Few couples can turn a product launch into a public affection test, but Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez managed it on Saturday. In an Instagram video for her r.e.m beauty line, Grande tried a series of lip products on Alvarez, who was blindfolded by his beanie cap and had to name each one. He asked for more kisses to help him guess, which is either a clever tactic or the least subtle strategy in the history of brand partnerships.
He got the Glossy Balm right, then the Plumping Gloss after two kisses, and identified the Blur Butter on the final round without difficulty. He did misfire on the Plumping Gloss flavour, calling it 'Fembot' before Grande whispered the answer, Jelly Sandals, in his ear. The bonus round was the best bit: she used Eclipse Cheek & Lip Stick, a shade not yet released, and he still guessed Holiday Milan. Stroking his chin, he was clearly not a man who had been prepared for that.
The couple rekindled their romance in June, after Grande's split from Ethan Slater was announced earlier this year. Since then, much of the relationship has been documented through her own posts: a carousel of kisses earlier this week, and a forehead kiss on what appeared to be a date night. Daily Mail also reports that she debuted a matching tattoo with Alvarez at the end of her Eternal Sunshine tour, and that she has been changing the lyrics to Thank U, Next. Those reports have fuelled marriage talk, but no wedding has been announced, and neither of them has said anything about one.
Alvarez closed the video by urging Grande's 362 million followers to 'shop now', which is the most useful thing anyone has asked of a lip balm all year. Grande is meant to be taking a break from the spotlight, so this is a fairly cheerful way to do it.
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