When you think of Marilyn Monroe, her sparkling eyes and legendary smile are what come into mind.
Marilyn was an adored American actress, famous for her glamorous and unforgettable look. Her voluminous curls and soft waves are etched into history.
It didn’t matter whether she was on the big screen or simply strolling down the street—she wore them religiously.
To date, many people still admire Marilyn’s look, and some even replicate it. So, if you are thinking of rocking her signature style, you just need some practice and a few styling tricks and are good to go. This article shares some easy steps to recreate Monroe’s iconic hairstyle.
Key Takeaways
- Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Hairstyle – Her signature voluminous curls and waves remain a timeless, admired look that many still recreate today.
- Essential Tools & Preparation – Achieving her hairstyle requires proper hair prep, including texturizing products, a curling iron or pin curls, and styling tools like a wide-tooth comb and hairspray.
- Styling & Setting Techniques – Volume at the crown, soft curls, and a good hold with hairspray help maintain the glamorous, long-lasting effect of Marilyn’s signature look.
- Finishing Touches & Versatility – Pairing the hairstyle with bold red lips and subtle eyeliner completes the vintage charm, making it suitable for various occasions, from formal events to casual outings.
Step 1: Prepping Your Hair
Before you get to curling and twirling, you need to get your hair into shape. It’s best to use freshly washed hair. But if you don’t have time, use a dry shampoo to freshen your dry hair.
Make sure that your hair has some texture, too. So, don’t skip the mousse or texturizing spray.
Keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe’s hairstyle was all about volume and movement. Therefore, a bit of uplifting from the roots will come a long way.
Step 2: Gather The Essential Tools
Now that your hair is ready let’s talk about the tools. You’ll need several essential items to pull Marilyn look, including:
Pin curls to help you achieve an authentic vintage vibe.
A curling iron or hot rollers are a must-have, and you can use one or both depending on the curl type you want to achieve.
- Round brush – you will need it to get volume at the crown and smooth out the rest of your hair.
- Hair spray – a quality hair spray that will hold your curls all day long.
- Wide tooth comb – there is no other way to achieve Marilyn’s soft and luxurious curls than by using a wide-tooth comb. But remember to be gentle when detangling.
Step 3: Creating the Curls
Time to get your hands busy. Keep in mind that the goal is to achieve soft, voluminous waves that scream glamour. But remember, you can choose from the different curl types.
Pin curls are your best bet for achieving Marilyn’s iconic look if you have enough time and patience.
Start by sectioning your hair, then roll it up into tiny spirals. Afterward, secure all your curls using a bobby pin and allow them to set while you prepare the rest of your outfit.
Alternatively, you can go for the soft curls using a curling iron with a large barrel. Begin with wrapping sections of your hair around the curling iron, then hold for a few seconds.
After, allow them to fall naturally. The focus should be on creating related curls that have movement.
Not feeling the pin curls or soft curls? Go for tighter curls. These are more defined and easy to create with a smaller barrel curling iron or hot rollers.
These tools will help you achieve the tighter spirals that Monroe wore in some of her legendary films.
Lastly, you can opt for loose curls with a more relaxed vibe. These frame the face, making you look spectacular. Use a large barrel curling iron and wrap bigger sections of your hair for soft, undone waves.
Step 4: Perfecting Marilyn’s Signature Look
With beautiful curls on, let’s look at how you can give them a touch of Monroe’s magic. One of the things that made Marilyn Monroe hairstyle style stand out is the volume.
So, don’t forget it when styling your hair. Gently backcomb at the roots to add some volume and lift.
Your focus should be on the crown of your head to get the classic oomph that made many of Monroe’s hairstyles unforgettable.
Brush through a wide tooth comb to remove frizz without losing the soft, bouncy texture.
Step 5: Styling and Setting the Hair
You have managed to create beautiful curls. It’s time you ensure they remain fabulous for the rest of the day or night.
Marilyn’s curls were big, bouncy, and, most importantly, lasting. So, unless you want all that hard work to fall flat halfway through your events, take the necessary steps to keep them bouncy.
Lift small sections of your hair and mist them using a hairspray. Ensure you hold the can several inches from your hair to make it more crunchy. Then gently tousle curl with your fingers to keep the bounce.
Step 6: The Finishing Touches
We’re getting closer to the finish line. But we can’t forget the other details that accompanied Monroe’s look.
Is there anyone who rocked the classic bold red lip like Marilyn? No one.
And you can’t complete her style without a touch of red lipstick. You can use a matte or a satin finish. Choose a deep, vibrant red color like ruby or cherry. Remember, the brighter, the better.
When applying, remember precision matters. You can even use a lip liner to keep things you need.
Marilyn was known for well defined, beautiful lips. So ensure you achieve the full glam effect. You can take things to the next step by wearing cat-eye eyeliner.
A subtle, wined look will highlight your eyes without stealing the beauty of your soft curls.
Lastly, if you have time for extra sparkle, accessories with a rhinestone hairpin, or a vintage-inspired headband, Marilyn chose accessories that enhanced her beauty without seeming like she’s doing too much.
Step 7: Marilyn Monroe’s Hair for Different Events
One of the best things about creating Monroe’s hairstyle is that you can wear it for different events. A fancy gala, a casual brunch, or just running errands downtown, her signature look works like magic.
For formal events, wear polished and more defined curls. Think tight, soft curls that form into waves around the face.
The volume should remain nice and high at the crown to maintain the Hollywood charm. Styling your hair this way makes it look more structured and sophisticated, working perfectly for evenings out or weddings.
But opt for soft, loose waves if you want to wear the curls for a casual daytime event. This style is great for brunch with friends or a date night.
For those in between events like a shopping trip or an afternoon gathering, you can opt for something in between soft waves with plenty of volume that look natural.
Conclusion: How to Incorporate Marilyn Monroe’s Classic Hairstyle into Your Routine
You now have an idea of how to recreate Marilyn Monroe’s hairstyle. So, why don’t you go ahead and rock the curls?
Remember, this look is timeless, versatile, and turns heads. Therefore, gather the few essential tools, styling products, and some patience when doing those curls.
And don’t forget to incorporate Marilyn’s confidence, grace, and larger than life attitude.