Firstly, I can’t believe the day has finally come which marks sixty whole years since Marilyn tragically left this world. Her physical being may have been gone for well over half a century but her spirit and legend has not stopped growing and this shows no sign of stopping.
I decided with this Anniversary post, that I wasn’t going to focus on Marilyn’s last day and dispel all the conspiracies and myths that have slandered her name over the years. instead I wanted to do a post celebrating her life and how much she has impacted my own, specifically sharing my trip to Hollywood for her 50th Anniversary.
In August 2012, which is incredibly a decade ago – (bare with me I have to take a moment to process that one), my Mum and myself ventured all the way from England to Marilyn’s Birthplace, Los Angeles, California and stayed in Hollywood for 10 whole days. I still find this really hard to comprehend, almost a dream feeling in many ways for a very specific reason.
In 2011 I had an emotional breakdown and stopped socializing, left Sixth Form College and pretty much stopped functioning as a normal human being. It was and still is a very sad time for me to talk about and the most important support I had during that time was my Parents and Marilyn. I had found her in October 2010, five months before my world pretty much turned upside down and as Marilyn’s 50th Anniversary was coming up in August 2012, my Mum came up with the most amazing idea of us trying to go to Hollywood, to celebrate a person so very special to my heart.
Of course, in my mind this was simply a pipe dream and there was no way in hell I’d be able to leave my home and travel thousands of miles to somewhere I’d never been, meeting people I’d only talked to online. In all honesty there was no certainty that I was ever going to achieve this, we even had to take multiple trips to Manchester Airport for me to try and gain some confidence in myself that I could try and make this happen. As heartbreaking as it sounds, I was in no way living a life during that time and I think ironically enough that’s what gave me the somewhat strength to take the leap of faith, with my best friend by my side, always.
Throughout my ten days there, I visited so many important places to Marilyn and Historic Landmarks within Hollywood, it truly was a trip of a lifetime and I can only dream of one day finding the courage that little 18 year old girl in these photos had built up, through lots of therapy, medication and unconditional love.
I actually find it quite upsetting looking at the photos from my trip, as I look so unwell. The 17 months from March 2011 – August 2012 had really taken a toll on me, mentally and physically which is very apparent. After returning from Hollywood, I started napping a lot due to continuous ongoing pain and I ended up becoming very ill, having to have major surgery 8 months later, in March 2013. So I just wanted to address the elephant in the room, it is me – I promise!
Visiting Marilyn was ironically one of the most beautiful moments, despite being at a Cemetery which we so often associate with death and morbidity. Westwood Memorial is truly an absolute dream and it’s actually really comforting to see how many of Marilyn’s Co-Stars, Friends and Family are also buried there. When my Mum and I arrived there, (we visited twice, once just by ourselves and the other for Marilyn’s Memorial) it was so calming and the atmosphere just exuded happiness. When we arrived at Marilyn’s pink tinted crypt another visitor shouted to us how she still stands out in death, which warmed my heart as it’s definitely true.
I thought I’d feel so much sadness and discomfort, but instead I felt so happy, it was a truly beautiful experience. I’d taken my own card for Marilyn and written many followers names from my alwaysmarilynmonroe fan account, to let them pay their respects too. To make it even more special, we even saw a Hummingbird when we were spending time with Marilyn, as silly as it may sound I like to think she sent it.
A decade may now have passed, which again, I still find hard to believe, but I’m very lucky to say that I’m still in touch with many of the people I was fortunate enough to meet or befriend during and before my trip to Hollywood. Lorraine, Joel, Jackie, Rachel, Ashlee, Suzie, Claudia, Dawn, Monica, Scott, Mary, Gary and the many fans in Immortal Marilyn and Marilyn Remembered.
There’s two must have products when it comes to wearing makeup; sponges and brushes. Of course the actual items are pretty important too, but you always need the tools to create the art, just ask Leonardo DaVinci! Well, anyone who uses brushes will do really.
It’s most definitely a good sign when a Brand has longevity and Crownbrush has just that, first originating over 35 years ago!
When I think of Brushes my mind goes straight to two of my favourite Brands; Spectrum and Morphe – however, for great companies to become established there’s usually one that has been continuously working for many years previously and Crownbrush is the one that stands out.
I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Crownbrush UK and gifted some products of my own choice to try, however the writing and opinions are all my own.
Something that is very important to me within the Beauty World is supporting Cruelty Free Brands and Crownbrush is thankfully one of them.
I picked seven of the Crown Pro Eye Brushes to use with the 30 Matte Colour Eyeshadow Palette. Over the years I’ve loved to try being more creative and colourful, which is now a must for me when creating an every day look. Yes, nude shades can be beautiful but they’re just not my style and if I’m honest, I find them a little boring. Plus, with June being the month of Pride, there was simply no other choice in my mind.
The 30 Matte Colour Eyeshadow Palette is a collection of vivid and bold mattes, covering the whole spectrum of the rainbow with five rows featuring pinks, blues, yellows, greens, purples and oranges. If you like to stay in a safe makeup bubble, at first this product may look a little intimidating. However, there are so many styles that can be created with this product, especially for the Spring and Summer seasons. The corals, yellows and orange hues are perfect for a warm every day look, if the greens and blues feel a bit much. Plus, you can’t really go wrong with a nice pink overall base. Sometimes if I want to make the look more subtle, I’ll place one shade on top of the other and through trial (and occasional error!) I’ll blend and mix to build it into another variation.
The overall packaging of each Crownbrush UK Product is sleek and minimal, with the objective being to deliver professional quality products to add to your Makeup Kit. The great thing about the brushes is they were designed with the aim of listening to what Professional Makeup Artists wanted, but making them available for everyone. Therefore, you can feel comfortable knowing you’re using great brushes and paying an affordable price!
Thank you to Sophie from Crownbrush UK for getting in touch and introducing me to such a wonderful Brand. I’ve used the Palette all week and not needed to pick up any other!
It’s hard to believe, on this day, 96 years ago at 9:30 AM in Los Angeles, California, the Gemini Queen was born.
With every year I try and write a Birthday and Anniversary post and this year I thought it would be nice to do something a little different. Therefore, I decided to share my favourite books written about Marilyn and the ones I would 100% recommend. As I’m sure most would agree, sadly when you’re no longer here to dispel myths about yourself and are incredibly famous, the majority of what you can find to read is filled with lies and conspiracies. If you’re not too aware of this, you may wonder why? Well, in the wise (genuine) words spoken by Marilyn,
“Hollywood’s a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty cents.”
– said to Journalist Ben Hecht and written in her Autobiography, My Story.
Over the last decade I’m lucky enough to have amassed a substantial archive of books written about Marilyn and I’m thankful to say just the good ones. Therefore, with Marilyn still making many headlines over a half a century after her passing, I thought it would be very important to her memory to share information that is thoroughly researched and filled with reliable sources.
Ultimately, Marilyn was a real person and with so many defamatory lies continuously being spouted, I feel it it so important to try and preserve her legacy in an honest and truthful manner. The irony is, the majority of people who have continued to make money off Marilyn (Robert Slatzer, Jeanne Carmen, Ted Jordan, Anthony Summers, Norman Mailer – I’m looking at you) had no actual relationship with her – and it simply just isn’t fair.
In my opinion, Michelle is the ultimate Marilyn Biographer and generally excepted by many fans as being the best one out there. I’ve read all of her books and recommend every single one, I’m just focusing on this Biography which delves into Marilyn’s life and death. This is probably one of the only books on Marilyn that I’d suggest to every person wanting to learn about her, as it’s one of the very few which have no inaccuracies.
A loving tribute from Marilyn’s actual family, her half sister, Bernice and her daughter – Marilyn’s niece, Mona Rae. Although they only managed to see each other in person a handful of times, the sisters managed to stay in touch through letters and phone calls. It truly is such a unique and thoughtful tribute to Marilyn and a must have in any fans Collection. I also had the privilege of speaking with Mona Rae through email around 2011-2012 and was lucky enough to receive a signed copy which I will forever treasure.
The book that started it all for me and arguably the most important of them all – Fragments, which is basically an Archive of Marilyn’s very own personally written letters and writing. Contrary to unfortunately popular belief – Marilyn never had, nor owned, or wrote in a supposed infamous diary – it has never been found 60 years after her passing because, it simply never existed. Furthermore, Marilyn was never known to keep up to date with any diary, this book is literally called Fragments – because when reading, you’ll notice that she doesn’t actually finish using any notebook. She would write from the heart or inspiration, it was never regimented or a daily scheduled thing for her. Therefore, please ignore stupid Slatzer’s ridiculous theory – thank you.
A book I’d say has a very special place in the hearts of Marilyn fans, published just 12 years after her passing by close friend and Writer, Norman Rosten, who she would meet in 1955. They stayed close friends until her death seven years later and Rosten was one of the few people Marilyn would feel comfortable enough to share her Poetry with. This is sadly no longer in print but I found my copy on Amazon and it’s definitely a must have from someone who knew and treasured their friendship with Marilyn. It also features some adorable anecdotes about Marilyn’s menagerie of pets.
Originally published 12 years after her passing, under the title, “The Unfinished Biography of Marilyn Monroe” this was based on interviews with friend and Journalist, Sidney Skolsky and Writer Ben Hecht. Sadly it ended up being shelved during Marilyn’s lifetime, only going up to 1954, so Marilyn herself would never get to see the finished product or give her approval. Some excerpts were published in London’s Empire News from May – August of 1954, however with Hecht parting ways with his Agent it unfortunately was never completed. I guess on a positive note, it does almost feel like a Cinderella story with Marilyn documenting her traumatic childhood and ending with her Marriage to Joe Dimaggio, in a way it’s kind of nice to have rose tinted glasses on for a few moments.
