How I got started in makeup ;)
Sorry it’s taken me a while to write this post. I started in makeup when I was 17 years old. Right after high school I got a job working at Sephora in NYC as a fragrance consultant. I had never thought a day in my life of becoming a makeup artist. At work, women would always come up to me and ask for help with colors, etc and I never said no, LOL. I just jumped right in and gave them my opinion. It wasn’t long before I was getting booked to do people’s makeup for events and weddings. It sort came naturally for me. I remember doing my first “make over” at Sephora. I wasn’t even nervous at all. I loved every minute of it and I loved how it made the woman feel so beautiful. I was hooked. Working at Sephora was really good for me because I learned about so many different products and got to work with alot of different skin tones, etc.
After a few months, I began to freelance with different lines like Lorac, Giorgio Armani and GIELLA. Working at Giella was priceless because it’s a completely custom blend line of makeup and i REALLY learned color and texture there. I would have to custom blend everything from scratch and create all of my own colors, etc. Simultaneously, I was testing with photographers and building my portfolio. I tested as much as I could and learned alot from these tests. Each time, I got better and better by looking at my mistakes from the previous shoots. I then began to assist other makeup artists on shoots as much as I could. I really recommend assisting, as you learn alot of tricks of the trade and it prepares you for bigger jobs as they come along. My last couple of years assisting was amazing. I was able to work on sets with the top photographers in the world working on major fashion and cosmetic campaigns and for major fashion magazines. I never forgot about my own career though – I always continued to work and build my book even when assisting. I even assisted while I was represented by my 2nd agent so it’s never too late to assist!
Just don’t forget that it’s very hard work and you have to be smart and dedicated. I spend endless hours in the library and online researching makeup and fashion, learning the different looks of the periods and the work of other legends and icons in the industry. I worked for free as well for years but trust me, it pays off in the end. Good luck to you all 
Get the Face! Kim K – Maxim Hot 100.
Hey guys… For the Maxim Hot 100 event, Kim wore an all while dress and the hair was pulled back so I definitely wanted to use alittle bit of color on her eyes and green is my favorite color. I really like how this look came out on her and it photographed beautifully. When using a color on the eyes, keep the cheeks and lips soft and pretty. Here’s how to get the face…
Skin – Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation by Make Up For Ever in Neutral Beige. GIELLA concealer in #2. Set the face and under the eyes with Make Up For Ever HD translucent powder.
Eyes – Golden Olive pigment by MAC on lids. Humid eyeshadow by MAC in the crease and blended on the lower lashine. Electric Edge Liquid Eyeliner Marker Pen by Calvin Klein in Electric Black on the upper lid and winged out alittle on the outter corner. GIELLA B-dazzle eyepencil on the inner corners (tear ducts) and on the inner rim of the eye. Two coats of L’oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black, top and bottom lashes.
Cheeks – Rock and Republic contrived pressed blush in Call Me on the apples of the cheeks. Apply Summer Affair Bronzing Powder by Calvin Klein framing the face lightly.
Lips – No lip liner. Just a clear gloss Let me know how it comes out if you try it!
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Wedding makeup tips and tricks…
Tis the season to get married! I figured I should do a wedding makeup post since so many people are getting married in the summer and fall. I think makeup is really important for a bride on her wedding day. It’s photographed by a professional and you will see the images forever. If there’s any day in your life that you want to look you’re very best and most beautiful, it’s your wedding day.
I get emails everyday from brides-to-be from all over (some as far as Moracco!) asking me to do their weddings. I feel terrible because unfortunitely my schedule now doesn’t really allow me to book weddings anymore, but I have done many many weddings in the past and I always loved making a woman feel beautiful on her special day. Below are some products and tricks to help you out.
The pics here are of my beautiful sister Vicky. She got married last summer and of course I did her makeup, lol. I love you Vicky Vicky usually does her makeup pretty natural so we kept with that theme of warm, natural and nude colors. Theres also a couple of pics of Dara Godfrey, wife of the amazing designer Jay Godfrey, on their wedding day. I flew out to Miami for their wedding.. it was really beautiful and so was she! The last pic is a bridal cover I did a while back, “For The Bride” magazine.
