Meet Mario Dedivanovic, Founder of Makeup by Mario

Lindsay Judge   |   24-03-2023

Mario Dedivanovic shot to fame as the makeup artist for Kim Kardashian. After amassing millions of followers on social media and becoming known for his contouring makeup look, Mario launched his own line of makeup products.

 

Makeup by Mario was launched in 2020 in the United States and arrived in the UAE in late 2022. On a recent visit to Dubai, we met Mario to find out more about his latest products and his love for Dubai.

 

Welcome to Dubai – what do you love about this city?

I love the people and their love of glam and makeup!

 

 

Congratulations on the launch of the Makeup by Mario range in the region – how does it feel to finally be here?

The Middle East has always been incredibly supportive of me and my career and they’re the ultimate glam girls so to see our brand finally here is a dream come true.

 

What are some of the hero products we should look out for?

There are so many. Some of my favourites include the Master Pigment Pro® Pencil, the Master Mattes® Eyeshadow Palette, and the Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil. Also, be on the lookout for some incredible complexion products coming later in 2023. Stay tuned!

 

 

What makes Makeup By Mario products different from other brands?

Makeup By Mario is the culmination of more than 20 years of artistry experience.  Each product and formula is inspired by my signature techniques, simplified for an effortless application that’s accessible to all.

 

What are your thoughts on the beauty and makeup choices of women in this region?

I love it! They’re such glam girls. I noticed, recently, that a lot of the women in the region are wearing more natural-looking makeup which was also nice to see. Makeup is a great way to express yourself and I see the women in this region do that beautifully.

 

What are some of the beauty trends you are loving at the moment?

I’ve been seeing a lot of luminous skin, especially with cream products on the cheeks, like our Soft Pop Blush Stick.

 

 

Tell us about Mario as a businessman – what is your vision and what are some of the challenges you face?

My vision is to create incredible products, on an even larger scale, while continuously educating consumers and my community. In terms of the challenges I face, I would say that every day presents a new challenge, which I really enjoy. I’m still learning constantly in this business, which is really exciting.

 

Moving forward what is your focus – Mario as a makeup artist or Mario as a businessman?

Both. I’ll always be a makeup artist first and foremost, but, as the founder of Makeup By Mario, I have to focus on both aspects of what I do, which I really love.

 

 

Of course, your connection to Kim Kardashian has made you a global name – looking back what do you think was the “pinch-me” moment of your career?

The real pinch-me moment was when I launched the brand. I dreamt about that moment and worked toward that goal my entire career, so it was unbelievable to see it come to fruition. That being said, I feel like every day is a pinch-me moment, honestly.

 

Who else do you love to work with and what are some of the favourite looks you’ve created?

Of course, I love to work with all my celebrity clients, but since launching the brand, it’s been an incredible opportunity to work with real girls when testing and developing products. I get to see how they approach makeup and guide them. It’s fascinating to see how non-artists approach everyday makeup and it’s taught me a lot. Some of my favourite looks in my career so far have been for the Met Gala and, of course, my Vogue cover.

 

 

What three beauty products should every woman have if nothing else?

If I had to pick three, I would say my MoistureGlow™ Plumping Lip Serum, Master Mattes® Eyeshadow Palette, and the Master Pigment Pro® Pencil in ‘super black’ are everyday essentials.

 

Makeup by Mario is available exclusively at Sephora in the UAE.