6 Beauty Tricks to Make You a Classic Knockout Like Marilyn Monroe

When asked what she wore to bed, Marilyn famously replied with "Why, Chanel N°5, of course." While the original fragrance will always have a special place in our hearts (and on our vanity), we love spritzing on its remix, Chanel N°5 Eau Premiere ($132). It's a lighter, airier interpretation of the iconic scent — but it's still plenty seductive.

Marilyn would layer up to five different hues of red on her pucker to create the illusion of a fuller pout, using darker shades in the corners fading to softer crimsons in the center. We know the legend was a fan of Max Factor lipsticks, because several of them were found in her makeup case (which was sold by Christie's in 1999 for a whopping $266,500). Re-create her sexy smile using a few of your favorite reds, including Max Factor Color Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday ($15).

Before the advent of highlighters and illuminators, actresses had to resort to crafty methods to get an onscreen glow. Marilyn used a cocktail of Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Cream ($72), Vaseline, Nivea, and hormone cream. The thick layers of moisture gave her skin a dewy sheen, while the hormone cream caused growth of downy blond hairs on her face that she refused to remove — when the light hit them, her complexion looked even more radiant.

Marilyn's come-hither gaze was accented by false lashes, which she cut in half and applied only to the outer edges. We wouldn't be surprised if that pushed lash-makers to create half strips like these by Ardell ($3). To get bedroom eyes like Marilyn's, gently press down on the tips of your lashes as the glue sets. Instead of creating a bright-eyed look, the fluttery fringe will make you appear sultry and irresistible.

Marilyn transformed from a mousy brunette to a provocative platinum blonde over the course of her career. Stylists of the time used superharsh peroxide to get starlets to a flaxen shade, causing hair damage (and shorter, easier-to-maintain styles). Maintain your blond locks with a deep conditioning treatment like Lush's Marilyn ($23). It uses chamomile to brighten your strands and soothe your tender scalp.

To get Marilyn's signature cat eye, focus on your lower lid. If you look closely, you'll notice that she extended her liner out a few millimeters, mimicking a shadow of her false lashes. She typically used brown or black Elizabeth Arden pencils to create this wide-eyed look, then filled the gap between her upper and lower lids with a light color for a brightening effect. Try this at home using Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Define and Highlight Eyeliner Duo in Golden Sands ($23).