Latest news with #MarioDedivanovic
Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
J-Lo's make-up artist gave me midlife beauty advice. Here's how it went
What do Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Salma Hayek have in common? Huge super-star status, yes, but they also share the talents of one of the most highly sought-after men in the beauty business: the 41-year-old Albanian-American make-up artist Mario Dedivanovic. His usual glam takes nothing short of two hours to execute, from foundation to bronzer to intricately placed lashes. While this may work ahead of the Met Gala, it is unrealistic for those amongst us who have a mere few minutes to apply a little lipstick in the morning. Thankfully, Dedivanovic's own range, Makeup By Mario, is pleasingly uncomplicated. A best-selling brand at Sephora, his range is so good you'll often find his eyeshadows and foundations by the dozen in the kits of other leading make-up artists (that's a good sign). He simply knows how to make skin over 35 look its best. So while we aren't able to commit to a lengthy routine and a dozen make-up products to execute a full glam look, Dedivanovic insists a few simple tricks can make all the difference. Here are his quickest, savviest pieces of advice to better make-up. Skin prep 'Well-hydrated skin is the key to any good make-up look, so always start by using a very emollient moisturiser on your skin, depending on your skin type,' says Mario. He likes The Cream and The Rich Cream by luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader, but if your budget doesn't stretch into the hundreds, another excellent emollient moisturiser favoured by make-up artists is Skin Food by Weleda. Don't worry about the primer: 'A good, hydrated base enables your foundation to apply beautifully, and the moisturiser allows the make-up to grip onto the skin better, too.' Skin Food by Weleda, £9.50, Boots Concealer and bronzer Two of the products Mario swears by for any complexion is concealer and bronzer. The trick is using them in the right way. 'If you have a highly pigmented concealer, you need far less than you think,' he says. 'Dot where you see shadow and gently blend it out with your finger or a brush, rather than applying a huge sweep of concealer under your eyes or across your cheeks. You'll always need less than you think and a modern concealer won't need lots of powder on top to 'set' it.' Using this technique means you can skip foundation, too. Next, the product Mario thinks every woman of any age can benefit from: a good bronzer. 'Adding some warmth to the face makes all the difference, so look for a cream texture that melts into the skin and apply it in thin layers to the tops of the cheeks and temples,' he adds. His Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer is excellent and is one of the most natural-looking bronzers on the market. Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer, £34, Sephora Frame the eyes Hooded eyes? No problem. Framing the eyes without fear of make-up transferring onto the eyelids is something Mario specialises in. 'The best way to draw attention to the eyes without using any lid space is by using a technique called 'tight-lining',' he says. For this, apply a gel eyeliner in the upper waterline, so you get the illusion of more dense eyelashes at the root. 'You can also wing the corner a little without doing a full flick,' he adds. As for mascara, and in particular if you have fine or sparse lashes, 'coat the root of the lash and 'wiggle' the brush left and right to saturate the roots of the lash,' says Mario. 'Then flip the brush vertically and run it across the lashes, side to side.' Eyebrows should be filled in with a light touch, too: ' For a simple, natural look, focus your brow pencil on the outer half of the brow, and extend the brows slightly. Stay clear of the inner half of the brow as this can make the eyes look closer together.' Add some colour For Mario, using a lipstick and blusher in a colour you're drawn to (rather than a shade you think you should be wearing) is a great way to add some 'vibrancy and healthy youthfulness to your look,' he says. The golden rule for lipstick or gloss is to always anchor with a lip liner 'to create the shape of the lips and enhance the lips as much as possible. A liner will always ensure your lipstick won't slide, too.' If you're unsure as to the colour of lip liner to pick, one or two tones deeper than your natural lip colour is a great place to start. As for blusher, Mario is a big fan of cream textures. 'Sheer cream blushers add the look of bounce and cushion on the skin,' he says. If you are weary of cream blushers sliding on the skin or disappearing come lunchtime, 'use it on the skin after powdering your face,' says Mario. 'The cream blush will grip onto that powder and the powder will soften the shine from the blush a little.' The bonus? 'The cream blusher will have a much longer wear on your skin,' he adds. Try it – it works.
