Marilyn Monroe, the eternal symbol of glamour and beauty, held a captivating allure that transcends generations. As the Netflix biopic Blonde stirs conversations, Vogue delves into the Old Hollywood beauty routine that defined Monroe's iconic look.
Contrary to the California sun-kissed trend, Monroe favored a fair, alabaster complexion, steering clear of deep tans. Her preference for staying "blonde all over" guided her beauty choices.
Monroe's signature platinum curls were meticulously maintained with a unique hair care routine. Her hair, bleached every three weeks by renowned stylists like Pearl Porterfield and Kenneth Battelle, retained its brilliance. To avoid frequent washing that might affect the color, Monroe relied on a surprising dry shampoo – Johnson’s Baby Powder – applied every two days.
Achieving Monroe's full, pouty lips involved an artful use of lipsticks. Her makeup artist skillfully applied up to five different red hues, creating a gradient effect from darker, plummy tones on the outer edges to lighter shades towards the center. This technique, still employed by makeup artists today, enhanced the illusion of dimension and plumpness.
Known for her love of sleep, Monroe indulged in five to 10 hours of nightly rest on a wide single bed. Sundays were devoted to leisure, with an extra-long two-hour wake-up routine, savoring every moment of drowsiness.
Monroe's bedtime attire was famously minimalistic – she eschewed pajamas and found conventional nightwear disruptive to her sleep. Instead, she opted for the simplicity of five drops of Chanel No.5, a fragrance she also incorporated into her luxurious ice baths.
In unraveling Marilyn Monroe's beauty secrets, one discovers a meticulous regimen that combined timeless elegance with personal preferences, cementing her status as an everlasting beauty icon.
