The Italian Girl's Guide to Beauty

In the skin care world, French and Korean beauty trends get most of the attention, but Italian women are certainly doing something right, too. For starters, they seem to sport a clear, glowing, and naturally-tanned complexion year-round, while also being able to eat all those delicious carbs without breaking out. Beyond that, Italian culture emphasizes the importance of relaxation and self-care—which we could all learn a thing or two from. Keep reading to learn more about the Italian girl’s guide to beauty, plus how to add some secrets from la dolce vita into your own skin care routine.

ITALIAN GIRL BEAUTY TIP #1: SPORT A YEAR-ROUND TAN

Italian women don’t shy away from the sun—they embrace it! Establishing a baseline tan gives off a healthy-looking sun-kissed glow and can decrease the need to layer on face makeup. What’s not to love about that? Unfortunately for all of us, Italian or not, spending too much time under the sun isn’t healthy. But, the good news is that today’s self-tanner formulas can provide an instant bronze glow without any streaks or orange undertones. In other words, even if you didn’t just get back from a beach vacation on the Italian coast, your skin can still look like it. Here are our best self-tanner options to choose from:

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse: This lightweight foam may feel invisible on your skin, but its hydrating formula will leave you with a long-lasting, even-toned bronze look. To use, simply apply a light layer of mousse onto clean, freshly-exfoliated skin, then allow four to eight hours for the color to fully develop before your next shower.

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum: This no-fuss formula is quick drying on the skin, allowing you to apply an even coat and achieve a streak-free finish. It’s also super longest-lasting! To use, apply a light layer of the serum onto freshly-cleansed skin from head to toe, going sparingly on areas of dry skin such as the knees and elbows. Wash your hands right when you finish and let the serum dry before putting on your clothes.

L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk Medium: A moisturizer and a self-tanner in one product, our self-tanning milk is an all-time favorite. It’s designed to gradually deliver an even, bronzed glow while also softening and nourishing the skin thanks to a formula that includes vitamin E.

ITALIAN GIRL BEAUTY TIP #2: BANISH STRESS—AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Italian women understand the importance of relaxation and believe that stress does no good for the body or the skin. In our opinion, this is one page everyone could benefit from taking out of the Italian woman’s book. Having some time to yourself to de-stress at the end of a long day shouldn’t be a luxury. Just a bit of self-care can go a long way in relieving stress. One of our favorite ways to de-stress? That would be with a face mask. Take your pick from any of the following:

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask: Formulated with activated charcoal, this indulgent face mask transforms dull and tired-looking skin into a detoxified and illuminated complexion. The charcoal mask acts like a magnet to clean out pores, providing a deep clean for skin that looks and feels fresh.

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask: This super-charged face mask comforts stressed, uncomfortable skin while also visibly reducing imperfections. It’s formulated with seaweed for an extra-luxe experience.

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask: Formulated with yuzu lemon, this creamy mask has a bright yellow color that will certainly brighten your day. It’s formulated to help draw out built-up impurities and help shed rough, dead skin cells from the skin's surface.

For an even more relaxed experience, here are 4 Wine and Face Mask Pairings to Try on Your Next Night In.

ITALIAN GIRL’S BEAUTY TIP #3: ROCK A GLOWING COMPLEXION

You know how Italian women look like they’re always glowing from the inside out? They’ve got a secret weapon—highlighter. The right glow-boosting formula can transform even dull-looking skin into a complexion with a fresh, dewy appearance. Give your own visage a radiant boost with the L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Shake & Glow Dew Mist, which can be used either as a makeup primer, a setting spray, or a hydrating facial mist.

Next up: We’re not done exploring the beauty secrets of Europe. Here are 4 German Skin Care Trends and 7 Icelandic Skin Care Trends to check out.