Makeup Mondays With Mario: Defined Eye Crease

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

You are a huge inspiration to me you truly inspire me to try new and different unique things as a make up artist. There is just one thing I find tricky to achieve when I do make up. What's a easy way for a really defined eye crease? I find it very challenging to create this look and I always end up with two different shapes on each eye! What's the trick?

Thank you so much!

xoxo,
Janet

Hi Janet,

Thank you and Happy Halloween! :-). When going for a defined crease, using a typical dome shaped blending brush will not do the trick. Instead, try using a pencil along the crease. Use a small eye shadow brush or Q-tip to softly blend the line from side to side. If you want to define it more, try drawing a very thin line along the crease using a liquid liner. A thin eyeliner brush and eyeshadow also works well.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Don't Make Me Matte

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

I have really dry skin so I am not really a fan of matte foundations. I always use foundations that give me a radiant, dewy glow - however every time I set my foundation with my compact powder, I lose my glow and my skin gets matte and dull. It looks dry all over again which makes me not want to set my foundation. Is there a way I can set everything without losing the glow?

Ashley

Ashley,

The reason you're looking matte and probably muddy is because you're using a compact powder to set your foundation! You should always set your base using loose powder.

Pressed powders usually have too much coverage to use over a foundation, not to mention all the additional ingredients that are used to make the powder into a pressed compact. They're great for touchups throughout the day or for areas that need more coverage.

Try setting your makeup with a loose powder. They come in translucent and even light reflecting formulas so your skin will maintain the glow. I prefer using a velour puff to apply the powder evenly and set your foundation.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Bold Eyes AND Lips

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

Time and time again, I've heard the rule that you should never do a bold eye and a bold lip at the same time. But I've seen it done in magazines and the red carpet and it looks stunning. Can you recommend some tips for achieving this look in real life?

Thanks!
Tara

Tara,

The trick to achieving the look of a bold eye and bold lip in real life is to do it at the right time and for the right occasion. If not, you just won't feel confident or comfortable.

To start experimenting with the bold look, use sheer formulas and textures. Instead of black smokey eyes and a matte opaque red lip, pair a sheer red lip color with a strong smokey eye using shimmery bronze shadow. Keep your skin natural and glowing, but make your lashes long and dramatic.

I guarantee you that in no time you will be inspiring other girls to be bold and beautiful, just like you ;-).

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Set Under Eye Concealer

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

I have been struggling to find a powder to set my concealer without it caking or eventually creasing. I don't know if I'm applying the powder wrong. I use a sponge and swipe my compact, then press it under my eyes. What powders - both high end and drugstore - would you recommend to set concealer? And with what makeup tool should I apply it with (i.e. sponge, powder puff, makeup brush)?

Thanks,

Alyssa

Hi Alyssa,

You should not be using a compact powder to set your under eye concealer. Pressed powders are too heavy to set that area with. What you want is a very fine loose translucent powder to set your makeup with. Dip a basic cosmetic sponge (I like the white wedges from the pharmacy) into your loose powder to pick up a generous amount of the powder and pat/press over the concealer under the eyes. Follow with a clean brush to sweep away the access powder from that area.

Be sure to get a powder that is colorless or a couple of shades lighter then your skin tone so that you don't get that "muddy" look which happens when foundation is set by powder that is too dark. Any brand of loose powder will work - it's just a preference. I suggest you go out and try a few to see what feels best on your skin. Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Polished: How To Remove Glitter Nail Polish

I love glitter nail polish. It is sparkly and fun and statement-making and just so nice to look at while I type all day. I do not love removing said glitter nail polish. I usually apply 2-3 coats to get maximum sparkle impact, but then am stuck scrubbing and scraping it off when I decide it is time for a new manicure. Personally, I do not think it is right to spend more time removing nail polish than it took to apply it in the first place.

Enter my glitter fairy godmother at a nearby beauty store. I had a bottle of Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance in my hand – it is a gorgeous color, but I was complaining about what a pain it is to remove glitter nail polish.

She suggested placing a nail-polish remover soaked cotton ball on the polished nail, wrapping the tip of your finger and cotton ball in aluminum foil, waiting a few minutes, and the glitter would come right off.

I was skeptical but intrigued. After Google-ing “nail polish remover + aluminum foil interactions” and deciding that this method would not make my fingers fall off, I gave it a try.

HOLY CRAP, did it work. I made myself little alien fingers, waited about 5 minutes, and voila! The nail polish came almost completely off, and the leftover edges came off after another swipe. I am beyond excited to have a foolproof way to remove my most glittery polish!

-Alyssa

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Pores No More!

