How To Get The Italian Summer Makeup Look In 7 Easy Steps

As we dream of an Italian coastline vacation, the algorithm has been swarming our feeds with fashion, hair, nails, and makeup inspo from the streets of the country's most picturesque destinations. And one look that we haven't been able to get out of our minds is the Italian girl summer makeup that's currently reigning supreme on TikTok, with each variation further fueling our wanderlust and beauty cravings.

While you can probably assume this trendy look has a lot to do with sun-kissed skin and an effortless yet glamorous vibe, there are a few extra details that will undoubtedly make you want to try it and immerse yourself in the Italian beauty culture, even for just a day.

Some have adopted it as this summer's personality, so we’re breaking down the key elements of this summer's “it” beauty trend and how you, too, can achieve the ultimate Italian summer makeup look in seven easy steps. 

Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.

Start with a Hydrated Base

The Italian girl summer makeup, though, while "summery," is not as light, minimal, and natural as it might seem at first glance. When compared to some other summer favorites, such as the "clean girl makeup," "latte makeup," or the "French Riviera face," which picked up pace last summer and the seasons before that and are favored by many who prefer beauty in a pinch during hot summer days, you can clearly tell that the Italian girl summer makeup is slightly more dramatic and glamorous.

Since this is a heavier summer look than others, it's essential to start your beauty regimen with a hydrated base to make your skin look fresh rather than oily or cakey. To achieve this, start by prepping with a lightweight moisturizer, such as the Tatcha Water Cream Pore Minimizing Moisturizer, that sinks into the skin like a dream and, once fully absorbed, leaves behind a much-desired plumpness and smoothness.

Airbrush Your Complexion to Perfection

Unlike other summer makeup trends, Italian summer makeup requires a medium to full coverage foundation and concealer to achieve the desired airbrushed and flawless complexion.

Now, since we’re talking about a look worn in summer, choose your base products wisely – unless you want to end up looking like a shiny disco ball as soon as you leave the house. Opt for a foundation with a velvety to matte finish and a long-wear concealer that won't settle into your skin's creases and lines but will only enhance your look.

The Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation is a fantastic option for a medium to high coverage foundation that won't feel heavy or look unnatural on the skin, while the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is perfect for hydrating, brightening, and covering up imperfections without looking too heavy or caked up.

Set everything into place with a touch of the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder, a universal setting powder that blurs imperfections and controls shine without making your complexion look dry and powdery.

Channel Your Inner Bronzed Goddess

In true Italian fashion, lean into the sun-kissed, bronzy look by liberally applying bronzer on the high points of your cheeks, temples, and along the bridge of your nose, not only to subtly contour but more so to achieve that bronzed goddess complexion every Italian girl boasts after spending a week on the heel of Italy's "boot."

The NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder, a cult favorite, might be just the product you need to recreate this look, even if you’re not spending your summer in Italy, while the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer is an excellent affordable dupe for that same warm, honey shade with just the right amount of shimmer.

To bring that "just got back from a Mediterranean vacation" look together, finish off with a deep peachy or orange blush, such as the Pat McGrath Divine Powder Blush in Paradise Venus or the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso, and apply it generously to your cheekbones with a fluffy brush.

Subtly Highlight for a Natural Glow

While entirely optional, highlighting the high points of your face very subtly can elevate this look and make it appear more natural, especially if you accidentally went a little too heavy with the setting powder and you now look dull and flat.

The key word here is "subtle," so opt for a highlighter that has a natural sheen rather than chunky glitter particles, like the Dior Glow Face Palette, and gently dab it with your finger on top of your cheekbones, the tip of your nose and cupid's bow, and the inner corners of your eyes for an added touch of radiance.

Warm and Sultry Eyes

As eye contact is key in Italian conversation, no Italian girl summer makeup look goes without a touch of warmth and sultriness on the eyes.

To make your beautiful eyes look bigger and more open and receptive, outline the inner and outer corners of the waterline with a white or peach-toned eyeliner, like the NYX Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil in Pure White or the Tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight in Nude.

Next, use peachy or bronzy eyeshadow as a transition shade and blend it into your crease with a fluffy brush. Once blended, add depth and dimension to your eye makeup by blending a shade similar to the bronzer on the outer corner of each eyelid and lightly dusting it on the lower lash line. Then, use a thin eyeliner brush coated in a dark cinnamon or brown shade to draw a wing that extends to the inner corner of your eye to elongate your gaze.

Finish off with several coats of lengthening and volumizing mascara to both top and bottom lashes for a seductive, flirty look reminiscent of our favorite Italian muses.

Bold Eyebrows

Bold eyebrows are basically the trademark of an Italian look, as no self-respecting Italian girl would be caught overplucking her brows or leaving the house without a quick touch-up of her signature arches. Therefore, when creating an Italian girl-inspired makeup look, make sure to fill your eyebrows with a brow pencil that's at least one shade darker than your natural hair color.

On the other hand, if you want to keep your brows a little fluffier and more natural, opt for a tinted brow gel instead, such as the Kosas Airbrow Tinted Eyebrow Gel, but make sure they still look polished rather than unruly.

Craft the Perfect Pouty Lip

For the perfect lip, use a terracotta or a darker peach lip liner to outline your lips, with a particular focus on the center, where you would slightly overline the outside of the border for a subtle lift and a plumper pout while staying inside of the line everywhere else for a more natural look.

Next, fill in the lips with a creamy, hydrating lipstick in a similar shade, such as the YSL Bold Pigment Lipstick in Brazen Nude or the Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lipstick in Brave if you prefer a matte finish that won't budge even while gorging on some delicious Italian cuisine.

Bellissima!

All about embracing warmth, radiance, and a hint of boldness, the Italian girl summer makeup is a look that can not only enhance your features and boost your confidence but also make you feel like you're a part of la dolce vita, even if just for a day.

So channel your inner Sophia Loren or Monica Bellucci, and don't be afraid to embrace the bronzed goddess within you, and let your makeup be a celebration of your inner glow.

Support our cause and help women reclaim their femininity by subscribing today.