LEITALIENNE
Makeup artist and content creator, Marika Zaramella is a self-taught skincare expert. Let's discover her style and approach to beauty!
Let's talk a little about your makeup philosophy: we know that you prefer a natural look, without concealing flaws but enhancing facial features or playing with colours and textures, celebrating individual beauty. Tell us how you entered this world and how you managed to make it your own.
I've always enjoyed playing around, it's a passion that I shared with my mother. Growing up, I realised how much makeup is a game for me, an entertainment, and how much – especially with the rise of Instagram – it was turning into something I couldn’t identify with. Technically speaking, the best makeup artist is someone who can transform a face completely, making it look flawless – the so-called Instagram face. I thought it was necessary to bring some truth into this job too, and so I started communicating it in my own way on social media!
I've always tried not to follow trends too much, looking for iconic pieces that make me feel at ease, that's it.
In the world of fashion, beauty standards are often utopian. Working as a makeup artist, have you often witnessed this constant pursuit of perfection?
Absolutely yes, especially in the fashion-commercial sector. However, I think it's slowly changing. In high fashion we begin to see imperfect faces, particular but normal, real people, even if we're still very far from a truly inclusive aesthetic. In the beauty sector, however, there's still too much photoshop involved.
Feeling comfortable with yourself, in your skin and body. This is one of the themes you tackle the most on your Instagram page, often showing yourself without filters. What was the path you took to accept yourself and decide to show your true self?
Some time ago, experiencing a situation that I only understood years later, I realised how little I cared about being up to these aesthetic standards and how much pressure I felt, from all sides. I've always been someone who takes two hours to get ready before leaving the house, someone who wanted to be attractive and desired (or so I thought) and then, one day I wondered: why am I doing this? For who? I started a project called 'Conscious Body', a personal and mainly offline project, that I partially shared when I felt like doing so. It started by getting rid of all the things a woman is expected to do: I stopped wearing makeup, I stopped dyeing my hair (yes, I’m 23 and have grey hair), doing my nails, going to the hairdresser, shaving and taking pictures of me posing. During that time, I took selfies every day, especially when I felt ugly. I added to this project some studies and reflections on how the binary society wants women to look like, and men as well, because even about this there's something to say. Then, I realised my project is an unconscious desire to get rid of those canons, to see myself for what I am and regain possession of my image.
You always test many products on the market, entertaining your loyal audience with reviews on both skincare and makeup. What's your current skincare routine? What're your favourite products at the moment?
My routine is super minimal, ideally following a strict Korean beauty regime, however the reality is that it’s an obstacle daily, because I’m always on the go. My routine, at the moment, is: the DHC cleansing oil (which I love madly), Dermalogica's breakout clearing booster to keep pimples under control and Klairs' basic water gel cream, a lightweight yet deeply hydrating moisturizer. By the way, during the day I always wear SPF!
How many skincare products do you own? And how many makeup ones?
Good question! Certainly too many, but working as a makeup artist I always find a way to finish products before they expire.
Now, let’s pretend you’re shooting for an emerging and minimal brand, they give you free range to experiment: what do you decide for makeup? Do you prefer to do your lips, eyes or skin?
Makeup for me is about flawless skin. I focus a lot on the quality of the base, I always do a lot of skin prep before applying the makeup. For me, the finest thing is a nice radiant base and perfectly-groomed brows. Then, if the look requires more of an oomph, I add some random brushstrokes on the eyes.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
The thing that inspires me the most is traveling and looking at the stimuli that other people give me, the style of others. I'm a great observer and very sensitive to trends.
We’ve all had a difficult time, and returning to work is a challenge, especially for those who work in contact with people like you. How did you adjust your job after the lockdown?
After the lockdown, I transformed my work by focusing a lot on the digital side. Obviously, regarding jobs on set I've adapted to the safety regulations
What’s the last work experience that you consider the most interesting and rewarding one?
I had a lot of fun while being interviewed for The Italian Reve, we were at my house and there was a good vibe, I felt super at ease! Moreover, that interview brought so many great business connections.
We know that you're a lover of vintage and sustainable fashion. What're the items you can't get rid of?
A pair of vintage Levi’s and a leather jacket are always in my closet, and some handcrafted detailed items, such as @fiore_llini's handmade crochet hats.
You have a very personal style and are always discovering smaller brands. What're the elements in a garment that intrigue you the most?
A must for me is gold hoop earrings. I have so many and they never tire me.
Do you have a style icon or someone you're inspired by?
I don’t have a specific icon, I like to follow my instincts and mix unlikely styles. I've always tried not to follow trends too much, looking for iconic pieces that make me feel at ease, that's it.
Do you consider yourself a victim of trends?
Definitely not, I wouldn't say so. I'm very selective and rarely impulse buying. Buying trendy clothes and accessories implies that in a few months time you won't like that item anymore.
It’s hard to choose as you're an expert of both worlds, which often complement each other, but if you had to pick one, would it be skincare or makeup?
On me, I'd absolutely choose skincare. I never wear so much makeup and I'm a fan of a natural look.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself anywhere, as long as I'm crazy and happy. I've stopped making plans for the future, I go with the flow, as long as it puts a smile on my face and respects my principles and, when it doesn’t, I try not to put myself down and let it go. I really believe you can go a long way by staying true to yourself, and I believe that in the long run this will pay off. I don't want to be too hard on myself: things that need to happen, will happen (Smiles, E.D).