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

If you're reading this question and about to answer it - thank you, thank you, thank you! My problem is that I have HUGE pores. My pores are a big issue for me and I hate the way they make my skin look. Are there any skincare products or makeup that you can recommend that will shrink and/or conceal them? Thanks so much for your expert advice. I'm your biggest fan!

Love,
Holly

Hi Holly,

I've got three words for you - "Pores No More." Famed dermatologist Dr. Brandt created Pores No More products to help visibly reduce the size and appearance of large pores.

You can follow with your normal makeup routine or even try a product like Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base by L'Oreal. Just apply with your finger to the T-zone and any areas with large pores. It will smooth out the skin's texture and fill in fine lines and pores for a more flawless makeup application.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Make Brown Eyes Pop!

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,


Like most people in the world I have brown eyes. Blue and green eyes pop so effortlessly with minimal makeup. What are your tips and tricks for making the common brown eyes pop and rival any bright blue eyes?


Thanks,
Tiffany

Tiffany,


To make brown eyes pop, I prefer using bronze and copper eyeshadows to give a smoky eye, both on the lids and along the lower lash line. Try a metallic bronze or golden pencil in the inner rims or a shadow with a clean brush will do the trick. This will help lighten and bring out the gold tones in your eyes. 


Throw some Visine, a great lash curler and mascara into the mix and those blue eyed girls won't have nothin' on you!

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: How To Clean Makeup Brushes

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hey Mario,

I'd like some advice on how to best clean my makeup brushes. I don't know if I should be using soap, shampoo or a special kind of brush cleaner. And how often should I be cleaning them? I've spent a small fortune on brushes but have no idea how to care for them.

Thanks so much!
Ella


Hi Ella,
 
It took years of experimenting with different techniques and products to clean my brushes and I've found a way that works for me. I hope it does for you as well.
 
To clean brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, I use a basic hair shampoo. First run water over the brush hair then rub into the shampoo in a circular motion (I pour a bit of shampoo into a bowl). Rinse under running water again to get all of the soap out. I finish off by squeezing the water out, making sure not to pull on the hairs.
 
To dry your brushes, you should lay them flat on a towel. If you stand them up in a cup to dry, the water seeps into the handle and causes the brush to weaken and fall apart over time.
 
Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

33 Money-Saving Tips from Beauty Bloggers

RealBeauty.com just published an article entitled, "33 Money-Saving Tips from Beauty Bloggers" - and I'm one of the experts they interviewed!

Our cash-saving tips and tricks (here's mine) will save you a pretty penny, so be sure to check out the story!

Mary Kay Spoiled Me With a Miami Makeover

Last month, I traveled to Miami to report on Mercedes-Benz Swim Fashion Week as a correspondent for Mary Kay. I've been a Mary Kay fan for years, and was excited to get better acquainted with their products – particularly, their newest offerings.

One of the highlights of my trip was a makeover with celeb makeup artist, Ashunta Sheriff. Ashunta’s client list reads like a who's who of Hollywood (Rihanna, Ciara, Hillary Duff, Ashlee Simpson, Keri Hilson, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Queen Latifah, P. Diddy and Alicia Keys) – so to be in her gifted hands was a major treat. Using products from Mary Kay, Ashunta gave me the J.Lo glow I've always wanted but never knew how to properly replicate.

Of all the products Ashunta used to create my Miami-inspired makeover, I fell hardest for Mary Kay's Lash Love Mascara. Lash Love promises to define and deliver 4 times the volume – and child, did it ever!

After Ashunta applied the mascara using her "uptown, downtown, cross town" technique (peep the video for a demonstration), my fringe looked fat and fabulous – without looking overdone. And I really love how deeply pigmented the color is; my natural lashes are black, but skimpy – so I need something ultra dark to make my peepers pop. Not to mention, Lash Love managed to stay put all day, despite the merciless Miami heat and humidity.

Lash Love Mascara costs a very affordable $15 – and is available at marykay.com.

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Photo Friendly Foundation

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi!

My wedding is in a month and I'm looking for a foundation base that would look perfect in photos. I know I should avoid products with SPF, but is there any specific product recommendation I could get, Mario? It would be much appreciated!!!

Sara

Hi Sara,

Congradulations! A great foundation to use on your wedding day is Dior's Diorskin Sculpt Line-Smoothing Lifting Makeup. I'm a fan of lifting and line-smoothing products, regardless of age.

I recommend applying this foundation with Sigma's Synthetic Face Kit. The kit comes with three face brushes that can be used with liquid or powder products. Buff the Diorskin Sculpt makeup onto your skin using the flat top Kabuki brush for a flawless looking, high definition effect. Good luck and best wishes on your big day!

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Best Facial Sunscreen

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

I'm in North Carolina where it is hot AND humid frequently. I've been searching for the perfect facial sunscreen that doesn't make me look chalky and doesn't melt off in the humidity. Any suggestions?

