Antonio Mcgowan
Marilyn Monroe is synonymous with Chanel No. 5, thanks to her famous quip about wearing nothing in bed but Chanel No. 5. However, the iconic Hollywood actress wore several other perfumes, including Floris Rose Geranium, which was delivered in bulk to her under an alias during the filming of Some Like It Hot. Another favourite was Arpège by Lanvin, a floral aldehyde scent that was first launched in 1927. Monroe also wore Yardley's Original English Lavender, which she cheekily referenced in an interview when asked about her bedtime attire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Favourite perfume | Chanel No. 5, Floris Rose Geranium, Arpège by Lanvin, Yardley's Lavender |
| Perfume type | Floral aldehyde |
| Notes | Aldehydes, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, peach, honeysuckle, neroli, bergamot, jasmine, iris, coriander, rose, lily, geranium, camellia |
| Bottle design | Has changed since Marilyn's time |
| Reformulation | Yes, in 1993 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Chanel No. 5
However, Chanel No. 5 wasn't Monroe's only perfume of choice. She was also a fan of Floris' Rose Geranium perfume, which combines rose and cedarwood with green notes for a fresh finish. In 1959, under the alias of Miss Dorothy Blass, Monroe ordered six bottles of Floris Rose Geranium 'Toilet Water' from the brand's London boutique. The perfume was to be sent to the Beverly Hills Hotel in California, where Monroe was staying after filming Some Like It Hot.
Monroe also wore Arpège by Lanvin. This scent, first launched in 1927, is described as a 'floral aldehyde' with an impressive number of notes that blend together to create something quite elegant.
Monroe's fondness for the scent perhaps stemmed from the perfume being inspired by liberated women.
How to Spot Fake Lattafa Perfumes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Floris Rose Geranium
Marilyn Monroe, one of the world's most famous sex symbols, had a penchant for Floris' Rose Geranium perfume. In 1959, while staying at Claridge's Hotel in London, Monroe walked to Floris' boutique in St James's, where she ordered six bottles of Floris Rose Geranium 'Toilet Water' under the alias of Miss Dorothy Blass. The perfume was to be delivered to the Beverly Hills Hotel in California, where she stayed after filming 'Some Like It Hot'. The original receipt, now amended to read Marilyn Monroe Miller, is available for viewing at the Floris museum on Jermyn Street.
The scent is also available as a bath essence, which has been described as having a floral green scent with a dewy freshness enhanced by Egyptian jasmine and Bulgarian rose. The woody musky dry-down leaves a soft warmth on the skin. The bath essence is formulated with glycerine, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and jojoba oil to keep the skin soft, smooth, and supple.
Monroe's fondness for Floris Rose Geranium was a well-kept secret, as she was famously associated with Chanel No. 5. However, a receipt from Floris and a letter from Monroe thanking the fragrance house for sending her a consignment of Rose Geranium Bath Essence revealed her affinity for this particular scent.
The Art of Perfume Making: A Complex Blend
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Yardley's Lavender
Marilyn Monroe is perhaps best known for her iconic declaration that she wore nothing to bed but Chanel No. 5. However, the legendary actress was also a fan of Yardley's Lavender perfume. In 1956, when a reporter asked if it was true that she wore nothing but perfume to bed, Monroe replied, "As I am in England let's say I sleep in nothing but Yardley's Lavender". This detail was even included in the 1991 film 'Marilyn and Me'.
Yardley's English Lavender is a fragrance for women that was launched in 1801. It features top notes of lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, and bergamot, with middle notes of clary sage, cedar, and geranium, and base notes of musk, tonka bean, and oakmoss. The scent is described as frank, clean, and healthy, with a slight soapy after-note and a touch of spice. It is a versatile perfume that can be worn at any time of the year and is suitable for both daytime and nighttime use.
Monroe was known to be a fan of fresh and light floral scents, and Yardley's Lavender certainly fits that description. The perfume's lavender notes are complemented by woody and spicy accents, creating a well-balanced fragrance. The scent is said to be reminiscent of a spike of lavender, with its flowerhead and woody stem.
