The Maddie Diaries

by Maddie Ziegler

  “I’m feeling sporty.” Think pieces that have a tomboy feel—boyfriend jeans, sweats, varsity jackets/sweaters, comfy hoodies, high-top sneakers. You can go with a team tee if you have a favorite (go Pirates!) or even a cute baseball cap. Just don’t overdo it—you don’t want to look like you’re hanging out in the boys’ locker room all the time or borrowing from your brother’s closet. This is kind of my everyday style because it’s so comfy and easy to wear anywhere.

  “I’m feeling dramatic.” Pick fabrics that feel a little posh—like velvet, satin, suede, cashmere, and go for bold colors and sparkling accessories like gold/silver bracelets, belts, and shoes. I think this look is all about the details: beading, buttons, embroidery, metallic trim—anything that catches the eye. I’m most likely to choose this style if I’m walking a red carpet—I might pick a bright yellow two-piece shorts set (like the one I wore to the People Ones to Watch event) or a bold pink romper (like the one I wore to the Teen Choice Awards) and pair it with a glittery crystal clutch and high heels.

  “I’m feeling girly.” Choose soft, flowy materials like chiffon, silk, even lace, in white or pastel colors, and look for floral prints that feel a little delicate. It should feel feminine, but not too “little girl.” For example, a bowed blouse is pretty, but not when you’re wearing bows on your hair and shoes, too! A skirt or dress (long or short) is always ladylike, but you can also wear shorts and white jeans. I like ballet slippers or pointy-toed shoes when I’m in this mood; also maybe some delicate jewelry like a simple pendant or stud earrings. I might also balance it out with something unexpected, like a pink mini backpack or rose-gold sunglasses.

  “I’m feeling boho.” Coachella-inspired looks can be so much fun! Try a bell-sleeved top that laces up, an off-the-shoulder blouse or romper, a crocheted sweater, ripped jeans, even a fringy skirt or vest. When I think of this style, I think earthy colors, like brown, orange, and sunflower gold. A slouchy hobo bag goes great, and so do ankle booties. I think this look is more Kalani than me (she looks so good in a floppy hat!), but if I’m feeling artsy and creative, I might give it a try!

  “I’m feeling edgy.” A leather or vegan leather moto jacket is a great investment for an edgy-girl look. I kind of channel my inner Aria from Pretty Little Liars and think dark details—maybe a vintage rock tee with dark-wash jeans to go with it? Details like buckles, zippers, and studding are also important; a chain-link shoulder bag works, and so do mirrored sunglasses. This look gives you a lot of confidence because you feel like a tough girl in it!

  A Few of My Favorite Bling

  I never really thought I’d be a ring person, but I love the four I have. They’re each very special and sentimental; I stack them or wear them on different fingers. The first is a red enamel heart ring from Jordan Askill. His brother is Sia’s director, and he made it for me and gave it to me when we were shooting “Elastic Heart.” Jen Meyer designed my SISTER necklace and was so flattered that I never take it off, she gave me a pair of rings to go with it. One has a tiny little diamond in it. The fourth ring is a gold open T-shaped ring I just got the other day from XIV Karats in Beverly Hills. My friend got the same one.

  I also love my diamond stud earrings. They were a present from my mom for my thirteenth birthday and they are so bright and twinkly. They really do go with everything, so I just leave them in all the time.

  Five Fashion Rules You Should Break

  (FROM LINDA, MADDIE’S STYLIST)

  1 “Your bag should match your outfit.”

  Just the opposite! I feel like every girl needs a hip, fun, colorful purse and it should be anything but matchy-matchy. Maddie recently wore an orange romper, and I paired it with a bright yellow clutch. The bag is what creates the wow factor that every outfit needs when you’re going to a party or event. If you’re not carrying a clutch, then use your shoes to add interest and a pop of color. Not matching is whimsical, youthful, and fun.

  2 “Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!”

