Mario Dedivanovic x Laura Mercier Masterclass
I was uhming and aahing about whether I should attend the Mario Masterclass - the one and only masterclass, but at £500+ per ticket, it’s not exactly bargain of the day. I’ve had friends who’ve attended, with some stating it was worth it and others saying it wasn’t.
Whilst I was still deciding, I saw a Harvey Nichols event pop up for Mario in collaboration with Laura Mercier. It was a fraction of the time (of the masterclass), and cost at £150. £150 to see a live demo by Mario, a picture taken with him, £100 Laura Mercier goodie bag and £50 to redeem on Laura Mercier goods was very much worth it! I had already booked and paid for the ticket before you could even say his full name.
I’ve always admired Mario, not necessarily for his celebrity clientele but the manner in which he presents himself, plus his incredible talent. I wanted to see this for myself in person and see the magic of Mario! The event was being held at The Curtain Hotel in the East of London, so it’s a good thing I checked my email the night before, otherwise I would have ended up at Harvey Nichols. I get that they’re probably sponsors but I’m not sure why the event didn’t take place at Harvey Nichols.
When I arrived at the venue, I couldn’t see a building that had “The Curtain Hotel” in front of it, but just as I was about to ask for directions, I saw a long queue of women and I instantly knew that was the line for Mario. This line was a foreboding omen for the rest of the day, which I later found to be a long day of queuing for everything. Queuing outside, you could feel the buzz and excitement of all those who had attended to see this man. A short while later, we were approached by staff who checked us off the attendance list and handed over a black wristband which entitled us to a 121 picture with Mario. Yasss!
Upon entering the building and main room where the demo would take place, I was instantly taken in by the set up and was impressed. The staff told us the 121 pictures would be taking place first and we waited some time before Mario appeared. We knew he had appeared because even though he was like a silent ninja, the yelps (not cries) of excitement from some girls at the front alerted us. After waiting some considerable time, we went up on stage one by one like a lineup in a factory, one in, one out, without a missed beat. There were no opportunities for retakes of photographs, and it was literally like a speed date “Hi, nice to meet you Mario” before being herded off into the next direction.
I will not share the photograph of Mario and I publicly, as I literally look like a buffalo but it will fondly remain in my personal album. After this, we were seated in a tight row of chairs where the girl to the left of me had taken up half my seat and was the most annoying person to be sat next to. She kept taking selfies (literally 100 by now. I know because she was in front of me in the queue) and kept shaking her bloody leg. I had a right mind to thwack her with the goodie bag on our chairs but I decided to remain saintly for Mario.
When Mario came on stage, he had a presence about him and a very good sense of humour. He came across down to earth and we were told we could ask questions throughout the demo. We were also told we couldn't ask questions about his celebrity clientele, namely the family who’s name rhymes with the barbashians… Mario had already done the model’s brows backstage but she didn’t have makeup anywhere else. What a fortunate cookie, she was gorgeous even without!
The Application (All products were Laura Mercier - needless to say)
He started with the Primer for the face £30.50, and then immediately went onto eyes. He primed the lid using the Secret Camouflage £28.50 with a brush then smoothed out with a sponge. Afterwards, he set it with the translucent setting powder.
He used the Caviar Stick Eye Colour £24 in Cocoa which he applied directly onto the outer corners of the eye, before blending with a clean brush. He concentrated on the outer edges to create a diffused soft cat eye wing. Mario informed he enjoys using creamy shadows as it’s easy, doesn’t crease or create mess.
Mario then used the Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Tuxedo, close to the lash line and used it like a liner, smudging it out. The shade Rose Gold was used on the highest point of the brow and the inner corner of the eye. Mario stated that he likes to keep the highlight colour at the highest point of the brow without blending it out further as it keeps the rest of the skin sheer and doesn’t give an 80s frosty look.
Shade Amethyst was used on the main lid area and blended out using a clean brush. Shade Copper was then used as a spotlight shade. He drew a line/ stripe in the middle of the lid and used a small brush to buff it out. Mario finished off the eye by adding a light shimmery powder shade on top of the Copper to help with the longevity. With this, his eye look was completed and he wiped under the eyes to remove fall out, using makeup wipes.
Mario moved onto the foundation, using the latest launch Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation £36. This is a dewier foundation with medium-full coverage, which is supposed to be good for all skin tones. He used the shade "'Macadamia”" on the model, and used a brush to apply the foundation. Mario then spent some time buffing and blending using a sponge.
He went back to the Secret Camouflage concealer and used the tiniest amount under the eyes, before going over with the Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer £25 which he patted on with a brush. After the base was finished, Mario went in with the Velour Puff £13.50 to press the powder into the skin, rather using a brush. This way, it lasts longer and gives a more seamless finish.
