Taylor Swift has been "careless" in love.

The country singer - who has dated actor Taylor Lautner and pop star Joe Jonas in the past - admits she has a mixed-up view of love and has occasionally got herself hurt by her own excitement.

She said: "At times I've been really guarded and careful and afraid to trust someone. But other times, you want to jump in headfirst. I've had moments of thinking, 'This is who I love and I don't care what anyone says.' Those moments are beautiful and wild and exciting, but I've learned that those moments can end up hurting you in the end.

"I've been careful in love. I've been careless in love. And I've had adventures I wouldn't trade for anything."

The 20-year-old beauty also admits she is looking for someone who has "passions" she respects and hopes to find someone who has integrity and is trustworthy.

She told Glamour magazine: "I look for someone who has passions that I respect, like his career. Someone who loves what he does is really attractive.

"In high school, I used to think it was 'like sooooo cool' if a guy had an awesome car. Now none of that matters. These days I look for character and honesty and trust."

Taylor recently confessed she found love "confusing" and often hopes for and fears love in equal measure.

She said: "Naturally, I want to write songs about love and relationships because I find it find it all very confusing. When I meet someone new I live somewhere between hope and fear. Hope that this time it could be different, and fear that it will turn out like it has before."