In an era obsessed with dewy skin, minimal makeup, and digital filters, it might come as a surprise that one of the biggest beauty trends on TikTok and Instagram in 2025 is centered on a woman who rose to fame in the 1950s.
Marilyn Monroe, the original ‘blonde bombshell’, is once again influencing beauty routines around the world!
When I think of Marilyn Monroe, I think of her signature red lips and her glowing skin. Her beauty appeared to be effortless and has left its mark on the world. By the stats online, it seems fans are still seeking timeless glamour, such as hers, over fleeting fads.
A viral YouTube short posted in June, showing Marilyn applying lipstick and powder in archival footage, garnered over 9 million views in two weeks! Meanwhile, #MarilynMonroeMakeup has surpassed 60 million views on TikTok!
The renewed fascination with Monroe’s beauty secrets is part of a larger cultural nostalgia movement. Influencers are recreating her vintage make-up routines, Gen Z content creators are decoding her skincare tips, and beauty brands are referencing her favourite products.
Marilyn’s enduring appeal lies in her carefully crafted yet seemingly effortless image. However, behind the camera, she was meticulous about her appearance. She had a routine that emphasised softness, sensuality, and light.
“I don’t want to be rich. I just want to be wonderful,” she once said, and her beauty rituals reflect that desire to create a lasting impression.
Marilyn’s skin had a signature glow which captivated audiences. According to her longtime makeup artist Allan ‘Whitey’ Snyder, she achieved this look by layering Vaseline under her foundation to create a soft-focus, candlelit effect. “She wanted her skin to look luminous under the lights,” he recalled in interviews. This technique, now dubbed the ‘Marilyn Monroe glow’, has been reimagined with modern products like hydrating primers and glass-skin creams. But many still swear by the original method.
Monroe was also known for her unusual make-up layering techniques. To make her lips look plumper and more dimensional, she would use up to five shades of red lipstick and gloss. Darker tones were applied on the outer edges and lighter hues in the center. It’s a trick that makeup artists today continue to use to create the illusion of fuller lips without injections.
Marilyn also had a surprisingly gentle skincare routine. She was a fan of Erno Laszlo’s skincare products and reportedly used the brand’s Active Phelityl Cream to maintain moisture. According to declassified documents from the Erno Laszlo Institute, her routine included regular facial cleansing, a nourishing cream, and minimal sun exposure. “She hated the idea of getting wrinkles from the sun,” says beauty historian Gabriela Hernandez, author of Classic Beauty: The History of Make-up. “She often used umbrellas or hats to shield her face.”
Another key part of her beauty routine was sleep. “I go to bed early, and I get a lot of sleep,” Marilyn said in an interview with Pageant magazine in 1952. “Sometimes 10 hours a night.” She also believed in the power of warmth and comfort. She reportedly bathed in hot water with Chanel No. 5 and rarely used cold water on her face.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing DIY treatments that Monroe is said to have practiced at home was her use of natural oils. A popular at-home beauty tip circulating online, inspired by Marilyn’s love of hydration, is the ‘Monroe Milk Mask’. This is a mixture of whole milk, honey, and a few drops of olive oil. The lactic acid in the milk exfoliates gently, while honey soothes and olive oil hydrates. Applied to the face for 10 minutes, it leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished. While there’s no direct record of Marilyn using this exact combination, each ingredient matches her known preferences for moisturising, skin-softening treatments.
Recalling A Timeless Look
The renewed obsession with Marilyn’s routines is also fueled by the mystique she still carries. Her timeless look resonates with those seeking beauty that isn’t dictated by fleeting TikTok aesthetics. “She represented a kind of vulnerability and softness that feels refreshing in today’s fast-paced world,” says celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, who has posted tutorials inspired by Marilyn’s iconic looks.
Brands have also caught on. Estée Lauder recently released a limited edition ‘Marilyn Red’”’ lipstick, and archival collections of her personal cosmetics sold at auction for thousands of dollars.
In a culture often saturated by trends which fade fast, her beauty secrets remind us that some things, like a bold red lip, radiant skin, and a touch of mystery, never go out of style. As she once said: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