I should note, I’m not mentioning the named Author of this book, as the attention should be on Marilyn’s documents from her Personal Archives, therefore all of her own words and correspondents. Some of you may already know the Author has written their own Biography, which is sadly full of inaccuracies and conspiracies. It’s such a shame, as before their own book was published they clearly were doing something wonderful for Marilyn with the release of MM Personal. Therefore, I recommend focusing on all the wonderful documents which give you an insight into Marilyn’s daily life.
Meet the other must read MM Biographer – Gary Vitacco-Robles, who has painstakingly written the book of any Marilyn fans dream, documenting every single year of her life. It’s so incredibly detailed, that it was published in two Volumes – the first starting with her Birth Year, 1926 and ending 30 years later in 1956.
The second Volume continues on with 1956 and through the last six years of Marilyn’s life, culminating with Marilyn’s death in 1962. Gary then delves into the impact of Marilyn’s Legacy in society, over fifty years after she left Earth. After dedicating a decade of research to the Volumes, it is quite apparent how much care and thought has gone into both. I had the pleasure of meeting Gary for a book signing in August 2012 – he’s actually also published another book, called Cursum Perficio: Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood Hacienda: The Story of Her Final Months (2000) and I’m continuously hoping there will be more!
I decided to focus on written books about Marilyn instead of the hundreds of photography ones, as unique personal qualities are often overlooked by her image and unfortunately, conspiracies. Wherever Marilyn may be, I hope she somehow reads my little post and that it may bring a smile to her face on her special day.
Any devoted Marilyn fan will most definitely know the name, MichelleMorgan – for reference, she is generally accepted as the best MM Biographer out there (and there’s a lot.) She published her first Marilyn Book, Marilyn’s Addresses (1995), which followed a unique concept of documenting important places the Movie Star visited and/or lived during her lifetime. Over twenty five years later, Michelle has gone on to release nine (!) books on the world’s most famous Blonde Bombshell.
Which of course, leads me to paraphrase the iconic line spoken by Marilyn as Sugar Kane in Some Like It Hot (1959),
“That’s (just over) a quarter of a century, make’s a girl think.”
Never disappointed by Wilder’s wise words, it really does make a none Marilyn/Hollywood Enthusiast contemplate, “What could possibly need to be written about arguably the most famous woman of the 20th Century that hasn’t already been said?” The short answer – a hell of a lot.
As I unintentionally continue to stick to metaphors involving books, it’s universally regarded you should never judge one by the cover. Sadly, almost sixty years after Marilyn passed, so many still view her as just a pretty cover, therefore neglecting to read the numerous written pages. Thankfully, readers are blessed to have an Author like Michelle, who sees far beyond the image and salaciously fulled, downright slander and delves into the incredible life story of a young woman, that is in reality, largely unknown.
Not only has she managed to do that quite beautifully and in a non-biased way I might add, in the must read, Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed (2012). Michelle has continued to dive even further into the underappreciated and overlooked parts of her life with a plethora of books. Therefore, the beautiful image the world knows and loves, has slowly but surely, been able to restore into a real human being with sensitivity, bravery, talent and emotion.
If you’re already a fan of Michelle’s work then there’s no doubt you’ve probably read this wonderful archive of books, she has so literally devoted years of her life to creating. However, if you’ve been living under a Marilyn hidden rock, then I shall quote another incredible human – albeit a CGI one at that,
“You’re Welcome.” – Maui.
When Marilyn Met The Queen features 11 Chapters, kicking off right bang in the Summer of 1956. It delves into the huge preparation of setting up Pre-Production of The Prince and The Showgirl (1957) – referred to as The Sleeping Prince throughout as that’s the original title of the Terrance Rattigan Play.
Michelle goes into serious detail within each page, enthralling the reader with numerous anecdotes from witnesses and often unheard accounts of the overall atmosphere that swept England from July to November 1956. Over 65 years have passed since this time period and yet the memories live forever etched in the minds of those fortunate to treasure them, further showing the significance and impact of Marilyn and her worldwide Movie Star status.
Within each section, Michelle recounts Marilyn’s time in England virtually day to day, with every date/event being documented and the overall feeling analysed and delved into for the reader. Sometimes it’s almost as if you’re a bystander yourself jumping into the pages, none more so if you actually happen to live in England like myself!
Often when reading a Biography, you can almost feel a sense of anxiety, as you care deeply enough for the person it’s about, to take the time to read it, yet you can’t always sense the Writer’s motive or overall goal surrounding the subject matter. I find myself wanting the truth and always that, but a respect that is maintained not just for the Star of the book – in this case Marilyn, but for all those involved.
Point in case, if you know anything substantial about Marilyn, then you’ll know her lateness was almost legendary and needless to say, it understandably did not always go down well with Production, especially with Laurence Olivier and in England. However, what you might not know is Marilyn suffered with severe anxiety, crippling self doubt in her artistic ability and agonizing endometriosis, as well as insomnia and prescription pill addiction. Michelle also takes time to point out Marilyn’s apology to the entire cast and crew and shares how she offered each person a farewell gift before departing England.
Michelle manages to expertly share all the huge strains of creating The Prince and The Showgirl (1957) – and it’s very easy to read it was no easy task whatsoever, yet she continues to maintain honesty and empathy for every single person involved – always.
She manages to view the chaos through each individuals eyes and shares all the emotions and thoughts with sincerity, whilst keeping a neutral stance. Furthermore, Michelle continues to dispel rumours that have at times weaved their way into Marilyn’s life, so much so that they are often believed as fact.
She completely disproves Third Assistant Director Colin Clark’s infamous account of his, “relationship” with Marilyn, which was brought to worldwide attention after his book was turned into a movie, My Week With Marilyn (2011) by providing factual evidence of Marilyn’s whereabouts on said specific dates and opinions regarding his, “memories” from witnesses that were actually present during the making of the film.
From Pre-Production of The Prince and The Showgirl, to the exhaustive making and completion of the movie, Michelle continuously maintains hope and a lighthearted warmth within every chapter. It was very rewarding to read so many new anecdotes that, even after having Marilyn in my life for over a decade, I had yet to have heard before! Without spoiling any surprises, my two favourites include a lot of bicycles and a certain newborn fish during Marilyn’s stay, I’ll be sure to keep those two in my Marilyn trivia!
The final chapters detail the highlight of Marilyn’s time in England – meeting Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Command Performance and the release of The Prince and The Showgirl. She also discusses the final meeting between Laurence Olivier and Marilyn in early 1957, which thankfully was a lot less stressful than the actual filming. She also manages a quick, but respectful summary of Marilyn’s last six years and ultimately, her tragic death.
In all honesty I simply dream of Michelle writing a book on each year of Marilyn’s life, that would be an absolute dream and if there’s any writer that could do it, it’s without a doubt her. Thank you as always to Michelle for continuing to amaze me and gifting both Marilyn fans and Historians another gem of a book.
Marilyn’s time in England may not have been full of roses as she had so deeply hoped, but her beautiful work on The Prince and The Showgirl will forever be there for generations of film lovers to view and appreciate.
I can only hope that would give her some comfort in knowing her performance has continued to gain critical acclaim and respect and that even her Co-Star, arguably England’s greatest Actor was, despite a frayed working relationship able to see this, eventually stating,
”She gave a star performance. Maybe I was tetchy with Marilyn and myself because I felt my Career was in a rut…I was as good as could be, and Marilyn! Marilyn was quite wonderful, the best of all. What do you know?”
With each year that goes by, I still find it so incredibly hard to comprehend that not only did Marilyn walk on this Earth, but she’s now been gone for 59 years, despite it feeling like she never left. Her presence and impact on both Hollywood and Pop Culture is more than she herself would have ever expected, with her popularity increasing as each year passes by.
Ironically, she would say to Journalist Richard Meryman, in what would be her last interview,
“Fame will go by and, so long, I’ve had you fame. If it goes by, I’ve always known it was fickle. So at least it’s something I experienced, but that’s not where I live.“
– this was published in LIFE Magazine on August 3rd 1962, the day before she passed.
As with my previous post for her Birthday, I’ve decided to do a similar theme, however this time I’m going to focus on what Marilyn was doing on August 4th and 5th (or the first week of the month) for as many years as I can find information on.
I’ve decided not to write about her death, as with each year that goes by, more and more myths/conspiracies crop up and I don’t want to focus or dwell on her final moments. Her death is a tragedy and will always be one, so to continue to perpetuate often downright ridiculous theories, with absolutely no substance, for pure publicity or profit is something she does not deserve and I will never participate in. I will simply focus on the documented facts and her final day.
Norma Jeane would finally start her road to Stardom and sign her first Modelling Contract with the Blue Book Modelling Agency, therefore leaving her job of 17 months, at the Radio Plane Munitions Factory.
AUGUST 3RD 1946:
Norma Jeane’s first Husband, Jim Dougherty would receive a letter from Nevada, informing him of her request for a divorce, which was granted just over a month later on September 13th 1946.
She would also change her professional name to Marilyn Monroe, thanks to 20th Century Fox Casting Director, Ben Lyon, who was inspired by his former girlfriend and 1920s Star, Marilyn Miller – a name Marilyn herself would officially have when she married Arthur Miller ten years later in 1956.
AUGUST 3RD 1947:
Marilyn made one of her many Starlet Appearances for 20th Century Fox and attended the, “Frank Borzage Motion Picture Golf Tournament” at the California Country Club.
Marilyn at the “Frank Borzage Motion Picture Golf Tournament” at the California Country Club on August 3rd 1947.
SUMMER OF 1948:
Marilyn would make her only movie for Columbia Pictures, during a six month contract she had acquired with the Studio, after being let go from 20th Century Fox. It was produced in 10 days and called, Ladies Of The Chorus (1948) with Marilyn performing two musical numbers for the first time in her Career.
Marilyn practices yoga for a publicity portrait at Columbia by Ed Cronenweth in 1948.
