Marilyn Monroe is the poster girl for old Hollywood glamour and easily one of the most iconic beauty figures the world has ever known.
Unfortunately for us, the rise of the beauty Youtuber hadn’t quite hit its peak in the 50s and so Monroe never had the chance to welcome us to her channel and take us through her 12-step skincare routine.
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However, the same as there is now a Dr. Dennis Gross taking care of the face of Zoe Kravitz, and a Dr Harold Lancer advising Victoria Beckham, there was once a Dr. Erno Laszlo seeding skin care advice to Miss Monroe.And now, the Erno Laszlo skin care brand left as his legacy, has partnered with the Makeup Museum, to share Monroe’s exact skincare routine from back in the day, on a perfectly preserved 61-year-old document. Found at the ‘Pink Jungle: 1950s Makeup in America’ exhibition, the document not only outlines the products Monroe was to use, but Dr Laszlo’s advice to avoid “any kind of nuts, chocolate, olives, oysters and clams” in her diet.MORNING ROUTINE: Step 1
Wash face and neck in warm water with the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Soap ($58, Adore Beauty).
bh also recommends: Pure Essense Black Diamond Deep Cleansing Facial Bar, Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Bar, sebamed Cleansing Bar
MORNING ROUTINE: Step 2
Rinse off and then apply the Erno Laszlo Normaliser Shake-It Toner ($38, The Beauty Club) to the entire face (except around eyes) using a large piece of cotton which is “saturated to the dripping point.”
You heard the man, more is more.
bh also recommends: Simple Soothing Facial Toner, Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment 2% BHA
MORNING ROUTINE: Step 3
Blot off excess toner with a tissue and apply the Erno Laszlo pHelitone Eye Cream under eyes in “tiny dots”.
This exact eye cream has since been discontinued. However, the brand does have the Multi-Task Eye Gel Cream which you can pick up from Adore Beauty for $104.
bh also recommends: Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Re-Creation Eye Balm & Night Serum For Eyes, La Mer The Eye Concentrate ($315, La Mer).
MORNING ROUTINE: Step 4
Finish off by dabbing the Erno Laszlo Duo-Phase Face Powder over the entire face and neck.
This exact product has since been discontinued.
bh also recommends: MUD Pressed Powder, Lush Emotional Brilliance Translucent Face Powder, BB All-In-One Pressed Powder
NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: Step 1
Before bed, apply the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Oil ($89, Adore Beauty) to the “entire face, lips and neck with a large piece of cotton saturated to the dripping point” to oil cleanse.
bh recommends these alternatives: Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil, Skin Therapy Facial Cleansing Oil, Malin & Goetz Facial Cleansing Oil ($67, Mecca)
NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: Step 2
After rinsing, apply the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Cream ($213, available at Adore Beauty).
bh also recommends: Weleda Rose Smoothing Night Cream, Jurlique Day Care Cream
NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: Step 3
The cream from step two is then washed off (who knew??) with a piece of cotton saturated in Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion Toner ($104, Adore Beauty) .
After drying face and neck, she was then instructed to reapply the same toner to nose and chin, allowing it to dry overnight.
bh also recommends: The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, Jurlique Citrus Purifying Mist
Very interesting
The Skincare routine certainly worked for Marilyn Monroe she had beautiful flawless skin.
Wow she definitely sticks to one brand
She had beautiful skin. Would have been good to see her age.
Probably good to stick to one brand, that way you don't use ingredients that aren't meant to mixed together
She always had beautiful skin…. the last product is a bit out of my price range though
Interesting article.
Complicated, though the results speak for themselves. Amazing skin.
So beautiful and so sad. I wonder how she would have lived her life had she not died then.
I wouldn't have the time or patience to be that dedicated with a skin care routine.
It sounds interesting and sophisticated, but we are talking about Marilyn right 🙂
Always stunning!
Day time: wash, tone, eye cream, powder – Interesting that there was no serum or moisturiser. And, last step at night was toner. I might test that out to see how it works because my skincare routine has more steps.
She truly was a beautiful woman. I’ve actually never heard of the brand Erno Laszlo. It obviously worked for Marilyn.
I've always looked up to Marilyn Monroe. Her skin just looked absolutely amazing!
I have always adored Marilyn. I actually have a few books about her and loads of photos of her. She was an amazing person and far from the dumb blonde that people think she was.
She looks so different without any makeup on
WOW!! This made my day! Love her!! So cool she used Erno Laszlo!! I bet their sales go up now!
I'm using the Erno Laszlo toner right now!
Interesting. Seems she was obviously loyal to a particular brand.
I think it was more the woman than the products used that made her so special.
How amazing the products used then are still available, they've stood the test of time for sure
Have heard of that brand, but never wanted to try anything from them.
I have never heard of this brand before. They sure made a few sales out of Marilyn.
She was so young, so sad.
I havent heard of this brand before.
I've never gotten around to trying Erno Lazlo products, they are going to get a boost to their business from this for sure!
That is one expensive routine.
She's such a beautiful woman. No wonder she's considered a beauty icon!
Well, that is one expensive skincare routine, but it certainly worked for Marilyn!
To know Marilyn Monroes skin care routine is a privilege. Marilyn was a gorgeous girl, she did like the Erno Laszlo brand. Also some great BH brand and product selections.
Beautiful woman. If only I had the luxury to afford this routine.
Interesting skincare routine, I guess I'll never know at those price points.
Sounds like a very luxurious skin care routine!
She loved to stick to that one brand haha. very interesting article.
She had beautiful skin and so was her hair
Wow this is exciting
Ahhhh Marilyn Monroe. What an icon she really truly was amazing and so beautiful.
This was awesome to read
It's so cool that some of the products she used are still around today! Haven't tied Erno Laszlo before though, looks interesting!
Interesting, but everyone's skin is so different. Best to do what works for you!
In the unlikely event that I spent $213 on a night cream, I definitely wouldn't wash it straight off!
I've marked Oliviahannah, Alfredbetty000 & Wendychapman's posts below as SPAM!
An expensive routine, but I think it makes sense to lower fats for your skin, doctors used to know these things before big pharm started influencing them so much.
So extravagant
OMGGG amazing.
Never heard of the brand but the reviews are amazing. I wonder if the formula has changed.
I’m glad I came across this article! Her skin was perfection.