  My philosophy 90 percent of the time is “Less is more,” especially when you’re young. A fourteen-year-old girl doesn’t need a huge statement necklace or armfuls of bracelets—unless you’re truly feeling it (see rule #5). For Maddie, I go with small, simple, delicate jewelry—Jennifer Meyer is great, and Claire’s and Target have some inexpensive options. I also think you have to be careful with how many different accessories you pile on: a hat, a scarf, pins, sunglasses, sparkly earrings. All are fun, but not at the same time. Your eye doesn’t know where to look and you wind up overdone.

  3 "You’re too young to be wearing heels.”

  I think a sensible heel—about an inch and a half in height—is perfectly fine. It makes you look taller and walk more confidently. Save the stilettos till you’re a little older!

  4 "Never mix and match patterns.”

  If you’re feeling it, go for it. You can make it subtle—say, by tying a plaid shirt around your waist when you’re already wearing a striped sweater and jeans. Try to let one print be “in charge” and dominant, and the other can be the accent. In general, the simpler and more graphic the prints, the easier they are to pair.

  5 “You should wear what’s in.”

  Never wear something just because it’s in a magazine or your mom or your BFF says they like it. You have to like it. When I put something on Maddie, I can tell right away if she’s into it: Her face lights up and she struts around; her shoulders don’t tense up. What it boils down to is this: If you love it and you feel it, you’re gonna rock it. You should have a voice in your fashion choices; don’t let anyone dictate your style for you.

  Dear Maddie

  Someone I know wrote a mean comment under a pic I posted on Instagram. They said I look bad in it, but I like the photo. Should I take it down?

  Not if you like it. That’s the only opinion that should matter. People will say what they say. It used to bother me when people made fun of me in a photo or criticized something I posted. Now I don’t bother with them. You have the power; you can delete the comment and block the person from ever seeing one of your photos again. If they don’t respect you, then that’s the best way to deal with it. Don’t let anyone ever make you feel bad about yourself. When they hate on you, they really hate themselves, and being a cyberbully is their way of trying to make themselves feel bigger and better.

  My mom won’t let me do anything! I’m thirteen and she still thinks I’m a baby. I can’t go anywhere with my friends by ourselves because she says I’m too young. But I’m not!

  I know you just want to yell and get into a fight with her over this, but that’s not going to get you very far. I think you need to win your mom over and gain her trust, and that will take time. Start small: Ask her to drive you to the mall with a friend, then agree on a time and place to meet her back. She can go to her stores and you guys go to yours—but you’re under the same roof, right? Check in with texts every fifteen minutes or so. That way she knows you’re okay. Here’s the thing: Your mom isn’t being mean. She loves you and worries about you. You may not be a baby, but you’re her baby. She’s trying to protect you. The more you prove to her that you’re responsible, the more freedom she’ll let you have.

  I broke my foot and my dance teacher says I have to sit out the rest of the semester (eight weeks!) and “rest it.” It’s so unfair—I hate my life!

  I’m not someone who likes to sit on the sidelines either—it makes me feel kinda useless and I get bored really easily. So I get what you’re saying. But you also have to realize that dancing, even standing on your injured foot, could cause even more damage—permanent damage. So if your doctor and your teacher tell you to rest it, I don’t think you have a choice. They’re doing what’s best for you. Tell yourself it’s not forever. Use the time to really observe the technique that’s being taught in class and take notes. Be present; don’t zone out. Every dancer hurts himself/herself at some time or another, and we need to let our bodies heal. You’ll be back on your feet before you know
it.

  Today Is a Beautiful Day to . . .

  Get lost. By this I mean check out someplace you’ve never been—a new neighborhood in your city, a park, a trail, even a far-off destination on the internet that you think you might want to visit one day. Expand your horizons . . . literally! It always amazes me when I visit somewhere new: How did I not know this existed? How did I miss it? We’ve gone to some pretty amazing places with the Dance Moms cast, like Australia (Sia’s home turf!). I got to hold a koala—how crazy is that? You could just close your eyes, point to a map, and pick a destination to learn about. If it sounds cool, promise yourself you’ll get there one day. I have a “gotta go there” bucket list, and I just added Dubai because it has the tallest building in the world.