AUGUST 5TH 1949:
Marilyn partakes in Costume Tests for, A Ticket To Tomahawk (1950), a musical in which she would have a small part as a Chorus Girl named Clara, performing with Actor Dan Dailey. The pair would reunite 5 years later in, There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), with Marilyn then being the major Star.
Marilyn in a Costume Test for A Ticket To Tomahawk on August 5th 1949.
AUGUST 1ST OR 8TH 1950:
Marilyn is photographed at Griffith Park by Ed Clark for LIFE Magazine, a relatively unknown Starlet at the time, the photos would go unpublished until they were discovered in the archives almost 49 years later in 2009.
Clark recalled in 1999,
“She was almost unknown then, so I was able to spend a lot of time shooting her,” Clark recalled. After all, it was still early in her career, and she’d only just begun to gain attention: Three months before this shoot, she appeared as a crooked lawyer’s girlfriend in The Asphalt Jungle; two months later, she had a small role as an aspiring starlet in All About Eve.
“We’d go out to Griffith Park [in Los Angeles] and she’d read poetry. I sent several rolls to LIFE in New York, but they wired back, ‘Who the hell is Marilyn Monroe?’”
As most of you will probably know, Marilyn would go on to grace the cover a total of six times during her lifetime – seven including an international cover for The Prince and The Showgirl on July 8th 1957.
Marilyn in Griffith Park by Ed Clark in August 1950.
AUGUST 4TH 1951:
Marilyn, having been named, “Miss Cheesecake of 1952” by Stars and Stripes Magazine, made an appearance at the Farmer’s Market in Hollywood, to slice the millionth cheesecake sold.
Marilyn slices the millionth cheesecake at the Farmer’s Market August 4th 1951.
AUGUST 3RD 1952:
Marilyn attended a Party at Ray Anthony’s home held in her honour, which was arranged by 20th Century Fox. She would meet another huge star, Lassie and hear the recording of the song, “Marilyn” written for her by Ervin Drake and Jimmy Shirl.
“An angel in lace, A fabulous face,
That’s no exaggeration, That’s my Marilyn.
No gal, I believe, beginning with Eve,
Could weave a fascination like my Marilyn.
She made me a poet, dreaming up romantic themes,
Though she may not know it, she’s all mine in my dreams!
I’ve planned everything, the church and the ring,
The one I haven’t told it to is Marilyn.
She hasn’t said “Yes” I have to confess,
I haven’t kissed, or even met my Marilyn.
But if luck is with me she’ll be my bride forevermore; I’ll be marryin’, carryin’ Marilyn through my door!”
Marilyn and Ray Anthony at his home on August 3rd 1952.
AUGUST 1953: Marilyn spent this month in Canada on location at Banff, Alberta, shooting her only starring role in a Western movie, River Of No Return with Robert Mitchum, Rory Calhoun and child Actor, Tommy Rettig.
Although she would refer to it later as a, “Z Cowboy Movie“, stating, “the acting finished second to the scenery and the CinemaScope process.” However, she thankfully loved the four songs she would get to perform and the film would once again continue her major success at the Box Office.
Whilst being interviewed for the Documentary, Marilyn Monroe:Beyond The Legend (1986), Mitchum would recall Marilyn as “a very special girl with an enormous feeling for people.”
Photographer John Vachon would venture to Alberta for an assignment with LOOK Magazine. Unfortunately for him and her fans, with Marilyn’s major popularity, the Publication decided they wanted Marilyn as their Cover Girl for their Holiday Issue instead and would only share three of his photos. Thankfully, he released the photos in his book, Marilyn, August 1953: The Lost Look Photos in 2010.
On August 20th, Vachon would also be the first Photographer to take professional pictures of Marilyn and Joe Dimaggio, who came to visit halfway thorough production.
Joe and Marilyn by John Vachon for LOOK Magazine in August 1953.
AUGUST 9TH 1954: Marilyn would film the final scene and song (the movie wasn’t shot in chronological order) of There’s No Business Like Show Business, with her Co-Stars Dan Dailey, Ethel Merman, Mitzi Gaynor, Johnnie Ray and Donald O’Connor.
She would film her iconic, “Heat Wave” number on August 27th, in front of her then Husband Joe Dimaggio, who sadly, was far from happy with the routine.
Donald O’Connor and Marilyn on the set of There’s No Business Like Show Business by Gene Lester on August 9th 1954.
AUGUST 5TH OR 6TH 1955:
Marilyn and Photographer Eve Arnold, travel to Bement, Illinois, for the Centennial celebrations.
During her time there she visited the National Arts Foundation Museum and see an Exhibition on one of her idols, Abraham Lincoln. She would also be a judge at a Beard Contest as well as meet the oldest resident, 100 year old Clara.
Arnold would reunite with Marilyn on the set of The Misfits, five years later in 1960.
Marilyn during her trip to Bement, Illinois by Eve Arnold on August 5th 1955.
AUGUST 7TH 1956:
After arriving in England on July 14th, official filming would start for The Prince and The Showgirl at Pinewood Studios on August 7th. This would turn out to be Marilyn Monroe Productions only film made under her own company.
During her time in England, Marilyn would also meet Queen Elizabeth II at a Showing of, “The Battle of The River Plate” on October 29th. After a tough time during production, due to continuous clashing with Co-Star and Director, Sir Laurence Olivier, she would return back home with Arthur on November 20th.
Regarding her time in England she reflected poignantly,
“England? It seemed to be raining the whole time… or maybe it was just me.“
AUGUST 1ST 1957:
This day was to be arguably one of the hardest moments in Marilyn’s life. After having a well earned year off, she and husband Arthur Miller had been residing in their Roxbury home in Amagansett and Marilyn had discovered she was expecting a baby. However, whilst gardening at home she suffered severe abdominal pains and was rushed to hospital, the closest being 200 KM away.
Tragically, Marilyn would suffer an ectopic pregnancy and the baby would not be able to be saved. She and Arthur would leave the hospital to return home on August 10th, with Marilyn once again making sure to give her fans the glamorous Movie Star they adored, continuing to smile through her incredible sadness.
“My fans want me to be glamorous, I won’t let them down.” – to Photographer and friend, Sam Shaw.
Marilyn leaves the hospital with Husband Arthur Miller after suffering an ectopic pregnancy on August 10th 1957.
AUGUST 4TH 1958:
Marilyn starts filming Some Like It Hot (1959) returning to work, almost two years since she had finished her last film The Prince and The Showgirl (1957) in November 1956.
Initially, she was a bit apprehensive about taking on the part of Sugar Kane, due to it being a comedic, “dumb blonde” role. Thankfully, with Billy Wilder Directing and both Arthur Miller and Acting Coach, Lee Strasberg also seeing the gem that she had been given, Marilyn agreed to take on the project and of course, the rest is history.
Professionally, Marilyn’s place in Hollywood was going from strength to strength with Some Like It Hot being her second smash hit for Billy Wilder, four years after the release of The Seven Year Itch (1955). Personally, her struggles during filming were pretty severe, due to her increasing addiction to barbiturates and her pregnancy, which would tragically end in another miscarriage, just before Christmas on December 16th 1958.
Marilyn speaks on the phone to Husband Arthur Miller from Los Angeles, where she had just arrived to start filming Some Like It Hot on August 7th 1958.
AUGUST 15TH 1959.
Marilyn and Arthur attend a performance of Macbeth at the Boston Arts Center Theatre.
A frustrated Marilyn and Arthur have their photo taken by photographers whilst watching Macbeth on August 15th 1959.
AUGUST 5TH 1960:
Marilyn attended a double Birthday Party for Director John Huston and Actor Clark Gable’s Wife, Kay at the Mapes Hotel, Huston’s being August 5th and Kay’s August 7th.
Both Clark and Marilyn were unknowingly filming what would ultimately be their last film, The Misfits (1961) – Gable would pass away from a heart attack at only 59 years old on November 16th, just twelve days after filming had been completed.
Marilyn would start to make Something’s Got To Give (1962) on April 23rd 1962, with her last day on set being on her 36th Birthday, June 1st. The footage would thankfully be found in the 20th Century Fox Archives 27 years later in 1989 and would be restored, so 37 minutes of the movie now exists.
John Huston, Marilyn and Clark Gable at The Mapes Hotel on August 5th 1960.
AUGUST 7TH 1961:
After visiting Long Island from August 1st, Marilyn returned to Los Angeles under the pseudonym, “Miss Reis” and was met by Ex-Husband and close friend, Joe Dimaggio.
It’s well known among fans how Marilyn would often come up with pretty creative names when trying to stay incognito, arguably the most famous being Zelda Zonk. However, this name is likely inspired by her Private Secretary, May Reis, who started working for Marilyn in 1957.
AUGUST 4TH 1962:
Marilyn’s last day alive.
Marilyn spent the day at home and received a number of visitors throughout the afternoon.
Her friend and Press Agent, Pat Newcomb, was suffering with bronchitis and had stayed the night, after coming around for food on August 3rd.
Her Housekeeper, Eunice Murray arrived at 8AM in the morning and would end up staying over, as requested by Marilyn’s Psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson. Ultimately, she would be the one to find Marilyn, who had passed away in her bedroom.
Photographer, Lawrence Schiller, who shot the famous nude scenes of Marilyn in Something’s Got To Give (1962) on May 28th, had come over to discuss their photos and have Marilyn give her approval, a rare clause she had won in her contract with 20th Century Fox.
Dr. Greenson arrived to Marilyn’s house early evening at 5:15PM, he had visited her no less than 28 times since July 1st. Dr. Engleberg, Marilyn’s other Doctor, had prescribed her 25 Nembutals a day previous on August 3rd, as well as a repeat prescription of 50 Chloral Hydrate on July 31st, with Marilyn taking 10 a day.
The amount of broken professional/medical boundaries between Greenson and Engleberg should not go unnoticed, especially with Chloral Hydrate and Nembutals being such a deadly combination when taken together. It may have been 59 years since Marilyn tragically left us, but that does not mean their major flaws being ignored or overlooked is acceptable. Shame on both of them.
