Marilyn Monroe is a classic, fascinating beauty known for her iconic red lips, contoured cheekbones, and glamorous eye makeup. With the 50th anniversary of her passing just around the corner (August 5th), we’d like to pay tribute to Marilyn by providing a beauty tutorial that shows you how to get her flawless look. Although Marilyn’s makeup may seem complicated to achieve, it’s just a few makeup tricks that set her look apart. Marilyn once famously said,
Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world. ― Marilyn Monroe
And we couldn’t agree more! Below, we’ve broken down the daily beauty techniques behind Marilyn Monroe’s iconic look into five simple steps. In memory of Marilyn, tell us your favorite quote of hers in the comment section below. Here’s a good list. Make sure to tweet us a pic of your Marilyn makeup!!!
RELATED POST: Easy Ways To Marilyn Monroe-ize For Spring
5 Step Tutorial For Marilyn Monroe Makeup
1. Skin
For a flawless foundation application, read How To Apply Foundation – Flawless Complexion. Next, read How To Get High Cheekbones for contoured cheeks just like Marilyn.
2. Eyeshadow
Begin by applying an eyeshadow primer. Smooth the primer across the lid and up to the brow bone using your ring finger. We like Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion or Lime Crime’s Eyeshadow Helper. Next, apply a shimmery, bright white shadow from the lash line to the brow bone using an eyeshadow brush. We used Lime Crime’s Magic Dust Eyeshadow in Top Hattie.
Lastly, apply a neutral brown eyeshadow such as Smashbox’s Eyeshadow in Pebble beginning in the outer corner of the eye and curving upward above the crease and toward the inner eyebrow as shown in the photo.
3. Eyeliner
First, apply a white eyeliner pencil on the waterline of the eye and extend it outward in a triangular shape at the outer corner of the eye. Note: this technique makes the eye appear larger. Marilyn always applied a small dot of red liner at the inner corner of the eye near the tear duct in order to brighten and whiten the eye. We used MAC’s Lipliner in Brick, but make sure to sharpen the pencil before applying it on the eye in order to prevent the spread of bacteria from your mouth to your eyes.
Next, use a dark brown eyeliner across the upper lash line from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye and wing it up and outward. Apply the same brown eyeliner along the lower lash line stopping about three-fourths of the way inward. Extend the lower liner slightly outward, but do not cover the white liner in between the upper and lower liners as pictured. If needed, use a clean and dry angled brush to smooth the eyeliner by gently running the brush along the liner.
4. Lashes & Brows
To keep this look simple, we used mascara and a lash primer, rather than applying false lashes. A good lash primer can help curl and lengthen the lashes without using a lash curler. One of our favorite duos is Lancome’s Cils Booster XL Lash Primer and Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara.
Finish the eyes by framing them with full brows just like Marilyn. Lightly apply a brow pencil using short, hair-like strokes and following the natural hair line for the most natural appearance. Read How To Achieve Big Bold Beautiful Eyebrows Like Keira Knightely.
5. Lips
Note: Marilyn exaggerated the shape of her lips by erasing the lips completely by applying concealer over them and then using a lipliner to give the lips the size and shape she wanted. After concealing the lips, use a white liner to highlight the cupid’s bow of the lip and smudge it out with your finger. Her upper lip is drawn on to extend slightly over the bottom lip at the corners using a red lip liner (MAC’s Lipliner in Brick).
After lining the lips, fill them in with the lipliner to ensure even coverage of the lipstick. Then swipe on your favorite shade of red lipstick! Last, but not least, finish the look with Marilyn’s signature beauty mark. Apply a small dot on the upper left side of the mouth using a liquid, black eyeliner such as Lancome’s Artliner in Noir.
william
I have been working with makeup for 30 years and I have NEVER seen anything uglier than this. if you are comparing this to Marilyn you better get glasses!!!!!
Booyaka
Not even close.
Anonymous
LOL, no.
Anna
The 5th picture down isn’t Marilyn Monroe, it’s Lisa Marie Presley. Like here http://p1.storage.canalblog.com/18/38/312561/17436498.jpg.
The original photo is here http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIOnFNoAdlE/T05XrK3F7UI/AAAAAAAAAXg/bFYt_j338kI/s400/monroe5.jpg