Me & Marilyn: My Marilyn Monroe Collection

 Like millions of people around the world, I would class myself as a "fan" of Marilyn Monroe. Or as she was born, Norma Jeane.

I've loved her for as long as I can remember. Despite never knowing her, not being alive during her lifetime or even really knowing why. 

My grandfather loved her too, she was after all the ultimate 50's pin up.

Perhaps that's how I first came to know who she was. Years later at university I had the pleasure of studying several of her films during my the "gold age of cinema" module.

My curiosity and admiration grew to a point where I absorbed as much information about this woman and her tragically short life as I could.

Like doubtless millions other I own an impressive and beautiful collection of books about Marilyn; from large, heavy coffee shop books filled with beautiful photos to numerous books written about her life from various authors. Some who knew her, some who didn't.

I learnt from my reading that she in fact had a sister. This woman is called Bernice Miracle. 

A half sister as they shared the same mother, Gladys. 

What's more, she was still alive & had written a book about her life with her iconic sister.

Compelled by some unknown force after reading it, I wrote to her. 

I wanted to "feel" closer to Marilyn somehow, and to my utter astonishment, she replied.

Here I was, conversing with a living, breathing relative of my idol who not only knew Marilyn but was actually related to her and shared her genes. 

My heart soared when I received her letter speaking of Marilyn "sitting on a rainbow, waving a greeting" to me. 

I don't know why, but from this moment I decided I wanted to begin collecting Marilyn memorabilia.

Being a new graduate in a poorly paid job there was no chance of me ever being able to afford to buy something as amazing as something that Marilyn had once owned or worn (I did however drag my husband all the way to Bath just to attend an exhibition of many of her gowns and personal artefacts on temporary loan from a multi-millionaire mega collector) but I realised that there were still other wonderful items around that I myself might be able to lay my hands on.

9 or 10 years ago I partook in an auction in LA via online bidding and won two items which were being sold in a collection from the famed American publicist John Springers estate. 

He had once represented Marilyn.

I won an original, vintage photograph taken on the set of The Misfits which pictured her larking about with her co star Eli Wallach. It was both Marilyn & Clark Gables last film they'd ever make (or at least complete in Marilyn's case).

I just love it. She looks so genuinely happy in this un-posed, relaxed shot.

I also won one of my most prized possessions. An original Marilyn Monroe "Golden Dreams" calendar from 1954 featuring the famous "Red Velvet" photo session image of Monroe, taken by Tom Kelley in 1949. 

At the time of the photo session, Monroe was 22 years old and struggling with her career. By 1954, Monroe's career was skyrocketing.

She brushed off the media criticism of the calendar (and it's nudity) and refused to lie about the photographs when asked by the studio she was under contract to, 20th Century Fox.

I love her for this. 

Unapologetically brilliant, brave and strong. 

Also in my collection are two original LIFE magazines from the 50's featuring stunning spreads and articles about her, an original 50's newspaper advert for Lustre Cream Shampoo featuring Marilyn as their poster girl along with two original 50's "cinema books" to celebrate the release of Some Like it Hot & Bus Stop.

I'm not sure why I'm sharing this, I guess I just wanted to share some images of my teenie tiny collection which to many likely mean nothing, but to me mean so much.

For example, I love the interview in LIFE written by her then husband Arthur Miller. Look how blissfully happy she appears in the black and white photograph.

Equally I had never seen the photos of Marilyn transformed into the images of "Fabled Enchantresses", Including earlier cinematic contemporaries such as Marlene Dietrich & Jean Harlow before.

These images were just stunning to me and Indeed, remain so. 

My little collection is precious to me & I just wanted to share it so that any other Marilyn fans could enjoy seeing them too. 

I may have also revisited them due to the launch of a certain beauty brands limited edition Marilyn Monroe collaboration... keep your eyes peeled.

Bobbi Brown March Top Picks

As spring approaches it's time to get your glow back and my Bobbi Brown March picks will certainly help you on your way!

First up is the iconic, hero product; the Extra Repair Moisturizing Balm SPF 25 (£69).

This luxurious balm is perfect for dry skin types and people who are looking to supercharge their skin with a host of powerful, sun protective ingredients to leave your skin feeling soft and looking radiant.

The unique emollient balm texture offers immediate, long lasting hydration to parched skin.

Offering impressive sun protection (SPF 25) to prevent premature ageing, the decadent balm is enriched with a peptide called Argireline to help lift and firm deflated, tired skin.

Meanwhile, Clary Sage Ferment  works to reinforce your skin’s natural barriers, particularly its moisture seal which helps your skin to retain the formula and moisture for longer.

The result is skin that is left feeling instantly fresh, soft and supple and you can sit happy sage in the knowledge that your skin is going to be protected all day long from the suns harmful rays. 

