Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, and Audrey Hepburn used this product on their skin
Plus a look at their beauty routines.
Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, and Audrey Hepburn are all iconic figures known for different things. While their paths in life were going in different directions, one thing they all had in common was one product they used on their skin.
As I was scrolling through the beauty articles recently published this morning, I came across this one from New Beauty, which discusses how the soap Marilyn, Jackie, and Audrey used got a pretty big upgrade. The product in question is the Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar by Dr. Erno Laszlo, who is also known as the dermatologist to the stars.
The article states that Dr. Laszlo launched his famous brand in 1927, and the lineup of products included the black soap bar—which double-cleansed the skin.
Audrey once commented on her beauty, which featured the brand. “I owe 50 percent of my beauty to my mother, and the other 50 percent to Erno Laszlo.” Marilyn did as well. “Dr. Laszlo not only heals my skin, but he soothes my soul,” she said after he created Phormula 3-8, which was made for her to heal a scar on her stomach.
The cleansing bar is made with Dead Sea mud, which features 26 minerals to deeply cleanse, exfoliate and balance out skin. It’s meant to be used after using a cleansing oil. Dampen it, massage it over your face, rinse with warm water.
In October, 2024, Vogue published an article about Audrey’s beauty routine, which was originally shared in a 1972 issue. Makeup artist and historian Erin Parsons found an interview from Alberto de Rossi, who was the mastermind behind the movie star’s iconic lined doe eyes, flawless skin, and coral lips.
“The first time I did Audrey Hepburn’s makeup was for Roman Holiday and since then I’ve done her makeup for films and photo shoots,” he told Vogue. “Women have always wanted to imitate her. They still do. They always will.” Isn’t that the truth?
To achieve her look, De Rossi began with a clean face, using soap and water. Then, he’d open his Louis Vuitton makeup case, tied a red bandana to hold back his hair, and worked his magic.
For foundation, De Rossi would apply a layer of the product across her face and neck. He would then add a layer of powder gently across the face and spray on Evian spray, leaving it on for two minutes before blotting the skin with a Kleenex.
“I get so emotional when I work!” - De Rossi
As far as his process goes, he said, “First, I have my subjects photographed with flat light, lens in the center of the face, without makeup.” He added, “Then I order a huge blow-up and start redesigning the face on the photograph. I believe [makeup] is not a painting, but a sculpture. Colors are not the only element.”
De Rossi would even contour before it had a name by using different shades of powders in order to create depth. “I mix colored powders and I shadow the face like a sculpture, the temples to avoid a flat forehead, the cheekbones, the jawline, the nose, the chin, depending on the planes of the face.”
As for her eyeliner and brows, De Rossi knew these features were important on such a popular figure. “An important face must have eyebrows,” he says. “Even if they are out of fashion a little.”
For Jackie, she relied on Dr. Laszlo’s skincare products. According to New Beauty, the former First Lady used four products that are still available today: The Light Controlling Toner, Phelityl Cleansing Oil, Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, and Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment.
Marilyn has always been a beauty icon, so it’s no surprise that people have been trying to master her skincare and beauty routine since her secrets were reveled to the world. In 2023, Glamour wrote about her beauty routine, which was discovered in an original letter written to her from Dr. Laszlo.
Dr. Laszlo left the star very specific instructions: In the morning, she was to wash her face and neck in warm water with Active Phelityl Soap, followed by Erno Laszlo’s Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment in Neutral all over her face. Then, pHelitone under her eyes, and Duo-Phase Face Powder on the entire face and neck.
For formal occasions, Marilyn was instructed by her dermatologist to apply pHelitone on her entire face, under eyes, and on her neck and decollete, followed by Duo-Phase Face Powder. Before bed, she was to apply Active Phelityl Oil an the entire face, and after drying, apply Active Phelityl Cream and Controlling Lotion.
LYS Beauty snags an 8-figure series A investment, per BOF. “The round of funding was led by Encore Consumer Capital, the US-based firm that is banking on the Black-owned clean makeup label becoming the next Tarte.”
Estee Lauder faces US legal trouble over China sales practices. “US District Judge Arun Subramanian said shareholders identified ‘several misleading omissions’ and ‘half-truths’ in Estée disclosures, related to the negative sales impact from a January 2022 government crackdown on the ‘daigou’ grey market.”
Rare Beauty and ColourPop were two of the 10 buzziest brands in February, per BOF. This is based off of how these brands performed on social media.
Estee Lauder releases new Melt-On Glosstick—available in 8 shades.
This was a fun read on Beauty Inc — How to Reinvent the Lipstick?
Gisou releases new, travel-sized Honey Infused Hair Perfumes and Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Masks.
More on lips: Lip balms are making a comeback during a time where people are literally obsessed with lip glosses, peptides, and whatever else makes their lips look glossy and healthy.
Paris Hilton releases her 30th fragrance with Ulta Beauty. It’s called Icon — fitting!
Mean Girls, Clueless, and Emily in Paris are featured on the new Body Art Treatment With Inked by Dani’s new collab. They are hand-drawn temporary tattoos that tap into some of people’s favorite shows and movies.
You got me with "travel-sized Honey Infused Hair Perfumes."