Celeb Make-up Tip of the Day: How Marilyn Monroe got her iconic pouty red lips?

When you hear the name Marilyn Monroe, her iconic red lips are almost impossible to forget. Alongside her platinum blonde curls and unmistakable glamour, her beauty became a defining part of her Hollywood image. Monroe had a way of looking effortlessly polished, from her flawless complexion to her signature pout. While her acting captivated audiences, her beauty also fascinated generations of fans. But behind those perfectly shaped, sultry red lips was a surprisingly clever makeup trick.

Marilyn Monroe’s secret to fuller-looking red lips

Monroe’s famous pout was not simply the result of one lipstick shade. As reported by Vogue, her makeup artist would use as many as five different red hues to create the appearance of dimension and fuller lips.

The technique involved applying darker, plummy reds around the outer areas of the lips, while using lighter shades towards the centre. The contrast between the colours helped create depth, making her lips appear more defined and plump. It was a clever approach to makeup that transformed her red lipstick into one of the most recognisable elements of her beauty look. The technique is also similar to methods many makeup artists continue to use today when creating the illusion of fuller lips.

Marilyn Monroe’s beauty routine was ahead of its time

Her makeup was only one part of Monroe’s carefully maintained appearance. The actress was also known for several unusual beauty habits that have continued to attract attention. As reported by Vogue, Monroe was said to use ice-cold baths as part of her routine to help keep her skin looking firm and tight. Whether viewed as a beauty ritual or an old Hollywood habit, it reflected the lengths she went to in maintaining her signature appearance.

She also had an unconventional approach to creating a luminous complexion.

Trick behind her glowing skin

Vogue reported that Monroe would apply layers of Vaseline underneath her foundation. The product helped her skin catch the light, contributing to the radiant, almost luminous finish associated with her classic Hollywood look. At a time when elaborate beauty routines were not accompanied by the countless products available today, the technique was a resourceful way of creating a glowing complexion.

Monroe was also a fan of cold cream, another beauty staple that became closely associated with her skincare routine.

Marilyn Monroe’s clever trick for fresh-looking blonde hair

Her beauty hacks extended beyond her skin and makeup. Monroe was famously associated with platinum blonde hair styled into soft, glamorous curls, but maintaining such a look required careful attention. According to Vogue, she avoided washing her blonde hair too frequently because she believed excessive washing could dull its appearance. Instead, she reportedly used baby powder as a makeshift dry shampoo. She would apply it every two days to keep her hair looking fresh without washing it too often.

Her signature look may have appeared effortless on screen, but these small details helped create the polished image that became synonymous with Marilyn Monroe. Decades later, her platinum curls, glowing skin and unmistakable red pout remain some of the most recognisable beauty signatures in Hollywood history.