By Lesley Bowen
I vividly remember the thrill of rummaging through my mother’s makeup and beauty products as a young girl. Positioned in front of her bathroom mirror, I would slowly smear her rose-colored lipstick across my lips. “What is this magic?” I thought. Profoundly pleased with my new appearance, I would continue admiring myself. I felt transformed, and powerful. The distinct smell of my mother’s Ponds Cold Face Cream lingers in my nose, and Nivea from the dark blue tin will forever remind me of my sweet Baba (‘grandma’, in Ukrainian). The idea that one day, I would have a cupboard of magical bottles and “paint” I was allowed to apply to my face left me in awe. Little did I know that I would one day get to enjoy Italian beauty brands.
Fast-forward to today, and I am a grown woman with her own personal curated skincare cupboard. But now it gets even better. I am gifted these magic potions to try and share my thoughts about! If you told 7-year-old Lesley this, she would have died then and there. That little girl who still resides inside of me is as excited as ever, and that, my friends, will never fade away. One of the greatest perks of working with my capo (that’s ‘boss’ in Italian) is getting to try the skincare products she brings back from her Italian travels.
Elelù Beauty’s “You’re So Glowly”
Elelù Beauty’s “You’re So Glowly” cream is a luxurious, peptide-rich moisturizer designed for the face, neck, and décolleté. With 87.4% naturally sourced ingredients, including upcycled botanicals like Hydropom® and Mannaferm®, it offers deep hydration and antioxidant protection.
The inclusion of BONT Peptide® provides a gentle “botox-like” effect, smoothing fine lines and enhancing skin firmness. This Italian beauty product has a silky texture leaves a radiant, youthful glow, making it a standout in any skincare routine.
Diego dalla Palma SPF 50 Kit
I embody the spirit of the anti-sun warrior. Armed with an arsenal of SPF, I go to great lengths to shield my flesh from the sun’s harmful rays. From wide-brimmed hats and oversized sunglasses, I spare no effort in my eternal fight. I was delighted to experience Diego dalla Palma’s SPF 50 kit for the body. Its protective yet hydrating sun lotion features an ultra-lightweight texture and leaves no sticky or oily residue.
It enhances cellular defenses and protects against sun-induced damage, providing active and comprehensive protection from sunlight. Additionally, it safeguards the skin against free radicals! The thoughtful blend of skin protection and skin-loving ingredients elevates this sunscreen amongst its competitors. A light scent of baby powder and fresh laundry lingers on your skin – so you smell your freshest while basking in the sun or poolside relaxation.
Mulac Cherry Charge
True to its name, the Mulac Cherry Charge Moisturizing Face Cream invigorates your senses with an energizing cherry scent that immediately awakens you.
A key ingredient in this formulation is Cherry Aquaporins. AQPs, or aquaporins, are membrane channels that transport water across the skin. They help maintain optimal hydration levels, protecting your delicate skin barrier. It’s truly the best of both worlds! Other ingredients include cupuaçu butter (nourishing and protective), betaine (moisturizing and cellular protective properties against external stressors), Vitamin E (antioxidant, protective, and soothing), fermented argan oils (elasticizing and restructuring), and licorice (calming and brightening). This formula is tailored for dry skin types who adore flirty, fruity scents. The perfect summer scent!
Collistar Magic Drops for Body & Legs
I’ll admit—I’m skeptical when it comes to self-tanners. Too many have left me with streaks, odd smells, or that telltale orange glow. But Italian beauty leader Collistar’s Magic Drops for Body & Legs surprised me in all the right ways. The silky texture melts into the skin like a dream, and within an hour, a warm, even bronze begins to bloom—no sun, no stickiness, and no lingering scent to betray the illusion.
What I love most is how natural it looks, like I’ve just come back from a weekend under the Italian sun. With aloe and vitamin E, it leaves my skin hydrated and soft, never patchy. The glow does fade after a few days, but with each reapplication, I feel like I’m painting on a little more confidence—layer by golden layer. For anyone chasing la bella figura, this is a summer secret worth keeping.
Ortigia Sicilia Shower Gel & Body Cream
There’s something transportive about the scent of Ortigia’s Fico d’India—it’s the kind of fragrance that lingers like a memory of summer in Sicily. I first tried this gift set as a little indulgence: the liquid soap is gentle, glycerine-based, and infused with olive oil, leaving my hands clean but never stripped. The body cream, however, is where the magic lies—rich yet airy, with lanolin and olive oil that melt into the skin, leaving behind a soft powdery trace that feels quietly luxurious.
It’s more than skincare; it’s an Italian beauty ritual. Each use is a moment of calm, a reminder of sun-drenched landscapes and the timeless elegance of Italian simplicity. Fico d’India doesn’t shout—it whispers. And I find myself listening – VV
Photography courtesy of each respective brand