South China Morning Post
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The evolution of facial contouring: from Kim Kardashian's comical ‘carved' cheekbone selfies of the 2010s, to today's subtler make-up and longer lasting bio-stimulating injectables
In retrospect, the contouring craze of the mid-2010s seems almost comically dramatic, with faces painted in thick stripes of bronzer, while powders and creamy highlights were blended with military precision. Back then, Kim Kardashian selfies became doctrine, beauty influencers waved contour sticks like paintbrushes, and the phrase 'carved cheekbones' took on an intimidatingly literal meaning. But in the past decade, beauty has evolved past that exaggerated artistry. The paint-by-numbers approach to facial sculpting has evolved into something far more subtle and sophisticated, emerging not from make-up palettes, but from visits to the dermatologist and aesthetician, and sleek at-home gadgets that promise lasting cheekbone definition and sharper jawlines without the contour-stick theatrics. Sculptra Poly-L-Lactic Acid. Photo: Handout Before contour palettes flooded beauty aisles, the technique existed primarily within Hollywood sets and the flamboyant world of drag. Contouring's original purpose was transformation rather than enhancement, and unsurprisingly, the jump to mainstream culture created looks that were sometimes more Instagram-friendly than compatible with reality. The influence of Kim Kardashian 's social media feed – and her make-up artist Mario Dedivanovic – transformed contouring into an inescapable trend, but also invited criticism for its often heavy-handed approach. Advertisement Make-up artists today advocate for a softer touch, favouring products like Westman Atelier's Face Trace Contour Stick and Charlotte Tilbury 's Hollywood Contour Wand for their ability to subtly enhance the features while preserving the natural texture of the skin. This gentler aesthetic celebrates authenticity, letting imperfections shine through – a refreshing departure from the rigid beauty standards of a decade ago. Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick. Photo: Handout Still, softening make-up techniques alone isn't enough to satisfy the growing appetite for 'effortlessly' defined faces. This has led to a quieter revolution: contouring methods relying not on cosmetics but rather non-invasive procedures, delivering results that outlast one's cleansing routine. Heavily influenced by skincare-centric trends from South Korea and Japan , facial sculpting has now entered the realm of hi-tech solutions. Among these, you'll find non-invasive, in-office treatments. Dr Samuel Hung, MBBS, deputy chief medical officer at Hong Kong-based K-beauty clinic Seoul Aesthetic, explains that these treatments 'usually include the use of radio frequency, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), or more recently, triple-wavelength laser for facial slimming and lifting', with the choice of modality based on the individual client's condition. Bella Hadid for Dior: the look is sculpted but subtle. Photo: Handout Hyaluronic acid fillers, cleverly marketed as '3D contouring', have also surged in popularity, and for good reason. Injectables like Juvéderm Voluma and Restylane Lyft – when placed with precision along the cheekbones, temples and jawline – don't just add volume: they create structure that looks effortlessly natural instead of obviously engineered. Dr Bryony Elder, clinical director of Ametrine Aesthetics, in the English city of Newcastle, points out that fillers barely scratch the surface of what sculpting can achieve. 'In reality, true facial sculpting is a comprehensive process that involves treating multiple layers of the face to address ageing and proportion changes more holistically. The effects of ageing, volume loss and lack of contour are complex, and affect bone, fat, muscle, ligaments and skin,' she explains.
