Makeup by Mario Review: Celebrity-Quality Clean Makeup?

If you keep up with the beauty world, the name Mario Dedivanovic is probably very familiar. As a celebrity makeup artist to stars like Kim Kardashian, Kate Bosworth, and Gabrielle Union, Mario has established himself as one of the most influential experts in the industry. So when he launched his own cosmetics line, Makeup by Mario, in 2020, it immediately attracted buzz.

But with so many celebrity beauty brands hitting the market, is Makeup by Mario really worth the hype? I tested out some of the brand‘s bestselling products to give you all the details in this comprehensive Makeup by Mario review. I‘ll also dive into the brand‘s background, customer feedback, and clean beauty standards to help you decide if Makeup by Mario is right for you.

About Makeup by Mario

Makeup by Mario was founded by Mario Dedivanovic, a renowned makeup artist who rose to fame through his work with celebrity clients and his #MasterClass instructional videos. After over 20 years of experience, including collaborations with brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills and KKW Beauty, Mario took his expertise to the next level by launching his own self-funded cosmetics line.

The Makeup by Mario brand is designed to make Mario‘s signature techniques accessible to all makeup lovers. The line features a full range of professional-quality products for eyes, lips, and face in inclusive, universal shades to suit every skin tone. While decidedly a luxury brand, Makeup by Mario aims to enhance – rather than cover up – natural beauty.

All Makeup by Mario products are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and made without questionable ingredients like pthalates and mineral oil. Many items are also vegan, gluten-free, and fragrance-free. The brand‘s thoughtfully designed packaging is both beautiful and functional, with innovative features like removable eyeshadow pans and iPhone-sized compacts.

Popular Makeup by Mario Products

Since launching with 21 products, Makeup by Mario has quickly expanded to offer over 100 SKUs across categories. Here‘s my take on some of the brand‘s bestsellers:

Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

This 12-pan palette features richly pigmented, blendable matte shades ranging from pale ivory to deep black. The velvety textures make it easy to create both subtle and dramatic eye looks that last all day without fading or creasing. This has become my go-to palette for everything from everyday wear to glam night-out looks.

Soft Pop Powder Blush

Available in 11 shades, these pressed powder blushes add the perfect natural flush to cheeks. The superfine texture melts into skin and blends seamlessly without looking powdery. I love using the soft nude-pink shade "Mellow Mauve" for an effortless everyday glow.

Ultra Suede Cozy Lip Creme

This cushiony liquid lipstick is a fan favorite for its hydrating, non-drying formula and flattering range of neutral shades. It sets to a soft matte finish that feels lightweight and flexible on lips while providing solid staying power. "Almond Suede" is a beautiful warm taupe that‘s become a staple in my collection.

Master Metals Eyeshadow Palette

The counterpart to Master Mattes, this palette contains 12 metallic shades in a variety of finishes from pearlescent to sparkling. While bold, the shadows are refined enough for daytime looks and layer beautifully over the Master Mattes. The shade "Bronzite" is a stunning rose gold that makes blue and green eyes pop.

Are Makeup by Mario Products Clean?

Clean beauty has become increasingly important to many consumers who want products made without potentially harmful ingredients. While "clean" isn‘t a regulated term, it generally refers to products formulated without questionable additives like pthalates, sulfates, and artificial fragrances.

So where does Makeup by Mario fall on the clean beauty spectrum? The brand avoids many controversial ingredients, including:

• Pthalates
• Parabens
• Mineral oil
• Triclosan
• Hydroquinone
• Talc
• Formaldehyde
• BHA and BHT

All products are dermatologist-tested to ensure safety for a range of skin types. Many items in the line are also vegan, gluten-free, silicone-free, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free. However, some products do contain clean beauty no-nos like PEGs and synthetic dyes.

Overall, Makeup by Mario can be considered "cleaner" than many traditional makeup brands, but isn‘t 100% clean by the strictest standards. If avoiding all synthetic ingredients is a priority for you, you‘ll need to check individual product ingredient lists, as the brand‘s offerings aren‘t entirely natural.

