Old School Beauty Tips From Sophia Loren You Can Still Use Today

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Old Hollywood has had its fair share of glamorous, beautiful ladies, but none were quite like the bewitching Sophia Loren. She shot to stardom in the mid-1950s, charming fans with her sultry gaze and enigmatic smile. Loren was considered a sex symbol in her heyday and, as such, it's reasonable to assume that "The Gold of Naples" star may have picked up one or two beauty tips as a veteran in show business. 

And she didn't rely on expensive products to maintain her looks, instead using things usually found in the kitchen cabinet to stay fresh-faced, bright-eyed, and glowing for the cameras. But aside from the veritable treasure trove of skincare and makeup secrets she accumulated over the decades, Loren is all about embracing your flaws and working with them to enhance your looks. "If you have the strength to appreciate your idiosyncrasies, the rest of the world in the end may come to agree with you," the Oscar winner candidly wrote in her 1984 book, "Women & Beauty" (per Lisa Eldridge). It was definitely a mindset Loren lived by and one that's unsurprisingly reflected in these beauty tips that could be easily used today. 

Sophia Loren's absolute favorite ingredient to nourish her skin is olive oil. The "Two Women" star not only ensured she consumed meals rich in olive oil, but she also used it to moisturize her skin. In fact, the star wanted every inch of her skin to receive the benefits of olive oil. In order to achieve that, Loren would reportedly run a bath and add a small amount of olive oil into the water.

And it appears that Loren's love of olive oil for her skin is backed by science, as the ingredient  moisturizes and protects the skin from environmental stressors. Olive oil would be great for those struggling with dry skin, but for oily to combination skin types, it's best to steer clear and avoid using it as a facial moisturizer. Regardless, emulating Loren's olive oil soak bath is an easily doable process that's especially great for the winter months. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman (who spoke to Grazia), it's best to bathe in it for a maximum of 20 minutes, while only bathing in it once or twice a week. 

No matter the decade, dark under eye circles would always be a pain to tackle. While there are numerous tips on how to brighten the under eyes, Sophia Loren had just the secret on how to get rid of them quickly. Once more, the five-time Golden Globe winner turned to cost-effective DIY methods rather than fork out hundreds of dollars for fancy creams. And this time, the key ingredient is mint. The "Marriage Italian Style" actor would allegedly take mint leaves and squash them into a paste, before applying the undoubtedly cooling concoction on her under eyes.

"Mint leaves contain nutrients, minerals and antioxidants such as Vitamin C, magnesium and Vitamin A, all of which can work to brighten under eye areas," professional aesthetician Cassandra Bankson exclusively shared with Woman's World. "When used over time, the Vitamin A in the mint is fantastic for wrinkle reduction." Although Loren's solution for dark circles can certainly be recreated at home, Bankson advised applying only a tiny amount of the mint onto the skin to see if it causes a reaction before going all in on the under eyes. But if you don't have much time to spare for a DIY moment at home, then the Physician's Formula Refresh Mint Cucumber & Bamboo Eye De-Puffer Gel would be the ideal alternative.

When it comes to makeup, Sophia Loren takes everything into account — including the room she's in. The eight-time Golden Globe nominee firmly believes that lighting greatly impacts how you apply your makeup, as well as how it will eventually turn out. It makes perfect sense, considering she executed one of Old Hollywood's most stunning eyeliner looks with ease.

According to Loren, it's best to avoid bathroom lighting and take advantage of the sun's rays. "If you make up in daylight, you will look fine under most other kinds of light," the star wrote in her "Women & Beauty" book. Loren went on to advise bringing a hand mirror wherever you go so you won't have to resort to using those horrid bathroom lights.

But aside from being selective about lighting, Loren also has a method for choosing your blush or lipstick shade. While she suggests grinning after testing out new lipstick to see how the color appears against your teeth, blush is far simpler. For Loren, she went with her gut when deciding what looks best on her cheeks. "I know there are many rules about how to choose the right color according to your skin tone," Loren acknowledged in her book, before adding, "I suggest, however, that on your next trip to buy makeup you cast aside all these rules and try a few shades you never thought of before, just for fun."

Aside from skincare and makeup, Sophia Loren likes to keep on top of her exercise routine. The "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" star maintains her body's flexibility and endurance by starting off her day with a series of stretches. In her book, "Women & Beauty," Loren demonstrated the stretches she liked to do every morning for an estimated 15 minutes, from toe-touches to side stretches and head rolls. "Some mornings I wake up with a little ache or stiffness, but by the time I have finished with my stretches, I am limber and relaxed," Loren happily wrote in her tell-all book filled with her beauty tips and self-care secrets. 

What's more, Loren was also a fan of a more relaxed method for staying active and exercising your limbs. Rather than hitting the gym for an intense cardio workout, the "A Special Day" star highly favored walking for its convenience. Due to being a successful, in-demand actor, Loren admitted in her book that finding the time to spare for exercise was challenging. Hence, walking became her go-to way to stay in shape. "You need no equipment except your feet and comfortable shoes, and you can fit it into any schedule. ... I always find it exhilarating and enjoyable," she penned. And just like Loren, we're all about finding what works for you.