She would receive calls from Arthur Miller’s father, Isidore Miller, who she affectionately called, “Dad” and had kept a close relationship with since her divorce the previous year. Sadly she was getting ready and couldn’t take the phone.
Friend and Masseuse, Ralph Roberts would also call regarding details for a planned Barbecue for the next day.
The last people she would speak to were her former Son-In-Law, Joe Dimaggio Jr. and Actor and friend, Peter Lawford.
Joe Dimaggio Jr. who was away serving in the Marines, had rang to inform Marilyn of his recent breakup from Fiancée Pamela Ries. He had tried calling two previous times during the day and finally spoke to her on the third call around 7:30 PM. She was apparently quite happy about the news, as she wasn’t a big fan of his now Ex-Fiancée and would go on to ring Dr. Greenson around 7:40 PM to tell him of the news.
Actor Peter Lawford also called, inviting Marilyn to attend a Dinner Party with friends, however she declined.
His accounts of this pivotal conversation however, have greatly varied over the years. Originally he confirmed the one phone call in 1962, with her saying no to the invitation.
However, thirteen years later in 1975, he changed his version to their being two conversations. The first having her accepting the invite, then him calling back to find out why she hadn’t appeared and hearing her sounding groggy and inaudible. Ironically, he shared how despite this, she was able to utter her supposed last words,
“Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to Jack and say goodbye to yourself, because you’re a nice guy.”
If that wasn’t enough, Lawford changed his version of events a third time, two decades later in 1982, saying her telephone was busy the second time he called around 8:00 PM.
Various accounts of the night have been documented by Housekeeper, Eunice Murray, she originally stated she checked on Marilyn sometime in the evening, but did not receive a response from her and then a few hours later, she noticed Marilyn’s light was still on in her bedroom and the phone wire was under the door.
This she found particularly unusual as Marilyn would usually move it into the guest bedroom and cover it with clothes, so she could try and have a peaceful sleep, which was already hard enough with the insomnia.
Upon ringing Dr. Greenson over her concern and asking for his advice, she would discover Marilyn and ask him to come round. Both he and Dr. Engleberg would come over to the home and she would be pronounced deceased at 3:25 AM, however rigor mortis had already set in so sadly Marilyn had left hours before, late on August 4th.
The world would be a lot less brighter on the morning of August 5th, with fans around the world waking up to the announcement of Marilyn’s untimely passing. Tragically, it was even reported in The New York Times that suicide rates steadily increased the week after her death in New York, with a new record of 12 in just one day. One fan even wrote the following words in their note, “If the most wonderful, beautiful thing in the world has nothing to live for, then neither must I.”
Actor and friend, Marlon Brando summed up the worlds thoughts on Marilyn’s death, which even 59 years later, still resonate and convey the illusion of how valued an outward appearance can be, but how an inner struggle is sadly so often overlooked.
“Do you remember when Marilyn Monroe died? Everybody stopped work, and you could see all that day the same expressions on their faces, the same thought, ‘How can a girl with success, fame, youth, money, beauty… how could she kill herself?’ Nobody could understand it because those are the things that everybody wants, and they can’t believe that life wasn’t important to Marilyn Monroe, or that her life was elsewhere.”
Marilyn by George Barris for Cosmopolitan Magazine on June 29th or 30th 1962.
Today Marilyn would be turning 95 years old, which is so hard to comprehend considering she’s been gone for almost 59 years! With each year, I always try and discuss the two most significant moments in Marilyn’s life; her Birthday and Anniversary. After writing posts on such important highlights since starting my Blog in 2015, I’ve aimed to stay as creative as possible and make sure to come up with something unique.
For this year I had the idea of sharing photos and information of Marilyn celebrating her Birthdays. Sadly, there’s only a number of years that have actual pictures documenting the day, depending on if she was attending an Event or socializing with friends etc. However, I still want to write about as many of her Birthdays as possible, so I will try and share whatever she was doing on her special day or if nothing is available, then important anecdotes from that month and/or year.
Arguably the most important of them all, the day Marilyn was born. Marilyn was born Norma Jeane Mortenson (then changed to Baker – Gladys first Husband’s second name) on a Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM at the Los Angeles General Hospital. She was the third child of Gladys Monroe and although her current Husband, Edward Mortenson was listed as the father, they had been long separated. Marilyn’s, “father”, if you can call him that, is generally accepted to be Charles Stanley Gifford, a man Gladys worked for at the Consolidated Film Industries.
Gladys with baby Norma Jeane in 1926.
JUNE 1ST 1927:
I couldn’t find any information on how Marilyn’s 1st Birthday was celebrated sadly, but in this year, (and for the next six) she was living with her Foster Family, Ida and Albert Bolender and their adopted son Lester. Only two months younger than Norma Jeane, Ida once wrote in a letter to his birth parents in 1927 about the pair, saying,
“Little Norma Jeane is with me. She is the baby girl I had when Lester came. Lots of people think them twins. I dress them alike at times and they do look cunning. They are full of mystery and keep me busy.”
Baby Norma Jeane in 1927.
JUNE 1ST 1928:
Again, not much information, if any, is available from Marilyn’s 2nd Birthday. However, during the Summer, she did spend time with her mother Gladys and her Uncle’s family for a day out at the Beach at Santa Monica. I don’t know of the particular reason for them having quality time together, but as it was in the sunshine, I’d like to think it was possibly something to do with Gladys wanting to see Norma Jeane around her Birthday.
Baby Norma Jeane C. 1928.
JUNE 1ST 1929:
This year, The Bolender’s enrolled Norma Jeane at Hawthorn Community Sunday School for a year.
Sister-in-law Olyve, Gladys, Cousin Ida Mae and Norma Jeane C. 1929.
JUNE 1ST 1930:
Norma Jeane continued to have a fairly stable home life with the Bolender Family and saw her mother most weekends for the first few years of her life. However, although she still paid for Norma Jeane’s care, Gladys was no longer seeing her as often as she had done previously. Norma Jeane would have to be reminded to call Ida her Aunt, as she was repeatedly told she was not her mother. Regarding Gladys, when reflecting on her time with her as a child she said,
“It’s true that to me she was always, the woman with the red hair.”
JUNE 1ST 1931:
Norma Jeane started at the Ballona Elementary and Kindergarten School in September of this year and continued to have a considerably normal life with her Foster Family.
Lester Bolender and Norma Jeane C. 1931.
JUNE 1ST 1932:
On March 27th, Norma Jeane and 50 other children participated in The Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service. It would be her first public appearance and ironically, she reflected on this moment saying that she was, “bored.” She also started 1st Grade at the Vine Street School, although she would only remain there for one year.
JUNE 1ST 1933:
Tragically, the Summer of 1933 was not a kind one for Norma Jeane. Her biological Great Grandather, Tilford Hogan, Gladys Grandather, committed suicide two days before her Birthday, on May 29th 1933. Neither Gladys nor Norma Jeane knew him personally, but the tragedy deeply affected her mother in particular. With the tragic deaths of her Parents – her father, Otis passed at 43 and mother, Della at 51 and now her Grandather, Gladys now had a deep believe that she would too suffer a horrific fate.
Albert, Norma Jeane’s Foster Father, had let her adopt a stray dog, named Tippy in 1931. He would be the first in a long list of animal friends that Marilyn would take in during her lifetime, famously stating how, “dogs never bite me, just humans.”
It’s been said he would walk with her to school and even wait for her to finish, showing the special bond the two shared. Horrifically, an evil neighbour would end up killing Tippy in June of this year, with varying accounts being he was either annoyed by his barking or him being on their premises. Naturally, this event traumatized Norma Jeane especially and Albert would go on to bury him in their garden.
Furthermore, Gladys would also learn of the death of her firstborn, Robert, affectionately known as, “Jackie”, who throughout his short life, had a number of horrific accidents, including the loss of his right eye. After her divorce from Jasper Baker in 1923, Norma Jeane’s half brother and sister Bernice, would continue to be raised by their father and at aged just 15, on August 16th 1933, he would pass away from bone tuberculosis, without ever meeting his youngest sister.
These three horrific events were to arguably alter Norma Jeane’s mostly stable life that she had been used to for the first seven years. In August of that year, Gladys had decided to take her out of the Bolender home and move them both in to a three bedroom house, located at 6812 Arbol Street.
Norma Jeane with friends in 1933.
JUNE 1ST 1934:
Again, I couldn’t find any information on how Norma Jeane celebrated her 8th Birthday, but that Summer she did go to see Cleopatra (1934) and as an adult she often reminisced about her love of Movies and Hollywood Stars, especially Jean Harlow. She would later recall these special childhood memories saying,
“When I was younger, I used to go to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and try to fit my foot in the prints in the cement there. And I’d say “Oh, oh, my foots too big. I guess that’s out.” I did have a funny feeling later when I finally put my foot down into that wet cement, I sure knew what it really meant to me, anything’s possible, almost.”
JUNE 1ST 1935:
Sadly, after just over four months of Norma Jeane finally living with her mother Gladys, on January 15th she was admitted into the Norwalk State Hospital and declared insane, having been diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia at just 32 years old.
On Norma Jeane’s 9th Birthday, her mother’s best friend, Grace Mckee – soon to be Goddard, became responsible for Gladys’s financial welfare and future. However, a whirlwind romance to, Erwin “Doc” Goddard on August 10th, would mean that she would find herself entering the Los Angeles Orphans Home on September 13th.
Norma Jeane C. 1936.
JUNE 1ST 1936:
Although not yet living with Grace, she would become Norma Jeane’s official Guardian on February 26th. The rest of her 10th year she continued to live at the Orphanage but still received visits from Grace. Although slightly irregular, she would take her on outings to the Beauty Salon to have her hair styled. Marilyn would reflect on these times over two decades later saying,
“My Orphanage was private and Grace used to visit me and take me out. Not as often as they say, but she used to come and take me out sometimes and I could put on her lipstick. I was only nine then. She’d take me someplace to get my hair curled, which was unheard of because it was allowed and because I had straight hair. Things like that meant a great deal to me.”