Thank you,
Jamie

Hi Jamie,

If your question about sunscreen came to me about a year ago, I probably would not have answered because until recently, I was not a fan of the SPF products on the market. Like you said, they tend to make you look chalky and I feel that makeup doesn’t sit or blend well over it. I am not suggesting that you shouldn't use an SPF. In fact, I strongly recommend that women apply sunscreen daily to protect the skin and prevent skin damage.

I’ve found an amazing product by Josie Maran Cosmetics that I love! It will not make you look chalky and your makeup will blend nicely and stay true to its color. Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40 blocks all the harmful UVA and UVB rays - but this product is different as it contains Argan Oil which repairs and reverses damage caused by the sun, fights signs of aging and improves skin tone for a radiant, renewed complexion. Oh, and one more thing - you can use it as a primer as well! Need I say more?

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

 Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Make Lips Appear Smaller

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hiya Mario!

I read this site every week for your tips! Love them! :) This may sound like a stupid question, but here goes anyway! I always read articles in magazines/on blogs about how to plump your lips, however I have the opposite problem. My lips literally take over my whole face (and not in the sexy Angelina Jolie way!). I love wearing MAC lipglasses/lipsticks but they only seem to enhance them - any tricks on how to make them appear a bit smaller?

With lots of love from Wales,
Lucy

Thanks Lucy,

I hope you know that the majority of people out there - including myself - could only dream of having your "problem," LOL. There are ways to change the shape of your lips and make them appear a bit smaller. I’ll share two ways of how you can do this, starting with the more difficult.

Use a concealer brush with a cream concealer (try a formula that isn't too oily) and apply lightly around and on your natural lip line - similar to how you would line your lips with a pencil. Use more product on the outer corners of the top and bottom lips rather then on the center because that will typically give the lips a lift. Erasing the outer corners of the lips or shortening them can also be a more flattering, happy shape.

Using a damp sponge like the beautyblender, gently press and blend the concealer into your skin. This technique should erase your lip line, or at least soften it quite a bit. If you're brave, try lining the lip below your natural lip line to create a new, smaller shape. If you're happy with how it looks then set it with a bit of translucent powder. This technique isn't for everyone and most likely will take quite a bit of practice to perfect.

A much more simple solution would be to play up your eyes and leave the lips free of colors and textures as they will only enhance and bring attention to them. If there’s a man in your life, I can guarantee that he will appreciate the more simple solution. :-)

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Happy Independence Day!

All the women who are independent, throw your hands up at me!

Happy Independence Day, dolls! I hope that you are enjoying a fun and relaxing holiday. If you're just chilling at home and looking for something festive to do, might I suggest that you try out this 4th of July Splatter Manicure I spotted on Clumps of Mascara?

Have a great one! See you back here tomorrow!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Red Carpet Glow

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hey Mario!

I think you're so sweet to be giving advice to people! But one thing I have to ask is about the celebrity glow that most celebrities have when they're on the red carpet. I visited a few makeup stores and they all keep telling me to use Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs. I did, but it was just so messy and it smudged everywhere, especially on my clothes and it made me look more oily rather than giving me a glow. I'm already tanned so I don't need to get something with color/tint in it – what I want is the shine and the glow.

What do actual celebrities use to get that awesome Brazilian glow (face & body)? I really hope you have the answers!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks in advance,
Mona

Hi Mona,

Achieving that red carpet glow that you and so many others love may require some trial and error. Celebrities and their makeup artists use many different products and techniques to get the skin glowing. There is no specific product that we all use. Personally, I tend to mix and blend a few different things together because this allows me to create a custom blend that perfectly fits each individual client.

There are a few things you should always take into consideration before you get your glow on. For example, skin tone - darker or olive tones look great with a golden glow. Pale, lighter skin looks best with a pearl-ish glow. Do you want any coverage with the glow or just some shine? The Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs provides superior coverage and a beautiful, even glow when applied and blended correctly.

Since you're not looking for something with color, you may want to try using a highlighting product in a powder form like Eye M Glam from giella.com, applied with a big brush. This will feel the lightest on your skin and you can easily mix it with your favorite body lotion and apply with your hands.

Also keep in mind that the glow you see on the red carpets is heightened by all of the amazing lighting/cameras, etc. Try having someone photograph you in a similar lighting to the occasion so you can see how the glow looks on you before you go out. I almost always do this because what we see with the naked eye differs from how the camera captures it. You will, most likely, need to add some more glow after looking at the photo or blend some of it out if you went overboard.

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Online Makeup Sensation is 5 Years Old!

Well, this made me feel old (and like I need to step my game up)...

Madison Hohrine of Hurst, Texas, is an expert at applying lipstick, applying blush to the contours of her cheeks and applying mascara to her eyes.

