Monroe famously didn’t wear clothes to bed, stating that pyjamas and “creepy nightgowns” disturbed her sleep. What she did wear, however, was five drops of Chanel No.5, a perfume that she is also said to have added into her ice baths.
Yes… ice baths
While Wim Hof and numerous athletes have since popularised ice-cold showers and baths, Marilyn was well ahead of the curve. It is said that she used to take ice-cold baths to keep her skin firm and tight.
Baron
How she looked after her skin
Monroe joined the likes of Audrey Hepburn in regularly seeing Hungarian dermatologist, Erno Laszlo. Suffering from dry skin (she is rumoured to have obsessively washed her face up to five times a day to ward off breakouts), Laszlo prescribed the actress a rigorous skincare routine, which differed depending on the time of day and occasion. Her evening skincare routine began with an oil cleanse, using the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Oil, then she applied the Active Phelityl Cream and washed it off. She finished with the Controlling Lotion. All of these products are still available today.
Get the Monroe glow
While today we go wild for highlighter, Monroe got her glow in another, perhaps less tempting, way. Deploying the K-beauty trend for “slugging”, she would apply layers of Vaseline under her foundation to help skin catch the light. She was also a fan of cold cream, like Pond’s, and other iconic products we still use today, including Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and Nivea Creme, and even olive oil, which she also reportedly applied to her skin to offset dryness.
She wasn’t a natural exercise fanatic
“I don’t count rhythmically like the exercise people on the radio; I couldn’t stand exercise if I had to feel regimented about it,” said Monroe about her approach to working out. Many of us will relate. Instead, she enjoyed a “simple bust-firming routine” which involved lifting two, five-pound weights above her head 15 times, moving from a “spread-eagle arm position”. She would do it bedside until she was tired each morning.
As a beauty and lifestyle enthusiast with a profound understanding of historical beauty practices, it's evident that Marilyn Monroe's approach to self-care was as iconic as her screen presence. Monroe's unique bedtime routine, notably eschewing traditional sleepwear for the allure of Chanel No.5, serves as a testament to her distinctive choices even in the realm of fragrance. This preference for a specific scent, not only for bedtime but also incorporated into her ice baths, showcases her commitment to a personalized and luxurious self-care regimen.
Monroe's early adoption of ice-cold baths for maintaining skin firmness aligns with the contemporary trend popularized by figures like Wim Hof and athletes. Her proactive engagement with this practice predates its modern resurgence, emphasizing her avant-garde approach to beauty and well-being.
Delving into her skincare routine, Monroe's association with Hungarian dermatologist Erno Laszlo underscores her commitment to maintaining her radiant complexion. Faced with the challenge of dry skin, Monroe reportedly adhered to Laszlo's meticulous skincare routine. This involved an evening regimen featuring the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Oil for cleansing, followed by the application of the Active Phelityl Cream and the Controlling Lotion—a routine that mirrors her dedication to skincare excellence. The continued availability of these products attests to their timeless efficacy.
In the pursuit of luminous skin, Monroe embraced unconventional methods, such as the K-beauty trend known as "slugging." By layering Vaseline under her foundation, she achieved a radiant complexion that stood out in an era before the modern fascination with highlighters. Additionally, her use of classic products like Pond's cold cream, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream, Nivea Creme, and even olive oil reflects a timeless appeal and the enduring quality of these beauty staples.
Monroe's approach to fitness, characterized by a disdain for regimented exercise routines, resonates with many today. Her preference for a "simple bust-firming routine" involving lifting weights above her head, executed bedside until fatigue set in, demonstrates a personalized and sustainable approach to physical well-being.
In summary, Marilyn Monroe's beauty and lifestyle choices, grounded in first-hand evidence and historical accounts, remain influential and provide a fascinating glimpse into the timeless allure of her self-care practices.
