When I think of Valentino, I picture images of haute couture gowns (did you see Carey Mulligan and Zendaya at the Oscars?), the finest Italian fabrics, and of course, that signature poppy red. Though the fragrances have been favorites for years, this has been the brand’s only extension into the world of beauty. Well, until now. The iconic fashion house has just announced it is launching a makeup line, dreamt up by Maison Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli.
The Gen Z–inspired collection features multiuse, multifinish products that speak to the freedom of expression and individuality that lies at the core of the brand. “Valentino Beauty is Human Beauty, a couture makeup inclusive to all genders, ages and culture,” says Piccioli. “Beauty is a complexity resolved through love. Beauty is democratic. I look at the identity of each individual, the uniqueness that encloses diversity and inclusivity. Beauty is about grace. Grace is something that you cannot describe, it is a perception. Beauty is something that gives me emotion. It is a connection.”
Until now, we couldn’t share all the juicy details and pictures of the gorgeous collection, which is packaged in the House of Valentino’s signature red, but here’s the scoop directly from Piccioli and Valentino makeup artist Raoúl Alejandre.
The first product on the lineup is Very Valentino Liquid Foundation ($64), which is super lightweight and comes in 40 shades with 24-hour wear and buildable coverage. “The texture is like a second skin,” says Alejandre. “It contains this magic floating powder that holds three times its own weight in water for a soft finish on the skin that’s untraceable. We did extensive research on more than 5,000 skin tones across the world to create the inclusive shade range.”
Cushion on the Go is the second foundation in the range. “The unique applicator has never been done before and molds perfectly to your finger, so its almost like you’re touching your face, but it’s the applicator,” Alejandre describes. There’s also a V-Lighter highlighter ($58) that contains hyaluronic acid to add a plumping effect while boosting radiance on the high points of the face.
Next up is the Rosso Valentino Lipstick ($55), which is refillable and comes in a massive shade range: 50 matte and satin shades that are perfect for all skin tones. “They were inspired by the beautiful light in Rome, and contain a Roma Light Complex as a result that gives maximum radiance with multilayered reflective pearls that bring out the beautiful undertones in everyone’s skin,” says Alejandre. “The satin is a liquid lipstick in a bullet and is ultra-gliding; the matte has a blurred, sort of velvet finish that’s non-drying. And the bullet shape creates a perfectly precise finish because it’s so pointed. I also love the reflective packaging that acts as a mirror so you can apply it on the go.”
The two-in-one Go Clutch ($235), which looks like a micro crossbody bag, could perhaps be the cult-favorite of the bunch, and features a mini version of the lipstick and compact powder that’s perfect for a night out. “I loved the idea of a beauty accessory inspired by the concept of a fashion accessory that we first presented in Valentino’s 2017 Spring-Summer Collection,” says Piccioli. “I wanted to give the fashion accessory a part in this new makeup beginning.” Alejandre says Go Clutch is one of his favorite things to wear. “It has two star products in it: a beautiful satin powder that comes in six shades and a mini Rosso Lipstick that also comes in six shades so you can alternate your look. There are 36 possibilities inside.”
Another multiuse product is Eye2Cheek ($58), which acts as both a powder eyeshadow and buttery blush, and comes with the perfect mini brush—again, thinking of everything for the busy woman or man, especially in time for a post-COVID summer. “This product was inspired by Pierpaolo’s Haute Couture show, and you can take it from sheer to bold really easily,” says Alejandre. “I like to define the eye socket with a deeper shade and then follow the high points of the face with a lighter shade to create dimension.”
There are also several eye products in the collection, including a double-ended 16-hour eyeliner, a three-in-one eyebrow product, a volumizing mascara, and an eight-shade eyeshadow palette with serious color payoff. The collection is making its official debut on May 31 at a pop-up in London’s Selfridges, but won’t hit the U.S. until August and September—you’ll see it first in Nordstrom in Manhattan. However, preorders for the 100-plus products open on June 15 on valentino.com, so mark your calendars and start prepping your wish list now.