Compared to other clean beauty brands, Makeup by Mario falls somewhere in the middle. The formulas aren‘t as pared-back as those from brands like RMS Beauty or Kosas that use predominantly natural, organic ingredients. However, Makeup by Mario provides more extensive shade ranges and finishes than many indie clean brands.

Makeup by Mario Reviews: What Are Customers Saying?

Makeup by Mario has earned rave reviews from customers and beauty influencers alike. On the brand‘s website, most products have nearly perfect 5-star ratings.

The Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette is a standout with 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 280 reviews. Customers praise the easy-to-blend formulas, versatile shade range, and long-lasting wear. "These eyeshadows are some of the best I‘ve ever used," raves one reviewer. "The mattes are creamy and blendable and the color story is perfect."

The Soft Pop Blush is another hit with 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 130 reviews. Fans love the flattering shades, buildable pigmentation, and weightless feel. "This blush is amazing!" writes one customer. "The color is beautiful and lasts all day. It‘s super easy to apply and blend."

On Sephora‘s website, Makeup by Mario also earns mostly positive feedback, with an average 4.2 out of 5 star rating across the brand. The Ultra Suede Lipstick is the top-rated product with 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 2,100 reviews.

Of course, no product is perfect for everyone. A few reviewers with oily skin found the foundation too dewy, while some felt the eyeshadows weren‘t as pigmented as they‘d like. The most common complaint was the high price point, with some saying the quality didn‘t justify the cost.

Is Makeup by Mario Worth It?

So is Makeup by Mario worth the expense? After trying a range of products from the line, my answer is a qualified yes – if it fits your budget and beauty needs.

There‘s no denying the quality of Makeup by Mario formulas. The textures are a dream to apply and blend, the shade ranges are impressively inclusive, and the staying power lives up to the brand‘s long-wear claims. I also love that the line is cruelty-free and offers cleaner options for those looking to avoid certain ingredients.

However, Makeup by Mario is undeniably pricy, with single eyeshadows starting at $22 and foundation retailing for $68. If you‘re on a tighter budget, you can certainly find cheaper alternatives that still perform well. But if you‘re willing to splurge on luxury formulas, Makeup by Mario is a solid choice.

Personally, I think Makeup by Mario is ideal for makeup enthusiasts who want professional artist-quality products and don‘t mind paying a premium. The eyeshadow palettes and blushes are exceptional and worth investing in. However, those with very sensitive skin may want to opt for 100% natural brands instead.

If you‘re new to Makeup by Mario, I recommend starting with one of the brand‘s palettes, like the Master Mattes or Soft Pop Blush Palette, to get the most bang for your buck. The lipsticks and glosses are also lovely if you want a treat.

How to Shop Makeup by Mario

The best places to shop Makeup by Mario are the brand‘s official website and Sephora. The brand website offers the widest product selection and ships internationally to over 20 countries. It also provides free standard shipping on all US orders and 3 free samples with every purchase.

Pro makeup artists can take advantage of Makeup by Mario‘s generous discount program. Approved applicants receive 30% off all products as well as access to exclusive educational content. To apply, you‘ll need to submit proof of your professional makeup artistry experience or qualifications.

Shipping times vary by destination but typically take 2-5 business days for standard orders in the US. The brand offers free returns within 30 days on gently used products. Requests are processed within 7-10 business days via a pre-paid shipping label.

If you have any issues with your order, Makeup by Mario‘s customer service team is available by phone or email on weekdays from 10 am to 4pm EST. Sephora also accepts in-store returns of Makeup by Mario products.

The Bottom Line

Makeup by Mario has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most exciting new luxury beauty brands. With its professional-quality formulas, extensive shade ranges, and cleaner ingredients, the line offers something special for both makeup beginners and experts.

While not the most affordable, Makeup by Mario delivers on its promises of seamless application, beautiful finishes, and impressive wear. I recommend checking out the brand‘s bestselling eyeshadow palettes and lip products if you‘re looking to indulge in some truly fantastic makeup. Just be sure to check the ingredients if you have very sensitive skin or want to avoid certain additives.

I hope this Makeup by Mario review has given you helpful insight into the brand and its offerings! Let me know in the comments if you‘ve tried anything from the line and what you think.