Marilyn Monroe's retro style curls look great with any hair length. To achieve this look you only need some styling products, a few curlers or a curling iron and some hairpins or clips. Start by making medium sized curls to frame your face, then pin them in place with clips and style them. Depending on the look you want, you can also use accessories or you can brush the curls to get a Hollywood-style hair.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Curls
Step 1. Choose a tool to create the curls
You will have to make several, in locks of 2-3 cm each. Choose if you prefer to make them with the help of a curling iron - with or without a stop - or curlers. If you opt for the latter, make sure you can roll your hair around it at least one and a half times for a better effect. You can use thermal or any other type.
Step 2. Start by washing your hair
Wash them as you always do, using a conditioner that protects them from the heat, in case you decide to use a curling iron. If you wish, dry them with a towel before using the curlers: in this case you need to keep them moist.
Step 3. Dry them with a hairdryer to make them softer
This step is only necessary if you decide to use the curling iron. Before proceeding, use a heat protective spray, covering the hair from roots to ends. Do the parting right away, just in case it's part of your final look.
For more volume, you can also spray hairspray on the roots before using the hairdryer
Step 4. Apply an anti-humidity product or lacquer
Start from the roots and work your way up to the tips, sprinkling a generous amount, then comb your hair with your fingers.
If you use curlers, you can opt for a mousse or gel: these products are not effective with curling irons
Part 2 of 3: Curl the Hair
Step 1. Curl them by dividing them into 2-3 cm sections
Spray each strand with hairspray or use another gel or mousse for greater hold. Do this just before wrapping the locks around the curlers or curling iron, proceeding from the apex of the head down. Place the hair on the back of your head in a ponytail while you work on those in front of your face.
In case you decide to use curlers, first style your hair in front of your face
Step 2. Curl your hair towards your face
If you wear parting, proceed away from it; the locks on the back of the head should instead be rolled away from the face towards the top of the head and the nape of the neck. Go for an asymmetrical pattern for a more natural look. Create tighter curls at the top of the garment and softer at the back for a retro look.
- Get tighter curls with smaller curlers and softer curls with larger ones.
- If you want to have more curls, you should divide your hair into smaller sections.
Step 3. Secure them with clothespins
Use hairpins or hair clips and fasten them immediately after making them with the curling iron. Leave the curlers on until you have them all in place and pin the curls with the bobby pins as soon as you release them from the curler.
Leave the strands in place for at least 20 minutes for the curls to set. In this way they will also have time to cool down, in case you have used a curling iron or thermal curlers
Part 3 of 3: Styling the Curls
Step 1. Free your hair from the clips and let it fall around your face
If you want softer curls, moisten your fingers and gently pass them through your hair: this will separate the strands. Stop styling your hair when you get to the sides of the face.
Step 2. Brush them for a softer look
Use a flat brush or a wide-toothed comb. Group the curls into large locks, then brush 2-3 at a time for a more curly look or about 5 at a time for a more choppy effect. Finally, brush your hair all together to create a Marilyn Monroe style hairstyle.
Step 3. Sweep the brush in the same direction you curled your hair
Brush the curls near the face towards the face and those near the neck towards the nape of the neck. Gently brush each strand a couple of times starting from the roots, then let the curls fall back into a natural position.
- Then spray each section with hairspray for extra hold.
- Do not brush them excessively, otherwise they may wrinkle: pass the brush only a couple of times.
Step 4. Finish with the bangs
If you have bangs, brush the two strands together. Pull it up, then fold the tuft back to accentuate the wave on the face. Pin a few strands of the bangs with a bobby pin so they don't move and spray some hairspray.
- Place a lock behind your ear and secure it with a hairpin for a stylish effect.
- For an extra touch, use a hair accessory, such as a ribbon or a flower, to be placed over the strand fixed behind the ear.