JUNE 1ST 1937:
After living in the Orphanage for 21 months, six days after her 11th Birthday, on June 7th – (some sources say June 26th), she would leave the home and finally live with Grace and her family at 6707 Odessa Avenue. On reflecting on her relationship with Grace, Marilyn would say,
“She was always wonderful to me, without her who knows where I would have landed! I could have been put in a state orphanage and kept there until I was eighteen.”
Sadly, the day Norma Jeane left the Orphanage would also be the day her favourite Movie Star, Jean Harlow, tragically died of kidney failure at just 26 years old. In an Interview with Georges Belmont for Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1960, she talked fondly about the original Platinum Blonde,
“I had favorite stars. Jean Harlow! I had platinum blonde hair and people used to call me, “tow-head.” I hated that and I dreamed of having golden hair, until I saw her, so beautiful and with platinum blonde hair like mine.”
JUNE 1ST 1938:
Norma Jeane would turn 12 years old and her Guardian, Grace bought her a new dress for $11.74 and had her hair done for $60, documenting this for a special photoshoot. She also gave her an empty photo album as a present for her to keepsake her pictures.
Due to a previous sexual assault incident with Grace’s Husband, “Doc” in November 1937, Norma Jeane had been placed in the care of her mother’s sister-in-law, Olyve, her three children and her mother, Ida Martin. Gladys’ brother, Marion, had deserted his family in 1929 and was never seen again. Some time during the Summer of 1938, her 13 year old cousin, Jack, sexually assaulted her, which resulted in her being moved once again, through absolutely no fault of her own.
JUNE 1ST 1939:
Thankfully, after multiple disturbing experiences, Norma Jeane had settled in with Grace’s Aunt, Ana Lower, after being placed in her care from August 1938. Talking about her beloved, “Aunt” Ana in later years, Marilyn said,
“There was real contact between us because she understood me somehow. She knew what it was like to be young. And I loved her dearly.”
Sometime in June, Grace took Norma Jeane to San Francisco, to visit Gladys, who was now residing in a hospital there. The visit wasn’t exactly a happy occasion, with Gladys sitting the majority of the time in silence, only once commenting, “You used to have such tiny little feet.” They wouldn’t see each other again until six years later in 1945.
Norma Jeane in 1939.
JUNE 1ST 1940:
In the Summer, Norma Jeane started spending time with Chuck Moran, a year older, after meeting at the Hi-Ho Drive In, he clearly had developed romantic feelings after trying to make a move whilst they were dancing at the Ocean Park Pier. Sadly for Chuck, Norma Jeane rebuffed his advances, recalling the story years later, Marilyn commented,
“Poor Chuck, all he got was tired feet and a fight with me. But I thought, well, he isn’t entitled to anything else. Besides, I really wasn’t so smart with sex, which was probably a good thing.”
Norma Jeane and friend Bette Westcott in 1940.
JUNE 1ST 1941:
On June 27th, Norma Jeane received her Junior High School Diploma from the Ninth Grade. She loved her Journalism Class and even contributed pieces to the School Paper, The Emersonian. Ironically, she wrote a column about the following results of 500 student questionnaires, stating how 53% of gentlemen.. preferred blondes.
Norma Jeane’s beloved, “Aunt” Ana’s declining health would result in her return to Grace’s home later this year.
Norma Jeane recreates Claudette Colbert’s famouse pose in It Happened One Night (1933) in March 1941.
JUNE 1ST 1942:
The month of June 1942 would be a significant time in Norma Jeane’s life. Within the past year, both Grace and her Neighbour Ethel Dougherty had decided to become novice matchmakers, with Ethel asking her youngest son, Jim, to escort Norma Jeane to the 1941 Adel Precision Products Christmas Ball, where Grace’s Husband, “Doc” worked.
After learning that, “Doc” would be transferred to West Virginia, Grace had to tell Norma Jeane she would not be joining them on their move. The reason being, as Grace would no longer be living in Los Angeles, this would result in her losing financial aid for her care and therefore wouldn’t have the abilities to support her.
To prevent further upset and the outcome of Norma Jeane having to return to the Orphanage until she was eighteen, Grace had decided to arrange a Marriage, as it was legal at sixteen in Los Angeles to do this. With Jim being informed of Norma Jeane’s potential return to the Orphanage, he agreed.
On June 19th, just over two weeks after her 16th Birthday, Norma Jeane would become Mrs Norma Jeane Dougherty.
JUNE 1ST 1943:
Norma Jeane and Jim had settled into married life, after moving to 14223 Bessemer Street, which was located in the San Fernando Valley. She adopted a stray collie, which she named Muggsie, who she absolutely doted on, even bathing her twice a week. Much to Norma Jeane’s dismay, Jim decided to enlist in the Merchant Marines and after he completed his training, she joined him in a two bedroom apartment in Avalon.
Norma Jeane and Jim in Catalina in 1943.
JUNE 1ST 1944:
In April 1944, Norma Jeane would have her first job, working at the Radioplane Company for ten hours a day, inspecting parachutes originally and then moving onto the paint department. She was making 70 cents an hour, which did increase to 85 and worked out at $20 a week. Jim had left with the Marines on Sea Duty early that year and she would not be reunited with him until the Holidays.
On June 15th, two weeks after her 18th Birthday, Norma Jeane wrote to her former Guardian, Grace saying,
“Jimmie has been gone for seven weeks and the first word I received from him was the day before my Birthday. He sent a cable night letter by Western Union saying, “Darling, on your Birthday I send you a whole world of love.” I was simply thrilled to death to hear from him.”
JUNE 1ST 1945:
Norma Jeane sent a letter to her Guardian Grace and her Sister Bernice, (Gladys had finally informed them of each others existence in 1938) on June 4th, three days after her 19th Birthday. She talked about her first experience in the limelight, modelling for Photographer David Conover. He discovered her whilst she was working at the Radioplane Company and would also reunite with her on the set of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in late 1952.
“The first thing I knew the lead man and lead lady had me out there, having the army taking pictures of me. They all asked where in the H — I had been hiding. They took a lot of moving pictures of me, and some of them asked for dates, etc. (Naturally I refused!) After they finished with some of the pictures, an army corporal by the name of David Conover told me he would be interested in getting some color still shots of me.”
Norma Jeane by David Conover in the Autumn of 1944.
JUNE 1ST 1946:
Just over a month after her 20th Birthday on July 5th, Norma Jeane filed for Divorce from Jim after four years of marriage, her modelling career was flourishing and the idea of being a housewife did no longer appeal.
A few weeks later, she signed her first contract with 20th Century Fox and in December, Casting Director Ben Lyon helped change her name professionally, to Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn never forgot this significant moment in her life, recalling fourteen years later to Georges Belmont in 1960,
“I owe a lot to Ben Lyon. He was the first to believe in me. He even gave me my name.”
Ironically enough, Lyon himself was a former Actor, having starred with Jean Harlow in her first movie, Hell’s Angels (1931) fifteen years earlier.
JUNE 1ST 1947:
Ten days after her 21st Birthday, Marilyn attended the Los Angeles Press Club’s 8 Ball Welfare Foundation and later that month acted in her first film, Dangerous Years (1947), playing a Waitress called Eve.
Marilyn at the Los Angeles Press Club’s 8 Ball Welfare Foundation on June 11th 1947.
JUNE 1ST 1948:
A day after her 22nd Birthday, Marilyn acted as Hostess at the Los Angeles Press Club and meets Mayor Fletcher Bowron.
Marilyn at the Los Angeles Press Club on June 2nd 1948.
JUNE 1ST 1949:
On May 27th, four days before her 23rd Birthday, Marilyn would pose for her now iconic nude, “Golden Dreams” and “A New Wrinkle” Calendars, with Photographer Tom Kelley. She insisted his wife, Natalie, was in attendance. She would get just $50, which was used to pay for either food, rent and/or car bills – the stories vary. Kelley would, upon hindsight, regretfully sell the copyrights for $500 to Baumgarth Company.
Columnist, Sheilah Graham, wrote about the incident in June 1952,
“A pompous visitor asked Marilyn Monroe at Niagara—”Is it true that when you posed for that famous calendar photograph, Miss Monroe, you had nothing on?” “No,” said our Marilyn, “I had the radio on.”
JUNE 1ST 1950:
For her 24th Birthday, Marilyn received a pet chihuahua, named Josefa, from 20th Century Fox’s Co-Founder and friend. Although adored by her owner, who went so far as to feed her calf liver and even bought a quilt for Josefa to sleep on, unfortunately, she wasn’t house trained..
Marilyn with her pet chihuahua Josefa, who she received as a gift for her 24th Birthday by Earl Leaf in 1950.
JUNE 1ST 1951:
On June 12th, eleven days after her 25th Birthday, Marilyn takes part in a Photoshoot for Modern Screen Magazine, with other Starlets, Nick Savano, Craig Hill and Mala Powers. It was at Herman Hover’s Beverly Hills home, the owner of Ciro’s Restaurant. Marilyn actually wore the same bathing suit her character, Joyce Mannering has on in, Let’s Make It Legal (1951)
Nick Savano, Mala Powers, Marilyn and Craig Hill by Bob Beerman on June 12th 1951.
JUNE 1ST 1952:
For her 26th Birthday, Marilyn received the wonderful news that she had landed one of the Starring Roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) opposite Jane Russell.
Three days later on June 5th, she started location shooting in Canada, for her first technicolor leading role in Niagara (1953) – not only was it the film that transformed her from Starlet to Star, it’s also significant for two other reasons. Firstly, this is the only time she plays a femme fatale/villain and secondly – *spoiler* (even though it’s 68 years old so at this point, I really don’t think I can be blamed) her character, Rose Loomis.. dies.
