Mario Dedivanovic

Hey Mario! How and when did you get started in the beauty industry?

I got my start in the beauty industry right after high school, at 17 years old. Sephora had just opened up in NYC and I was hired as a fragrance consultant. Sephora was my introduction into what would be my future and the beginning of my love affair and obsession with the art of makeup.

Who has inspired you throughout your career? What inspires you?

Throughout my career, and my life as well, I’ve always been inspired by all things
beauty. Beautiful homes, people, landscapes, fashion, art— If I find beauty in anything really, or if I see the potential in something or someone to be polished or made up, I get inspired. It probably sounds silly to you but answering these questions right now is inspiring as well – knowing that my work has a positive impact on someone or inspires them is really the ultimate inspiration to keep going, to continue creating, learning, teaching, etc.

How does your makeup application differ on your clients for print versus television? Would you say that you have a signature look?

When working on a client for print, I have more freedom to experiment with different looks or techniques because I am there with them on set and can easily change the makeup or build onto it. For print, I sometimes don’t use any powder or foundation for example. When doing a client for TV, my technique or application changes naturally. I will always use a base and powder and whatever products I feel work best with the lighting and cameras. The makeup for TV is more “set” onto the skin so that it looks good for longer periods of time. This is especially true when doing makeup for reality tv because I’m not on set all day with my clients – I do the makeup once in the morning and they’re on their own all day.

What piece of advice would you pass on to those looking to get into the field?

Research. I can’t stress enough how important it is to research and study the field or industry that you want to get into. Try to learn everything you can about it, past and present. Equally as important is assisting. I did it for six years and for free most of time but it was all worth it… every second of it.

This being your first time as a The Makeup Show keynote speaker, how are you looking to inspire the attending artists in LA?
First of all, I feel very fortunate and honored to be invited as keynote speaker at The Makeup Show and I truly look forward to being there. To be surrounded by so many people and peers who all share such similar interests is just a
beautiful thing and I can’t wait to be there! Now to answer your question – Over the past 11 or 12 years as a makeup artist, I’ve had many doors shut in my face and I’ve struggled and been through some difficult times but I have also learned a great deal and I honestly feel that it’s my responsibility to share my knowledge with those who are aspiring or getting their start as makeup artists. So that is exactly what I’ll do.

Join Mario and the rest of the pros at The Makeup Show LA March 17 & 18