Fashion Network
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
What Elf's $1 billion Rhode bet means for the future of celebrity beauty
But as more household names, influencers, and makeup artists entered the space, shopper fatigue began to set in. With inflation squeezing incomes, buyers became more selective. Many shifted their focus to skincare, haircare, and niche fragrances, moving away from the color cosmetics that once drove viral trends, such as contouring the face with different foundation shades. Consequently, the market has been upended. Even some brands that, like Rhode, achieved breakout success began exploring exit strategies last year. Yet so far, no deals have materialized for names such as Selena Gomez 's Rare Beauty or Makeup by Mario — the brand launched in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, best known for his work with Kim Kardashian. Elf's acquisition of Rhode — founded just three years ago — ends a dry spell in celebrity beauty deals and could inject fresh momentum into personality-driven brands. With Rhode, Elf is betting on a premium range featuring just 10 main or 'hero' products, including Pocket Blush and Glazing Milk — items that blur the lines between skincare and makeup. The brand complements Elf's more affordable, cosmetics-focused portfolio. Elf's average price point is about $6.50, compared with nearly $9.50 for other mass-market cosmetics, while Rhode's average is around $29. But Elf is paying a pretty polished price for Rhode, also known for its sleek, minimal packaging. The $800 million in cash and stock payable at the close of the deal, expected before September, equates to 3.8 times Rhode's sales of $212 million in the year to March 31, 2025. Including the additional $200 million payable based on Rhode's performance over the next three years, the multiple is 4.7 times. The latter is in line with the lush deal multiple on L'Oréal SA's purchase of natural beauty label Aesop two years ago. To justify the price tag, Elf must ensure that its new addition doesn't run out of, well, Rhode. The narrow product range offers an obvious starting point for expansion. Elf has already launched a raft of innovations that resonate with Gen Z consumers and have helped turbo-charge its sales — a track record that bodes well for Rhode's future growth. There is also scope for Rhode to reach a wider range of customers. The brand is already due to launch in Sephora in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. this fall, which is a major milestone. In the long term, Elf could leverage its partnerships with other retailers — it is available in Ulta Beauty Inc. in the U.S., for example, in Douglas AG in Italy, and Boots in the U.K. — to maintain the momentum. Assuming Elf doubles sales over the next three to five years — which looks feasible — then the acquisition multiple would fall to a more reasonable level of about two times. However, there are risks to this trajectory, the most significant of which is Bieber herself. So far, she has defied the broader boredom surrounding celebrity-led brands. But maintaining her relevance remains essential. Six years ago, Coty Inc. placed a major bet on the Kardashians, paying $600 million for a majority stake in Kylie Cosmetics, which Kylie Jenner founded. A year later, the company invested another $200 million for a 20% stake in Kim Kardashian's beauty business. The results have been mixed. Over the past two years, Kylie Cosmetics boosted its sales by 1.5 times, driven by skincare and fragrance launches. Meanwhile, Kardashian's underwear brand Skims bought back Coty's stake, causing a $71 million loss for the U.S.-listed company. Bieber will join Elf as Rhode's chief creative officer and head of innovation. The company has a strong track record of connecting with Gen Z on social media, with viral moments like its collaboration with Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. It also has experience managing celebrity and influencer-led brands: it acquired Naturium — the skincare label co-created by influencer Susan Yara and beauty-brand accelerator The Center — for $355 million two years ago, and it developed Alicia Keys' brand. Even so, Rhode's close association with its founder remains a risk Elf must actively manage. This isn't the only challenge. Lindsay Dutch, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, expects Elf's sales growth to slow this financial year following a frenetic pace of revenue expansion. The beauty boom is also fading, although Ulta said on Thursday that many consumers were turning to fragrance and body lotion as a comfort and escape from economic uncertainty. There's also the pressure from President Donald Trump 's tariffs. Elf makes about 75% of its products in China and will add $1 to all of its products globally on August 1 to reflect the levies. With so much to grapple with already, taking a big bet on a celebrity-backed brand looks like a surprising diversion. But as any beauty enthusiast knows, there is always room for one more lipstick — particularly if it's a peptide-infused pout enhancer.
