The Monroe Edit: Beauty + Skincare

Step-by-Step Beauty Routine

1. Double-Cleanse & Detox: She began with Erno Laszlo’s Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar to purify pores, followed by Pond’s Cold Cream as a gentle second cleanse.
   Pro tip: massage in circular motions for 2 minutes to boost circulation.
2. Polish & Mask: Once a week, Marilyn swore by Queen Isabella Peat Mask (aka “Black Pearl Mask”) for firming, then rinsed with cool water.
   Secret: she left it on for exactly 8 minutes—no more—to avoid over-drying.
3. Hydration Layering: She combined Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream on cheeks and forehead, topped with a thin veil of Vaseline over dry patches.
   Insider trick: pat (don’t rub) to lock in moisture.
4. Perfect Canvas Foundation: Marilyn used Max Factor Pan-Cake Foundation with a damp sponge, buffed thin so her skin still glowed.
   Tool hack: she shaped her own sponge (cut into a teardrop) to reach under-eye creases.
5. Subtle Contour & Powder: She dusted Mary Chess Face Powder in White under eyes and across the T-zone, then swept a touch of DuBarry Bronze Tone Powder beneath cheekbones.
   Pro tip: smile first—powder the highs of your cheekbones.
6. Cream Blush Magic: She picked soft-rosy cream blush (think Touch & Glow Brown Brown) and tapped it on apples of the cheeks, blending upward toward temples.
   Secret: layer a dot of Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat on top for a lit-from-within glow.
7. Eyebrow Sculpt & Set: Using a light taupe pencil, she softly defined arches, then set them with Maybelline Brow Drama Gel.
   Insider hack: brush upward before filling for a fluffed, lifted effect.
8. Signature Eye Look: ‣ White pencil on inner waterline (NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk) for wide-awake brightness.
   ‣ Champagne shadow (Lancôme Color Design 067 Jasmine) on lids.
   ‣ Thin brown liner (MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy) tight-lined at the lash base.
   ‣ Individual lash clusters at outer corners for that subtle “winged” lash effect.
9. Layered Lip Art: ‣ Outline lips with burgundy pencil (Revlon ColorStay in Merlot), overdraw slightly at Cupid’s bow.
   ‣ Fill in with bright red lipstick (Chanel Rouge Allure 57 Passion), blot on tissue.
   ‣ Dab cream gloss (Vaseline) center of lower lip for dimension.
10. Finishing Fragrance Ritual: Mist Chanel No. 5 on hair, wrists, and décolletage—she believed scent on hair lasts longest. She also loved Jean Patou Joy as an alternative scent.
    Secret: spray at top of shower stall and step in for a light envelope of fragrance.
11. Weekly Body Boost: Marilyn added a few drops of almond oil to her bath for silky skin, and massaged olive oil into elbows and knees at night.