JUNE 1ST 1953:
The month of June 1953 was a very special time in Marilyn’s life, especially three and a half weeks after her 27th Birthday. On June 26th, she and her Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Co-Star and friend, Jane Russell were immortalized at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
From visiting most weekends as a child and trying to fit her own hands and feet in the many celebrity prints, Marilyn really had come full circle and I can only imagine how little Norma Jeane would have felt knowing her dream had came true.
Marilyn holding the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Soundtrack on June 26th 1953.
JUNE 1ST 1954:
Three days before her 28th Birthday, on May 29th Marilyn started filming for There’s No Business Like Show Business. A press photo states that this picture was in fact taken on her actual Birthday, as Co-Star Donald O’Connor and Singing Coach Ken Darby all share a toast.
Marilyn celebrates her 28th Birthday on the set of There’s No Business Like Show Business with Donald O’Connor and Ken Darby on June 1st 1954.
JUNE 1ST 1955:
On her 29th Birthday, Marilyn attended the Premiere of film, The Seven Year Itch, with soon to be Ex-Husband, Joe Dimaggio. After an emotionally distressing separation in October 1954, they had thankfully been able to form a friendship, which would last until the end of Marilyn’s life.
After the Premiere, Marilyn went to the reception given for her at the Toots Shor, unfortunately her and Joe would get into an argument and she would end up leaving the Party.
Joe Dimaggio attends the Premiere of The Seven Year Itch with Marilyn on her 29th Birthday on June 1st 1955.
JUNE 1ST 1956:
On her 30th Birthday, Marilyn met Indonesian President Sukarno at a party arranged by Joshua Logan (Director of her film Bus Stop) at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Sukarno was a huge fan of American Movies and had requested to be introduce to the Hollywood Star. After attending the event, she departed for New York, before reporters stopped to present her with a Birthday Cake.
Indonesian President Sukarno and Marilyn on her 30th Birthday on June 1st 1956.
Marilyn receives a Cake from Reporters for her 30th Birthday on June 1st 1956.
JUNE 1ST 1957:
Marilyn spent the Summer having a well earned rest at her Roxbury Home with third Husband, Playwright Arthur Miller. She made one of her few public appearances of the year, attending the Premiere of The Prince and The Showgirl, a few weeks after her 31st Birthday, at Radio City Music Hall on June 13th in New York.
She would also find out she was pregnant this Summer, but tragically suffer an ectopic pregnancy and spend 10 days in hospital from August 1st.
Marilyn being interviewed at the Premiere of The Prince and The Showgirl on June 13th 1957.
JUNE 1ST 1958:
Five days before her 32nd Birthday, on May 27th Marilyn would participate in a Photoshoot with Richard Avedon for LIFE Magazine, which would be released seven months later, on December 22nd. It was entitled, “Fabled Enchantresses” and the text was written by Arthur Miller, which he affectionately called, “My Wife Marilyn”. Marilyn portrayed five Stars, Lillian Russell, Theda Bara, Marlene Dietrich, Clara Bow and her personal favourite, Jean Harlow.
She received a letter from Joe Wolhandler, Marilyn’s New York Publicist, the following year, on January 19th saying the following,
“Dear Marilyn: That issue of LIFE Magazine that carried your picture set an all-time record in sales. More copies were sold of that issue than any other issues in the history of LIFE. The figure was 6,300,000 and more could have been sold if they had printed more. LIFE’s circulation department tells me that this is the highest circulation figure in their entire publishing career.”
Marilyn as Jean Harlow by Richard Avedon for LIFE Magazine on May 27th 1958.
Marilyn as Lillian Russell by Richard Avedon for LIFE Magazine on May 27th 1958.
JUNE 1ST 1959:
On June 23rd, three weeks after her 33rd Birthday, Marilyn entered the hospital to have more surgery to fix her chronic endometriosis. Over the years she would have at least three other operations to try and help ease her suffering.
JUNE 1ST 1960:
Marilyn celebrated her 34th Birthday on the set of Let’s Make Love (1960) where she received a unique Birthday Card. It was created by Artist Joseph Krutak and showed Marilyn as her character, Amanda Dell, surrounded by various quotes and items from the movie, with the bottom being signed by the whole cast.
Once filming had finished for the day, her Press Agent, Rupert Allan, threw a Party at his home in Beverly Hills. In attendance were Playwrights, Tennessee Williams and Clifford Odets – the latter happened to write Clash By Night eleven years before Marilyn would star in the movie, in 1952. She would end up spending the majority of the night with the two, speaking about one of her favourite things – the Theatre.
Marilyn celebrates her 34th Birthday on the set of Let’s Make Love on June 1st 1960.
Marilyn’s 34th Birthday Card.
JUNE 1ST 1961:
On her 35th Birthday, Marilyn would send a Telegram to her Psychiatrist, Dr. Greenson,
“Dear Dr. Greenson: In this world of people I’m glad there’s you. I have a feeling of hope though today I am three five. Marilyn.”
She also spoke about her Birthday to Journalist Jonah Rudd and it was published four days later, on June 5th in The London Daily Mail,
“I’m very happy to have reached this age. I feel I’m growing up. It was wonderful being a girl, but it’s more wonderful being a woman.”
She also reunited with Photographer, Andre de Dienes, who was one of the few to take pictures of Marilyn as a relatively unknown Starlet (1945, 1946, 1949) and Hollywood Star, in 1952 and 1953.
JUNE 1ST 1962:
On Marilyn’s 36th Birthday, she would have a small celebration on the set of her last film, Something’s Got To Give (1962) which would end up being her last ever day on set. Her frequent Stand-In, Evelyn Moriarty arranged the party.
She would also receive a telegram from Joe Dimaggio, who was currently in Europe, saying,
“Happy Birthday, hope today and future years bring you sunny skies and all your heart desires. As ever, Joe.”
After she had finished work, Marilyn would make what would be her final public appearance at the Dodger Stadium, which was holding a game to Benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She would borrow her costume from filming and looked as beautiful as ever.
Marilyn’s 36th Birthday Card.
Marilyn blows out the candles on her Birthday Cake on the set of Something’s Got To Give on June 1st 1962.
Marilyn makes her final Public Appearance at the Dodgers Stadium on her 36th Birthday on June 1st 1962.
Marilyn with Player Albie Gregory Pearson on June 1st 1962.
It’s so wonderful that even 95 years later, millions of fans will be celebrating Marilyn today all over the world. I like to think that wherever she may be now, she knows how eternally loved and appreciated she is, just as she was in her lifetime and arguably, even more so.
Spectrum Collections first made their debut in the Beauty World in April 2014 and was created by Sisters, Sophie and Hannah, at home in their garage in South Wales. Fast forward seven years later and they’ve created huge collaborations with Household Names and Brands, such as Disney, Frida Kahlo and Mean Girls. Furthermore, they have an impressive list of stockists including, ASOS, Boots, Beauty Bay and SuperDrug. Pretty impressive, right?
On March 26th this year, Spectrum launched their highly anticipated new Collection with Disney; Alice In Wonderland! To say I was excited for this would be a big understatement, plus it just so happens to coincide with the original Walt Disney Classic, which was released to the public seventy – yes seventy years ago this year, in 1951!
There are five products within the set which are the following;
This product contains ten brushes, to complete a full makeup look, with one in particular having Alice’s iconic headband featured on the handle – absolutely adorable! Each one is an Alice pastel blue and has beautiful gold writing asking you to, “Meet me in Wonderland..” – whilst on that subject I’d happily travel to Wonderland right now, just saying. All brushes are Vegan and Cruelty Free, like the rest of their products. In my opinion, even if you’re not a huge brush person, it’s worth having for the packaging alone and if I had enough money, I’d probably buy another to have displayed in my room – it’s that pretty.
Without doubt, this is my favourite product within the whole Collection, I can’t even express how beautiful the quality and overall aesthetic is of this key. It’s such an amazing concept and I’m beyond impressed with Hannah and Sophie’s sheer creativity in coming up with this! On the top of the key is The White Rabbit, his watch, a teapot and The Mad Hatter’s hat, all stacked upon one another, with a pastel blue tag which says, “The way to Wonderland.” I’ve actually ordered myself another one today, as I simply had to have it on display with my Fantasia Magic Broom Brush. The packaging features Alice, The White Rabbit and The Mad Hatter in various stills from the film within keyhole shapes.
The Cheshire Cat is so iconic that even before looking on the lid, you see the pink striped packaging and know straight away which character is featured. It comes within a retractable casing, which once opened reveals a beautiful pink ombre brush and is used for the majority of face products, such as bronzer and powder. A further pink cover is used for storing him and also helps prevent any damage, whilst further showing the consistent quality and care that’s been put into making each item collector worthy.
The tear sponge concept is absolute genius! Two pastel blue sponges, one small and one full sized come in an adorable mini PVC bag, which features the memorable moment in the film, when Alice floats down a river of her own tears! I can’t bring myself to use these particular sponges because they are simply too beautiful to take out of the pouch! But they are proudly displayed on my dressing table in my room. However, I do use Spectrum’s sponges as well as they’re brushes and I can confirm that they’re top quality as always.
An Alice In Wonderland Collection could not be complete without the least punctual rabbit known to humans! The White Rabbit Clutch is white faux fur, featuring the infamous pocket watch, a keyhole label with Alice and a little white bunny tail. If that wasn’t perfect enough, when you look inside you’ll see the beautiful pink lining which is covered with The White Rabbit himself and various other objects from the film! You also get a stunning pastel blue and gold velvet pouch, which the clutch comes in. I’ve actually decided to display the former and use the dust bag for holding my brushes!
The entire set is available to buy together for the very reasonable price of £99.99, which is what I myself decided to do. It’s original cost is at £126.95, so you’re already saving nearly £27.00 and it truly is a must have for any Disney Collector or Makeup Enthusiast. Plus, if you add it altogether, you’re basically getting a product for free!
