This Makeup Brand Is a Beauty-Editor Staple—These Are the Products Worth Your Attention

I was heading out on a festive night out last weekend, and I really didn't want to go. My hair wasn't cooperating, I hadn't tanned in weeks, and I was genuinely feeling a bit meh. Then, I remembered some Makeup by Mario products I'd been sent to try, and I thought, what better way to get me feeling excited than to try a whole new face of makeup out? And I'm so glad I did. But before we get into that, a little bit of backstory.

If you didn't know, Makeup by Mario is the brainchild of Mario Dedivanovic, an expert makeup artist who has worked with the likes of Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande. Loved for his innovative makeup techniques, Dedivanovic founded his eponymous beauty brand in 2020, and it's safe to say that his products have taken the industry by storm (it's quickly becoming one of the best makeup brands on the market). I've been lucky enough to attend a few launches over the years, and I can honestly say that Mario himself is as lovely as he is talented. So, when I received a full bag of goodies from the brand, including blurring foundations, sculpting bronzers and cream blushers, I thought, what better way to test them out than put them through their paces on this night out.

As mentioned, I wasn't really in the right mindset to get all glammed up, but this makeup was so good that it completely transformed my mood. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that it's one of my favourite makeup looks of the entire year. Below, I've detailed every single product I used, and included my honest thoughts about each one. If you're in a bit of a makeup rut this December, or are looking for some seriously showstopping products for those festive parties, I highly recommend that you keep on scrolling.

The Best Makeup by Mario Products, Tried & Tested

• Best Base Product: Makeup By Mario Surrealskin Natural Finish Foundation, £42
• Best Bronzer: Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt™ Bronzer, £32
• Best Blush: Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil, £30
• Best Eye Product: Makeup By Mario Master Mattes LW Cream Eyeshadow, £25
• Best Lip Product: Makeup By Mario SuperShine™ Lip Gloss, £26

1. Makeup By Mario Surrealskin Natural Finish Foundation

If you've read any of my articles, then you'll know that I tend to favour a lightweight skin tint over a medium-to-full coverage foundation, so I wasn't really sure how I was going to get on with this product. However, there was no reason for concern. I don't know how Dedivanovic has done it, but this formula smooths the skin, covers any redness, and adds a burring effect whilst still maintaining a natural finish. It's like "your skin but better" in a bottle. That being said, the lightweight formulation is also super buildable if you do want a more full-coverage finish.

2. Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer

I wasn't sure what this product was at first, but after doing some research and testing it out myself, I'm now wondering how I ever did my makeup without it. Available in six different shades, the cream formulation can be used to warm and sculpt your complexion. The weightless balm glides onto the skin, adding a sheer, slightly dewy finish. I applied this over foundation, but under bronzer to help add a soft contouring effect and sunkissed radiance that my winter skin so desperately needed.

3. Makeup By Mario Surrealskin™ Awakening Concealer

I'm very fussy when it comes to concealers. I tend to use them mostly under my eyes to help disguise dark circles, but because my skin is dry, I often find they can crease throughout the day. I love this formula as the thin applicator is easy to apply to the under-eye area, and the concealer itself actually contains caffeine to help depuff and disguise tired eyes. When using it on myself, I definitely noticed that it both blurred and brightened the under-eye area, but I did find it a little bit drying throughout the night. That being said, I'm sure if you prepped the skin with a hydrating eye cream, this would help to minimise the issue.

4. Makeup By Mario Surrealskin Soft Blur Setting Powder

Ok, I am utterly obsessed with this setting powder. I don't know what's in it, but it's like adding an Instagram filter to the skin. As mentioned, I wore these products in the evening, and this powder set both my concealer and foundation in place all night. It helped control shine (I do get a very oily t-zone, so I popped the powder in my bag for top-ups), added a naturally matte finish, and practically disguised every single pore for a truly blurring effect. I'll be recommending this to everyone I know.

5. Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt™ Bronzer

Mario Dedivanovic is widely considered an expert when it comes to contouring the face, so I couldn't wait to give his bronzing products a go. Although this is a powder, the product itself feels incredibly soft and creamy on the skin. It creates the most naturally sculpted effect, and when testing it out, it enhanced my cheekbones like never before. I'm usually a cream bronzer kind of gal, but this product has converted me.

6. Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil

If you buy one product from this article, make it this one. I don't know what to say other than I might not ever use another blush again. Like many of the products above, this is an incredibly lightweight cream formulation, packed with hyaluronic acid to add a plumping effect to the cheeks. I opted for the shade 'Barely Blushing,' a natural, slightly pinkish tone that is perfect for everyday, but can also be applied more heavily for an evening makeup look. It practically melted into my skin, leaving me with a flushed, naturally dewy finish that earned me so many compliments.

7. Makeup By Mario Soft Glow Highlighter

While the blush did add enough luminosity to my skin, I was keen to try this highlighter out, especially as I wanted to create a bit more of a festive look. As the name suggests, this powder adds a soft glow, rather than an intense, shimmery effect. It doesn't even look like you've applied a powder to the skin. Instead, it just appears as if the light is hitting you in all the right places.

8. Makeup By Mario Master Mattes LW Cream Eyeshadow

As someone with oily eyelids, a cream eyeshadow is usually my worst nightmare, so I must admit, I was tempted to skip this step altogether. However, I wouldn't be a good beauty journalist if I didn't put every single product to the test, and I couldn't be happier that I gave this a go. Again, this formulation blew me away, proving just how innovative this makeup brand is. This cream product is completely weightless, and once applied to the lid, it looks like a soft matte powder. All I had to do was swipe it onto my eyelid and blend with my fingertip for a totally seamless eyeshadow look that defined my eyes and gave them this sculpted effect (I used the shade Mauve, FYI). I didn't even use a primer with this, and it lasted for hours. Yes, there was a little bit of creasing by the very end of the night, but it was so easy to rectify thanks to the ease of application.

9. Makeup By Mario Master Pigment Pro® Pencil

10. Makeup By Mario Master Mascara™

I know I said that the cream blusher was my top pick from the brand, but this mascara would have to come in second place. Why? I love the fact that it comes in a brown shade for a softer finish, the brush perfectly coats every single lash for a fluttery, false-lash effect, and the long-wearing formula even lasts on my oily eyelids. It's become a mainstay in my makeup bag after just one use.

11. Makeup By Mario SuperShine™ Lip Gloss

Last but by no means least, let's talk lip gloss. The brand has a few different lip products on offer, but as I was going out out, I was keen to give this gloss a go. In order to go with the rest of my makeup, I selected the shade 'Midnight Mauve', and I loved the way that this looked. Two standout things that I want you to know about this product are the fact that it delivers incredible, glass-like shine and that it doesn't feel sticky on the lips. That's really all I want from a lip gloss, which is why I'm giving this ten out of ten.

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We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.