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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 8: PUPA Milano

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PUPA I'M Lipstick 405 Electric Fuchsia PUPA Vamp! Mascara
Wearing PUPA I’M Lipstick in 405 Electric Fuchsia on my lips, and PUPA Vamp! Mascara on my lashes

Hi everyone, I’m back with a new installment of the one where I show you my favorite makeup brands from this boot-shaped country of mine, AKA Italy. I have to admit that I’m really enjoying playing the Virgil to your Dante while we travel through the Italian beauty heaven! 😉

Today we’re talking about PUPA Milano, a mid-range brand that can be found in lots of beauty and department stores across Italy.

One of my earliest memories about PUPA is this makeup set that one Christmas, many moons ago, made me a very happy middle school girl. The Milan-based cosmetic company used to be very famous for that type of sets. Well, it actually might still be, but I’m too old to know! #soontobe30 ?

These days, it’s their more ordinary creations, like the ones I’m showing you today, that make me one very happy girl!

PUPA Milano Italian Makeup

PUPA I’M Lipsticks in 301 Poppy & 405 Electric Fuchsia

Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick 301 Poppy Swatch
PUPA I’M Lipstick in 301 Poppy
Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick 405 Electric Fuchsia Swatch
PUPA I’M Lipstick in 405 Electric Fuchsia

The only man-made thing visible from space is not the Great Wall of China, but the PUPA I’M Lipstick in 405 Electric Fuchsia, LOL! It’s soooo bright, and I soooo love it! 🙂

Shade 301 Poppy is super pretty too, and the formula is just spot-on. They’re pigmented, comfy, and long-wearing. I really can’t find a single a single fault to them!

PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polishes in 108 Icy Crystal & 123 Talc Pink

PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polish

PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polish 108 Icy Crystal Swatches
PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polish in 108 Icy Crystal, a pastel blue with a hint of lilac
PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polish 123 Talc Pink Swatches
PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polish in 123 Talc Pink

What do I like so much about the PUPA Lasting Color Gel Nail Polishes?

Well, for starters, they come in small bottles (0.17 fl oz). I don’t know about you, but I’ve never finished a single nail polish in my entire life, so I wish they all came in tiny bottles like these. Then, they stay chip-free for several days. And last, but most definitely not the least, they have a wide domed brush (think Essie) that makes application a breeze.

Why don’t all nail polishes have brushes like that? Does anyone prefer the traditional, thin type? Please, tell me in the comments, I neeeed to know! 😉

PUPA Vamp! Cream Eyeshadows in 200 Khaki & 501 Burgundy

PUPA VAMP Cream Eyeshadow 200 Khaki 501 Burgundy

PUPA VAMP Cream Eyeshadow 200 Khaki Chanel Epatant Dupe
Side-by-side swatches of PUPA Cream Eyeshadow in 200 Khaki (left), and Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Epatant (right)
PUPA VAMP Cream Eyeshadow 501 Burgundy
Wearing PUPA VAMP Cream Eyeshadow in 501 Burgundy on my lids

If you’re familiar with Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre eyeshadows, then these are very, very similar, as they have the same bouncy texture, and the same amount of shimmer running through them. Besides, shade 200 Khaki is an almost perfect dupe for Chanel’s Epatant.

PUPA Vamp! Mascara in 100 Black

PUPA Vamp Mascara 100 Black

Can you remember where I mentioned the PUPA Vamp! Mascara before? YES, it was in my (very streamlined) travel makeup bag. Congratulations for the elephant memory!

Then you’ll also remember that I find it pretty similar to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (another favorite of mine), in the sense that it’s super dramatic and volumizing. But here in Italy it’s less than half the price. SCORE!

Here you may find a list of PUPA distributors around the world, but unfortunately, there aren’t any in the US as of right now. It looks like you’ll have to add it to your beauty wishlist for your next trip to Italy! Anyone planning a visit anytime soon?

Carolina Braina


Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

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Comments

  1. MANY years ago, we did have PUPA here in the US. I never tried it, but I am pretty sure it was sold in Macy’s. I so enjoy your “beauty from the boot” posts!

    Reply

  2. Actually the Essie nail lacquers sold in the US have the classic thin rounded brush. The cool flat brush is only sold in Europe (maybe other continents, I’m not sure)! I don’t know why but it’s one of the reasons I don’t buy Essie polish here…
    I remember Pupa makeup sets, they look like they’re made for kids so I thought for the longest time that it wasn’t a “serious” makeup brand! I missed out and now I can’t get my hands on it 🙁
    Lulle recently posted … #FrenchFriday : the New Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in 629 Mirrored (Review)

    Reply

  4. OMG I had the same style of Pupa set for years, and I too got it when I was a teen 🙂
    Even when it was far past its expiration date, I just kept around because I couldn’t bear to part with it!

    Reply

  5. I also had a Pupa makeup kit in middle school. But mine was shaped like an angel and was full of frosty pastels. And my best friend got the devil themed set. They suited our personalities – she was always more daring than me!

    For Americans wanting to try Pupa, there is a limited selection of items at AllCosmeticsWholesale(.)com, mostly baked blushes and eyeshadows. (I put the dot in parentheses because I’m not sure links are allowed in comments.)

    Reply

  7. I prefer nail polish with traditional thin brushes when it comes to painting my toenails because I have small ones! But I prefer those with big brushes to paint my fingernails.

    Reply

  9. Happy Birthday! I hope you’re having a wonderful day.
    So many temptations from Italy. It is definitely on my list of places I must travel to.
    You really rock that Electric Fuchsia lipstick! I prefer the wider, flatter nail polish brushes.

    Reply

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