Carmen Jones by prettichica featuring Charlotte Russe skirts

Vintage Glamour Icons: Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Monroe

I received a pitch for vintage glamour icon, Marilyn Monroe. Six days ago, on August 4, marked the 47th anniversary of her death.

As you might have read, Marilyn Monroe and Dorothy Dandridge were good friends. Myra Panache, editor and founder of the Panache Report, wrote that "after Dandridge would finish performing with the Desi Arnez band in Hollywood, she would call Monroe. They would talk for hours about their careers, problems with men and racism in Hollywood. Dandridge, Monroe and Ava Gardner often went to parties together."

Marilyn Monroe Mosaic by cliquechick516 (New Contest!) featuring Forever21

Panache added, "Monroe never tried to hide her friendship with Dandridge. Since it was so unpopular for white to have black friends during those segregated times, white media outlets refused to report on their friendship, even if they were peers in the same field.

Lena Horne dubbed Dorothy Dandridge "our Black Marilyn Monroe." This year, on September 8, will mark the 44th anniversary of Dorothy Dandridge's death. So in honor of the friendship that these two vintage glamour icons, let's talk about how to get their flawless skin, bedroom eyes, and perfect pout.

Legendary Ladies: The Obsession with the Complexion

Both Marilyn and Dorothy had flawless, radiant complexions. Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel in Translucent is a 3-in-1 deal - it is a primer, foundation and color corrector. It apparently gives the skin a matte, airbrushed look. It comes in 5 shades, with Translucent appropriate for all skin tones.

However, I would say that Marilyn would be Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel in Luminous (very light neutral/for fair skin tones) and Dorothy would be Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel in Rich(warm tan/for the look of healthy tanned skin). I remember reading a passage in Everything and Nothing: The Dorothy Dandridge Tragedy:

"A screenwriter once grabbed hold of me by the waist, looked closely at my color, and this is what he said I looked like, even after all those trials: 'Your skin is neuter. It is all the skin colorings of the world. It is chameleon, it changes in each swatch of light, ranging white to dark by the instant. It is buff color, it is East Indian soft, it is South American blend, it can be Israeli, Gypsy, Egyptian, Latin. What is your color? It is a blend of the world's skin tones.

 

Your hair is black, soft, universal. Your eyes are black and white flames; your nose is pert; the color in your cheeks, crimson, is your own and it sets off the tan. Your lips are blood-filled and esthetically-shaped. You have three small moles, like beauty marks, one just below your right eye, a second below that near the lips, and a third on the chin at the right. These three moles set off the rest of your face."

Dandridge then said that she used no cosmetics - just a granular facial scrub to keep her "skin smooth, her cheeks red and the skin tone vibrant."

Now, on the other hand, Monroe smoothed Vaseline and olive oil on her face to keep it soft and radiant. She had a skin regimen that consisted of applying vaseline, loose power and Pond's Cold Cream. She would apply Vaseline, follow with loose powder, apply another layer of Vaseline and then apply more powder. Apparently, she did this until her face looked flawless.

I also read that she washed her face 15 times a day. I do not think Marilyn Monroe was actually washing her face - she was probably splashing ice cold water on her face to constrict her pores and tone the skin. Monroe also used Nivea Skin Moisturizing Lotion.

Legendary Ladies: Fancy the Flush

Marilyn and Dorothy knew the power of a subtle blush. Too Faced Brightening Blush in Pinch My Petals is a combination of pink and mauve. It brightens the cheeks, forehead and chin for a perfect pretty glow.

I'm sure Pinch My Petals would have worked for Dorothy as well.  But I remembered what Sam Fine said about peach blush for women of color: it gives our cheeks a subtle "pop" of color. Too Faced Brightening Blush in Papa Don't Peach would probably be more to Dorothy's liking. It's a soft peach shade.

Legendary Ladies: Enchanting Eyes and Luscious Lashes

Marilyn Monroe made the heavy-lidded, come-hither look famous. Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil Eye Color, Pointe Noire. It has a rich, velvety formula that creates an instant and dramatic finish. To complete Monroe's look, Laura Geller's Full Figure Lashes Mascara will do the job. It has a combination of short and long nylon fibers to lengthen and thicken the look of lashes while the carbon black shade finishes off the seductive look.

Based on pictures that I've seen, Dorothy Dandridge had full, voluminous lashes as well. I think Dorothy Dandridge embraced the bold lip more than any thing else. She did like thickening her eyebrows though. Unless you were inspired by her sultry alter ego, Carmen, feel free to subtly wing out your eyeliner a bit!

Legendary Ladies: Provocative Pouts

We all know that perfect, ruby red pouts were all the rage back then. This trend were both part of Dorothy and Marilyn's signature look. Michael Marcus has a shade called Debbie, which is a bold red. A classic shade, it stays put while the silky formula keeps lips kissable. Other shades include Dawn, Enchanting, Ho Ho Ho, Obsessed, Sheri, Southern Lady, Stacy and Lucky.

However, when I look at the picture of Dorothy featured in the post, I think of my beloved Black Radiance Radiant lip gloss in Radiant Red! It's a true red with sparkles. I have no doubt that this gloss would've looked gorgeous on Dorothy Dandridge.