Hello, Maria! Please take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers — where were you born, how were you as a child, tell us about your family and what were you dreaming to become as a kid.
Hello everyone! I was born in a small town called Kaunas in Lithuania. I always dreamed of becoming a model or winning a beauty pageant, like most of the girls dreaming to have a crown or be a princess. Everyone knew that was my dream. I used to dress up at the themed party – like Halloween as “miss world” or “miss universe”. So, dreams really do come true!
You have a special thing for beauty pageants, and you were crowned Miss Europe World in 2017. What personal and professional opportunities did win this title bring into your life?
Winning Miss Europe World in 2017 made me see world from different eyes. Until then I thought it was an easy task to attend all the events, always carry yourself in certain way, never looking tired or unhappy. I thought it will be easy and very glamorous. But was challenging and unexpected for me. Traveling 2-3 times a week around the world makes you constantly exhausted, but I had to look fresh prepare a speech and don’t forget to smile!
Of course, I met so many great people and so many beautiful girls around the world. For that I will be always grateful.
From professional side opened many doors for me, even till now my title brings some opportunities.
What did you feel you accomplished for others, in your role as Miss Europe World?
Like most of the beauty winners you attend to charities, trying to bring as many as possible people who would be interested to join charity and donate. Knowing that you are small part of changing someone’s life to better it’s the biggest accomplishment for me.
Modelling is your only passion, or you have other projects? What led you to the aesthetics fields?
Aesthetics was always my passion, make up, skin care. I am very aesthetically motivated person. I am all about beauty and harmony in all aspects of my life.
You are about to take part in a big Channel 5 series in UK, together with Romanian Dr. Ducu — what can you tell us about this project?
Yes, me and Dr. Ducu are going to work together as soon as we can. At the moment everything is stopped, so unfortunately, I cannot tell anything more.
What were some of the most difficult challenges you had to fight in your career?
For everything I had to work hard. My parents never helped me, so everything I did was by myself. Juggling between modelling and studying, moving from one country to another, relationships, friendship, family, all of these was challenging. But it gave me so much strength now, I became mature at very young age. I assume nothing comes easy to anyone.
What is your everyday style and what are the 3 pieces of wardrobe you would never give away?
I like classy clothes, since I was young my style has not changed much.
Black classy trousers, silk shirt and heels.
That’s basically my everyday outfit.
What fashion trends do you relate to the most and what trend (or garment) you’d never wear?
I can relate to big trainers or weird shape shoes, but I can’t understand those maxi oversized jackets. It looks very funny to me. Also – long square nails scares me.
What does it mean to have style or to be a woman with style, in your opinion?
For me women with style are not only how she is dresses up, super important the manners, skin, hair, nails etc. women who is always taking care of herself for me is different. That’s what makes us feminine.
What are the qualities you most admire in a woman?
I grow up in family where my father worked most of the time, my mom was more housewife and taking care of me and my brothers.
I never thought I could be the one like her, but always admire her strength and abilities. I admire every woman when they do what they love. Some women can have 4 children and successful business. That’s a super talent I would say.
What are the features / qualities that would make you fall in love with a man?
To fall in love, I need to feel he is my partner and I trust him. It takes time to build friendship between two people, I like when men are persistent. If guy keeps inviting to date and not giving up there is more chances I will go, if he is he is giving up easy it tells a lot. It’s rear to see it these days some effort, with social media world people don’t appreciate each other as it used to.
You offer a beautiful, elegant presence on Social Media — do you consider yourself an influencer or a trendsetter?
Actually, I don’t think I am influencer at all. People say I inspire them to live a healthier life and take care of themselves. That is biggest compliment to me.
Do you also have to handle negative, mean comments and how do you deal with that?
Just ignore. There is always someone who will throw negative comment or insulting message. But as I say “can’t be likable by everyone, you are not a pizza”
Are guys asking you out on social media? Is there anyone special in your life?
Yes, there is always guys texting and inviting somewhere, I won’t deny I like that.
Right now, I am single, but feeling ready for setting down, have a serious relationship and family.
Do you have any beauty secrets, rituals or tips you swear by?
I keep my skin always hydrated as my body as well. Simple just by drinking water. And of course, every day I do a face mask no matter what.
Meditation every morning gives very positive energy that’s very important also for me.
What are your favourite beauty products (brand and complete title, please)?
My skin care creams, lotions, serums, tonic are from favourite brand –“Biologique Recherche”
For a make-up I love Bobbi brown, serum foundations are absolutely my favourite because of hight SPF, and it hydrates the skin.
Other very likable brand of mine is “SkinCeuticals” retinol serums and creams for summer with SPF are really amazing.
You study anti-aging nutrition, among other things — what would you say are the foods (or the diet / nutrition rules) that can keep us young for longer?
Yes, that’s my big passion. The best food for anti-aging is superfoods, which has a lot of antioxidants.
By eating or drinking antioxidants you will postpone aging.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, sugar, dairy and meat. Of course, avoid sun to your face. These things make you age drastically.
Also fasting helps to restore your cells, including your skin cells simply just by giving break for your system and drinking water.
There are no magic pills unfortunately that can replace or fix us if don’t give at least little effort our self.
How do you stay in shape (eating style, exercise, other thing you do to keep your body shape)?
I try to avoid all the things I mention above. Drinking superfood drink in the morning, eating healthy and natural food mostly. In morning Fruits and egg, then vegetables with fish and rice or quinoa for lunch, evening salad.
For sure, it’s not same every day. I try to eat as much as possible various grains and vegetables.
Exercise 3-4 times a week, yoga and running are my favourite ones.
What would be the best vacation destination for you?
I like to travel and discover countries and cultures every time going to different places. Now Maldives on my list and plans, have never been there yet, but that place is very different from anything else in the world.
You like to read biographies; whose life story impressed you the most?
Recently read Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, Phil Knight – Shoe King, very impressive success stories.
And of course, classic – Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar.
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? What are your biggest plans for the future?
I have big dreams, one of them to have my own successful cosmetics line.
Also, would be to amazing to create a family in few years’ time.
What is your message to #CosmoGirls everywhere?
I wish all the girls could understand that is not the crown what makes you the prettiest, but your attitude and compassion for others.
