Euro summer feels eternal. It’s not just a Pinterest aesthetic; it’s a way of life—enjoying la dolce vita in light fabrics while sipping a limoncello spritz as “Love in Portofino” plays softly in the background. The essence of Euro summer beauty revolves around sun-kissed skin, the no-makeup look, and berry-stained lips. But as September approaches, it’s time to ask: What does Euro fall look like?
Enter Italian Siren makeup. This sultry, Italian-inspired beauty trend, reminiscent of Monica Bellucci, is taking over TikTok. It offers the perfect blend for fall glamour: a smudged chocolate brown smoky eye, paired with plush nude lips and a satin finish on the skin. Read on for everything you need to know about this alluring trend, directly from Bellucci’s makeup artist.
The Trend
Monica Bellucci, famous for her roles in cult classics like The Matrix and Mafia Mamma, epitomizes chic Italian glamour. It’s no wonder beauty influencers are keen to capture the essence of the Italian siren’s refined elegance. With TikTok buzzing about European beauty—from celebrating unique French pharmacy products to embracing the tomato girl summer aesthetic—Italian siren makeup feels like a natural evolution. After a summer of minimalist beauty, this look offers a refreshing change while paying homage to the glamorous ’90s.
Confidently seductive, the Italian siren is aware of her allure and commands attention effortlessly. She enjoys la dolce vita her own way, often seen in sleek black patent leather pumps with a negroni in hand. At times, she embodies the glamorous villain we can’t help but root for. Her makeup reflects this luxurious, intoxicating vibe.
I view Italian siren makeup as a refined take on last fall’s mob wife beauty trend: understated yet seductive, nostalgic yet timeless. For inspiration, look to countless Pinterest images of Bellucci in La Riffa—her soft matte skin, elevated smoky eye, sculpted cheekbones, and nude lips create a cohesive, classic soft glam aesthetic.
How to Achieve Italian Siren Glam
Unlike the tomato girl, the Italian siren’s skin appears almost airbrushed, with a satin finish perfected by a product like Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder. Forget about greasy skin! Finish your base with a touch of bronzer and a taupe-pink blush applied on the high points of your cheeks to enhance your features.
The highlight of this look is Bellucci’s iconic smoky eye. Warm, lived-in, and sultry, the Italian siren eye lifts and elongates, adding drama and dimension. Celebrity makeup artist Letizia Carnevale, who has worked with Bellucci for two decades, shares her technique: “I always start with a brown pencil to create deep, captivating eyes, topped with a shadow that’s either champagne or dark golden brown.” She then applies eyeliner in the waterline and along the lashline. A creamy chocolate brown eyeliner, like R.E.M. Beauty at the Borderline Gel Eyeliner in Teddy, is ideal for achieving a subtle yet sultry look. For extra drama, lightly smoke out the eyeliner.
For the lips, a nude pink hue is quintessential to the Italian siren. Carnevale begins with the cult-favorite Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk, layering it with a touch of nude lipstick applied with a brush and finishing with a dab of Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Balm. To define the lips further, she uses a cotton swab soaked in concealer to carve out their shape.