such a small device. I've used it multiple times, and every time I do, my phone ends up fully charged, meaning I have enough battery for another round of adventures and antics.

I'll definitely have it in my bag all summer long. You can search on the internet for some other portable phone chargers for your summer, but this is definitely my favorite.

Follow us on Facebook and check out our email newsletter for more life-changing products.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Camila Mendes & Boyfriend Rudy Mancuso Just Recreated Their Movie Poster With The Cutest Photo

When I heard that Camila Mendes and her boyfriend Rudy Mancuso met on the set of their new rom-com Música, I couldn't believe it! The best days of a relationship can already feel like a rom-com, but meeting your S.O. on the set of a literal movie feels like a dream. Ahead of the spring movie's drop on Prime Video, here's everything you need to know about Camila Mendes' boyfriend, as well as the cutest moments from the couple.

Camila Mendes And Rudy Mancuso's Relationship Timeline

Image via Prime Video

Spring 2022 — Camila Mendes And Rudy Mancuso Meet On The Set Of Música

Camila Mendes and her boyfriend met while filming Rudy's semi-autobiographical 2024 movie Música. Rudy plays a fictionalized version of himself, and the story follows him as he moves through life with synesthesia, and as he feels torn between settling down and pursuing his art. Camila stars as Isabella, who opens up Rudy's worldview in a whole new way.

The movie is artistic and colorful and musical in a way that I have never seen before, and I can't stop thinking about it. Camila Mendes and Rudy Mancuso also told me during our interview that this scene pictured above in the park was the very first scene they shot together. They're so comfortable around each other that I never would have guessed!

Image via Camila Mendes/Instagram

July 10, 2023 — Camila Mendes And Rudy Mancuso Celebrate One Year

During the summer of 2023, we got the cutest new pic of Camila Mendes' boyfriend with the actress. "always in our own little world," Camila says on Instagram. "te amo so much. one year down, and many more to go."

Image via Camila Mendes/Instagram

February 14, 2024 — Cami Mendes Calls Rudy Mancuso Her Valentine

Camila Mendes celebrated Valentine's Day, and Rudy Mancuso, with a super sweet Instagram post. "my valentine 🌹 as soon as he wrapped música, he flew all the way to the UK to support me while filming upgraded," she says in the post. "edited all of música remotely from our little hotel room in leeds. visited me on set almost every day just to give me a kiss and watch me do my thing. i love you @rudymancuso thanks for showing up in the most meaningful ways. lucky to be your valentine 💌"

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

March 2024 — Camila Mendes And Rudy Mancuso's Música Premieres At SXSW

Rudy and Cami attended the premiere of their rom-com at the 2024 SXSW film festival, and it was an evening worth remembering! "Thank you all who came to support my film MÚSICA at @sxsw. It was a dream," Camila Mendes' boyfriend Rudy Mancuso says on Instagram. "I truly can’t wait to share it with the world."

"thank you to everyone who came out to support MÚSICA yesterday," Camila says on her own Instagram post. "watching our film in a theater full of family, friends and movie lovers was an experience i’ll never forget."

Image via Camila Mendes/Instagram

April 3, 2024 — Camila Mendes and Rudy Mancuso Promote Música In NYC

Camila shared some hilarious photos from her time promoting Música with Rudy — including pretending to fall asleep on the Good Morning America set and my personal favorite, recreating the movie poster! I also need to get Cami's makeup look ASAP.

Who is Camila Mendes' boyfriend Rudy Mancuso?

Image via Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Rudy Mancuso is an actor, director, and YouTuber. In addition to Música, he's best known for his YouTube channel Awkward Puppets (and the main puppet Diego has a role in the movie!). You can also see him in Rim of the World and The Flash.

Can't get enough news about Camila Mendes' boyfriend Rudy Mancuso? Check out The Latest News On Tom Holland And Zendaya's Relationship for more romantic goodness!

Lead images via Frazer Harrison/Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

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Kirsten Dunst Reminisces About “Bring It On” — And Her Childhood Connection To The Movie

Once we saw her in Jumanji, we knew actress Kirsten Dunst would make us proud — especially as Torrance Shipman in the iconic cheer movie, Bring It On. She had us shouting, "Brrr, it's cold in here! There must be some Toros in the atmosphere" during recess...and now, if we're being honest! But, she wasn't the only person we had our eyes on.

