Meeting a DC-based beauty entrepreneur is always a pleasant surprise – we are a small
community. Meeting one who was born in Switzerland is even rarer, and even funner! So when
a common friend suggested I meet Victoria Levitan, owner of the beauty blog Viciloves, I could
not wait. We hit it off immediately over two Nespresso espressos (no American-sized coffees
for us!), sharing skin care tips, DC gossip, and laughs.
AP: What city were you born in? VL: Zurich, Switzerland.
AP: What city to do you live in? VL: I live in Alexandria, VA and love it because it has a European
flair and is very historical.
AP: What is your astrological sign? VL: Cancer.
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? VL: I started my career in banking
and worked in the industry for three years.
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? VL: Keeping my skin hydrated at all times.
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? VL: Eat in moderation, no fast food/soda and drink
plenty of water. I also make sure to balance out my diet throughout the week if I know I have a
special event coming up where I may eat more than usual.
AP: What do you do for exercise? VL: I do Pilates 3 times a week and alternate between
running, cycling and Zumba for my cardio exercise.
AP: What is your favorite thing to eat and drink? VL: I love to eat and try out new cuisines so
this is very hard to answer! My favorite protein is duck so any time I see something with duck
on the menu, I will order it. I love Elderflower so a St. Germaine Cocktail is right up my alley.
AP: Botox or not? VL: Not for me but I don’t mind other people getting it done.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? VL: I’m still figuring it out but as long as your work
is something that you enjoy, it’s a lot easier to achieve that balance. Your work should blend in
with your personal life in a healthy way and not have a negative effect on it.
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? VL: Flying home to Europe at least once a
year plus any work trips and vacations round up to be at least 13’000 miles per year. This year
I’m going to Australia so it’s going to be a lot more than that.
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? VL: 1. When you pack, roll the clothes in your
suitcase because you’ll have so much more space. 2. Tell the hotel you’re staying at if it’s a
special trip, such as an anniversary or birthday trip and chances are you’ll get a complimentary
upgrade and / or a special amenity 3. Check out TripAdvisor for great restaurant and activity
recommendations. I use them every time I travel and their recommendations are spot on.
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? VL: People who chew gum while in a conversation with you.
AP: What professional beauty/fitness/wellness experts do you have on your speed dial? VL: I
don’t have any experts on speed dial, but I do turn to my Pilates instructor for any fitness-
related question.
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you
usually get? VL: I usually get up between 7-7:30am and get 7-8 hours of sleep.
AP: Who is your mentor? VL: Since I’ve started blogging I haven’t been able to find a mentor yet
but there are certainly entrepreneurial women that I look up to. Women who have transformed
their blog into a full fledged business and have done so by following their passion and never
giving up. I specifically admire Julia Engel’s blog from Gal Meets Glam because she’s my age and
has done an incredible job with staying true to herself while continuing to produce stunning
and engaging content for her readers.
AP: What is your skincare routine (products, facialists, etc)? VL: I LOVE skincare. I start out by
using a face serum (right now I’m using the Pigment Lightening Serum by Alchimie Forever),
then an eye cream (Origins GinZing Eye Cream in the morning and Kiehl’s Avocado Eye
Treatment at night) and then finish it up with the the Clinique Dramatically Different
Moisturizing Lotion. At night I like to treat my face with a hydrating and brightening mask
followed by a face oil, such as the Josie Maran Argan Oil or an overnight mask. My all time
favorite is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask.
AP: What do you do to relax? VL: I love spending time with my husband and our dog Daisy or
reading a good book with a cup of tea. I also enjoy being near the water and feeling the
calmness come over me.
AP: Quote to live by. VL: “Happiness depends upon ourselves” by Aristotle. That quote has
stuck with me for over 10 years and it still motivates me to this day.
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. VL: Don’t be in a job you
that don’t enjoy, it’s not worth the frustrations – trust me. Also don’t be afraid to speak up and
negotiate for yourself. No one else will do it for you.
AP: Describe your dream day. VL: A day that includes spending time with the people I love,
good food and conversations, and time with my dog Daisy is everything I could ask for.
AP: What makes you feel beautiful? VL: Knowing that I’m seizing every opportunity and that I’m
actively working towards becoming the best version of myself.
