How to Wear Lipstick in the Style of Marilyn Monroe

To this day, Marilyn Monroe's classic style is emulated all around the world, from her hair to her manner of dressing. Female celebrities walk the red carpet in their own version of Marilyn's iconic look, and they aren't the only ones--drag queens are big fans of this Old Hollywood beauty as well. If you want a taste of Marilyn's glamor while still looking like yourself, you could make your lips up to be as voluptuous as hers. Here is a breakdown of how you can have lips like the much-idolized screen goddess, from the products and tools you'll need to the techniques used to achieve a glossy, pouty finish.

Things You'll Need

• Foundation
• Silicone-based makeup primer
• Matte white makeup pencil
• Translucent powder
• Pointy concealer brush
• Highlighter
• Highly pigmented creamy lip liner in true red
• Opaque true red lipstick
• Lighter red lipstick
• Clear lip gloss

Instructions

1. Begin with a clean base. Cover lips with a foundation that matches your skin tone. This gives you a blank canvas to create Marilyn-style lips with. Prep lips for color by dabbing a silicone-based makeup primer on entire lip line.

2. Run a matte white--or cream, if you have darker skin--makeup pencil slightly above the upper lip line to create the illusion of a top lip that is slightly larger than the bottom one. If you study Marilyn's lips when she has full face makeup on, you will notice how her upper lip appears fuller than the bottom one. Use a clean finger to blend the line into skin so it does not appear obvious. With a medium size fluffy brush, lightly dust translucent powder over the area to set the makeup.

3. 

   Use a pointy concealer brush to outline the bow of your lips with a highlighter. Gently smudge with your finger for a natural-looking sheen that catches the light. Outline lips with a highly-pigmented creamy lip liner in true red. Begin with the bottom, following your natural lip line. On upper lip, extend the line slightly outside of your lip line so that your top lip is slightly fuller than the bottom one. Focus on bringing out the shape of the bow of your lips as well. Fill outlined lips in with the pencil.

4. Stroke an opaque true red lipstick on the outer edges of both top and bottom lips using a lip brush. In the center of both lips, brush on a lighter red. This trick adds dimension to lips, making them look more luscious.

5. Finish off with a clear lip gloss dabbed generously in the middle of bottom lip and blended slightly outwards to include top lip. If you want extra shine, feel free to use a tacky sticky gloss that gives lips a vinyl-like finish.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Learn more about recreating classic looks here