If Mario Dedivanovic [1] — the man responsible for 10+ years of Kim Kardashian [2]'s full face beats — doesn't go down in history as one of the best makeup artists of this generation, he absolutely will for his coveted (and often sold-out) beauty line [3]: Makeup by Mario.
Since its launch in October 2020, the brand has dropped countless products like blush [4], bronzer [5], and eyeshadow [6], but more recently, they took another step into the complexion category with the launch of the Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation [7] ($42). Available in 30 shades, the formula promises breathable, luminous coverage that is buildable and long-wearing [8].
While there was once a time when matte foundations reigned supreme, it seems dewier complexion products have been dominating the market over the last few years. Brands are taking note, creating products intended to strike that balance between the two and marry the coverage of more quintessential foundation formulas with the lightweight feeling of skin tints. Makeup by Mario's latest launch seems to fall squarely in that space.
Of course, we had to try the foundation for ourselves, so three of POPSUGAR's beauty editors put it to the test and shared our honest opinions. Keep reading to see what we all thought about the product and whether you should be heading to your nearest Sephora.
Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation in 5N
Shown: Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation [9] ($42) in the shade 5N
"I'm not usually a big foundation person, but the Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Foundation really made me second-guess that. Using the website's online shade-matching technology, I was paired with 5H, which ended up being my perfect match. The formula itself feels lightweight on the skin, but is thick in consistency, so a little bit goes a long way. I used about one pump for my entire face and applied it with a brush. It gave me great medium coverage — I didn't need to use concealer anywhere except under my eyes. In keeping with Dedivanovic's signature beauty style, the finish is super glowy and looks like a second skin." — Jessica Harrington, beauty editor
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Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation in 20N
Shown: Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation [10] ($42) in the shade 20N
"I am a big fan of dewy complexion products, so when Mario Dedivanovic announced the launch of the SurrealSkin Foundation, I knew I had to try it. I used the online shade finder and got matched to shades 19C and 20N; 19C was a little too orange for me, and while 20N is technically my darker shade, I preferred the undertone, so I decided to stick with it. The consistency of this foundation is thick but somehow easy to blend. (It only took one pump to cover my entire face, and that's because I didn't want to waste it.) It also doesn't feel heavy or overbearing on my skin. I was nervous to see shimmer particles because I have a bit of texture and acne on my face, but the formula didn't accentuate them at all, which I was grateful for.
I'd consider this foundation a medium (but buildable) coverage, and though I don't find it to look overly glowy on the skin, if you are on the more oily side, be sure to use a mattifying primer and powder. Overall, I really enjoy the foundation, but I feel like the undertones are a little off. I do have a tricky-to-match neutral/yellow undertone to my skin that can shift throughout the year depending on the season, so while I'll probably hold off on wearing it in the winter at my most pale, it will be sitting front and center in my makeup bag once the summer officially hits." — Ariel Baker, assistant beauty editor
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Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation in 4C
Shown: Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation [11] ($42) in the shade 4C
"I'm very peculiar with my foundations: they can't be too runny, too viscous, too light, too heavy, too matte, too glowy (and, yes, I do realize that makes me, as a consumer, sound a little too annoying). Still, the Makeup My Mario SurrealSkin Foundation impressed me, and shade 4C was a near-perfect match. The formula is a bit more full-coverage than I typically go for, but I was pleasantly surprised that it still felt lightweight and not at all cakey on skin. Plus, it lasted through the day without budging, even on a slightly misty day. I'm filing this as a must have for big or important events." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty director
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