If you’re not already following Bretman Rock on social media, you are severely missing out. The 19-year-old beauty and lifestyle guru is one of our go-to stars to follow for slay-worthy makeup inspiration and an added dose of hilarious comedy. Recently, the star hit a milestone by collaborating with popular beauty brand Morphe on his own custom-created highlighter palette, influenced directly by his life in Hawaii. He is even spent this year’s Coachella working with Rihanna‘s Fenty Beauty team on another fabulous photo shoot. To get the scoop on all of Bretman’s latest projects and products, Celeb Secrets caught up with the star in an exclusive Q&A interview. Make sure to check it out below.
Celeb Secrets: Congratulations on your collaboration with Morphe! Can you tell us about how the partnership first came about, and the work you put into it?
Bretman Rock: Morphe was honestly the first brand to believe in me as a makeup artist. They reached out and it ended up developing into a really great partnership that I’m so proud of. The palette itself took two years to make. People think it’s just picking out colors, putting your name on it, packaging it and sending it out. It’s not. We went through so many changes and formulas, I just wanted it to be right. It’s definitely not easy.
Celeb Secrets: How did you decide which type of product you wanted to create, and go on to develop the colors?
Bretman Rock: I told the Morphe team from the get go that I wanted it to be very diverse with colors that could work well with every skin type and every skin tone. It was a lot of hard work and it took a long time, but I’m so happy with the end product.
Celeb Secrets: How did you come up with the Babe In Paradise name? Were there other options you were floating around, or were you all set on this one from the start?
Bretman Rock: For me, it was always going to be Babe in Paradise. I went in knowing what I wanted from the product and the goal was always making fans feel like a babe in paradise.
Celeb Secrets: Can you tell us about how your personal life and experiences in Hawaii inspired the palette?
Bretman Rock: I started the project when I was in high school and I really think this represents that time. The school that I went to is specifically very diverse. I really just wanted to make a palette that embraces diversity and makes everyone feel great.
Celeb Secrets: What was your dream look for the packaging, and how did you make it happen?
Bretman Rock: I really wanted the packaging to be Hawaiian themed because it was so heavily influenced by my culture. I made sure everyone knew my preference from the start, and there was always a heavy emphasis on paradise, and it came together really well.
Celeb Secrets: What was your goal for fans in creating your palette?
Bretman Rock: I just want them to feel like a babe in paradise, I know that sounds cliche, but I want people to put it on and feel like they’re at a beach feeling confident. Paradise.
Celeb Secrets: How has the fan reaction been since you launched?
Bretman Rock: The response has been great, I actually just received a message that it is currently the #1 selling product at Ulta. The fans have been super responsive and it’s been so great interacting with them and watching them love the product. I put my heart and soul into this and I still fangirl every time someone tells me they’re wearing it. It’s so cool.
Celeb Secrets: Was there ever a point where you doubted yourself or haters didn’t believe in you?
Bretman Rock: Honestly, I really just try to stay in my own lane. You’re never going to get anything done if you stop to pay attention to what haters are saying.
Celeb Secrets: How do you think your younger self would react knowing you were creating your own makeup products?
Bretman Rock: My younger self would absolutely freak out. It’s absolutely a dream come true. I think my palette itself is a “pinch me” moment, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to make products. I worked on it, I built it from the bottom up. It’s a real milestone for me.
Celeb Secrets: Can you also tell us about working as an ambassador for Fenty Beauty, and how that came about?
Bretman Rock: I love everything and anything they put out there. I LOVE them. I love everything they stand for. I got to work with them at Coachella and it was honestly my favorite part, maybe other than Beyonce. Their team is so collaborative and cool, really the best.
Celeb Secrets: How was your experience working on your photo shoot, and what can you tease us about what’s coming up soon?
Bretman Rock: The photo shoot was like icing on the cake. The whole vibe and aesthetic just captures the essence of the product so well. Honestly I’m taking things day by day, I hate thinking about what’s next because I start getting anxiety. I usually wait for opportunities and act on them if I like them or I like to really think through any new ideas I have. I’m focusing on traveling more right now and maybe doing some shows.
Celeb Secrets: For Celeb Secrets, would you be able to spill a secret that fans may not know about you perhaps something to do about your latest collabs?
Bretman Rock: A lot of exciting stuff coming up, stay tuned!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgRUHx_lmhU/?taken-by=bretmanrock
You can shop Bretman Rock’s Babe In Paradise highlighter palette and signature brush for $29 at MorpheBrushes.com and in Ulta Beauty stores nationwide through Aug. 15. Since we love a good bargain, make sure to use Promo Code “bretmanrock” at checkout to receive 10% off your purchase.