5 beauty secrets Italian women know to be true

Italian women have been passing down their rituals from generation to generation. The results? A classic beauty that seems to grace them at every age.

Here are a few beauty tricks we can pick up from Italy: 

1. A colourful diet

They say, skin is a window to your gut, and a healthy gut shows up in clear skin.

Italians believe in eating a variety of food, real food, with quality ingredients that are fresh and local when possible. This results in a diet that’s rich with beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for luscious hair and flawless skin.

As Olympic figure skater Carolina Kostner told Elle Italia, “I eat everything in a balanced way. And I listen to my body a lot.”

The Mediterranean diet is colourful, so think like an Italian and eat the rainbow: olive oil, courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, blood oranges, peaches and pistachios...there are so many options.

And there’s no need to shy away from pasta, gelato, wine and tiramisu — eat in moderation. Sofia Loren even once quipped, “everything you see, I owe to spaghetti”.

2. A healthy dose of sunshine

Italians love the sun. In August in Italy, prime time for holidays, Italians flock to their gorgeous beaches for some relaxing fun in the sun.

Like many aspects of life, it’s all about healthy moderation. When it comes to soaking up that vitamin D, Italians know when it’s time to move to the shade. To achieve that beach glow, skip the tanning bed and head outside. Wear plenty of sunscreen and protect your eyes with a chic pair of sunglasses. You want just enough time to achieve that sun-kissed “I’m on vacation” look.

3. The “less is more” approach

The Italian makeup routine is simple and low maintenance. And beauty is not necessarily about what makes you look good, but rather what makes you feel good.

Monica Belucci’s daily routine is minimalist: she cleans her face, puts on a light cream, mascara and lip gloss. For her hair she washes it twice a week and applies olive oil to the tips.

As model Mitzi Peirone confirmed to Byrdie beauty blog, Italian women keep their makeup gentle, but a signature perfume and lipstick are must-haves. “The women in my family always stressed the 'leave your brows alone' rule,” she added.

Good moisturising and 10-15 minutes in front of the mirror is all you need to achieve that natural look.

4. Time to take the stress off 

Living a stress-free bella vita keeps the wrinkles and worry lines at bay, and that is why Italian women radiate at every age.

Whether it’s unwinding with a glass of Sangiovese after work or taking a full hour for lunch away from the desk — take a moment to slow down and relax. That’s the secret to ageing slowly.

5. La bella figura   

We can’t help but think that with all that focaccia, mozzarella and pasta, Italian women still maintain such great figures.

The secret lies in the importance of la bella figura, which translates literally to “the beautiful figure”. Bella figura is about taking special care in presentation and behaviour. For taking care of your physical shape, do as the Italians do and perform light, but frequent physical activities such as taking the stairs, a leisurely stroll after meals and walking to places in general.

However, la bella figura is more than just physical appearance. It’s a philosophy and about paying attention to small details that make all the difference: adding a striking scarf to your look, keeping your nails clean and trimmed or even displaying a bouquet of flowers on your coffee table.

La bella figura is also about making a good impression and how you interact with people with kindness, generosity and a feeling of being comfortable in your own skin.

Trends come and go, but la bella figura is forever.