Makeup Artist Dotti believes makeup should enhance the face and highlight the woman within. An advocate for the no-makeup, makeup movement she is also passionate about a natural, organic approach to health & beauty.
When viewing Dotti’s prolific work, we see women looking their best, each in her own unique way.♥
– as told to The Silver Women
Tell us about yourself.
I describe myself as a YSL smoking suit wearing hippie, born in Australia with a Croatian and Italian background. Becoming a makeup artist was a natural progression after working with hair for 10 years. I studied Prosthetic Makeup, which I found out very quickly was about continuity. I knew that this was not my thing. However, I must say I loved the sculpting & molding aspect. My mind is very active which naturally led me to where I am now working in fashion and with celebrities. I was so blessed to have had a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend, the great makeup artist Richard Sharah. He saw more in me and encouraged me to dig deep, to let go and to be who I am. “Head in the clouds, feet on the ground.”
Women who inspired you as a young girl?
Morticia from the Addams Family. Her quote I remember and loved…” I’m just like any modern woman trying to have it all.” I adored her ghostly skin and snake-like body. The way she glided around like she was walking on air.
Women, who inspire you now?
Tilda Swinton, she is such a great chameleon. A powerful striking beauty that puts her individual stamp on everything she does.
Emma Watson for being a positive role model. She is an aspiration for young women.
Hedy Lamarr, talk about beauty and brains. Some others that inspire me Eva Green, Priyanka Chopra, Sophia Loren, and Diana Ross.
Women, who you think have aged with integrity?
I could go on and on.
To name a few present-day women, Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchette, Michelle Pfeiffer, Diane Keaton, Halle Berry, Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, Iman, Isabelle Huppert, and Deborah Harry.
“Beauty to me is more than just the outside!
It’s the power within.
Brains and beauty are so attractive.”
“David Bowie’s androgyny has been a big inspiration.
He made self-acceptance fashionable.”
What was the first item of makeup that you owned?
Shiseido black liquid eyeliner. It had a rubbery texture. Clearly, I had to buy the canary yellow and black shadow for the extra pump.
Is there a particular era where the makeup greatly inspires you?
Why choose when we can draw inspiration from them all! And every decade’s inspiration is recycled in some form from the past with a new twist.
You are a strong advocate for the no-makeup, makeup look?
What does this mean to you?
It means to empower your own beauty. To bring what you love about yourself to the forefront. It’s about using makeup cleverly!
When you do your own makeup, what is your go-to look?
A little concealer used sparingly to cover any slight imperfections, curl my lashes and then apply either a black or brown mascara. Maybe a little eyeliner in a burgundy or brown. Now and again I will bust out a vicious red lip.
How do you maintain your gorgeous luminous skin?
I am a raw vegan, exercise freak, and a total skin nerd. I am quite obsessed!
Balance Water is a huge part of my beauty routine- 3 liters a day and for some cardio fun, AKT classes.
” I am so thankful that my parents
kept me out of the sun when I was a child.
The Australian sun is harsh.
I am grateful for my good skin. “
Tell us some of your favorite products
I have so many makeup and skincare products I love. Here are a few!
To keep the brows in place- Mister Brow Groom Universal Brow Setter by Givenchy
A great staple and always in my kit- Eye Pencil in Coffee by Mac Cosmetics
For a little luminosity- Very highlighting by Tata Harper
Red Lipcolor- Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl by Nars
111 Skin – Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Mask
All the facial oils by MV Skincare
Eminence- Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque
Erno Laszlo- Hydra-Therapy Memory Sleep Mask
And lastly, because I adore taking baths – Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath
Your beauty advice to all women
Be your most delish!
Less is best when it comes to makeup and invest in your skin.
Science has opened the doors to both western and eastern principles happily playing together.
And most importantly find your tribe…
Dermatologist, Facialist, Exercise, Healthy Diet, Laughter, and Tequila!
-Dotti xoxo
FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Book/Novel:
PERFUME -The Story of a Murderer. By Patrick Suskind
Evokes all the senses like no other book.
Film: I love specific directors such as Pedro Almodóvar,
Wong Kar-wai, Peter Greenaway, Jane Campion.
Flower: Passionfruit flower,
For the short time, they blossom it’s like they’re from another planet in their beauty.
City/Place: Cities like Berlin, London, Amsterdam, and Istanbul inspire me.
Haggerstone Island’s dangerous beauty is close to my heart.
Food/Meal/Cuisine: I have been a Raw Vegan for 10 years.
My weekly jaunt on my bike to Union Square growers market is another meditation for me. Right now I am enjoying my turmeric shot as winter is upon us.
Song: I love all music!
Music is my escapism and there is nothing more delish than dancing with my friends.
Artists: Amedeo Modigliani his works transcends gender & culture.
Style Icon: Marchesa Luisa Casati
Her contemporaries couldn’t decide if she was a vampire, a bird of paradise, an androgyne, a goddess, an enigma, or a common lunatic.
” Who doesn’t want to be mysterious?
Stuck on a deserted island beauty products: Jojoba oil
It contains wax esters and fatty acids that are similar to human sebum, it’s a favorite ingredient in cosmetics and skin products.
And a parasol of course!
Dotti photographed in New York City.
by The Silver Women 
Discover & Follow Dotti:
Instagram: @therealistdotti
To view Dottis work visit
Statement Artists
