The meaning of Italian beauty is about embracing your features and celebrating them. It is about beauty at any age. La dolce vita, simply translated means the sweet life; the good life perceived as one of physical pleasure and self-indulgence (usually preceded by la). It is not just words, it is the Italian way of life. Italian beauty is beauty at any age. Simply it is—bellezza a qualsiasi età.

Growing up I was surrounded by my parents Italian friends, and I remember the women no matter their age always had a certain style. I have spent a generous portion of my beauty career working with Italian beauty development companies and fell in love with the Italian attitude to life but how they approach their own beauty.

There is an Italian saying – ‘donna specchiante poco’ filante. (a woman looking in the mirror, almost too conscious of her own beauty, is not that charming). Italian beauty reflects an understanding of beauty at any age. Italian women have ‘la bella figure’ philosophy. This is about an attitude to life, how they carry themselves and what is important. The translation of ‘a beautiful figure’ means so much more than a beautiful body. It embodies a way of life that is authentic, being very well behave, beauty in all forms and aesthetics. Italian women exude self-confidence and their approach to beauty is effortless, chic and timeless. go beyond what is the trend and follow your heart – be it beauty, fashion, what you eat and how you style your home. Segui Il Tuo Cuore—is the cornerstone of all things Italain. Italian beauty is to follow your heart.

BEAUTY AT ANY AGE

Italy, like France, has a rich history of iconic beauty muses. Sophia Loren, the most celebrated of movie stars, captivated with her cat eye and beautiful lips. Italian model Gina Lollobrigida exudes Italian confidence with how she used bold red lips and raven curls to set her style. Fellini muse Claudia Cardinale was the epitome of 1970s glamour with her sultry eyes and thick luxurious hair.

Today modern women are bringing a new Italian aesthetic to the beauty and fashion stage. Bianca Balti is known for her nude lips and cheeks letting her eyes shine with a bold cat eye and mascara. Model Vittoria Ceretti steps onto a runway to a collective intake of breath as people take in her classically beautiful features.

DISCOVER INNER BEAUTY

Pelle Luminosa—glowing skin is a reflection of inner and outer beauty. Many Italian women will attribute their Mediterranean diet to how their skin glows. Especially the inclusion of olive oil in their diet. This is an Italian beauty secret that can be traced back to generations of women. A Mediterranean diet has been proven to attirbute to good health. Its valule comes from foods that are centred around vegatables, fruit, wholegrain cerals, legumes, fish and the beauty of olive oil. This is a diet rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids that helps to reduce inflammation and build skin health from within.

THE BEAUTY RITUALS

Sentirsi Bene—Italian beauty is not about looking good but about feeling good. The Italian woman values a smooth beautiful skin above all else. Italian skincare blends time honoured traditions with leading-edge technology. Today, Italy is home to some of the most revered beauty such as the iconic Acqua di Parma and Borghese Roma, to emerging beauties.

Lavare Il Viso—Italian women are fastidius when it comes to cleansing their faces. And it is not always about the most expensive product. Many Italian women have grown up watching their grandmothers and mothers cleanse with a mild soap. Today this tradition is still upheld and is enhanced by other cleansing skincare rituals.

THE SPA BEAUTY CULTURE

Rituali di bellezza—mositurising and hydration is at the basis of any Italian woman’s beauty rituals—morning and evening. Not only the face but the body. Colour cosmetics are important but it is hydration that is at the top of the list. Italian skincare is celebrated for their formulations and luxurious textures. From hydrating creams to leading-edge serums. Italian women treat hydrating mists as a beauty essential to help keep their skin fresh and supple.

Bellezza per la cura del corpo—from Roman times women have been practicing self-care body rituals. There is a deep-rooted spa culture throughout Italy. Italy has a long tradition of thermal therapy. The thermal baths in Italy offer not only therapeutic benefits but are also a testament to the importance of nature and culture in Italy. It is a meeting between history, art and inner beauty. Italians believe that good self-care comes in many ways—from getting a good night’s sleep to slowing down in the day to meditate.

THAT ITALIAN SKIN BEAUTY

The Skincare Notes: The Micellar Cleanser—Furtuna Skin olive-enriched Micellar Cleansing Essence gently cleanses to enhance your natural beauty. The Mosituriser—Prato Botanica Smoothing Day Cream embellishes grapeseed oil that soothes, softens and protects against free radicals. Borghese Equilibrio Equalizing Restorative restores and controls shine. The Serum—Perlier Pomegranate Antioxidant Youth Elixir Serum to help simulate the skin’s lipid barrier. The Mud Mask—Borghese Advaned Fango Mud Mask is fundamental to the Borghese beauty regimen to help purify, enhance skin elasticity and smooth skin. The Sun Factor—BioNike Defence Sun 50+Fluid Lotion is lightweight, easy to apply and offers UVA-UVB-IR protection. (Note that SPF listings differ in each country based on market regulations.) Bath & Body—Borghese Bagno di Vita Foaming Shower Gel signature botanical ingredients revitalises the skin and soothes your senses. For smooth and refined skin Rinfrescante Sugar Body Polish exfoliates and polishes skin to reveal a satin finish.

THAT ITALIAN HAIR BEAUTY

La Bellezza Dei Capelli—long, shiny, healthy hair is a hallmark of Italian women—just look to the work of artist Sandro Botticelli’s, whose muses had iconic ‘Botticelli hair’ as evidence that long, luxurious locks have always been a part of the culture. Haircare is embraced by seeking out quality products and treating the hair salon as a scared place. Hair grooing is as ingrained in Italian beauty rituals as is skincare—and both are looked at as the essentials of everyday life.

Haircare goes beyond washing and conditioning. There is the Italian ‘third step’ rule. From an early age Italian children are taught the importance of hair-health. Passed down from the generations it encourages caring for your hair from an early age. This third-step rule is the inclusion of a serum or hair oil, which is meticulously applied to the ends of hair after each wash. Nourishing hair differs to moisturising your hair. Moisturising involves adding water to the hair. To nourish the hair Italian women passionately believe in repairing damaged hair with a serum type product.

The Hair Notes: The Hair Oil—for beautiful hair Davines, the Italian haircare brand that originates from Parma, Oi Oil will add shine and softness to your hair. The Hair Mask—Pura Kosmetica Dry Hair Mask detangles, nourishes, and softens the hair.

COLOUR ME BEAUTIFUL

Il potere del rossetto—when you are on the streets you see the beauty of Italian women in how they attribute the use of makeup. They are expressive in their personalities as they are when applying colour. Pops of lip colour can be seen everywhere—on a dewy flawless face.

The fashion ensemble highlighted true Italian street style during Milan Fashion Week for Summer 2025. Perfectly painted lips, flowing rich hair and the perfect manicure were all on show. However, there were still the emerging of the spring summer ahead trend to be seen in makeup and hair moments. High ponytails, curtain bangs, brick red lipstick, blunt bobs, pastel nails, red hair, vampy lips, hair accessories and deep side parts.

The Colour Notes: The Colour Beauty—Deborah Milano beauty is more than a colour story, it is beauty that celebrates colour. The Summer Glow—Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for a natural and fresh finish. Create an instant Mediterranean glow with the Luminous Silk Bronzing Powder that will make you look sun-kissed.

Sophia Loren said ‘Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical. I’d rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0. Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.’ Italian beauty is ‘bellezza a qualsiasi età’. We all should embrace beauty—Italian woman style!

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