Not only are all of Spectrum’s products amazing quality – I’ve amassed a considerable collection of brushes that get used regularly so I feel I can confidently say that. But, in my opinion, they’re definitely the best ones on the market, and everything they make is Vegan/Cruelty Free and created with synthetic taklon hair. Not only is the aesthetic simply beautiful, the quality lives up to each ones appearance and the price is very reasonable too. Not insanely cheap, but not ridiculously overpriced, overall very fair and you definitely get your moneys worth! Spectrum also offer Beauty Points, in which every £1 you spend you receive 4 points and once you hit 500 you get a £5.00 voucher and 1000 you get a £10.00 one! You don’t have to buy things to gain points either, writing a review or recommending a friend will also help you build points.
I truly can’t wait to see what the Spectrum Sisters bring out next, I’m definitely sure they won’t disappoint and I can’t thank them enough for creating something so unique and beautiful.
This post contains mentions of suicide, depression, anxiety and mental health problems.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, please note – there’s truly no judgement from me if you have, sometimes I think it would make a much easier life. Well, maybe a little uncomfortable however, I’m clearly going off track. My point being, if you’re in the United Kingdom, you probably know that today marks a year since Caroline Flack passed away, an incredible tragedy, with yet another life taken by the cruel reality of mental illness.
Caroline shared this very quote just two months before she died, in one of her final posts on her Instagram Account. These words became the basis of the “Be Kind Movement“ which, in doing a bit of quick research, I’ve discovered the charity was actually formed in May 2015 by Premila Puri. However, with Caroline’s tragic passing, it has heightened the awareness and importance of such a simple but often overlooked act, just being a kind human being.
As someone who has had their fair amount of mental health struggles for over half of their life and also happens to be a very empathetic person, it hit me particularly hard. I understand if some may think I don’t have the right to feel sadness, or any form of emotion about Caroline’s death, especially as I didn’t know her personally, nor was I ever fortunate enough to have met her. In all honesty, I sometimes think like that too and not just with Caroline. Whenever anyone loses their life tragically and particularly with suicide, I always feel an incredible amount of pain and at the same time, my mind tells me I don’t have the right to do that.
I find it hard to think about anything else and if a person or particular situation is brought up in conversation, I often feel the need to change the topic or completely shut it down. I simply find it too overwhelming and feel a recurring cloud of sadness come over me. I really hate that specific metaphorical cloud. Clouds in the sky, you’re all wonderful and I appreciate you brightening or sometimes dulling our blue skies.
I think this is because suicide in particular surrounds many of my intrusive thoughts and fears. I want to emphasize I am not suicidal, nor do I have any intent or plans to end my life, quite the opposite in fact. I’m truly terrified of this incredibly painful ending and it causes me so much sadness and distress to even think of talking about it. Just writing this blog post is already giving me a lot of anxiety, but I know how important it is to speak out and I try and be as honest as I can be. Especially with my mental health because I know how isolating and lonely these feelings can leave a person and well, it can sometimes offer a little comfort, which I’m all for.
Also, I want to point out how every single person in the world has intrusive thoughts, they’re part of being a human. A study last year by Psychology experts at the Queen’s University in Canada, showed how people have around 6,200 thoughts.. a day, which is to say the least, a hell of a lot of them. Therefore, it’s inevitable that quite a few of them may be a little unsettling, however, the majority simply let the thought pass by and move on with their day to day life. The difference with intrusive thoughts becoming an anxiety disorder, is when you start to over analyse meticulously and ruminate in depth about the reason you’re having them. I mean, just typing out that one sentence explaining an anxiety ridden mind was pretty exhausting, let alone trying to read or even understand it if your mental health is perfectly fine. Therefore, all I ask is if you don’t necessarily understand, just a bit of listening and support can truly go a long way.
The irony is, mental health issues ironically often stem from rational behaviours, such as evolution’s fight or flight tactic, yet sometimes, the mind can go a little off balance and that’s okay, no body is perfect and to be honest, the world would be a lot less colourful if we all were. Ultimately, it’s just important to be aware and accept our many faults and glitches. Plus, with a bit of love, care, sometimes medication and therapy, can help a person feel embraced and accepted in society.
Intrusive thoughts in particular, link to an incredibly trivialized anxiety disorder called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, commonly shortened to OCD. People without this mental health problem, just accept their thousands of thoughts as what they are, a simple thought. They let it go and move on with their day to day life, probably forgetting it the minute it passes through their brain, which is basically one of my many aims in life. Unfortunately, that is not the case for me and hasn’t been since I was around eleven years old, so a pretty long time. A pang of anxiety and fear will hit my body, which results in a vicious, often exhausting cycle of compulsions and neutralization to, “fix” the thought – which eventually ends up becoming a daily part of your life.
What’s even more frustrating is, the majority of the time the sufferer is aware of the absurd claim that repeating a task or sentence will automatically make everything better, we know magical thinking is just that and tragically, Hogwarts is.. not real. But the brain is incredibly intricate and the anxiety thrives on fear, it loves it!
What’s more, it simply adores controlling and manipulating you into vulnerability and succumbing to your fears by making you engage and listen to the mind bully, which is definitely not a fun time when you constantly feel your brain is against you. My intrusive thoughts in particular – and I want to point out that they’ve had many years to multiply and change, as I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety and depression until I was 17 years old. Well, they go after everything I love and fear.
Which leads me to summarize, if you’re a sensitive soul and feel a lot of emotions, you can maybe comprehend why a person can end up becoming full of anxiety and often sadness. I’ve learnt to accept that I will most likely always have mental health problems and that’s alright, I say to myself I’d much rather I was suffering than someone else. I say this not because I’m a Martyr and incredible human being, if you know me you’ll know I in fact have the self esteem level of a pea – I assume it’s really small, if not I’ll have to think of something else. I say this because I’m so incredibly fortunate to have an amazing support system – my mum especially is truly my rock and I don’t know who or where I’d be without her.
I know so many people who fight the invisible illness do not get their happy ending and it breaks my heart, truly destroys it. I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve shed over people passing away before their time, not only does it terrify me more than words can say, the empathy in me starts wishing I could have been able to help and make them realize how appreciated and loved they are.
In May 2012, my would be second year of Sixth Form – (I’d ended up leaving after the first year due to mental health struggles), a person who was in my school year committed suicide. I remember seeing on social media that they’d passed away, I assumed it was down to a tragic accident and tried to switch off thinking about it. However, my brother ended up coming in my room and asked if I had heard what had happened, I said yes and then I distinctly remember him saying, “He hung himself. He hung himself.” which ultimately broke me and I’m pretty sure that’s when the fear of suicide began.
I want to point out that I wasn’t close to this person, I sat by them in English in Year 8 and had a pretty big crush on them in Year 7, but that was literally as far as any form of contact went. They were one of the popular guys and I remember desperately trying to comprehend and understand why this had happened, how could this be real? I obviously know this doesn’t resolve or change anything, but I guess I wanted to find some closure and to be able to calm my mind.
As with Caroline, I often end up feeling an immense sense of guilt for having such sadness and emotion regarding their death. I felt I didn’t have the right to have these emotions and I wasn’t a family member or friend so it wasn’t really any of my business. However, I do remember one of my many Therapists saying how your pain is your pain, so I try and remind myself that every now and then. Despite me viewing myself as less than others, which I know is not healthy and I really need to fix, my feelings are still valid. I can honestly say it’s been almost 9 years since this tragedy happened and there is not one single day that I’ve not thought about this person. Horrifically, there would be another male in my year who was lost by suicide in 2015. There are no words which can express the sorrow felt in writing that sentence.
I regularly think of myself as the random crying girl in Mean Girls, who, if you haven’t seen the film, (if I’m brutally honest I am slightly judging) she turns up at the school and starts saying, and I quote,
“I wish we could all get along like we used to in middle school, I wish I could bake a cake filled with rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat and be happy.“
It’s then pointed out that she in fact, doesn’t even go to the school and she responds with, “I just have a lot of feelings.“
I’ve always related to that.
Of course, no one is forcing me to be this way and if I could switch it off or snap out of it, I’d probably be a lot happier. A couple of years ago I had an Interview and it happened to be a group one, pretty daunting to say the least. However, I remember us being asked what would we like to be doing career wise, what was our goal etc. When it was my time to answer I said how in all honesty I didn’t really care what I was doing or how much I’d achieved as long as I was happy and content with myself, I truly stand by that. Something that is so simple but often taken for granted and incredibly hard to obtain.
When it was time for the one on one Interview I ended up talking about my mental health issues and found out that one of the girls who had worked that had tragically ended up taking her own life. Needless to say I didn’t get the job, I’m assuming they would have been pretty apprehensive about hiring someone with mental health problems again, even though I wasn’t suicidal. However, I don’t regret talking about it, in a weird way I’m proud of myself for doing so I guess.
If I truly had some magical powers, I’d love to make the world a better place and stop all the suffering, something I hope most people would agree with. Sadly a lot of mental health issues are trivialized and not taken seriously enough until it’s too late, which is why anytime I see an illness being used as an adjective I get so extremely frustrated. OCD is not a joke, cute quirk or someone who likes being clean, Bipolar is not a way to talk about an everyday mood swing and being, “sweet but psycho” isn’t an aesthetic.
For the people that say it’s a trend to have mental health issues or that it never used to be around, please educate yourself. 1 in 8 children have a mental health disorder, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 40 and 1 in 4 people in the UK is affected by a mental health problem. But, it’s alright to be that 1 in 4 and I don’t mind admitting I am one of many 1 in 4. Is it fun by any means? No, not at all. It’s exhausting and debilitating and you really have to learn how to take one day at time.