Fashion Network
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
What Elf's $1 billion Rhode bet means for the future of celebrity beauty
But as more household names, influencers, and makeup artists entered the space, shopper fatigue began to set in. With inflation squeezing incomes, buyers became more selective. Many shifted their focus to skincare, haircare, and niche fragrances, moving away from the color cosmetics that once drove viral trends, such as contouring the face with different foundation shades. Consequently, the market has been upended. Even some brands that, like Rhode, achieved breakout success began exploring exit strategies last year. Yet so far, no deals have materialized for names such as Selena Gomez 's Rare Beauty or Makeup by Mario — the brand launched in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, best known for his work with Kim Kardashian. Elf's acquisition of Rhode — founded just three years ago — ends a dry spell in celebrity beauty deals and could inject fresh momentum into personality-driven brands. With Rhode, Elf is betting on a premium range featuring just 10 main or 'hero' products, including Pocket Blush and Glazing Milk — items that blur the lines between skincare and makeup. The brand complements Elf's more affordable, cosmetics-focused portfolio. Elf's average price point is about $6.50, compared with nearly $9.50 for other mass-market cosmetics, while Rhode's average is around $29. But Elf is paying a pretty polished price for Rhode, also known for its sleek, minimal packaging. The $800 million in cash and stock payable at the close of the deal, expected before September, equates to 3.8 times Rhode's sales of $212 million in the year to March 31, 2025. Including the additional $200 million payable based on Rhode's performance over the next three years, the multiple is 4.7 times. The latter is in line with the lush deal multiple on L'Oréal SA's purchase of natural beauty label Aesop two years ago. To justify the price tag, Elf must ensure that its new addition doesn't run out of, well, Rhode. The narrow product range offers an obvious starting point for expansion. Elf has already launched a raft of innovations that resonate with Gen Z consumers and have helped turbo-charge its sales — a track record that bodes well for Rhode's future growth. There is also scope for Rhode to reach a wider range of customers. The brand is already due to launch in Sephora in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. this fall, which is a major milestone. In the long term, Elf could leverage its partnerships with other retailers — it is available in Ulta Beauty Inc. in the U.S., for example, in Douglas AG in Italy, and Boots in the U.K. — to maintain the momentum. Assuming Elf doubles sales over the next three to five years — which looks feasible — then the acquisition multiple would fall to a more reasonable level of about two times. However, there are risks to this trajectory, the most significant of which is Bieber herself. So far, she has defied the broader boredom surrounding celebrity-led brands. But maintaining her relevance remains essential. Six years ago, Coty Inc. placed a major bet on the Kardashians, paying $600 million for a majority stake in Kylie Cosmetics, which Kylie Jenner founded. A year later, the company invested another $200 million for a 20% stake in Kim Kardashian's beauty business. The results have been mixed. Over the past two years, Kylie Cosmetics boosted its sales by 1.5 times, driven by skincare and fragrance launches. Meanwhile, Kardashian's underwear brand Skims bought back Coty's stake, causing a $71 million loss for the U.S.-listed company. Bieber will join Elf as Rhode's chief creative officer and head of innovation. The company has a strong track record of connecting with Gen Z on social media, with viral moments like its collaboration with Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. It also has experience managing celebrity and influencer-led brands: it acquired Naturium — the skincare label co-created by influencer Susan Yara and beauty-brand accelerator The Center — for $355 million two years ago, and it developed Alicia Keys' brand. Even so, Rhode's close association with its founder remains a risk Elf must actively manage. This isn't the only challenge. Lindsay Dutch, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, expects Elf's sales growth to slow this financial year following a frenetic pace of revenue expansion. The beauty boom is also fading, although Ulta said on Thursday that many consumers were turning to fragrance and body lotion as a comfort and escape from economic uncertainty. There's also the pressure from President Donald Trump 's tariffs. Elf makes about 75% of its products in China and will add $1 to all of its products globally on August 1 to reflect the levies. With so much to grapple with already, taking a big bet on a celebrity-backed brand looks like a surprising diversion. But as any beauty enthusiast knows, there is always room for one more lipstick — particularly if it's a peptide-infused pout enhancer.
