I recently returned from Rome, and when I tell you that I had the time of my life, I mean it. I'd always dreamed of visiting the Eternal City. When it became a reality, I went all in. I drank cappuccinos, wine, and Hugo spritzes. I ate my weight in pizza and pasta. I visited as many ancient historical sites as I could. In other words, I experienced my own little Roman holiday.
I didn't stop there. I am a beauty editor, after all. I made sure to shop in local pharmacies for popular skincare products and observe the beauty looks of people passing by on the street. After a couple of weeks, I felt like I had a pretty good handle on what I'll hereby refer to as the Italian beauty aesthetic—think fresh-faced skin with pops of color and breezy, voluminous hair. Obviously, I wanted in on it, so I decided to shop for relevant skincare, makeup, and fragrance products. Ahead, check out all 14 items I'm buying. (PS: Some are on sale during Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.)
After drinking an undisclosed amount of limoncello whilst in Italy, I put this zesty scent at the top of my beauty-buying wish list. Notes of cold-pressed lemon, green mandarin, and blood orange mingle with earthy balsam, oakmoss, and musk. One spritz will transport you to the Amalfi Coast.
Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation is a staple among makeup artists and beauty editors alike. With medium coverage and a naturally radiant finish, it's basically Italian vacation skin in a bottle. Yeah, I'll be wearing this, and only this, until further notice.
You'll never convince me to turn my back on matte lipstick. Well, not modern matte lipsticks at least. Formulas like these look soft and velvety on the lips without compromising hydration and comfort. It doesn't hurt that I feel like Sophia Loren whenever I wear this vibrant shade of classic red, dubbed Goldie Red.
Being a self-professed matte-lipstick lover doesn't mean I dislike a glossy finish. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I enjoy playing with different formulas and finishes. This lip gloss duo is no exception. It's lightweight, hydrating, and never sticky.
A soft swipe of silky, powdery blush is the best way to look like you've been lounging at a Roman café all day (even if reality is much different). Valentino's Eye2cheek Blushes have a good pigment payoff and create a natural-looking effect. If you want to take it a step further, dust it on your eyelids for a monochromatic flush of color.
If you want to smell like you're walking around in a lush, Italian garden, I can't recommend Gucci's Bloom Eau de Parfum enough. Sweet floral notes of tuberose and jasmine do the trick. Right now, this perfume-and-body-lotion set is on sale as part of Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.
Another on-sale beauty set, this one combines Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk Glow Blush with the brand's Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer. Use them together, and true to the name, you'll have a Mediterranean Glow.
One of my all-time favorite designer fragrances, this perfume reminds me of wandering through Rome's Trastevere neighborhood. Notes of blackcurrant, bergamot, jasmine, bourbon vanilla, and guaiac wood essence are fresh yet sophisticated. IMHO, it's the ultimate alluring scent.
Okay, I know this is the third mention of Armani Beauty Luminous Silk products, but I can't help it. They're that good. These liquid bronzer drops create the most natural-looking glow—like your skin has been kissed by the Italian sun. Wear them alone, on top of makeup, or mix them into moisturizer, sunscreen, or primer. The options are endless.
There's no way I could leave out Versace, especially not the brand's iconic Bright Crystal fragrance. It combines notes of yuzu, pomegranate, peony, and lotus flower with a grounding musk base note. The result is a bright, floral, and traditionally feminine scent.
If you're not familiar with Acqua di Parma's Rosa Nobile scent, let me try to describe it. Imagine walking through a Tuscan rose garden at golden hour. There, I think I summed it up. So while this hand cream smells incredible, it also offers skin-boosting benefits. Jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E moisturize and protect the hands from the drying effects of cold, heat, and environmental aggressors.
For sultry, Italian-inspired eye makeup, look no further than this Eyes on the Go Set. Armani Beauty's Eyes to Kill Mascara is combined with the brand's Eye Tint Shimmer in Bronze. It's the perfect, low-maintenance yet high-impact pairing.
I know $50 is expensive for a lip balm (okay, that's an understatement), but I can't help eyeing this new Prada one. The skin-first formula locks in hydration and strengthens the lip barrier. The chic, silver bullet is just a bonus.
I'll be prepping, setting, and refreshing my skin with Gucci's Brume de Beauté Beauty Mist until further notice. The lightweight mist uses hyaluronic acid and black rose oil to hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin. I see petal-soft skin in my future.
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