Secrets from Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Makeup Artist
They say that beauty is the eye of the beholder, but we know that it’s often in the hands of the makeup artist. Even one of the world’s most acclaimed beauties — Marilyn Monroe — had Allan “Whitey” Snyder, her go-to makeup artist, photographer, and close confidant to help develop and maintain her signature siren look.
In 1946, Snyder and Monroe met during her screen test at 20th Century Fox, and he continued to work as her on-screen and personal makeup artist for 16 years throughout her biggest hits. He rose to fame in tandem with Marilyn; Snyder was nominated for two Emmys during his career for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup, following his work on the TV Biopic Marilyn: The Untold Story and in 1981, for Little House on the Prairie. He also worked with other powerhouse stars, including Katharine Hepburn, Doris Day, and Raquel Welch.
He was her makeup artist on set for nearly all of her films, and traveled with her as her personal artist off-screen. During their relationship, Marilyn asked Synder to do her makeup if she were to die before him. He fulfilled this promise, and also served as a pall-bearer at her funeral. He was one of the few people Monroe trusted wholeheartedly, which is why his techniques have become a thing of legend. Before his death in 1994, he shared some of his best kept-secrets with Marie Claire.
Swap Primer and Highlighter for Vaseline
Easy on the eyes, even easier on the wallet. Snyder used vaseline as the base before Marilyn’s foundation to add an extra layer of moisture, while giving her a soft focus glow under studio lights. Incorporate this into your routine as a highlighter on the cheek and brow bones for extra sheen, and over eyelids for a shiny, wet-look finish.
Contour Lips with 5 Shades of Lipstick
In this signature technique, Snyder used darker reds on the outer corners and lighter shades in the middle to add dimension. Yes, he was contouring more than 50 years before Instagram made it cool.
Combine Black, Brown, Red, and White Eyeliners
While most of us are quick to go for a black or brown pencil, Snyder’s blended technique is what gave Marilyn her signature siren eyes. He would apply dark liner to her upper lids and water lines, and extend the lash lines with wings to elongate her eye shape. He would then draw a small white triangle on the outer corner of her eye, fusing the top and lower liner wings. He’d then add the same white to her waterlines, and add a red dot to the inner corner of her eyes to make them look whiter and larger.
Snyder was the Mario to her Kim Kardashian, the Sir John to her Beyonce. In fact, it’s hard to imagine a timeless beauty without a mastermind artist behind their every look, and Whitey was one of the greatest of all time. His life may be over, but his looks and legacy will live on with beauty lovers forever.