Vogue Adria cover star Bianca Balti has the perfect recipe for a Mediterranean look

The Mediterranean evokes memories of sun-drenched days and a carefree spirit. It’s this very essence that defines Italian supermodel Bianca Balti’s favorite makeup look, as seen on the cover of Vogue Adria’s May issue.

Bianca reveals she especially enjoys creating her relaxed, Mediterranean-inspired makeup look—one that makes her look like she just stepped off the beach, all year round. “The first step you should never skip is setting the right mood—because for me, it’s a moment of complete relaxation,” Bianca shares with Vogue for Beauty Secrets, smiling as she prepares everything she needs for her signature sun-kissed look. It all starts with a scented candle to set the atmosphere. Only once the mood is just right does she begin her beauty ritual.

Skin protection is the base

The secret to achieving a Mediterranean glow lies in the skin prep. For Bianca, that means protecting the skin from harmful effects of sun exposure. While the sun plays a central role in Mediterranean life—and sunbathing is common wellbeing ritual—it’s crucial to protect your skin. Bianca is well aware of this, recommending a high SPF even for something as seemingly innocent as watching the sunset. “Because the sun stays out late. And remember: never less than SPF 50. I don’t know if SPF 100 exists, but if there were an SPF 1000, I’d wear that too!”

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We want to see the texture

The Mediterranean lifestyle celebrates natural beauty in all its forms—and skin texture is no exception. There’s no need to cover it up, but a little help to enhance its appearance never hurts. Bianca begins with Fenty Beauty’s primer to give her skin a soft, smooth base, followed by Dr. Jart’s Cicapair Correcting Cream to reduce redness and even out her complexion. Once the skin is prepped, bronzer takes center stage.

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Blonzing, the Mediterranean Way

Nothing captures the spirit of the Mediterranean like a subtle, sun-kissed glow. Bianca recommends sweeping bronzer across the entire face—but with intention. She focuses more on her cheekbones and forehead, and applies just a light dusting along the jawline with a gentle hand. For an added touch of faux sun, she dabs a brick-toned blush onto the tops of her cheeks, creating the perfect “blonzing” effect—a blend of bronzing and blush. Then she then adds a liquid highlighter to her cheekbones and brow area, bringing everything together with a natural radiance.

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Rosy and Matte

While her cheeks glow, Bianca opts for a matte rose-toned liquid pigment on her eyes, applied only with her fingertips. “Your hands are the perfect tool,” she says with a smile, mimicking the flush of skin that’s been gently kissed by the sun. The same creamy pigment works beautifully on the lips, tying the whole look together in a seamless, sun-warmed harmony.

No Mascara—Mediterranean Edition

The mantra here is: the more natural, the better. That’s the essence of this look. So instead of classic black mascara, Bianca goes for a brown version—and applies it only at the roots of her lashes, skipping the usual combing and lengthening. “I’ve walked many red carpets without mascara. I don’t think it’s essential,” she says. “Still, I’ve found a little mascara trick that works wonders.” She demonstrates her subtle application technique—just a gentle touch of brown mascara at the lash roots. And that’s it.

This Mediterranean no-makeup makeup look is perfect for spring and summer. It’s a beautiful blend of the blonzing trend and serious sun protection—creating a naturally radiant finish that channels the spirit of the Mediterranean as if you’ve just returned from the beach. But as Bianca shows us with each step, true beauty lies in the ease, simplicity, and lightness we carry within—and that’s what makes the Mediterranean spirit so irresistible.