Marilyn Monroe needs no introduction. In the 50s, she was the ultimate iconic beauty symbol. Famous the world over for her brilliant blonde hair, deep red lips, arched brows and classic winged eyeliner, she is known for saying:
“Beauty and femininity are ageless and can’t be contrived, and glamour, although the manufacturers won’t like this, cannot be manufactured. Not real glamour; it’s based on femininity.”
At the height of her career, Marilyn Monroe mastered the art of making an entrance. She also never failed to look youthful and glowy. Here are a few things she did to look and feel feminine and conditioned, both on and off the red carpet.
Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Beauty Secrets
Feel blonde all over
If you want your skin to have a clear and even appearance like Marilyn’s, you need to stay out of the sun and wear SPF 50 daily. According to Vogue World, Marilyn told Vogue California, “Despite its great vogue in California, I don’t think suntanned skin is any more attractive … or any healthier, for that matter. I’m personally opposed to a deep tan because I like to feel blonde all over.”
Additionally, the sun can cause premature aging, sunspots, wrinkles, and skin cancer, so it is best to avoid it and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
A hydrating skincare routine
Looking at her pictures, you would never know that Marilyn suffered from dry skin. Her Hungarian dermatologist, Dr. Erno Laszlo, provided her with a complete skincare regime that she adhered to religiously. Allegedly, her favorite moisturizer was their Active Phelityl Intensive Cream. Undoubtedly, its super-hydrating formula and lavish texture contributed to her immaculate skin and fresh glow.
In the morning, Dr. Laszlo recommended washing her face in warm water with Active Phelityl Soap Cleansing Bar. She was to follow this with the Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment in Neutral all over her face. Then, she applied pHelitone under the eyes, and dusted the Duo-Phase Face Powder on her face and neck. For her nighttime skincare routine, Dr. Laszlo recommended that Marilyn apply his Active Phelityl Oil. When the product dried, she was to follow up with the Active Phelityl Cream and Controlling Lotion.
Other products she enjoyed included good old-fashioned favorites like Pond’s cold cream, Elizabeth Arden’s Eight-Hour Cream and Nivea Creme.
The perfect red lip for the iconic beauty
According to Vogue World, Marilyn Monroe’s makeup artist used five different red shades to achieve her iconic red lip. The shades used were “darker, plummy reds on the outside, and lighter towards the inside—to create the illusion of dimension and plumpness.”
Classic winged eyeliner
According to Marie Claire, Monroe’s classic winged eyeliner was achieved by using a combination of brown, black, white, and red-colored eye pencils. Her makeup artists applied this combination to both the upper eyelids and waterlines, drawing a wing to extend the lash line. In her case, iconic beauty = cat-eye!
Take an ice bath
Per Vogue World, Marilyn used to take ice baths to ensure her skin remained tight and firm. Today, people often refer to ice baths as cold plunges. Moreover, they have grown in popularity enormously. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the benefits of taking an ice bath/cold plunge include easing sore muscles, helping you focus, helping you sleep better, and decreasing inflammation.
To enjoy iconic beauty, sleep is vital!
According to Vogue World, Marilyn Monroe got between five and ten hours of sleep a night. Marilyn told Pageant magazine in an interview that, on Sunday, “[It’s] my one day of total leisure. I sometimes take two hours to wake up, luxuriating in every last moment of drowsiness.”
Pillowcase white, please
One of Marilyn’s most iconic beauty elements was her platinum blonde hair, which she carefully maintained. She bleached it every three weeks and requested the color ‘pillowcase white’ on these occasions. According to author Pamela Keogh, her roster of stylists included Pearl Porterfield and Kenneth Battelle. Marilyn also applied baby powder every two days to avoid washing her hair too much and to keep it looking fresh. This also helps to maintain the color and the health of the hair. In fact, here’s how you can put the shine back into blonde hair without a salon visit.
My references
https://www.vogue.com/article/marilyn-monroe-beauty-regimen-routine
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a16013/marilyn-monroe-beauty-secrets/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-know-about-cold-plunges
https://www.glamour.com/story/marilyn-monroe-skin-care-routine