Tips and tricks -
Photo Finish Foundation Primer by Smashbox. This is a really good primer to use all over before you apply your foundation. It helps keep the makeup last longer and keeps it smooth.
Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier. This concealer had 2 shades that u can mix to get the perfect match for your skin. Go alittle lighter under the eye and for blemishes, match the exact skin color.
Loose Setting Powder by Laura Mercier. This is good to set your foundation and concealer. It’s very silky and sheer and has a bit of light reflecting which helps to smooth fine lines and imperfections. Try putting a bit of it on a velour puff and applying it that way. Great to touch up with also through out the day and night.
Oragasm Blush by NARS. It’s a peachy pink with shimmer and just looks beautiful and so many skin tones. Brush it on the apples of your cheeks (try not to go too low on the cheek with it).
Dior Bronze – Amber Tan by Dior. A matte golden bronze shade of bronzer. Brush it all around the frame of the face to warm your skin up. Dont forget to apply some to the neck too!
High Beam by Benefit. This is a luminescent complexion enhancer. Apply it on your cheek bones for a dewy glow. I like to use it on the center of the lip too for a hightlight and on the bridge of the nose.
Silk Eye Shadow Wash by Stila. It’s a water-based liquid-to-powder eyesshadow in a shade called kitten (pinkish gold tone) It looks great on alot of skin colors. Use it on your eyelid or to highlight.
Powerpoint Eyepencil by MAC. This pencil is great for a wedding because its waterproof but you can still blend it nicely for a smokey eye. Also great for the inner rim of the eye. After applying on top lids, brush alittle translucent powder over it and apply again. This will give the line alot of pigment and really pop.
B-Dazzle by GIELLA. The perfect shade eye shadow for the inner corner of the eyes. Makes you look more awake and gives that “angelic” look. GIELLA can also custom blend it into a pencil. www.Giella.com
All products except for the MAC and GIELLA can be found at www.Sephora.com . Remember to keep your makeup classic looking on your wedding and don’t overdo it! Xo
Mario
Ask me your questions and I will answer! ;)
Hey guys, I’ve been getting lots of questions about makeup, how I started, etc and it’s hard to answer them all throughout the day so I thought I’d have you all ask me here on the comments area of this post and I will then post another blog with your answers. This way, you can all see answers to other peoples questions that can be helpful to you. Xo
Mario
Some of my makeup staples ;)
These are some of my staple products that I bring to most shoots/jobs. This was a cute article for “Resource” Magazine. They intervied me and asked me to explain alittle bit about all the products. If you click and save the image, I think you can zoom in to read more clearly I will definitely post more of fav’s in the future. Xo
Mario
Lil Kim’s music video “Download” GET THE FACE!
Hey guys, have you seen Lil Kim’s new music video for her song “Download?” I had such a blast working on her makeup for this video and she is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever worked with. Music videos are hard work and very long hours but I love them! For “Download,” I gave Lil Kim two different looks. Some of her girl freinds stopped by for a scene so I did the lovely Lisa Raye’s makeup too. The beautiful girl in the pic with me is Sally, my assistant in LA. I love her to death! Here’s the video Lil Kim\’s \”DOWNLOAD\”
Get the Face!
On Lil Kim’s brows – Lingering brow pencil by MAC
On Eyes – Dreamy eyeshadow all over lid and on lower lashline by LORAC. Feline eyepencil by MAC on top.
Cheeks – Dior bronze matte sunshine in amber matte on hollows of cheeks and framing the face. Diorskin shimmer powder in diamond rose to highlight cheekbones and bridge of nose.
On lips – Way To Love lipstick by MAC.
MY SECRET FOR GLOWING SKIN
MAKEUP MONDAYS WITH MARIO
EYE M GLAM Highlighter
MAKEUP BY MARIO