He used a bronzer all over the forehead, cheekbones and under the chin. Unfortunately I missed what bronzer he used, but it was definitely a powder. Afterwards, a pop of colour using the Blush Rose £24 (like the wine) and finishing with the Face Illuminator £32 (highlighter) in Devotion. Surprisingly he kept it super natural, and no earth-shattering highlight a la Barbashian style!
For the lips, Mario used the Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick £22.50 in Dominate which is a siren red. Since Mario had done a nude toned eye, he wanted a red statement lip to balance it out. Last but not least, he finished with what I believe was the Anti-Feathering Lip Pencil £19 in True Red. Interestingly, he then patted some of the translucent powder onto the lips in order to further set and help with the longevity of the lip colour.
He finished and set the face with the Perfecting Water Moisture Mist £31 which he fan dried. After that, he went over with his sponge and lightly dabbed areas of the makeup where he wanted a more flawless finish. By the end of it, the model looked very spicy indeed, all thanks to the magic hands of Mario.
Tips and Tricks
Likes natural and dramatic makeup equally as he likes to mix it up.
Uses any sponge as long as it’s damp, and doesn’t have a preference.
Likes to always start with cream eyeshadow, even if using powder eyeshadow, as the cream helps the powder to grab on.
Likes individual, medium lashes and doesn’t like to go heavy on lashes as it covers up the eye makeup. It’s more modern and chic to go with softer lashes rather than dramatic lashes. Sometimes he’ll use them for a dramatic look but prefers natural lashes.
Doesn’t know what his favourite product is and joked that it’s like asking a mother who their favourite child is.
Always applies products on his hand first, partly out of habit and also for a cleaner application.
Normally likes to mix foundations for the perfect colour.
If skin is textured, don’t go for heavy coverage or powder. Use a light base and apply micro concealing technique.
Won’t typically put sunscreen on the client as they’ll normally put it on themselves (before moisturiser), unless there’s an outdoor shoot where he needs to protect the skin.
Alternates between brush and sponge application depending on the mood etc.
Average time for a red carpet ready look is 2 hours long.
Tips for artists who want to do celebrity makeup or red carpet events, you have to be willing to work hard, travel, sacrifice and come to the masterclass ;) Mario said you don’t have to be the most talented, but you have the be most smart, hardworking and disciplined.
Makeup will have to be touched up (it’s going to move as it’s not a tattoo). You want it to move a bit as you want it to look natural.
Longevity for oily clients, means more powder and less creamy products.
If you want to set dewy makeup, don’t use a lot of powder and just set in certain places.
Doesn’t matter whether you line the lips first or after lipstick.
Age doesn’t matter with red lips as it suits everyone.
He hates liquid lip products
Final Thoughts
There were lots of waiting around and queuing. There was the queuing into the venue, queueing before the 121, queuing to enter the makeup room after the event, queuing to be seen by a makeup artist, and then queuing to pay. Generally most of it was as well organised as it could be, but there was a bit of chaos towards the end. I guess this is to be expected with an external venue and a first time event.
I also heard a lot of disgruntled girls complaining about the 121 pictures with Mario. There appeared to be confusion about the way in which the event was advertised and worded. The first 100 were entitled to a 121 photo opportunity with Mario, and though almost everyone assumed it was the first 100 ticket purchases, it actually meant the first 100 to turn up. I wasn’t bothered either way as I’m sure I was within the first 100 to pay for a ticket, and I was certainly within the first 30 to turn up for the event. But there were many girls who were upset that the information was misleading and they thought it was the first 100 to purchase. Hey ho!
Mario being the makeup industry heavyweight that he is, naturally has celebrity and “celebrity” fans. I noticed a lot of influencers in attendance (Plastic Boy, The Nina Vee), who were given front row seats as VIP, but many of whom I did not recognise. I saw Alex Steinherr who I do rate and she had attended as a fan.
The Goodie Bag
1. Laura Mercier portable coffee cup
2. Laura Mercier phone mini ring-light
3. Harvey Nichols mini macaroons x2
4. LM Velour Lip Powder Collection £25
5. LM Creme Brûlée Hand & Body Cream £14.50 (?)
6. LM Boheme Chic Eye Clay Palette £38
7. LM Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Boudoir £22
With the £50 redeemable, I got the following:
8. LM Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Vibe £22.50
9. LM Velour Puff £13.50
10. LM 4 pack sponges £13.50
Overall, an amazing goodie bag and products I would genuinely use in day to day life.
Ps. Mario is super handsome in real life!
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All pictures in this post are my own, with the exception of the title picture - credit: @harveynichols
Until next time xo
