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Beauty Evolution

How Marilyn Monroe Became One of Hollywood's Most Iconic Beauties of All Time

When you visualize Marilyn Monroe, it's easy to imagine the actress's signature look: blonde hair, red lip, full lashes. But the star actually started out her career as a fresh-faced brunette. While her beauty look quickly evolved as her career took off, Monroe continued to experiment with her hair and makeup, wearing her iconic curls in a variety of styles. She also proved the versatility of her glamorous look, by wearing a full face of makeup for every occasion, from an on-screen appearance to a casual party at home. Here, a look back at Marilyn Monroe's beauty evolution.
June 1, 2017 12:55 pm
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Photo of Marilyn MONROE
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John Rodgers
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A portrait of the young actress Marilyn Monroe, with curly brown hair, in 1940.

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Silver Screen Collection
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Beach baby! The actress donned a swimsuit in 1943, and wore her wavy brown locks in a shoulder-length style.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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An early portrait of Marilyn Monroe in 1947 showed the actress with messy, curly hair, luminous skin and a red lip.

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Donaldson Collection
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With her blonde hair in brushed-out waves, actress Marilyn Monroe posed for a publicity still for the Columbia Pictures film 'Ladies of the Chorus' in 1949.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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Actress Marilyn Monroe wore her hair in soft waves for a photo session at Hollywood agent Johnny Hyde's backyard on May 17, 1950 in Beverly Hills, California.

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John Kobal Foundation
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Marilyn Monroe looked glamorous with bold brows and a red lip in a still to promote the 1950 film "All About Eve."

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Archive Photos
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American actress Marilyn Monroe looked glamorous in a polka dot bikini at the beach in 1951.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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With a winged eye, glossy red lip, bold brows and bouncy curls, Marilyn Monroe exuded glamour.

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Donaldson Collection
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In a publicity still for the 20th Century Fox film 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' in December 1952, Monroe went for full glamour, pairing an all-pink ensemble with plenty of diamonds, a red lip, and extra platinum-colored locks.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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With her signature blond hair in tight curls and a glossy red lip, actress Marilyn Monroe posed for a portrait in 1953.

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In 1954, Monroe showed her glamorous hair and makeup could look casual, too.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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Monroe looked playful wearing an embroidered robe, with her signature blond hair in messy curls, at the Ambassador Hotel in New York City, New York, in 1955.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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Classic Marilyn. The actress paired her blonde hair with a glamorous red lip for the film 'Bus Stop' in 1956.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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At a party at her home in 1956, Monroe was all smiles, with her hair pulled back from her face and, of course, a red lip.

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Michael Ochs Archives
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At a party in 1958, Monroe looked more understated than usual, with her curls styled in a slightly looser shape, and a less glossy lip.

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Donaldson Collection
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In a publicity still for the film 'Some Like it Hot' in 1959, Monroe proved that bedhead can still be glamorous.

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