Maddie Ziegler began dance lessons at age two, joined the Abby Lee Dance Company at age four, and picked up her first makeup brush at age six.
Born for the stage, makeup has always gone hand-in-hand with Ziegler’s performance art, from Dance Moms to starring in Sia’s music videos.
So it’s only fitting the now 17-year-old would be approached for a debut makeup collaboration with mega beauty brand Morphe.
Featuring cheek colours, lip glosses and a 20-shade palette (of course, it’s Morphe), Girlfriend caught up with Ziegler to get the inside scoop on the products and the biggest beauty lessons she’s learned from years of doing her own makeup.
Beauty lesson #1 Makeup has no rules
Even though Ziegler herself admits there are looks she’s done in the past that are ‘questionable’, she doesn’t believe in makeup mistakes or regrets. “if you don’t like what you’ve created you can always take it off and try again,” she says.
“Play around and try things that maybe seem weird in your head. Trust me, some of the most random ideas that I have end up turning out the best.”
Makeup is a great way to embrace your creativity, and Ziegler says she often draws inspiration from dance. “Different dance moves make me feel a certain way and I can interpret them through my makeup looks.”
Beauty lesson #2 It’s easier to add rather than take away
These days, Ziegler wears little to no makeup on a daily basis, especially compared to her older dancing days.
“I can’t remember who told me this, but it’s way easier to add than take away, so start with a lighter hand at first and then slowly build the product,” she tells Girlfriend.
“If I could go back I would say less is more!”
Beauty lesson #3 Exaggerate for the stage
Despite keeping things natural most of the time, Ziegler jumps at the chance to do her own makeup for the stage or events.
“When doing your makeup for the stage, everything needs to be exaggerated,” she says. “So big lashes, bold lips and dark liner.”
“Doing makeup for events is my favourite because I can experiment with so many fun colours and different shapes on my eyes.”
The latest trend she loves to recreate? “Anything involving bright colours with a geometric eye.”
And with 20 shades from her very own palette to choose from, Ziegler says her favourite “would have to be the bright blue shade called ‘5’.”
“It has the most special meaning to me and it’s my little secret that I haven’t even told anyone!”
Beauty lesson #4 Practice and watch Youtube
Starting makeup from such a young age has definitely helped Ziegler master the craft, “I really just learned and taught myself by experimenting with different techniques,” she says.
The dancer has also been watching makeup tutorials for as long as she can remember too, with “NikkieTutorials, James Charles, Desi Perkins and Jackie Aina”, among her favourite accounts.
And considering most of those Youtubers have had Morphe collections too, Zeigler is in pretty good company.
The Morphe x Maddie Ziegler collection will be available from morphe.com June 25th, 2020.
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