Quote of the day by Marilyn Monroe: ‘I’m personally opposed to a deep tan because I like to feel blonde all over’: What the Hollywood icon believed about beauty and ageing

For Marilyn Monroe, glamour was never simply about following trends. The Hollywood legend had her own distinctive philosophy about beauty, from her signature blonde persona to her famously luminous complexion. In 1952, Monroe revealed a surprisingly personal beauty preference when she spoke to Pageant Magazine about tanning. As per reports she said, “I’m personally opposed to a deep tan because I like to feel blonde all over.” The remark captured her unconventional approach to maintaining her iconic image.

Marilyn Monroe’s famous beauty philosophy

At a time when sun-kissed skin was increasingly fashionable, particularly in California, Monroe stood apart. As reported by Beauticate, the actress told Pageant Magazine in 1952 that she preferred to avoid a deep tan because she liked to “feel blonde all over.”

Her preference for pale skin became part of the carefully cultivated image that surrounded the star. Rather than embracing the tanning trend, Monroe reportedly maintained her flawless complexion by staying out of the sun. The statement also offers a glimpse into how deliberately Monroe approached her appearance. Her beauty was not merely a product of Hollywood glamour but was closely connected to the persona she created and carried throughout her career.

About Marilyn Monroe

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, Marilyn Monroe became one of the most recognisable actresses and models of 20th-century Hollywood. As per reports, she spent much of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage before marrying James Dougherty at the age of 16.

During World War II, Monroe worked in a factory, where she was discovered by a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit. That encounter helped launch her career as a successful pin-up model and eventually led to short-lived film contracts with 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. Her early experiences in modelling and film laid the foundation for the glamorous screen identity that would eventually make her an international star.

From aspiring actress to Hollywood sensation

After working as a freelancer, Monroe secured a longer contract in 1951. She soon began attracting attention for her performances in comedies such as As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business, while also appearing in dramas including Clash by Night and Don't Bother to Knock. By 1953, she had become one of Hollywood’s most marketable stars.

That year, Monroe took on leading roles in the film noir Niagara and the hugely popular comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. Her combination of screen presence, glamour and comic timing quickly transformed her into one of the era’s biggest stars.

Marilyn Monroe’s career beyond glamour

Although Monroe became synonymous with Hollywood beauty, her career also revealed a growing ambition to be recognised as a serious performer. Her role in Bus Stop in 1956 earned critical acclaim, demonstrating a more nuanced side of her acting. The following year, she starred in The Prince and the Showgirl, her first independent production. The performance earned her a BAFTA nomination and the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress.

In 1959, Monroe reached another career high with Some Like It Hot. The film became both a critical and commercial success, and her performance earned her a Golden Globe. Her final completed film was The Misfits, released in 1961.

Unforgettable beauty icon

Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, but her influence on fashion, beauty and popular culture has endured for decades. Her platinum-blonde hair, her red lips, beauty spot and glamorous styling and unmistakable screen presence continue to define an era of Hollywood sophistication.