If you feel happy that doesn’t make you a bad person and you’re allowed to remind yourself, which I’m doing right now. I don’t feel particularly happy at the moment but, I have developed an annoying guilt complex in which I will feel bad for having a happy day or bad for feeling down – the outcome is always the same of course, I can’t win.
I’m trying to talk about this is in sharing my own experiences and feelings in hope of having some form of epiphany and accepting myself. My mind is constantly putting me down, it reminds me how lucky and fortunate I am to have a loving family/home life and how I don’t have the right to feel depressed or anxious. Plus, how in writing all of this, it says I’m a hypocrite because I’m very much a work in progress and although I’ve came a fair way I still have a considerable amount to overcome, or learn to live with. I’ve been in and out of therapy since I was 17 years old and been on Anti-Depressants since I was 18, I’m not sure if they work for me but I’d rather be on them then not. I always end up feeling like a failure for not achieving certain things or being like, “everybody else”. It’s so frustrating to feel constantly at war with your mind and believe it or not, I really am trying to work on that, but sadly it’s not something that can change overnight.
When I was particularly suffering a few years ago, I would avoid all news media outlets or change the channel, to prevent any upset or further anxiety. In going to therapy I ended up learning how that was a coping mechanism and not a sustainable or helpful one in the long run. Therefore, I’ve gone from avoiding the media to watching BBC News every day and going through many true crime documentaries on Netflix. I’m still pretty anxious and disturbed by it all and often think if I was in a Horror Movie I’d probably be the girl that was killed in the first 10 minutes. However, I have to remind myself that life isn’t perfect and sadly we can’t avoid all the bad things that happen.
Although, it’s fine to switch off and have a break every now and then, we’re only human after all. In avoiding all the tragedies and staying in my own little bubble I know I’m actually hurting my recovery and not learning to live with my mental health problems. Do they trigger and contribute to a hell of a lot of my intrusive thoughts, sadness and anxiety? Absolutely. However, sticking through the anxiety and realizing your body cannot stay in that heightened state forever, is one of the only ways you can learn to accept the unknown and know that with a little bit of hope and perhaps some Disney, everything will be alright in the end.
“I will be as sensitive as I am, without being ashamed of it.”
– Written by Marilyn Monroe in her Record Notebook in 1955.
Here’s some links that I’ve used for this post or thought might be helpful;
As someone who has lived and breathed all things Disney for as long as they can remember, unintentionally discovering another Collaboration with Beauty Brand, Essence Cosmetics– on Wilko of all places, was a surprise I was very happy about!
The Disney Princess Collection features three of Walt’s Royal Heroines; two from the Classic Era – the original Princess, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora and one from the Renaissance Era – The Little Mermaid’s Ariel.
With Lockdown 3.0 continuing throughout the UK, having any shops to visit that aren’t online is a rare experience. Therefore, after browsing through Instagram and coming across this gorgeous Collection, I took a moment to sympathize with my Bank Account, as we both knew the inevitable was coming – bye bye money!
Unfortunately, with a quick bit of research, it does now seem that Wilko have sadly stopped stocking the three Eyeshadow Palettes. Fear not though, Notino are also stockists of the products and although a lot are out of stock currently, you can click to be notified when available.
As well as the Disney Princess Collection, there is also a Disney Villains with their sister Brand, Catrice Cosmetics, featuring Maleficent, Ursula and The Evil Queen.
I managed to get four products from the Essence Collaboration;
ESSENCE X DISNEY PRINCESS EYE BRUSH AND BAG SET:
Contains a rose gold brush bag, with three matching brushes;
• Snow White Eyeshadow Brush • Aurora Smudging Brush • Ariel Blending Brush
ESSENCE X DISNEY PRINCESS ARIEL 01 PART OF YOUR WORLD EYESHADOW PALETTE:
Featuring Ariel from The Little Mermaid (1989) – 14 warm, gold and red shades, embossed with sea shells.
• Curious – warm copper shimmer. • Starfish – light beige matte. • Ocean – orange shimmer. • Waves – medium gold shimmer. • Headstrong – burgundy shimmer. • Treasures – medium peach nude matte. • Flounder – peach metallic shimmer. • Sea Witch – pink and orange pressed pigment. • Mermaid – ruby red matte. • Crab – light gold shimmer. • Explorer – vibrant yellow shimmer. • Kiss The Girl – coral pink matte. • Seagull – dark brown matte. • Under The Sea – metallic brown shimmer.
ESSENCE X DISNEY PRINCESS SNOW WHITE 02 MY PRINCE WILL COME EYESHADOW PALETTE:
Featuring Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – 14 cool, nude and copper shades, embossed with apples.
• Green Wood – vibrant yellow shimmer. • Forrest Cabin – cool ivory matte. • Seven Mountains – cool metallic brown shimmer. • Dwarves – hunter green pressed pigment. • Huntsman – warm brown and silver shimmer. • Mirror – peachy gold shimmer. • True Love’s Kiss – warm gold shimmer. • Poisoned Apple – copper shimmer. • Wicked Witch – cobalt blue shimmer. • Pure Hearted – muted brown matte. • Ebony – light yellow gold shimmer. • Cottage – warm orange brown shimmer. • Happy End – brown gold shimmer. • Cheerful – bronze metallic shimmer.
ESSENCE X DISNEY PRINCESS AURORA 03 ONCE UPON A DREAM EYESHADOW PALETTE:
Featuring Aurora from Sleeping Beauty (1959) – 14 pink, mauve and metallic shades, embossed with roses.
• Golden Hair – warm gold shimmer. • Kiss – cool porcelain matte. • Kingdom – pink nude matte. • Castle – mauve matte. • Deep Sleep – metallic dark purple shimmer. • Spinning Wheel – light gold shimmer. • Fairy – silvery gold shimmer. • Thorn Hedge – deep purple and gold pressed pigment. • Roses – hot pink matte. • Golden Leave – baby pink mauve matte. • Curse – warm gold shimmer. • Dark Magic – cool dark burgundy matte. • Magic Wand – copper shimmer. • True Love – cool medium brown shimmer.
All of the Palettes are £10.00, which I think is an extremely good price, especially with it being an official Disney Collaboration and each one does include a mirror. I’ve tried all of the products multiple times and was pleasantly surprised at the pigment and quality of the Eyeshadows.
Out of the 42 shades, my favourite has to be Sea Witch from Ariel’s Palette, it’s absolutely beautiful and in all honesty, I wasn’t expecting it to be as vibrant as it looks. It’s perfect to use for an extra pop as a lid topper too. However, if I had to pick just one to own, it would definitely be Aurora’s, as not only is she is my favourite Princess, (Cinderella also) I love the variation of pinks and aesthetic of the colours.
The only slight disappointment within the Collection, would have to be the shades in Snow White’s Palette. This is simply because I can’t comprehend how there is not one single red colour within the fourteen available. I mean, I really think they’re missing something there as I’ve always associated this signature shade much more with Snow White than with Ariel.
With hers I’d expect more cool toned blues/purples and maybe one red for her hair and Sebastian – of course! Ultimately, the general aesthetic is a bit underwhelming for Snow White’s Palette and with only two matte shades – Aurora’s has six and Ariel’s has 5, there’s not really enough colours and variations to work with to create a full stand alone look.
However, I simply could not have left one out, they are definitely a must buy for any Disney fan and I will absolutely treasure them. The beautiful detailing and consistency in the overall aesthetic and theme for the Collection is greatly appreciated too. Thank you Essence Cosmetics and Disney for blessing us makeup lovers with this Collaboration and I hope there’s more to come!
Firstly, long time no post! With every day life and in the insanity of 2020, I’ve sadly been neglecting Blogging and regularly posting. However, my love for all things Makeup related has never been far from my mind, in fact you could almost say it’s grown considerably – if that was even possible! As someone who suffers with various Mental Health issues, the creativity of the Beauty World has always been a nice outlet for me to try and switch off and have some fun with the weird and wonderful products released so often. However, the irony is my creativity and perfectionism can almost be a hindrance, as sadly, my anxiety loves to control me and my happiness, which is why all I can do is try and push forward, starting with this.
Therefore, although I’ve not been sharing much, I have been regularly purchasing new palettes and lipsticks, which has formed quite an archive! Therefore, I’ve decided to share my latest buys and an overall summary of the items contents and my humble opinion on it etc.
Since Revolution Beauty, (formerly known as Makeup Revolution) burst onto the High Street in 2014, they’ve grown from strength to strength, having amassed 2.9 million followers on Instagram. They’ve collaborated with a number of huge Celebs and Brands, including one of the most popular TV Shows of all time; FRIENDS – which is what I’m going to be reviewing in this post.
I think one of the huge successes with Revolution has to be, not only their reasonable pricing, but the high qualities they create, which are usually only expected with high end Brands. As someone who wears both high and mid/lower end products, I’ve really learnt that higher pricing does not always mean better products.
Having first aired in 1994, Friends captured the hearts of millions worldwide, finishing it’s long run ten years later in 2004, after 235 episodes. Since Netflix started to stream the show in 2018, it’s continued to snowball in popularity and has attracted even more fans. So much so that a Series 1 Makeup Collection with Revolution was released on September 16th 2020, with a Series 2 Collection being launched on November 4th, just under two months later.
The Phoebe, Monica and Rachel Eyeshadow Palettes feature iconic places in Friends on the packaging, all specifically associated with each of the three female lead characters and retail for just £8, with nine shadows.
Strangely, I weirdly like that the packaging doesn’t have the characters on the artwork. At first, I think I was a bit disappointed by this, but now I actually quite like it. There’s not many shows that can have such iconic places and items that are instantly recognizable, further cementing the legendary status of Friends and all who were involved.
Although I love all characters dearly, my favourite has and will always be Phoebe, her quirkiness, ditsy but quick witted responses and inclusiveness of all has always warmed my heart and endeared me to her. Furthermore, it just so happens that out of three palettes hers is my most loved – coincidence? I think not!
