Abstract: A tampon applicator assembly including a barrel and a plunger. The barrel includes an internal surface, an external surface, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A finger grip portion is disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The internal surface includes at least one annular ridge within the finger grip portion and at least one longitudinally extending rib. The plunger is disposed within the barrel and includes flared proximal and distal end portions. The flared proximal end portion of the plunger has a larger circumference than a circumference of the at least one annular ridge of the barrel and the flared distal end of the plunger is in contact with the at least one longitudinally extending rib of the barrel.