Get the look of your favourite famous Marilyn with these failsafe make-up tips...

The Lips

Marilyn Manson

A deep blackberry lip is a bold statement and a great way to toughen up a more feminine look, if you happen to be wearing non-edgy florals rather than a leather shroud. Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Colour in Black Orchid (£36, selfridges.com) is a surprisingly wearable shade which works splendidly for a vampy/gothic/Prince of Darkness vibe.

Marilyn Monroe

Technicolor lenses turned all reds orangey, so Marilyn’s on-set make up artist Whitey Snyder would use a blend of several blue-toned reds to achieve a “true red”. What a pain. Today, you can just smear on a slick of Russian Red by MAC (£14, maccosmetics.co.uk) and go straight to the pub.

The Eyes

Marilyn Manson

This look works particularly well if you’ve been up all night shrieking and crying hysterically, and you want to conceal those tell-tale dark circles from your boss at today’s important business presentation. Simply apply Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Liner in Black Glamour (£3, boots.com) in an anti-clockwise motion from the upper inner eyelid. Repeat seven times, then blend.

Marilyn Monroe

Whitey Snyder famously used a white kohl pencil to line the inside of the starlet’s eyes, a trick still used by stage make-up artists to make eyes appear wider. We like Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in Pure White (£2.99, boots.com). Pro tip: Do this in front of a man and watch him get completely grossed-out, because you are essentially poking yourself in the eye. Ha ha!

The Face

Marilyn Manson

With such scene-stealing lips and eyes, you need a flawless backdrop, so invest in a good base. Beauty editors have gone mad for YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation (£26, selfridges.com) which smooths out imperfections and illuminates the face. Try the palest shade, B10. OMG! You look like the prettiest corpse ever!

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn’s face is a veritable masterclass in cunning contouring and highlighting. Grab Benefit High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer (£18.50, boots.com) and apply on top of the cheekbone through to the corner of the eye, in the center of the chin, and on the forehead, for a sexy just-been-canoodling-with-a-president glow.

Words: Anna Hart

What do you think? Which is your favourite Marilyn look? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments below