(Left: Maria’s Makeup Model; Right: Makeup Artist Maria Seccia)
Ever dreamed about how awesome it would be if someone paid you to put on makeup all day? Umm…we have!! Professional makeup artist, Maria Seccia, has made a career out of her passion, but she didn’t get there by simply experimenting all day long. Hear Maria dish about what her job is really like, how she got there and amazing tips the pros use!
Read on Sweetys for the full interview!
Sweety High: Have you always wanted to be a makeup professional or did you ever think you might do something else?
Maria Seccia: As much as I always enjoyed doing makeup I thought I wanted to be an accountant, until I took accounting…
SH: What was your first job as a makeup artist?
MS: When you first start out you work for free and do what are called tests–when new photographers, models, hair artists, makeup artists and clothing stylists get together to do a photo shoot for their own portfolios. Once you have a portfolio you show it to potential clients, photographers, agents or anyone who will listen.
SH: When you were first starting out how did you learn more about your craft and get practice?
MS: After not doing so well in college accounting, I decided to take classes I enjoyed. Among those was a stage makeup class. That’s how it all started for me. This opened up a new world for me.
I was also lucky enough to meet other students who were modeling or acting in the area. One in particular took me to his local modeling agency and I was introduced to the world of photo shoots. From there it was testing, networking and doing any project that came my way, whether it be film, photo’s or theater.
SH: What young talent have you worked with that really impressed you?
MS: I worked with Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift when they were first starting out! They were both very sweet. Also, I assisted a makeup artist who worked a lot with Beyonce and Destiny’s Child. They were very young then–I think 19. I was SUPER impressed with their talent, work ethic and professionalism. I did spend more time with them then most celebrities I’ve worked with, so I got to see more and know them more.
SH: What is the best part about doing what you love for a living?
The key to success in life is to do what you love. When I say success, I do not necessarily mean earning a lot of money, although that can come with it. When you do things you love or enjoy doing you grow and blossom. When you grow and blossom you open yourself up to achieve anything!
SH: Do you have a favorite tool or product that you always have on hand?
MS: In order of importance: eyelash curler, lip balm, liquid foundation ONLY used as a concealer were you absolutely need it, and bronzer used as a blush!
SH: Do you have any tips for our young Sweetys who are starting to wear makeup?
MS: Less is more — be sure to work with your natural beauty first!!! Good skin care, healthy diet and exercise and plenty of water.
DO NOT go crazy with the eyebrow tweezing! That is mistake #1 for all teens. A good thick brow is WAY more modern and the MOST important feature of your face. Always a good moisturizer, eyelash curler and lip balm. Stay away from concealers and eyeshadows. If you need a little coverage use liquid foundation. For a stubborn raised pimple try a cream foundation.
The goal of Punk Dancing is to dance behind someone without them knowing.
Not only did Taylor and Zac take this challenge on, but they did it to some of our favorite celebs! Taylor and Zac successfully got Betty White, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and Akon!
Watch the video to see Taylor and Zac attempt to pull this off!
Happy Valentine’s Day Sweetys!! We are so excited about this holiday! Hearts, love and chocolate? What’s not to love!?
If all that wasn’t exciting enough, there are so many newly released items from our favorite celebs to get excited about today!
Selena Gomez‘s Spring 2012 “Dream Outloud” fashion collection has released at Kmart today! The new line includes lots of bright and neon colors and was inspired by Selena’s fans. Will you be heading into stores to check out the new line?
Also in perfect Valentine’s Day form, the long awaited “Put Your Hearts Up” music video has debuted from Ariana Grande!! We couldn’t wait another minute to see this video so we assume you feel the same! Here is the video (below) – tell us how much you “heart” it!!
Also released today is the music video for “We Got the Beat” from the new Disney Channel Original Movie “Radio Rebel” (Movie premieres on Disney Channel on Friday!). Check it out below!
Last but definitely not least, One Direction also recently released their new single “I Should Have Kissed You.” We are so excited to finally be able to listen to the full track after playing only the preview over and over again! Now we just can’t wait for a music video!!
Happy Valentine’s Day Sweetys! Hope all these new releases make your heart extra happy today!
The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM’s) nominations were announced on January 26th, putting Taylor Swift in the running for three different awards.
Carrie Underwood was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the year up against Taylor, who has one the award the last three years running!
The best part about the ACM’s is that fans get to vote for the entertainer of the year and new artist categories!
Fans can begin voting at the ACM website on March 19 (all other categories are voted on by the Academy).
The 47th annual ACM Awards will air live on CBS from Las Vegas, Nevada on April 1 and will be hosted by Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton.
Check out some more of the nominees below.
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Video of the Year
Eric Church – “Homeboy”
Lady Antebellum – “Just A Kiss”
Taylor Swift – “Mean”
Toby Keith – “Red Solo Cup”
Jason Aldean – “Tattoos On This Town”
Will you be voting for entertainer of the year and best new artist?
Taylor Swift has been seen all over world sporting more headbands than you can count!
We love the way Miss Swift can rock a headband with style so much that we decided to bring the look to our Sweetys!
A headband is a great way to give any outfit a super quick flair that couldn’t be easier to do!
Use a headband when wearing your hair down to change up your everyday look.
Having a bad hair day? Pop one on to distract from a messy up-do and your friends will be gushing over your great hair!
A great place to start your collection is Claire’s – they have a huge selection that is both adorable and unique.
Pictured here are some of our personal favorites that can be paired with a range of different outfits.
The first one is a peacock feather elastic headband (Claire’s $6.50) that would look great both for school with jeans and on the weekend with a fun party dress.
The second is a diamond silver elastic headband (Claire’s $10.50) that will glamify any casual outfit in a flash!
