8 Beauty Lessons We Learned from Marilyn Monroe

Photo by: Courtesy of MGM

LIGHTEN UP

While we reject entirely the idea that brunettes are mousy or that gentlemen prefer blondes, we do have to concede that going platinum made Monroe's career. She lightened her brown hair early in her modeling days and never looked back. Pearl Porterfield, the colorist behind Monroe's platinum curls (and Jean Harlow's before her), used old-fashioned peroxide to make the actress stand out on- and off-screen. But... more 

Photo by: Courtesy of MGM

LIGHTEN UP

While we reject entirely the idea that brunettes are mousy or that gentlemen prefer blondes, we do have to concede that going platinum made Monroe's career. She lightened her brown hair early in her modeling days and never looked back. Pearl Porterfield, the colorist behind Monroe's platinum curls (and Jean Harlow's before her), used old-fashioned peroxide to make the actress stand out on- and off-screen. But don't go that retro: We suggest the less harsh, more high-tech John Frieda Precision Foam Colour in Extra Light Beige Blonde instead. If your hair is quite dark, gradually build toward a lighter color.

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