From Blueprints To Bronzer: Alison Victoria Shares Her Secrets For A Greek Goddess Glow

You know her as the powerhouse behind HGTV hits like Windy City Rehab and Ugliest House in America, but Alison Victoria is proving that her eye for “good bones” extends far beyond home design. The Emmy-nominated producer and host is officially entering the beauty chat with her first-ever skincare launch: Greek Goddess Glow Drops by Volition Beauty. Tapping into her Greek roots, the product delivers a natural, bronzed radiance while multitasking to tighten skin and target wrinkles.

We sat down with the ultimate multi-hyphenate to talk about her new beauty venture, the upcoming second season of The Pap Smear Podcast, and how she balances high-stakes renovations with her non-negotiable wellness and fitness routines. —Noa Nichol

You’ve transformed 113 kitchens on Kitchen Crashers, but now you’re transforming skin with Greek Goddess Glow Drops. How did your Greek roots lead you to this specific “bronzed” formulation?

I grew up around women who believed olive oil could fix almost anything. My grandmother didn’t chase trends  she chased radiance, class and authenticity . Greek women have always leaned into sun-kissed skin, healthy oils, and that effortless bronze that looks like you just came back from an island you almost don’t want to name. The bronzed formulation was intentional , not glitter, not orange, not makeup,  but that warm, Mediterranean glow that looks like you just got back from the beach and swimming in the sea, that you  live well and sleep well. It’s heritage in a bottle.

You’re known for “vintage meets modern” in home design. Does that same philosophy apply to your skincare routine, mixing old-school Greek remedies with high-tech beauty?

Always. I don’t believe in choosing between the past and the future. In design, I’ll pair a 100-year-old door with sleek brass hardware. In skincare, I’ll take ancestral ingredients , olive, botanical extracts, natural luminosity and pair them with modern formulations that actually perform. Romance plus results. That’s the formula.

The Pap Smear Podcast is coming back for Season 2! Who is the one celebrity guest that surprised you the most with their personal wellness “tea”?

Season 2 is spicy in the best way. The biggest surprise wasn’t even the “tea”  it was the vulnerability. When someone you think has it all together admits they struggle in their work, their decisions, struggles with hormones, anxiety, or body image… that’s powerful. Those are the moments I live for. The glamour is fun. The truth is better.

Between Chicago, Las Vegas, and L.A., you are constantly on the move. What is your ultimate “travel-proof” fitness hack for staying dedicated to Pilates and Lagree?

Schedule it before you schedule glam. If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t exist. I book a Lagree class the second I book a flight. And when that’s not possible? Bands in the suitcase. Ten minutes of core work in a hotel room is better than zero. Consistency over perfection.  that’s the secret.

You’ve designed Christmas décor for the White House multiple times. If you were creating a “holiday glow” look for a high profile event, which textiles or fabrics from your fashion stash would you pair with your Glow Drops?

Velvet. Always velvet. Deep emerald, rich garnet, or champagne silk with a subtle sheen. Glow Drops catch light beautifully, so I’d layer them with fabrics that move and reflect. Think brushed brass, silk charmeuse, maybe a touch of metallic threading. The glow should look intentional  like candlelight lives on your skin.

Your new endeavor, Kitchen Quickie, offers virtual design consultations. What is the #1 design “quick fix” that instantly makes a home feel more luxurious?

Lighting. Change the lighting, change the entire story. Swap out builder-grade fixtures, add dimmers everywhere, and warm up your bulbs. A $300 light fixture can make a kitchen feel like a million bucks. Luxury is atmosphere.

You are a spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity’s “The Women Build” campaign. How does the “strength” required to build a house translate to the “confidence” needed to launch a beauty brand?

Both require you to show up when it’s hard. Building a home is physical strength. Launching a brand is emotional strength. You will be questioned. You will be doubted. You keep building anyway. Confidence isn’t loud …it’s consistent.

Working with the Chicago Refugee Coalition on the Life Harbor Academy is such a powerful mission. How has designing a space for refugee children shifted your perspective on what “home” really means?

It stripped everything down to the essentials. Home isn’t marble countertops or custom cabinetry. It’s safety. It’s belonging. It’s a door that closes and a bed that’s yours. Designing that space reminded me that what we do as designers can be beautiful  but it can also be deeply human.

You’re an Emmy-nominated producer and now have your own production company, Briefly Gorgeous. What’s the most “gorgeous” thing about being the boss of your own narrative?

Choice. I get to choose what stories are told, how they’re told, and why they matter. That’s power and responsibility. The most gorgeous thing is owning your voice and using it with intention.

After Windy City Rehab and Sin City Rehab, if you could “rehab” any beauty trend from the past, which one would you bring back or fix?

I’d rehab the over-contoured, overly matte era. Let’s bring back real skin. Texture. Glow. Soft definition. Beauty should look alive,  not airbrushed into oblivion. If we’re rehabbing trends, we’re restoring dimension.