How Did Marilyn Monroe Do Her Eyes?

Ah, Marilyn Monroe—forever iconic, right? When we think of her, it’s impossible not to imagine her glowing smile, platinum blonde hair, and—let’s be real—those mesmerizing eyes. Her gaze, captivating and full of mystery, is often the first thing people remember about her. But have you ever wondered how she achieved that perfect eye makeup look? What was her secret to making her eyes so unforgettable?

Well, let’s dive into it! Marilyn's eye makeup technique wasn't just about a couple of layers of mascara and eyeliner; it was a carefully crafted, almost artistic process. She knew exactly how to make her eyes pop, giving them a larger, more dramatic look that matched her glamorous persona. So, how did she do it? Let’s break it down.

The Eyes: The Key to Marilyn’s Signature Look

First off, let’s talk about Marilyn’s natural eye shape. She had beautiful, almond-shaped eyes, which is already a great starting point for any makeup look. But, as with many classic beauty icons, her makeup artists—most notably, the legendary Allan "Whitey" Snyder—knew how to enhance her features to their absolute best. So, no, it wasn’t all “just natural beauty”; it was a combination of her facial features and strategic makeup techniques.

Eyeliner: The Foundation of the Marilyn Monroe Eye

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The key to Marilyn’s signature eye look was definitely her eyeliner. But it wasn’t just any eyeliner application. Marilyn's eyeliner technique was designed to give her eyes that sultry, elongated appearance. If you watch any of her old movies, like Some Like It Hot or Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, you’ll notice how her eyes seem larger than life.

To achieve this, her makeup artist would apply a thick, black liquid eyeliner along her upper lash line, and most importantly, he’d create a dramatic, winged-out shape at the outer corners. This flick gave her eyes an almond-shaped, cat-eye effect—so sleek and seductive, right?

Interestingly enough, Marilyn's eyeliner wasn’t just focused on the top lid. She also applied a bit of eyeliner to her lower waterline, creating the illusion of even larger eyes. The trick here was using a soft, creamy pencil that wouldn’t smudge but still allowed for that subtle definition.

The Mascara: Lengthening, Not Clumping

Now, let’s talk mascara. Marilyn wasn’t into clumpy lashes—she preferred them long, voluminous, and well-separated. And who could blame her? Lush, full lashes can make a huge difference in how the eyes appear. To get her lashes just right, her makeup artists would apply several coats of mascara, ensuring that the lashes were lifted and perfectly separated.

But here’s the thing: she wasn’t just using any mascara. The product of choice was a lengthening mascara that would give her lashes that extra oomph without the dreaded clumping. Marilyn’s eye makeup was all about looking effortless—no mascara mishaps allowed!

The Eyeshadow: Subtle, Yet Stunning

Marilyn’s eyeshadow wasn’t as bold as her eyeliner, but it definitely played a crucial role in enhancing the overall look. Typically, she would wear soft, neutral shades like taupe, soft brown, or a light peach. These shades worked beautifully with her fair skin tone, adding depth without being too overpowering.

One interesting tidbit I discovered is that Marilyn would often use a bit of white or pale gold eyeshadow in the inner corners of her eyes. This little trick brightened up her eyes and made them appear even bigger. Such a simple detail, yet so effective!

The Eyebrows: Framing the Eyes

We can’t talk about Marilyn’s eyes without mentioning her eyebrows. Marilyn’s brows were thin and arched, which was the beauty standard at the time, but they also played a big part in the overall effect of her eyes. Her brows framed her eyes perfectly, creating a sharp contrast with the soft, smoky eyeliner and neutral eyeshadow.

It’s worth noting, though, that her brows weren’t overdone or harsh. They were natural enough to maintain that effortless glamour that we all associate with her. The key here was balance. When her eyes were the star of the show, her brows played a supporting role—making sure everything looked cohesive.

The Bottom Line: Marilyn’s Eye Makeup Was All About Enhancement

So, when we break it all down, Marilyn Monroe’s eye makeup wasn't about going over-the-top with color or extreme techniques. It was all about enhancing her natural beauty in a way that created a lasting impact. She used makeup to accentuate her eyes, making them look bigger, brighter, and more captivating.

Honestly, looking at her makeup now, it almost feels timeless. Sure, the makeup techniques were a little different than what we’d do today, but the principles are still the same: emphasize what makes you unique, and enhance it with techniques that feel authentic to you.

My Thoughts: The Marilyn Monroe Influence

Personally, I’ve always admired Marilyn’s ability to balance glamour with simplicity. She didn’t pile on layers of makeup just for the sake of it. Instead, she used her eye makeup to showcase her true beauty, while still creating that dramatic, larger-than-life effect that made her unforgettable.

In a way, it reminds me of how we approach makeup today—more about enhancing natural features and experimenting with subtle, yet impactful techniques. Plus, who doesn’t love a good winged eyeliner moment?

Final Thoughts

So, the next time you’re doing your eye makeup and you want to channel a little bit of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic look, remember the key elements: thick, winged eyeliner, long lashes, soft eyeshadow, and well-shaped brows. It’s all about enhancing your natural beauty and creating a timeless look that never goes out of style. Marilyn knew how to make her eyes the focal point of her glamorous allure, and now you can too.

Who knew that a little winged eyeliner could take you all the way back to Hollywood’s Golden Age?

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