Rock a headband to school tomorrow Taylor Swift style and post a picture of your outfit on Sweety High!
Check out the gallery below to see the styles that gave us our inspiration!
Taio Cruz recently revealed he wants to be next on the list to perform with the country songstress.
“Taylor Swift would be fun,” he said. “She’s a good writer and with a well-produced track and some heavy guitar, we could do something like a new version of ‘Party in the USA,’” shared the British singer with Paper magazine.
We wonder if Tay is going to take Taio up on his offer!
In Justin Bieber’s recent interview with V Magazine, he revealed that he is “not a kid anymore,” however, he doesn’t feel “completely grown-up” either. Check out the interview to find out everything from his goals, to how he deals with his haters, and how he keeps in touch with his fans.
On taking breaks throughout the year: I try to take one now. When I’m releasing an album, I don’t really get time off because I’ve got to work to promote the album. But other than that, I try to take one to two days off a week, yeah. I just hang out with my friends, go to the movies. In L.A., I go to Jaden [Smith]’s all the time.
On selling out Madison Square Garden: Yeah. I went to watch Taylor Swift perform at the Garden with [longtime manager] Scooter [Braun], and everyone was waving their arms back and forth—she was getting everyone to do it. I said, I want to be here and make everyone wave their arms back and forth. And Scooter was like, someday. And two years later I sold it out in twenty-two minutes.
On his goals: My goal at the end of the day—right now—I want to be successful and be great at what I do. But eventually, I want to become the best at what I do. I want to be the best. In the world. I want to be better than anybody that’s ever done it. And in order to do that, I need to strive to be the best, be good to people and treat people with respect, and work as hard as I can. Because for me, I work so hard and this consumes my life, and it’s not worth it if I’m not the best.
On the best performer: I mean, I consider Michael Jackson the best. If I could be at his level… But I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m not saying it’s going to happen within the next three years. But hopefully by the time I’m 30, people will remember me. I think people will remember me at this point, but I don’t want people to just think of me as a teen sensation. Because I could probably just sell out, and then in two years not put out another album, and just become Justin Bieber the teen superstar. But I don’t want to be that. I want to transition, and become the greatest.
On his image: Here’s the thing: I think that I don’t need to try to do anything. There are people who try to grow up too fast—they’re 18, so they’re like, I’m not a kid anymore. People need to know I’m not a kid anymore. But at the end of the day, I’m not completely grown-up. I’m still learning. I’m going to grow up how I grow up. I’m not going to try to conform to what people want me to be or go out there and start partying, have people see me with alcohol. I want to do it at my own pace. But I’m never going to make myself so the kids and the parents don’t respect me. There’re some artists that [parents won’t] let their kids go and see because they think they’re a bad influence. I want to be able to do what Michael did—he always sang clean lyrics—and it was always that little kids loved Michael and grandparents loved Michael. I don’t want to start singing about things like sex, drugs, and swearing. I’m into love, and maybe I’ll get more into making love when I’m older. But I want to be someone who is respected by everybody. Because right now, the young people are who make society. Young people determine what’s cool. Young people determine what’s going to be in style. So I always stick with the young people, that’s what I say.
On his fans and haters: It’s all about making good music, and people hate me before they even listen to my music. I know a lot of people say they hate Justin Bieber who haven’t even listened to any of my music. They just hate me because they hate the idea of me. I’m young, I’m handsome—I don’t mean to sound conceited—but they think that I just got here because [of that], because I’m good-looking and girls like me, but the music isn’t there. Here’s the thing: my first album, I was 13 turning 14 when I recorded it, and I put it out when I was 14 or 15. It was my first time recording, and it turned out really well. We put it out, my fans loved it, but I was still really young. Then the second album came out, and I’d geared it mostly toward the fans. And I feel like the more I put out, people will realize it’s really good music, and they’re going to come. I’m not worried about the guy fans because they’re going to come. If they listen to the music and they like it, it doesn’t matter if they go and act like they don’t like me. They’re going to go home and listen to it.
On tweeting: That’s about keeping my fans in the loop of what I’m doing all the time. I want them to see that I’m not too good for them, and that I can still tell them what I’m doin all the time and be able to keep them informed of when stuff is coming out. When you follow me on Twitter, you are literally following my life. I think that’s really cool.
“No matter how many times we fight, we will always be in each others’ lives,” revealed Lovato in the most recent issue of Seventeen. “Miley and I are very strong-headed, so when we fight, it’s brutal and we’re like, ‘We’re never going to be friends again!’ Then two days later, we’re like, ‘I love you and I miss you!’”
Demi compared this relationship to the one she has with Selena claiming that she “never” fights with Gomez. “She’s not a confrontational person at all. Both of them will never leave my life no matter what happens, because we’ve been through so much together.”
While Selena and Miley remain two of Demi’s closest friends she shared that she was pleasantly surprised by some of the others who reached out while she was in treatment. “We’re not super-close, but Taylor Swift tweeted ‘Pray for Demi,’ which I thought was really awesome of her. And Kim Kardashian, the busiest woman on the planet, took time to call me.”
She continued by saying that Kim “was there for me when not many people were. I could count on my hands how many people were there for me. So the people who were, I didn’t forget it.”
The support of her friends and family during her tough time helped her come back “more confident, happy and healthy.”
“I have so much to look forward to — from little everyday things, like where I’m going to go shopping with my friends, to big things, like heading out on the road [on tour], or even really long-term things, like what my next big project will be.”
We can’t wait to see what else is in store for the soulful singer!
Pizz and Skylar are back for a new episode of the Sweety Seven with our new additions Rachel and Reilly! They give us the latest scoop on what’s happening in Young Hollywood!
