How to Create Iconic Old Hollywood Glam Looks with Marilyn Monroe-Inspired Makeup
Old Hollywood makeup looks are classic for a reason. They never seem to go out of style, and are perfect for everything from upscale events to candlelit romantic dinners. While recreating ‘60s makeup looks may seem daunting, we have a dedicated makeup collection and plenty of tips specifically designed to help you recreate Marilyn Monroe’s iconic Old Hollywood look. Before kicking off this Marilyn Monroe makeup tutorial guide, let’s take a dive into what the Old Hollywood aesthetic looks like and what kind of tools you’ll need to pull it off.
What Makes the Old Hollywood Aesthetic
What does it take to recreate an Old Hollywood style makeup look, you may be asking. If we take a page out of Marilyn Monroe’s book of glam, we can see that Old Hollywood makeup focuses very heavily on eyes and lips, while keeping the rest of the complexion simple yet glowy. The glow factor is very important, including everything from cheeks to decolletage and even hair. Speaking of hair, many Old Hollywood styles opt for major volume and polished curls which, by the end of this guide, you’ll be able to accomplish with flawless precision. Most of the tools we’ll need to accomplish this look are already in the Marilyn Monroe x SHEGLAM Collection set which features an inky black eyeliner, a highly-pigmented red lipstick, a dewy liquid blush, a curated face & eye palette, and two vintage-inspired lip liner & tinted lip balm duos. Now that we have our tools ready, let’s get started with some dazzling looks straight from the golden age of Hollywood.
Iconic Red Lip
Marilyn Monroe’s iconic lip look can’t be overlooked when it comes to crafting the perfect Old Hollywood makeup look. It’s characterized by round, clean edges with just a touch of shine. For this look, we recommend taking The Icon Lipstick from the Marilyn Monroe makeup set to easily get a high-impact red across the lips. To accomplish that crisp, rounded edge, you’ll want to have a lip brush and/or concealer nearby, using the lip brush to help carve out that soft, heart-shaped cupid’s bow. The lip brush allows you a certain level of precision that you can’t always get with a lipstick bullet, and concealer will help to clean things up even further. When using a concealer, be sure to reach for a non-brightening shade that is closest to your skin tone to avoid a halo effect around your mouth, and be sure to powder around your lips to help preserve the crispness of your outline and minimize any potential color migration. This bold lip look and these expert application techniques will help you achieve a Marilyn Monroe-style pout in no time!
Sultry Eye Makeup
The sultry eye makeup characteristic of Old Hollywood looks typically involves an all-over wash of matte shadow, strategically placed brown or black shadow around the lashes, and of course, black winged eyeliner. To accurately recreate that sultry Marilyn Monroe eye makeup vibe, we suggest using our Day Dreamer Face & Eye Palette where you’ll find both cool and warm-toned brown shades along with two other vintage-looking mattes. Start by sweeping the cooler-toned brown shade Glamour around the outer edge of the lids to help create a little definition. Then, you can use shade Fashion or Blonde for a very light wash of color over the remaining space on the lid. Now, here’s where things get interesting. Take a thin eyebrow brush and apply the deep brown shade Sensuality in an outward flicking motion, creating two shadowy wings coming from both top and bottom lash lines. These can help give the impression of fuller lashes on the outer edges of the eyes, as if they are so voluminous that they cast a shadow on the lower lash line. After your shadows are in place, you can top things off with a nice, thin line of black eyeliner using our A Poet’s Lover Liquid Eyeliner to create a crisp wing. Bat your eyes in this glam and see if you don’t find yourself taking black & white film noir style selfies by the end of the night.
Star-Like Glow
To accurately capture the harmonious glow that Marilyn Monroe is known for, we included a face and eye palette in our Marilyn Monroe makeup collection with large pans for both setting powder and a gradient highlighter. Shades Elegance and Sass in our Day Dreamer Face & Eye Palette are, respectively, a lightweight pressed powder that controls oil and a pink to golden gradient highlighting powder that can be used on cheeks or eyes for a rosy, luminous glow. Try dipping into highlighting shade Sass and tapping onto your usual zones where you’d want a little extra glow, think cheek bones, brow bones, tip of nose, and then try pushing things a bit further. For this all over glow, you’ll want to include a few other places you may not normally think to highlight like the cupid’s bow, chin, nose bridge, and middle of your forehead. This generous placement ensures that you’ll glow from every angle, just like a Hollywood starlet.
Vintage Hollywood Hair
When you think of vintage Hollywood hairstyles, the first things that come to mind are likely to be glossy waves and voluminous curls. These stunning styles are easier than you might think to recreate. All you’ll need is a glossy hair oil, a good curling iron, and your favorite hairspray or pomade for a little hold. Start off your style with our 24K Glow High Shine Styling Serum for heat protection up to 450°F/230°C and a gold-infused glow boost. Once you’ve finished applying your heat protectant, section out your hair with an iconic deep side part and start creating your big glowy curls. To save some time (and your wrists), try using our It-Curl One-Touch Instant Curler which twirls and curls the hair for you at the push of a button. Did we mention it also has a built-in timer so you don’t have to worry about burning your hair? After completing your whole head, you can either spray your hair brush with a bit of hairspray and begin carefully brushing out the curls to reveal big Hollywood waves or you can warm up a bit of pomade between your hands and rake them out by hand. Whichever your choice, you should be all set with bouncy, polished waves in all their cinematic glory.
Conclusion
Our Marilyn Monroe x SHEGLAM Collection brings the magic of Old Hollywood straight to your vanity, giving you the tools to recreate iconic red lips, sultry eyes, and luminous skin with ease. With a little technique and the right glam essentials, the timeless beauty that defined Marilyn Monroe’s legacy is only a click away. Explore the full collection, try out your favorite steps from this guide, and let your inner screen siren shine. And if you feel inspired to share your golden-age glamour, tag us so we can swoon over your Marilyn moment too!