There were so many '90s it girls who made an appearance in the movie that we couldn't help but wonder what the Bring It On cast has been up to since the movie premiered in 2000. Sigh...yes, it's been 23 years since Bring It On hit the big screen. ANYWAY, here's what your fave cheerleaders have been up to over the last two decades!

Kirsten Dunst — Torrance Shipman

Image via Aliah Anderson/Getty Images

Kirsten Dunst made us believe that "cheer is life" with her portrayal of Torrance Shipman in Bring It On, but her acting credits didn't end there. She went on to star in the earlier Spiderman franchises, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Marie Antoinette, Hidden Figures, and more! During a video interview with Variety, she fondly talked about starring in Bring It On. She said, "We did extensive dance rehearsal which I loved. I was a cheerleader in 8th grade — that's why I did the movie." Although she was a base in middle school, she got to do a little bit of flying in the movie. She was nervous because her best friend broke her arm doing so, but it seems everything turned out just fine! The best thing she said is, "That movie was a surprise to all of us — the success. We were just off in San Diego...having fun."

In another recent interview with E!, she described where she thinks Torrance Shipman would be today. "Good question. Coaching, maybe," she said with a smile.

Her latest project is the upcoming film Civil War that's set to revolve around an erupting civil war in America. She plays Lee, a celebrated war photojournalist who travels to different cities to document what's going on.

Eliza Dushku — Missy Pantone

Image via Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

Before she was Missy Pantone in Bring It On, Eliza Dushku was in the film True Lies with Arnold Schwarznegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. She also starred in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, That 70's Show, Ugly Betty, and a slew of other movies. Although she hasn't been acting lately, she did produce Mapplethorpe in 2018 via her production company, Boston Diva Productions.

Jesse Bradford — Cliff Pantone

Image via Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Did we have a crush on Jesse Bradford at one point? The correct answer is of course we did! Not only was he a part of the Bring It On cast, but he appeared in other fun teen movies like Cherry Falls with the late actress Brittany Murphy, Swimfan and Clockstoppers.

These days you can find him living his best life on Instagram.

Lindsay Sloane — Big Red

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Max Mara

"Big Red" was played by none other than actress Lindsay Sloane. Her comedic timing has secured her spot as a comedian who's appeared in Nancy Drew, The Other Guys, and Horrible Bosses 1 and 2. Her last occurring role was as Judy on the updated version of The Wonder Years.

Gabrielle Union-Wade — Isis

Image via

Gabrielle Union-Wade has had a long acting career and has appeared in some of favorite coming-of-age movies. From being a part of the Bring It On cast to playing the lead character in Being Mary Jane, she's done more than make her mark in the entertainment industry. When she's not busy with family life, it's not unusual to see the actress secure brand partnerships.

Gabrielle's most recent appearance was at the 55th NAACP Image Awards with her husband Dwyane Wade on March 16.

Shamari Devoe — Lava

Image via Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Shamari Devoe was one of Isis' right-hand girls in Bring It On, but she mostly known being the lead vocalist of former R&B group Blaque. She briefly appeared on season 11 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but Yahoo reports she decided to part ways with the reality TV show.

She's married to Ronnie Devoe, a member of the R&B group New Edition, and they've appeared on Seasons 2 and 3 of Couples Retreat.

Natina Reed — Jenelope

Image via Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

Natina Reed was also among the Bring It On cast and was known for her melodic rapping in the girl group Blaque. However, she passed away in 2012 after being hit by a car. The Hollywood Reporter says she was attempting to cross the street.

Clare Kramer — Courtney

Image via Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Clare Kramer may have played "Courtney" in Bring It On, but she was also known for playing the villain Glory on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also was a part of the Sabrina, the Teenage Witch cast! Her last role was Ms. Persephone in a movie called The Dead Ones.

Huntley Ritter — Les

Image via Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

Ah, good ole Les! We can't forget his memorable character in Bring It On. However, he's also had a role in The Wedding Planner and We Are Marshall. Nowadays, Huntley is the Co-President/CCO of STFRD (Strafford), marketing company based out California.

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Header image via Universal Pictures

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