She is such an expert, in fact, that millions of people are logging online every day to watch and learn from one of Madison's makeup tutorials.

What they see when one of Madison's videos pops up may surprise them.

Madison is just 5-years-old.



To watch Madison's makeup tutorials, visit her YouTube channel.

Source

Beauty Tips for a Jerseylicious Summer!

Hairstylists Tracy DiMarco and Anthony Lombardi, stars of The Style Network's hit Jerseylicious, share their top 10 summer beauty tips with Spoiled Pretty readers...

Tracy says:

1. "Condition: The sun makes your hair dry and dead. So while you’re laying out, put some leave-in conditioner or use a treatment in your hair to prevent damage."

2. "A tan is a must have! But no tan is worth ruining your skin. Make sure you throw on sunscreen even if it’s a low number sunscreen like 4! Just don’t put baby oil on!"

3. "Get yourself a Maxi dress. It can come in handy as a cover up for your bathing suit or could be cute for dinner right from the beach/pool."

4. "Summer is great for hats. Either a big floppy hat to block the sun or a cute straw fedora to match your sundress."

5. "Make-up is not necessary for the beach. But a bare face isn’t right either. So put on some mascara on top and bottom lashes, it will brighten up your eyes! Never know when you’ll run into a cutie on the beach!"

Anthony advice:

1. "Add some summer highlights - doesn't have to be a lot - just a few to give a sun-kissed glow."

2. "Get an anti-frizz treatment. Summer humidity can cause a very bad hair day and GKhair or Bio Ionic Kerasmooth can be lifesavers."

3. "When out in the sun, put 1 pint of Lakme Sun Care treatment in a spray bottle to 2 pints of water, and keep spraying and coming your hair all day. It helps with sun damage."

4. "If you're a guy and you're bald out in the sun, wear a sunscreen on your head with a SPF of at least 30."

5. "Ponytails are timeless classics."

For more Jerseylicious scoop, don't miss my interview with Tracy, Olivia and Alexa!

True Beauty Secrets

A few months ago, I filmed a beauty secret campaign for Elizabeth Arden and Better TV. So what is my true beauty secret? Watch and learn...

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Picture Perfect

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario,

As a celebrity makeup artist who also does makeup for magazines and such, can you share some tips and favorite products that will help me look more beautiful in photographs? Thanks a lot!

Sincerely,

Livia

Livia,

When doing makeup that will be photographed, it's important that your skin has an overall even coverage to start with. Try to get a perfect foundation shade that will match your neck and body. Women tend to use a base that is lighter than their body. But when photographed, the face will look very washed out or too made up. Tinted moisturizer like the ones from Laura Mercier work great for photos because they have just enough coverage and pigment. 

Try to stay away from pressed powders as they will give off a very flat and harsh look on camera. Instead, set your face with loose, translucent powders. Highlighting the cheekbones is one of my favorite tricks for photographs because it gives you that young and healthy glow to your skin. My favorite highlighter is Eye M Glam, of course, because of its sheer, golden glow. It’s also important to warm up your skin with bronzer so you don’t appear to be just one shade. Try LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer across your cheeks and framing your face. It's a great shade and also looks very natural and warm in photos. 

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!

Makeup Mondays With Mario: Mascara Made Easy

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is answering your burning beauty questions!!! Every Monday, he will answer a beauty/skin care question as part of a weekly column on Spoiled Pretty, Makeup Mondays with Mario.

Hi Mario!

I'm confused and I need your help. It seems that there are so many conflicting "rules" about how to apply mascara and I don't know which ones to follow. Some say to hold the wand vertically while others say horizontally. I've been told to bend the wand - what good does that do? And some tips say let your mascara dry between coats, while other tips say not to let the coat dry before applying more. 

If anyone knows the best way to apply mascara, I know it's you. So please help, Mario!

You rock,

Reena

Hey Reena,

I don't blame you for feeling confused! Applying mascara should be one of the most simple steps in your makeup routine. I'm not sure that there is technically a "best way" to apply mascara as it really depends on your lashes and how you prefer them to look and feel. When I apply mascara, I hold the wand horizontally and apply it first to the root of the lash up to the tip.  If I want a darker and fuller lash, I usually wiggle the brush from side to side to really coat the lashes with mascara. 

I prefer to apply a second or third coat while the lashes are still wet because it allows for easier blending and separating. The same goes for the bottom lashes as well. I recommend you find your own way to apply mascara that feels most comfortable to you and gives you the result you want.  In other words, you make your own rules to follow!

Thanks for visiting Makeup Mondays with Mario!

xo,

Mario

Got a question for Mario? Email your makeup and skin care queries to spoiledprettyquestions@gmail.com, and check back next Monday to read Mario's expert advice!