  Declutter your closet. If you can’t find anything to wear, maybe it’s because your closet isn’t cooperating. I’m the organization queen: All my things are arranged according to style and color. Black tees go together, blue tees go together, white tees go together—you get the picture. Same goes for my shoes, bags, dresses—it’s like a department store in there, with everything neatly folded, stacked, or tucked in its proper place. Take just one day to get your closet in working condition. Take the time to make what remains tidy—if you have the patience to fold it today, you won’t have to ask your mom to iron it tomorrow.

  Write something. A letter, a poem, a lyric, an entry in your journal. Pour your heart out in prose! I really love to write because it lets me tap into my imagination and sort out my feelings. Every time my tutor asks me to write a two-page essay, it winds up being five or six pages, because when I get going, I just can’t stop.

  I saw this sign the other day: MONEY CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS . . . BUT IT CAN BUY MAKEUP. Um, totally! Just so you know: If I wasn’t a performer, I would be a makeup artist. No question about it. I’d have my own beauty vlog, and piles more makeup from Namie’s and Sephora than I already own. I’d have one of those huge train cases on wheels that I would take with me everywhere, and a belt filled with tools and brushes. Like Handy Manny—but I would be Makeup Maddie! I can’t help it: I walk past a makeup counter and my palms get sweaty. It’s like every day, there’s some fantastic new product or palette that hits the market and I have to try it out. Or I see a makeup tutorial on YouTube and I need to get the exact same liner they used. My mom is always complaining, “Maddie, how many mascaras does one girl need?” I don’t have an answer for that. And I also don’t have a lot of room left to store my cosmetic collection. I have so many organizers brimming with products, sponges, brushes. I have an entire vanity just to hold all my makeup products and tools. If my house was on fire, I think I would grab my fave brushes—that’s how important they are to me.

  My makeup obsession started when I was much younger. I was five when I started doing my own makeup for dance recitals, and I made videos when I was seven and posted them to a channel called MaddiesHairAndMakeup (original, I know!). Even back then I could blend. I could contour and cover up and apply a winged eye with a single stroke. Makeup vloggers are my real celeb crushes (apologies to Zac Efron). Kendall got to do a video with PatrickStarr and I was so jealous. I love him. I’m also obsessed with NikkieTutorials, Jaclyn Hill, Chloe Morello . . . I could go on and on. I think what fascinates me most about all of these people is their ability to transform faces—it’s like part art, part magic. I study makeup how-tos on YouTube to learn new tips and tricks and I practice all the time. I multitask: I’ll be watching Netflix and applying a full face of makeup. I think I’m pretty good, but I know there is a lot of technique involved. You can’t just glue on an eyelash; it takes serious skills.

  Tonya Brewer does my hair and makeup and I am in awe. The first time I worked with her was for my first appearance on Ellen in May 2014—Sia and I were performing “Chandelier.” I loved her instantly—not just for her talent, but for her personality. She named me “Maddie Girl” and it stuck. She even bought me a vintage jean jacket for my birthday with that name embroidered on the back! I’ll look in the mirror when she’s done and I love what I see—it’s never too heavy, never cakey, always flawless. She’ll tell me what products to use, remind me to “be good to your skin,” and she always stresses the importance of cleaning your tools, so I do that every time I use them. If your skin is good, your makeup is good—period. You have to take care of it or you’ll break out big-time. She’s done lots of things for me beyond my Sia videos at this point: red-carpet events, photo shoots, you name it. We’re buds!

  Tonya Talks

  “The first thing I remember about meeting Maddie Girl was how calm and cool she was, not at all fazed by the fact that she was about to go do this huge performance on a huge TV show. She had so many questions for me! She was a fan of some of my other celeb clients and wanted to know about them and if they were nice. She loves makeup as much as I do; she wanted to know about all the products I was using on her. Once I started on her hair, she took my phone and began snapping selfies. This is something she still does, by the way: After spending a day with her, I always find the cutest pictures and videos on my phone. My Snapchat story is always all her, and my close friends feel like they know her as well as I do because they are so used to seeing her on my story. She cracks me up!”—Tonya Brewer

  How to Get “ ‘Chandelier’ Face”

  Tonya says there is a certain look to it: very natural and subtle. She’s done it so many times now, I swear she could apply my Sia makeup with her eyes closed!

