Mario Dedivanovic Told Me His Favorite Beauty Products

Before Mario Dedivanovic became one of the most recognizable makeup artists in the world, he paved his way by painting the faces of A-list celebrities like Salma Hayek, Gabrielle Union, and Kim Kardashian. He’s the king of contour: a.k.a. the skilled hands behind Kardashian’s sculpted features and coveted soft glam in the late 2020s—a timeless look that has gone on to become the little black dress of the makeup world. 

“My tip would be to apply your makeup in soft, light layers,” Dedivanovic told InStyle when asked how to recreate his iconic makeup looks at home. “It’s always better to gradually build up product to your desired effect than to apply too much. This ensures that every step is intentional and the end result is as natural as possible.”

Today, Dedivanovic has a new title to add to his impressive resume: Founder and CEO of his namesake brand: Makeup by Mario. His brand launched in 2020 and is a Sephora-exclusive partnership with start-to-finish products you can use to bring his artistry and signature techniques to life at home. Whether you’re a pro looking to follow in his footsteps or a proper makeup lover, his products bridge the gap between the two and deliver innovation, performance, and effortlessness. 

Dedivanovic exclusively spoke to InStyle to share his insider tips and of course—his go-to products. Shop his drugstore favorite, his go-to lip combo for clients, and his skin care nonnegotiables, from $5.

Dedivanovic is an Aquaphor fan just like us, which he shared is “really effective for dry or chapped lips.” In a world of fancy lip balms, sometimes you just need to reach for a tried-and-true-basic. He told me he opts for the Lip Repair formula, which specifically targets chapped, dry, crusty lips. 

Instead of makeup wipes, Dedivanovic opts for WaterWipes for “light makeup removal” and for “anyone with sensitive skin.” The strictly water-only formula is gentle, and great for swiping away mascara smudges or wayward lipstick. He also likes to use a WaterWipe when he’s prepping the skin for “light exfoliation.”

As for the products he always keeps on hand, Dedivanovic named his brow pencil to “touch up” his arches and beard as needed. It’s a brilliant hack for thicker-looking hair. 

Dedivanovic said this gem with a weightless, blurring finish, is always in his kit. “The soft-focus finish minimizes the appearance of pores and texture, and it layers seamlessly over creams and liquids.” If it’s anything like his cream bronzer (a.k.a. one of the best-selling cream bronzers sold at Sephora), it’ll be a game-changer for your makeup routine.   

When asked how he likes to prep the skin, Dedivanovic revealed: “I prefer moisturizer over primers, and I use a generous amount regardless of skin type because I know it’ll help the makeup—especially powder—look natural and skin-like.” The Rich Cream has a highly-concentrated formula that revives the skin and soothes dryness. He also uses the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Face Moisturizer, a French pharmacy standout with a similar rich texture that goes for $19. “For more mature skin I’ll apply more to any areas that need it, like on fine lines and under the eyes,” he adds.

Dedivanovic credits the Rolls Royce of lip balms—the La Mer Lip Balm—for keeping his lips moisturized while traveling. One shopper says it “instantly repairs any dry, cracked or dehydrated lips.”

Shop more of Dedivanovic’s favorites including his go-to lip combo for clients, his favorite blush for spring, and his staple eyelash curler that “lifts and lengthens lashes without crimping.”