Next, create an effortlessly beautiful complexion with the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 (£34).

Perfect for normal to oily skin, you have an incredible choice of over 40 different shades to choose from, allowing you to match the product to your skin tone so easy!

 My shade (in winter when I'm paler than pale) happens to be warm Ivory.

Offering medium to full coverage, this silky foundation offers up to 16 hours of weightless, matte coverage.

I was slightly skeptical of a lightweight foundation that boasts such a high level of coverage, but you needent be concerned- this bad boy delivers on all its promises. 

As an oily skinned gal I will nine times out of ten opt for a matte or Demi-matte finish to try and help combat the dreaded shine, however sometimes with matte foundations your skin can end up looking flat and un-natural.

Not so here. 

This miracle worker delivers a multidimensional matte finish that can hide a multitude of sins while offering a comfortable, breathable, and weightless sensation.

Created through a high speed, cold fusion process, the fluid is silky, light and weightless in texture. 

The formula melts onto your skin to create a flawless second skin, concealing redness, discolouration and blemishes as it goes.

Infused with Glycerine, it helps to provide hydration deep into your skin offering a hit of moisture to prep and plump your skin. 

Marine Sugar Cane and natural mineral powders then help to control your oily complexion throughout the day, creating a balanced, beautiful finish.

What's more, the formula contains true-to-skin pigments that help to reflect the light, enhancing your skin's natural undertones and contours, providing a completely natural yet radiant looking appearance. 

Sweat and humidity restaurant, the foundation doesn't crack, streak or fade throughout the day and unlike some foundation, it wont oxidise meaning it retains its true colour. 

In tests, an impressive 96% of participants agreed that the foundation immediately left their skin looking shine-free, while 93% felt it immediately minimised the look of pores. 

I can vouch for this as this is also my experience.

It is perfect as it conceals flaws without clogging my skin and leaving it feeling heavy. 

In fact, it doesn't feel like you're wearing a foundation at all. 

It's just gorgeous.

Finally we have the beautiful Highlighting Powder in Radiance Collection: Pink Glow (£36.50).

This luxurious, pearl-infused rosy illuminator offers an ultra-reflective Formula for a multi-dimensional, lit-from-within luminosity.

Lightweight, super silky and highly pigmented, the powder offers an impressive colour pay off with just a single swipe.

Offering a melt-into-your-skin, buttery consistency it is easy to build and blend to allow you to create your own customised look and finish. 

Rich and velvety, like the foundation it too offers a second skin sensation, sitting comfortably on your skin offering long wear.

Housed in a sleek, chic compact complete with a mirror for on-the-go application, it imparts a healthy, natural looking rosy glow to lift a dull complexion.

It effortlessly breathes life into your skin with a subtle sparkle to create a natural-looking glow. 

It is so versatile too it can be used anywhere you want to add a touch of radiance, beit on your cheeks, cheekbones, brow bones and even your décolleté.

The world is the Pearl in the oyster with this beauty! 

All three of my top picks are available now from Bobbi Brown. 

Dear Dahlia Eternal Shine Illuminating Palette

 Glow your way into the new year with the beautiful Dear Dahlia Eternal Shine Illuminating Palette.

Housed within a sleek,chic octagonal palette complete with an ever-so instagrammable marble pattern and rose gold accents you'll find a collection of four stunning highlighters. 

Lift the lid to reveal a decent sized mirror for on the go touch ups and discover your four  new illuminating best friends. 

Inside you'll find the following shades; 

Luna Illusion- a mesmerising pink beam with high shine finish.

Champagne Symphony- a champagne nude beige glow with a high-shine crystal shimmer finish.

Beyond Glow- a natural peach-gold glow with a golden beam finish.

Endless Horizon- a sun-kissed rose gold glow with a shimmery radiant finish.

Each elegant shade has been infused 

with the brands patented, signature antioxidant rich Dahlia Flower Extract to protect against harmful environmental aggressors as well as and certified organic Sweet Almond Oil, Argan Oil, Shea Butter, and Cacao Seed Butter t ensure the peders are super-blendable, streak free and won't clump or flake.

 

Silky soft, finely milled and perfect for using either wet or dry, each powder offers a different finish but each glides naturally nourishing and protective finish.

The light-reflecting particles within the prismatic powders create a multi-dimensional shimmer and blend seamlessly into your skin for a long lasting ethereal glow. 

You can even combine different shades for a fully customisable look.

Free from parabens, SLS, phthalates, metalloestrogens, oxybenzone, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrance and animal-derived ingredientsiy is both vegan and cruelty free.

The perfect compact for offering a subtle or lluminating glow to a dull complexion, it ticks all the boxes!

The Dear Dahlia Eternal Shine Illuminating Pallette is available now from Lookfantastic and costs £51.