  Start by cleansing the skin with a wipe. In our case, we might be on set for several hours, so you don’t want any dirt or residue hanging on.

  Moisturize. This step is so important because it will determine how your foundation wears. Hydrated skin is ideal so that the foundation goes on smoothly. Don’t forget your neck and décolletage.

  Use a damp beauty blender to apply super sheer foundation. Skin should look dewy.

  Bronze the edges of your face with a gel bronzer (you want a touch of color, but it has to be sheer and not obvious).

  I know the wig covers my forehead, but Tonya always does my brows anyway ’cause I ask her to. Just brush up and fill in any sparse spots with a color that matches your natural color. Mine is kind of blond or taupe—a lightish brown that’s not too dark or heavy.

  Use a small blush brush to apply a soft glowy pink to the apples of the cheeks. Then, with a fan brush, highlight the high points of the cheeks.

  Apply a lip stain that is slightly darker than your natural lip color.

  Finish by curling lashes and adding a few coats of mascara.

  * * *

  I’ve had some amazing makeup done on me for photo shoots and I save all the pics on my phone. In one I did for Paper magazine, Mia Yang covered my entire eyes and eyebrows in glitter. In another shot, she “freckled” my cheeks with stars and used iridescent shadow on my lids. Then there was this one fantasy pinup girl shot with bright red lips and blue eye shadow that I just love. Photo shoots are a lot of fun for me, because I get to play with all these different looks for my face and hair. For the Betsey Johnson Capezio shoot, they put hot-pink hair extensions on me. It felt very rock ’n’ roll! I’ve worn a green bob with bangs, and a European magazine even painted me in a mustache. It’s all really high fashion, so I don’t mind looking a little out there. One of my fave makeup moments on Dance Moms was the “Broken Dolls” number. I had to actually create a dark shadow under my chin to make it look hinged like a puppet’s, huge lashes and smoky eyes, and a bright pink contour with dotted-on freckles. It was creepy-cute. For the show, I was in makeup all the time—I’m talking red lipstick and fake eyelashes for pyramid. Kinda crazy: No one really wears that much makeup in a studio. You’re there to sweat and work—not model.

  While I love to do all kinds of crazy makeup for fun, my everyday look is a lot more minimalist. I just put on some moisturizer, a touch of concealer where I need it (like if I have shadows under my eyes or on a few blemishes), a natural mascara, and a little lip glos
s—maybe a hint of cream blush on my cheeks if I’m really pale. That’s it!

  Coming Clean

  First off: What type of skin do you have? Is it dry, oily, or (like mine) somewhere in between (aka combination)?

  For dry skin, use a mild or cream cleanser—something gentle that won’t make it irritated or flaky. Tonya always warns me to watch out for products that contain stuff like color or fragrance. Teen skin can be really sensitive!

  For oily skin, look for a cleanser that controls oil or blemishes, usually containing salicylic acid or other anti-acne ingredients.

  For combination skin, you might need to use a few different products, like a gentle gel or foaming cleanser all over, followed by an anti-acne and oil treatment in the T-zone or areas that you usually break out (for me, it’s my forehead and chin) and lotion on the drier parts.

  Clean your skin morning and night—that means when you get up and before you go to bed. Don’t scrub too hard; just a gentle but thorough wash will do. When I take my makeup off, first I use wipes (I really like the Avon ones), and then a cleanser like Clean & Clear Deep Action 60 Second Shower Mask. It makes my face feel like baby skin. I usually shower at night, so I cleanse in the warm, steamy shower, which is good because it opens your pores.

  Moisturize. This is one step I will never skip, because it preps and protects your skin for any makeup application. Most of us should use a light daily moisturizer—only go with a heavy one if your skin is really dry. Girls with oily skin should look for an oil-free formula that doesn’t clog pores.

  A tinted moisturizer does double duty, giving you coverage as well as smoothing your skin. If you use one with SPF, even better. Unless you like that lobster look?