Hello, Norma Jean!

 By B. Lee Cash

What is it about dressing up that brings out the amateur photographer in us all? And isn't it always true that the photos we put into picture frames are the ones where we have a timeless look? 

To help you get ready for your next close up, we asked two hair and makeup experts to show us how to get the look of the most timeless icon -- Marilyn Monroe (and the celebs she's inspired like Gwen Stefani and Scarlett Johansson). Here's how.

Some Like Makeup Hot
"Trendy makeup is fabulous for going out with the girls, but Marilyn's face is classic, and classic is pretty," says Melissa Straeter, a Los Angeles-based bridal and special events makeup artist who has worked for Prescriptives, Aveda, and MAC. "This is why you see this makeup on stars like Gwen Stefani -- it never goes out of style and you'll love how it translates in photographs."

Foundation Unlike the glowing-skin trends of today's stars, this look is very matte, so Straeter recommends that you start by thoroughly cleansing and moisturizing your skin so that it's more amenable to the foundation and powder. "You always want your foundation as natural as possible," says Straeter. "Just because you're going for a look that's been captured mostly in black and white photographs, you still want a best-matched color, not over-powdered skin that looks 'Marilyn white.'" Start by putting a dab of foundation on the back of your non-dominant hand, then warm the color up by rubbing it in a circular motion with your fingers. "Pat and rub the color into the skin in a downward motion," says Straeter. "If you rub up, it goes on less smooth because of fine hairs and lines. To create this matte look, finish the foundation with a translucent powder. Or, you can use a pressed powder from a compact using a brush or pad."

Style Sessions Tip: Don't forget foundation under the chin, on the neck and, depending on the cut of your dress or top, your chest and collarbone area so your face doesn't appear mask-like.

Eyebrows Depending on your natural hair color, choose an eyebrow pencil or brow shadow that's a shade lighter than your natural color. "If your hair is bleached-out white like Marilyn, then go with a chestnut brown," recommends Straeter. "If you're using a pencil or an angled brush with brow shadow, start from the edge of your eyebrow and, in small strokes, move your way to the outer eyebrow. Says Straeter: "I like to apply eyebrow color in little strokes moving up through the thicker part of the brow to evenly fill it in."

Style Sessions Tip: If your eyebrows are very thick or bushy, simply "set" the brows by brushing them with a light coat of clear mascara.

Eyes "With Marilyn, it's a matte eye shadow, and with Gwen and Scarlett, it's more of a frost color," explains Straeter. "You can go with matte or juice it up with a frosty classic. By frosty I mean it has a sheen to it or glitter to it -- basically anything that's not completely flat." Start with your eye shadow brush and sweep a coat of white eye shadow over the entire eyelid from the brow to the lashes. This creates a clean palette and opens up the eye.

"Next, clean your brush off, and take a medium-toned grey eye shadow that's not too dark, and apply that color onto the eyelid avoiding the brow bone," says Straeter. Take your liquid eyeliner and from the inner corner of your eye, draw slow small strokes, moving your way to the outer corner of the eye. "You don't want to try to draw one line in one stroke," says Straeter. "It's better to start with a thin, straight line close to the lash line. If you want more, you can create a thicker line until you're satisfied with the level of drama you like. The line should be very sleek, straight, and even." Curl your lashes and finish with lots of black mascara.

Style Sessions Tip: "Liquid liner takes practice," warns Straeter. "You don't want to try applying liquid eyeliner for the first time on the night of your event. And keep a few cotton swabs on hand. Those are key for the little slips everyone makes in the beginning."

Cheeks "Choose a blush that has a red base in its color," says Straeter. "You don't want a brown or blue-based blush. Take your blush brush and apply the color to the apples of the cheeks. Then, extend the color just under the cheekbone all the way to your ear." If you apply too much color, don't rub it off or you might "bruise" the foundation, so first try applying another coat of powder.

Lips "Always start with a lip moisturizer and blot it so the liner goes on smooth," says Straeter. With a red or burgundy color, line your lips. Start at the inner top lip and outline the lip just outside the natural lip line, then outline the whole natural line of the bottom lip. "For long-lasting color, I pencil in the whole lip with the pencil," shares Straeter. "Apply a matte lipstick that closely matches the liner. Colors like ruby, cherry, and fire engine red will all work. You want a matte red finish, but Gwen might add a little gloss, so go there if you're a glossy girl."

Gentlemen Prefer Wavy Blondes
"This look is a sign of sophistication and femininity, and any outfit you put on will look amazing," says Kris Wick, hair stylist and owner of Beehive salon in Long Beach, California." You don't have to be a platinum blonde! For any hair color, it's a great 'do because it also really shows the makeup. You have a total look."

Start by washing and conditioning the hair then apply a volumizing mousse. Plug in your Velcro hot rollers so they're hot and ready when it's time to roll the hair. "Blow-dry the hair to damp, which is about 70% dry," says Wick. "If you roll this hair in the curlers totally dry, it will create a 'hard set' like our grandmas used to wear. You're going for soft, nice waves, not necessarily curls."

Style Sessions Tip: For medium to long hair, use large rollers. For short or fine hair, use medium or small rollers.

With a comb, create a straight and low side part. "I like Velcro rollers because they have staying power, you don't need pins, and the slightly damp hair makes it so the hair doesn't get tangled or stuck on the rollers," says Wick. "Starting right at the part at the crown, roll a smoothed section of hair around the roller, curling under." Continue rolling from the part on the sides, rolling under, until the pattern of rollers is almost like a half-moon C-shape with the arch of the C around the back of your head. "The hair around the face should be rolled toward the face, not down toward the shoulders," advises Wick. Leave the rollers in for about 15 minutes, or until the hair feels completely dry and cooled down.

Style Sessions Tip: Adjust your blow-dryer to the cool setting, and with low pressure, hit the curlers with cool air to speed up the drying and cooling process.

"Next, put a layer of light-hold finishing spray on the whole head before removing the rollers," says Wick. "Then, gently take out the rollers, and when they're all removed,  loosely separate the curls using your fingers, and lightly massage your scalp to work out the roller creases at the part." To soften the top and crown, take a bristle brush and gently smooth the hair. You don't want to disturb the curls too much, so the trick is to barely move it over the hair. "Use your fingers to style the waves," says Wick. "The more you brush the curls, the bigger your hair will get. Finish with a light, high-gloss shine spray. "This makes the hair very silky and touchable -- very Marilyn hot!" says Wick.