As one of the most iconic women of all time, interest in Marilyn Monroe's beauty regime is hitting an all-time high with the launch of the Netflix biopic Blonde. While her trademark icy blonde pin curls and bee-stung lips have taken up column inches over the years, what's less known is that the ‘50s screen siren was already tapping into beauty trends that are going viral on TikTok today.
Incredibly, Marilyn Monroe’s beauty regime was the perfect cross between Old Hollywood and techniques that have found their way into our daily regimes in 2022, such as lip contouring and slugging with Vaseline. Here's everything you need to know…
How Marilyn looked after her skin
A mantra for many run-from-the-sun beauty editors is to avoid UV damage if you don't want your skin to be etched with wrinkles and patches of uneven pigmentation. This was something Marilyn was also religious about, albeit for slightly different reasons. “I’m personally opposed to a deep tan because I like to feel blonde all over,” she once said.
Marilyn was also a regular client at dermatologist Erno Laszlo's practice. He was famous for his strict approach to cleansing, which required 30 splashes of warm water to the face, and Marilyn is said to have used his Phelityl Cleansing Oil. According to facialist Nichola Joss, the reason cleansing oils are so effective at removing makeup (much of which is oil-based) is because they are lipophilic. “Oil attracts oil, so excess sebum and makeup dissolve better with an oil-rich cleanser,” she says. They're also especially good for dry skin, which Marilyn reportedly had, as they're packed with soothing oils and humectants so skin never feels tight or uncomfortable.
The star then followed up with the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Intensive Cream, an all-purpose moisturiser. Nivea Creme and Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream were other favourites she purportedly slathered on for juicy skin.
Well before ice globes became popular, it's said the Marilyn would take ice-cold baths to keep her skin firm and tight. Experts agree that a little chill can coax skin into revealing a tighter, smoother version of itself. “Cryotherapy gives a cold shock to the skin’s surface, which dramatically improves blood flow to the targeted area,” says Ada Ooi, facialist and founder of 001 Skincare. “More nutrient-rich blood means toxins are flushed away and water retention is reduced, leaving skin looking plumper and more radiant within a matter of minutes. Freezing temperatures also cause muscles to temporarily contract, giving them a firmer, lifted appearance.”
Her makeup tricks, including a glazed skin tip
Respectively, ‘glazed donut skin’ has clocked up over 58 million views on TikTok and ‘slugging’ a further 25.4 million. But Marilyn was already ahead of the curve half a century ago. Rather than use a glittery highlighter, she preferred Vaseline under foundation for her glow in front of the camera. It's a trick not unlike that favoured by Hailey Bieber, who recommends patting the Peptide Glazing Fluide from her Rhode Skin collection over cheekbones with a sponge.
