A makeup bag is a carefully curated gallery of products and tools that is as entwined with a woman’s beauty routine as it is with her DNA. Monica Bellucci, the new face of Dolce & Gabbana’s prestigious makeup line, is generous enough to share not only the rarefied contents of her makeup bag, but also her personal beauty story.
Bellucci, curious about makeup at a young age, started wearing it at the age of 14. Now, she is the epitome of Italian glamour, never leaving home without at least a coat of mascara. Her long friendship with Domenico and Stefano has resulted in the kind of collaboration most women only dream of. They were able to seamlessly translate the many moods and personalities of Monica into a makeup line that simultaneously reflects the multi-faceted nature of all women. Click through the feature for an insider’s peek at her makeup bag and a reveal of her beauty secrets.
At what age did you start wearing makeup?
I have to say that I wanted to become a woman really quick. So I remember that at 14 years old for the first time I wore some mascara and then some gloss and I remember I went to school and my teacher, he told me to come to the bathroom and take off everything. So I actually started really quick.
What are three makeup essentials that you cannot live without?
It would be impossible not to say that my most favorite Dolce & Gabbana product is not a lipstick from the Monica Lipstick Collection – after all, it was created with me in mind! Each shade of the Collection is a reflection of an aspect of my personality and I really love the colors as they are shades I love to wear depending on my mood.
I also really love the Intenseyes Mascara for beautiful, full lashes. I love to layer it up so that I have a really full, feathery lashes. That’s a beautiful look. It looks perfect when I use it with the Eye shadow Quad from the Lace Collection, which is called Femme Fatale – the shades in the quad are slightly shimmery nudes with a deep graphite grey, and the colors blend beautifully when I want to build up a really dramatic smokey eye, but can be used on their own in the daytime, too.
I have to say that I wanted to become a woman really quick.
Is makeup something you wear everyday, or only for special occasions?
I always wear some makeup, even on quiet days when I am not doing so much with my time. I like to start using Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation as a base as it’s lighter than air and doesn’t make me feel ‘caked’. Even if I pay no attention to anything else, I will put on a layer of mascara and add a slick of lipstick, even if it’s a super natural shade. I can’t compromise on the mascara and even if I’m wearing very soft make up I always wear mascara, usually a black one. It helps me to feel ‘finished’ and ready for the day. I love to use Dolce & Gabbana Intenseyes Mascara as nothing else creates such a beautiful full, feathered look. I couldn’t also skip lipstick from my make up routine; it’s such an important aspect of my look and it’s a statement that I’m ready for anything. Those are my two must-haves.
You have been a friend of Domenico’s and Stefano’s for many years. How did you feel when they approached you about representing the Dolce & Gabbana makeup line?
I’m delighted to be working with Domenico and Stefano on this collaboration. We’ve been friends for many years as I modeled for them before I moved into film, so it’s really exciting to team up with them again. I love the idea of being a muse for their makeup line; that’s a huge compliment as I have enjoyed spending time with them over the years.
I’m delighted to be working with Domenico and Stefano on this collaboration.
You have been a muse to Dolce & Gabbana during the creation of the new spring line, particularly the Monica lipsticks. Do you feel like the products accurately capture your essence?
The different lipsticks refer to varying aspects of my character by bringing to life the way I might feel that day and the circumstances I might wear the shade in. For example, Magnetic Monica is a real party shade for when I am in company and enjoying the company of others, but Only Monica is for romantic, lighthearted times when I want to feel especially feminine and would like to wear a soft, sugar pink. Natural Monica sees me at my most relaxed and effortless, and is the perfect nude for a day where I want to embrace understated glamour, whereas Italian Monica reflects my vivacious Italian side – it’s a flirtatious chili red full of Mediterranean spirit. Chic Monica is a beautiful shade – it’s a soft rose pink that is sophisticated and velvety but also a little fashion forward, and it reflects the risk taking element of my personality, as I’m not afraid to wear shades that are a little unusual. The Attractive Monica shade – the one I wore for the advertising campaign – is a deep, true red that is what I’d call a cardinal red. That definitely reveals the sensual aspect of my personality as it’s a very seductive shade that draws a lot of attention to my mouth.
What products in the line are your favorites?
I love all the shades in the collection and feel drawn to the different shades depending on my mood each day, but I adore Attractive Monica, which is the shade I wore for the advertising campaign. It’s a really fulsome, seductive red that is just timeless. It’s the perfect red and looks incredible – it’s such rich, sensual color. Bellissimo!
What is one item from this collection that every woman should own?
I think every woman should own Magnetic Monica because it is a great party shade – it’s a deep, glossy plum with such beautiful purple and red tones. It’s dramatic but not attention seeking, and enhances the fullness of my lips to great effect. It’s unusual but also extremely wearable and the rich color is beautiful with an evening dress.
I think every woman should own Magnetic Monica because it is a great party shade.
How do you maintain your flawless complexion?
Before I go to bed I take my make up off because I think the skin has to breathe. So I like to take off everything, to clean my skin well, and then have a good sleep because the most important beauty moment is sleeping.
Do you have any beauty advice or beauty secrets to impart to our readers?
I take care of my skin, as luminosity is the basis of all good make up. I am religious about cleansing and moisturizing. I also try to drink a lot of water to keep my eyes bright and sparkling.
Wear a lip color that expresses your mood. I love to wear an audacious, vibrant color to lift my mood and make me feel ready to take on anything, and nothing signifies dynamism and fearless beauty like a bright diva red. I love to wear Italian Monica from the Monica Lipstick Collection as it’s a really vivid chilli red, like the red of the Italian flag!
Can you please itemize what are the items that are in your makeup bag right now?
Intenseyes Mascara by Dolce & Gabbana because it’s good quality mascara that is volumizing and lengthening to bring out my eyes, and a rich formula voluptuous lipstick. With one of the lipsticks from the Monica Lipstick Collection I can take on the world!
Click through the gallery below to browse the Dolce & Gabbana makeup collection.