Fashion Network
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
What Elf's $1 billion Rhode bet means for the future of celebrity beauty
But as more household names, influencers, and makeup artists entered the space, shopper fatigue began to set in. With inflation squeezing incomes, buyers became more selective. Many shifted their focus to skincare, haircare, and niche fragrances, moving away from the color cosmetics that once drove viral trends, such as contouring the face with different foundation shades. Consequently, the market has been upended. Even some brands that, like Rhode, achieved breakout success began exploring exit strategies last year. Yet so far, no deals have materialized for names such as Selena Gomez 's Rare Beauty or Makeup by Mario — the brand launched in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, best known for his work with Kim Kardashian. Elf's acquisition of Rhode — founded just three years ago — ends a dry spell in celebrity beauty deals and could inject fresh momentum into personality-driven brands. With Rhode, Elf is betting on a premium range featuring just 10 main or 'hero' products, including Pocket Blush and Glazing Milk — items that blur the lines between skincare and makeup. The brand complements Elf's more affordable, cosmetics-focused portfolio. Elf's average price point is about $6.50, compared with nearly $9.50 for other mass-market cosmetics, while Rhode's average is around $29. But Elf is paying a pretty polished price for Rhode, also known for its sleek, minimal packaging. The $800 million in cash and stock payable at the close of the deal, expected before September, equates to 3.8 times Rhode's sales of $212 million in the year to March 31, 2025. Including the additional $200 million payable based on Rhode's performance over the next three years, the multiple is 4.7 times. The latter is in line with the lush deal multiple on L'Oréal SA's purchase of natural beauty label Aesop two years ago. To justify the price tag, Elf must ensure that its new addition doesn't run out of, well, Rhode. The narrow product range offers an obvious starting point for expansion. Elf has already launched a raft of innovations that resonate with Gen Z consumers and have helped turbo-charge its sales — a track record that bodes well for Rhode's future growth. There is also scope for Rhode to reach a wider range of customers. The brand is already due to launch in Sephora in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. this fall, which is a major milestone. In the long term, Elf could leverage its partnerships with other retailers — it is available in Ulta Beauty Inc. in the U.S., for example, in Douglas AG in Italy, and Boots in the U.K. — to maintain the momentum. Assuming Elf doubles sales over the next three to five years — which looks feasible — then the acquisition multiple would fall to a more reasonable level of about two times. However, there are risks to this trajectory, the most significant of which is Bieber herself. So far, she has defied the broader boredom surrounding celebrity-led brands. But maintaining her relevance remains essential. Six years ago, Coty Inc. placed a major bet on the Kardashians, paying $600 million for a majority stake in Kylie Cosmetics, which Kylie Jenner founded. A year later, the company invested another $200 million for a 20% stake in Kim Kardashian's beauty business. The results have been mixed. Over the past two years, Kylie Cosmetics boosted its sales by 1.5 times, driven by skincare and fragrance launches. Meanwhile, Kardashian's underwear brand Skims bought back Coty's stake, causing a $71 million loss for the U.S.-listed company. Bieber will join Elf as Rhode's chief creative officer and head of innovation. The company has a strong track record of connecting with Gen Z on social media, with viral moments like its collaboration with Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. It also has experience managing celebrity and influencer-led brands: it acquired Naturium — the skincare label co-created by influencer Susan Yara and beauty-brand accelerator The Center — for $355 million two years ago, and it developed Alicia Keys' brand. Even so, Rhode's close association with its founder remains a risk Elf must actively manage. This isn't the only challenge. Lindsay Dutch, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, expects Elf's sales growth to slow this financial year following a frenetic pace of revenue expansion. The beauty boom is also fading, although Ulta said on Thursday that many consumers were turning to fragrance and body lotion as a comfort and escape from economic uncertainty. There's also the pressure from President Donald Trump 's tariffs. Elf makes about 75% of its products in China and will add $1 to all of its products globally on August 1 to reflect the levies. With so much to grapple with already, taking a big bet on a celebrity-backed brand looks like a surprising diversion. But as any beauty enthusiast knows, there is always room for one more lipstick — particularly if it's a peptide-infused pout enhancer.
