Marilyn Monroe was one of the most iconic actresses of the 20th century. Known for her beauty, talent, and charisma, she was a true Hollywood legend. Her style and fashion sense were admired and copied by millions of people around the world. But what about her signature scent?
I’ve waded through dozens of rumors about what perfume Marilyn Monroe wore, to find the truth. Lots of brands are eager to say that they’ve produced celebrity fragrances, but often enough, the celebrity in question hasn’t even heard of them.
There are two perfumes in particular that Marilyn Monroe was known to wear frequently.
What Were Marilyn Monroe’s Favorite Perfumes?
Marilyn Monroe, the iconic Hollywood actress and fashion icon, had two favorite fragrances: Chanel No. 5 and Floris Rose Geranium. Chanel No. 5, known for its timeless elegance and sophistication, reflected Marilyn’s glamorous side, while Floris Rose Geranium added a touch of floral allure to her scent collection. These fragrances became synonymous with her image, further cementing her status as a legendary figure in the world of fashion and beauty.
Chanel No. 5
Marilyn Monroe was a fan of Chanel No.5 and wore it regularly. In fact, by her own reckoning, she wore it every night.
When asked what she wore to bed, Marily Monroe famously said, “Just a few drops of Chanel No. 5.” I think it’s fair to say a statement of endorsement from a Hollywood A-lister helped to cement the perfume’s status as an iconic fragrance.
Chanel No. 5 was created in 1921 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and is still popular today – I know many friends that swear by No.5.
It’s a really feminine fragrance made up of floral and powdery notes, including jasmine, rose, and vanilla. It’s a classic scent that many people still wear today.
The aldehydes used in Chanel No. 5 include a mixture of aldehydes C-10, C-11, and C-12 MNA, which are known for giving a lift to the fragrance and offsetting the sweetness and heaviness of other ingredients. Global fragrance company Iberchem actually credits Chanel’s success to aldehydes.
Chanel No.5 Scent Profile
- Top notes: Aldehydes, Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Bergamot, and Lemon
- Middle notes: Iris, Jasmine, Rose, Orris Root, and Lily-of-the-Valley
- Base notes: Civet, Musk, Amber, Sandalwood, Moss, Vanilla, Vetiver, and Patchouli
Floris Rose Geranium
Another perfume that Marilyn Monroe was known to wear for special occasions was Floris Rose Geranium. It’s feminine and romantic, which makes it the perfect choice for one of the most glamorous women of all time.
Here’s a picture showing a receipt Floris kept when Marilyn ordered six bottles of Rose Geranium:
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Rose Geranium was created in the 19th century by luxury perfumer Juan Floris and is made up of a blend of rose, geranium, and other floral notes.
I was surprised to read that Marilyn wears it because it’s quite a citrusy, fresh and woody fragrance. That said, it smells great, so she clearly has good taste.
Floris Rose Geranium Scent Profile
- Top Notes: Rose, Geranium, Lemon
- Heart Notes: Rose, Violet, Palmarosa
- Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Benzoin
What Perfumes Have Other 20th Century Icons Worn?
As a perfume enthusiast and avid celebrity news reader, I have always been curious about the scents worn by iconic stars.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that many celebrities have signature fragrances that they are known for, while others have been known to switch up their scents over the years.
Here are a few examples of perfumes worn by some of the most iconic stars of our time.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was known for her classic and elegant style, and her fragrance choices reflected this. She was a fan of Givenchy’s L’Interdit, which was created specifically for her by the fashion house’s founder, Hubert de Givenchy. She also wore Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue, which is a timeless classic that has been popular for over a century. In fact, the queen of England also used to wear this fragrance.
Elizabeth Taylor
One of Elizabeth Taylor’s favorite perfumes was White Diamonds by Elizabeth Arden, which was inspired by her love of diamonds. She also wore Bal a Versailles by Jean Desprez, which is a rich and complex fragrance that was popular in the 1950s and 60s. In fact, Elizabeth Taylor also had her own line of perfumes which she regularly wore.
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren was known for her sultry and undeniable beauty. She was a fan of Guerlain’s Shalimar, which is a classic oriental fragrance that has been popular since the 1920s. She also wore Arpege by Lanvin, which is a floral aldehyde fragrance that was created in 1927.
What other celebrities have worn the same perfume as Marilyn Monroe?
Some of the most famous celebrities that also wore the same perfume as Marilyn Monroe include Catherine Deneuve, Nicole Kidman, Gisele Bundchen and Brad Pitt, the first male face of the fragrance. In fact, Brad Pitt starred in a Chanel No. 5 commercial in 2012, making him the first male spokesperson for the fragrance.
What did Marilyn Monroe do for her skin?
Marilyn took care of her skin every evening. She started with an oil cleanse by Erno Laszlo, then Active Phelityl Cream, before washing both off. She ended with a Controlling Lotion.
Did Marilyn Monroe put Vaseline on her face?
Yes, Marilyn Monroe put vaseline on her face when applying makeup. Ever resourceful, she treated vaseline as both a primer and a highlighter to get her cheekbones to shimmer on camera.