I know it may be a trite subject, but when I was in Italy 20 years ago, it seemed hardly anyone wore makeup. Is that still the case?

No....although I do think there is a tendency for the women in Rome and Naples and cities south to wear more makeup and to dress a bit less conservatively than those in the Veneto or Tuscany...just a generalization..

Nope

Where in Italy were you? I don't think, even 20 years ago, I ever so much makeup as on Italian women in big cities. Same is true today - stylish women in big cities wear plenty of makeup, some of it bordering on ostentatious. The rest wear a little or none, and in the countryside most don't wear much at all.

hi, bkin..

just like all the "what shall i wear" threads - no-one cares. wear a lot of none at all - it's up to you. Just do what you feel most comfortable with.

regards, ann

Well considering the number of perfumeries and cosmetics shops you see in Italian cities I would think each person wear about 5 pounds at a time.

However, as with anyplace else, some women - and men - wear a lot, some a little and some none.

Wear whatever you're comfortable with based on what you're doing for the day - or evening.

Oh, whatever. If you want to have more fun with this subject, rent soome Italian films from the 60's 70s 80s and 90s.

It is my experience that Italian women do indeed wear make up and that it is fairly dramatic. I also noticed on my last trip that they are big into bold hair color/colors, using color as an accessory.
It looked a bit harsh to me but some of them wore it well.

Unless you normally wear overly obvious or theatrical makeup, I would do the same as you do at home.

I haven't been in Rome in a few years, but the last time I was there, maybe '05, bold hair color was huge. Traveling in smaller towns and northern towns, hair color was more natural. But definite makeup last year on Venetian women.

"it seemed hardly anyone wore makeup. Is that still the case?" Well, men don't wear it all that much but women do and it gets thicker as you go south until you reach Calabria ... then it has to be seen to be believed. One thing I've noticed is that foreign women who have moved permanently to Italy pick up this habit after a few years. It shows up our preconceptions - when I talk to a female with a strong Neapolitan accent, I hardly notice the encrustations around her eyes, but when I meet a native English-speaker in Italy similarly decorated, I find it extremely noticeable. Depends on your interests, of course - I'm always fascinated by a fine bottle nose in any country.

you might want to check out various Italian magazines (from local library) if you're concerned about fitting in with the Italian look.

What the heck is a bottle nose? Especially a fascinating fine one???

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