Charlotte Tilbury vs. Makeup By Mario: Which Makeup Artist Brand Is Best? (2025)

Everyone's always buzzing about celebrity-owned makeup lines, but what about the makeup lines owned by the glam teams of your favorite celebrities? Makeup artist-founded brands, in my opinion, are where we should all be spending our money since these artists are the real pros when it comes to knowing what makes a perfect foundation, skin tint, mascara, blush, or highlighter.

Team Cosmo reviewed two of the most popular makeup artist brands: Charlotte Tilbury and Makeup by Mario. These aren’t just makeup lines; they’re empires built by artists who’ve deeply influenced the beauty world. And the best part? You don’t need to have professional makeup skills to master these products. Let’s dive into the details and see which brand makes better makeup, according to our years of testing, swatching, and swiping.

Charlotte Tilbury

• The founder: Charlotte is an editorial, runway, and celebrity makeup artist who launched her eponymous label in 2013. Her celebrity client list includes A-listers like Kate Moss and Drew Barrymore.
• The products: Legit everything. Charlotte makes skincare and makeup, including lipsticks, blushes, bronzers, foundations, and more.
• The vibes: Hollywood glam that's full coverage but looks glowy and natural.
• Price range: $25 for a lip liner and up to $100 for a standard size of the famous Magic Cream Moisturizer.

Makeup by Mario

• The founder: Mario Dedivanovic launched the brand in 2020. His celeb client list includes Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and more.
  
• The products: A multitasking complexion line, colorful eyeshadow palettes, and blush formulas that make professional artistry accessible.
• The vibes: Soft glam, skin-first formulas that are minimalist and luminous.
• Price range: $22 for a lip gloss and up to $68 for a shimmery eyeshadow palette.

Julee Wilson beauty editor-at-large

"Makeup by Mario has been dope since the moment it launched — and it just keeps getting better. As someone who has tried just about every product under the sun, I can most definitely say that his offerings are top-notch. Mario Dedivanovic isn’t just a makeup artist—he’s a visionary. He understands skin, texture, and light in a way that makes his products feel tailor-made for every complexion.

Every formula is crafted with artistry and intention, from the buttery and blendable eyeshadow palettes to the Skin Enhancer that gives you that effortless, lit-from-within glow. What I love most? The color products like his Blush Veils and Ultra Suede Lip Cremes. It’s makeup that works for pretty much everyone—whether you’re a pro or just love playing with amazing products."

Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor

"I'll admit I'm hooked on Mario's new mascara, but there's just something about Charlotte's makeup that keeps me coming back for more, even after years as an editor with access to basically every beauty brand out there. The complexion and cheek products give skin a glowy finish that makes my everyday routine so effortless. Honestly, no matter how many dupes I try of the Glow Highlighter Wands, nothing beats her OG formulas that combine the pigment of liquid blush and the radiant shimmer of highlighter.

As a makeup minimalist, I swear by the single Cream Eye Shadow in the shade Pillow Talk for a one-and-done eye look. And while we're on the topic of Pillow Talk, every shade of the product—in the lip liner, liquid lipstick, blush wand—is the epitome of neutral makeup perfection. And I'd be nothing without my holy grail Airbrush Setting Spray. It's super hydrating and leaves all my aforementioned favorites glued on from morning til late night."

Beth Gillette, beauty editor

"I’ve been a fan of Charlotte Tilbury before it was even available at Sephora, and no one was doing it like her a decade ago, considering she basically invented the dewy, Instagram-model skin that we all do now. Even though I have oily skin her products rarely are too heavy for me and most of them don’t break me out (I can’t say the same for the skincare line, which tends to be a bit too nourishing for my acne-prone skin, but I know it’s beloved by those with dry skin).

In a shocking turn of events, the dewy, Skin Tint Foundation Stick is fantastic for my oily, acne-prone skin. It’s been a go-to in my makeup bag ever since it launched (like, I genuinely have about five tubes of it for every single shade my skin could possibly be). It leaves me with a light-to-medium coverage depending on how much I use, but I mostly love how natural and skin-like it is. I keep a compact of the Airbrush Setting Powder in my travel makeup bag at all times because I refuse to go anywhere without it. It sets my makeup without leaving my face cakey or dry… Every. Single. Time.

I own hundreds of lipsticks. But I have a holder on my dresser in my bedroom with all of my favorites—and nearly every single one is a Satin Shine one Charlotte Tilbury. It smoothes over any dry patches or cracks in my lips and imparts an opaque color with one swipe, no matter which shade I choose (a red, a pink, a nude—you name it)."

Lauren Balsamo, beauty director

"While I'm absolutely obsessed with Mario’s Soft Pop Plumping Cream Blush Veil (it is truly one the best blushes to ever touch my cheeks), Charlotte Tilbury has my heart. I originally fell in love with the brand after trying Wonderglow, an illuminating primer that legitimately makes skin look filtered whether you wear it alone or under makeup. These days I'm all about the foundation stick though; it's my go-to face makeup for any and all situations. The coverage is sheer (like a skin tint) but buildable so it effectively covers up my dark marks and redness, and the level of glow is UNREAL. And, of course, there’s the Pillow Talk collection. The Lip Cheat Liner and Tinted Lipstick Balm are two of my favorite lip products of all time—two makeup GOATS."

It was three votes for Team Charlotte Tilbury and one in favor of Makeup by Mario—because hey, we all have our faves, right? Opinion breeds creativity, and that's what makes the beauty world so exciting! If you're looking for a full-coverage face and lots of glow or expansive skincare prep, Charlotte Tilbury would be your best bet. But if you want innovative bronzers and cream blush or glitzy eyeshadow palettes, Makeup by Mario might be the MUA for ya.

While Team Charlotte is all in on her iconic lineup, we still swear by some multitasking hero products from Makeup by Mario. At the end of the day, both brands bring something unique to the vanity—it just depends on your vibe.

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she reviews makeup launches and beauty products for a living. For this story, she, along with the rest of Cosmo's beauty team including beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson, beauty director Lauren Balsamo, and beauty editor Beth Gillette reviewed their favorite Makeup by Mario and Charlotte Tilbury products after years of testing.