In addition to Yardley's Lavender, Monroe was also a devotee of Floris' Rose Geranium perfume, which she ordered in bulk under an alias during the filming of 'Some Like It Hot'. She also used other beauty products from brands such as Max Factor, Tru-Glo, Nivea, and Vaseline.
Shop Sofia Vergara's Perfume: Where to Buy Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Arpège by Lanvin
Marilyn Monroe is perhaps best known for her association with Chanel No. 5. In an interview, she famously revealed that she wore "Chanel No. 5...and nothing else" to bed. However, it seems that this was not her only fragrance of choice.
Monroe is also believed to have been a fan of Arpège by Lanvin. YouTuber and celebrity makeup artist Erin Parsons discovered old receipts, 1950s interviews, and pictures of Monroe's vanity, all of which suggest that the actress frequently wore this scent.
Arpège was first launched in 1927, almost a century ago. It is described as a floral aldehyde and has an impressive number of notes, including aldehydes, lily-of-the-valley, peach, honeysuckle, neroli, bergamot, jasmine, ylang-ylang, iris, coriander, rose, lily, geranium, and camellia. The perfume has undergone a reformulation, but those who have worn it before and after the change claim that it remains as they remembered it.
Today, a 100ml bottle of Arpège typically retails for £80, although it can be found for slightly less at certain online retailers. The bottle design has changed since Monroe's time, but the scent retains its elegance and is still beloved by many, with an average rating of 4.64 on Fragrance Direct.
Vera Wang Perfumes: Where to Buy Them
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Floris' Rose Geranium Bath Essence
Marilyn Monroe is known to have worn several perfumes, including the iconic Chanel No. 5. However, one of her favourite perfumes was Floris Rose Geranium, which she ordered under the alias of Miss Dorothy Blass while staying at Claridge's Hotel in London. The scent is now discontinued, but it is still available as a bath essence. Floris Rose Geranium Bath Essence is a highly concentrated bath scent that leaves skin smooth and lightly scented. It combines geranium with fresh citrus nuances and a hint of rose, resulting in a fresh and clean fragrance. The characteristic notes of geranium are enhanced by green top notes with a fleeting aldehydic sparkle, giving way to a rich and vibrant floral heart. Delicate violet and jasmine are wrapped in soft, sweet base notes of iris, amber and musk.
The Floris Rose Geranium scent has a long history, dating back to 1890 when pink geranium was added to the existing geranium fragrance. The bath essence is presented in a signature glass bottle, and only a few drops are needed in warm running water to create a beautifully scented bath. The fragrance disperses in the water without leaving any residue. Floris London describes the scent as "a heavenly place that is forever a claw-footed bath in Downtown Abbey".
Marilyn Monroe's love for the scent is well-documented, with receipts and letters showing her purchases of the perfume and bath essence. She is said to have stocked up on the scent while filming "Some Like It Hot", one of her most famous movies. The original receipt from 1959, initially under the alias of Miss Dorothy Blass, was later amended to her name, Marilyn Monroe Miller. This receipt is available to view at the Floris shop at 89 Jermyn Street, London, along with other treasured pieces of Floris history.
The Floris Rose Geranium Bath Essence continues to captivate fragrance lovers, allowing them to spritz on a piece of history. Its enduring appeal secures its place in the Floris archives, preserving the perfumed legacy for future generations of fragrance enthusiasts.
Calgon Perfume: How Much Does It Cost?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Marilyn Monroe famously wore Chanel No. 5, as well as Floris Rose Geranium, Yardley's Lavender, and Arpège by Lanvin.
In an interview, when asked what she wears to bed, Monroe replied, "Chanel No. 5, of course."
Monroe is said to have liked fragrances with aldehydes. She also wore Arpège by Lanvin, which is a floral aldehyde.
Chanel No. 5 is widely available. You can buy Floris Rose Geranium bath essence from Floris. Arpège is available to purchase online and at Fragrance Direct.
