Italy is no stranger to beauty and fashion. It’s northern city of Milan is, after all, one of the world’s fashion capitals and headquarters to a number of luxury fashion houses from Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Miu Miu and so many more.
While Italian fashion reigns supreme in the international sphere, its local makeup brands, shopped at by the average Italian woman, are somewhat under the radar. While a few of these companies ship to the United States, many of them are limited to Italy and greater Europe. But, because of their high-quality and generally affordable prices, these companies’ makeup and skincare lines should be on your radar for your next trip to Italy.
Take a look at 4 Italian makeup brands to shop for on your next trip to Italy.
Kiko Milano
Kiko Milano is one of Italy's most international makeup brands. Founded in 1997, the makeup and skincare brand has become incredibly popular for high-quality products at affordable prices. Their stores have a sleek, modern vibe, and the company sells makeup items in over 1300 colors and textures to appeal to every personal preference and skin tone.
Diego dalla Palma
Diego dalla Palma Milano is a historic Italian brand known throughout Italy for its expertise in makeup, skincare and hair care. Their hair care range is designed for all types of hair, ranging from curly, straight, short, long, dry, or oily. The Milano-based brand also sells 100% vegan pet beauty cosmetics like shampoo, detangling conditioner, and deodorizer.
Deborah Milano
A major staple of the Italian cosmetics world since 1962, Deborah Milano’s mission is to create high-quality products at a fair price point to provide every woman with access to professional-looking makeup. While their elegant makeup and skincare lines have a touch of maturity to them, they’re still appealing to the younger generation.
Pupa Milano
Established in 1976, Pupa Milano has become famous across Italy for its signature color: red. The makeup and skincare brand sells everything from perfumes, anti-aging treatments, and lipsticks to highlighters, bronzers, and suncare products. They’re also famous across the country for creating makeup sets and boxes shaped like animals, such as whales and birds, which are a hit with young girls.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.