Television news anchors often face immense pressure to present a polished image, akin to beauty pageants rather than typical professionals. This emphasis on perfection can lead to hectic makeup routines behind the scenes as anchors strive to look their best before going on air. With such rigorous beauty standards, it’s understandable that many wish to simplify their looks during their personal time.
Makeup artist Maria Licari mentioned the chaotic scene during makeup sessions at CNBC, stating, “Every commercial break, we’re on set. There’s hairspray flying around, powders. It’s a constant, hands-on situation to make everyone look good.” The transition to HD broadcasting has only heightened the stakes for makeup professionals. As CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang expressed, looking too natural or too made-up can cause distraction for viewers.
Notably, several prominent news anchors have chosen to forgo makeup during their broadcasts and have shared insights into their beauty regimes.
What Mika Brzezinski Does Before Her Makeup Routine
In 2017, “Morning Joe” host Mika Brzezinski openly discussed the beauty pressures in her field during a public feud with Donald Trump, where he tweeted an unflattering remark about her appearance. Despite speculation, she clarified that her cosmetic procedures were limited to her neck. In a past appearance at the 2014 Women in the World conference, she indicated how different she looked without makeup, recalling an instance where she was denied entry to CBS studios without her usual look. In a 2019 video, she showed her fans her makeup process led by artist Wilbert Ramos.
Sipping coffee in a behind-the-scenes clip, Brzezinski pointed out how her natural eyebrows disappear without enhancement, explaining how Ramos uses products to define them more clearly. To achieve her flawless finish, he applies Giorgio Armani’s renowned foundation.
Tamron Hall’s Makeup-Free Moment Inspired by Alicia Keys
After Alicia Keys announced her decision to embrace her natural look in 2016, Tamron Hall was inspired to follow suit on live television. While co-hosting “Today,” Hall participated in removing her makeup during a segment with Keys, showcasing her fresh, glowing complexion.
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Tamron Hall on Going Makeup-Free
During a conversation about the liberating feeling of being makeup-free, Tamron Hall shared that she actually misses wearing her favorite jewelry, especially her earrings, more than makeup. “My earrings are my crutch. I can’t live without them,” she admitted.
Hall showcased her comfort with a bare face in a February 2024 TikTok video, where she shared her skincare routine. A crucial element to her glowing skin is her daily use of a face mask. In the video, she used Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Clarifying Mask, while also praising the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque by Eminence. She mentioned her key beauty concerns include dark circles under her eyes and thin eyebrows, admitting, “I’m not the best at applying makeup myself, but I did back during my time on ‘Today.’”
Katy Tur Prefers a Natural Look
MSNBC anchor Katy Tur commented that makeup initially brought her and her husband, Tony Dokoupil, closer during their time at NBC. Despite this, she’s not fond of the heavy makeup often seen in the news industry. In a 2018 essay for Glamour, she recounted realizing early on that a strict beauty routine was essential for her career, but she resisted the exaggerated glitz typical of the newsroom.
Tur expressed appreciation for the more relaxed beauty standards that have emerged in newsrooms today, stating she now embraces her natural look without heavy makeup. “When I look in the mirror, I want to see the real Katy Tur, not a made-up version,” she noted. Tur sometimes shares her unfiltered self on social media, showing off her genuine smile in simple moments, like a Mother’s Day photo in bed in 2021.
Megyn Kelly’s ‘Natural’ Look Explained
During her tenure at Fox News, Megyn Kelly’s glossy makeup received both admiration and criticism. Makeup artist Meli Pennington found her lip gloss captivating, while Kathy Pomerantz advised against it because it drew too much attention away from Kelly’s face.
In a Facebook post in 2014, Kelly captioned a photo with “The natural me!”, showing her bare lips. However, she later revealed that maintaining her natural look involves various cosmetic procedures. In a recent episode of “The Megyn Kelly Show,” she encouraged her viewers to consider treatments like lasers and Botox to achieve a youthful appearance without looking artificial, emphasizing a refined aging process.
This discussion occurred shortly after she criticized other public figures for their appearances, indicating her high standards for beauty.
Gayle King Ditches Glam for Drew
In a surprising move, Gayle King decided to step back from her glamorous image to focus on her co-host position with Drew Barrymore, embracing a more casual and relatable style.
In a bold move in 2024, Gayle King, the esteemed host of “CBS This Morning,” chose to appear on “The Drew Barrymore Show” without any makeup. While chatting with Drew and fellow guests Valerie Bertinelli and Gillian Anderson, King shared her close call with leaving her fake eyelashes on. She also talked about the reality of people recognizing her voice sometimes over her bare face, recalling, “They’ll ask if I’m in disguise, and I explain, ‘No, this is just me.'”
As a close friend of Oprah Winfrey, King benefits from her friend’s honest beauty advice. In a 2015 Instagram post, she recounted Winfrey’s call about the lipstick color on “CBS This Morning,” where she hilariously shared, “I did that myself!” leading to a moment of surprise on the line.
While Winfrey prefers King to avoid bold red shadow, she endorsed a product that King’s makeup artist RaeDawn used for her 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photoshoot. Per Page Six, the shimmering look was achieved with the Balaeyon Dew Revive Stick, a favorite on one of Winfrey’s beloved lists.
Prior to her exit in 2024, Norah O’Donnell had a memorable incident on “CBS Evening News” regarding her makeup choices. A source revealed her frustration over a bronzer faux pas in the studio. However, O’Donnell’s drive for a radiant complexion stems from her melanoma diagnosis in 2016, a moment that left her emotionally shaken while shopping at Bloomingdale’s.
Fortunately, her dermatologist caught a concerning mole early on, and after removal, O’Donnell proudly stands cancer-free today. She attributes her previous skincare missteps to misguided tanning habits from her youth. O’Donnell recalled, “I thought tanning beds would prevent sunburn when going outside, which is a total myth,” acknowledging her past misconceptions.
These days, she fully embraces her natural complexion and never skips sunscreen when stepping outside without her makeup. The above-left photo is testament to her commitment to skin safety.
Hoda Kotb comfortably showcases her natural look during routine mornings before her work on “The Today Show.” An Instagram post from 2021 captures her morning vibe in Tokyo, where she participated in NBC’s Olympic coverage.
Back in 2014, Kotb and her colleagues also appeared on “Today” sans makeup. She openly expressed how an untouched appearance feels vulnerable, explaining her beauty necessity: “I prefer to have on lipstick,” which gives her that touch of confidence to face the world.
“““html Daily Mail. “A touch of lipstick is all I need to feel good.”
In a “Faves & Finds” segment from 2024 on “Today,” Hoda Kotb shared her top pick for lip color: Pat McGrath Labs Divine Cream Blush: Legendary Glow Color Balm. This product adds a beautiful hue to lips and cheeks, enhancing that sun-kissed glow Kotb loves. To maintain her radiant skin, she swears by Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules, saying it feels luxurious on her skin. Additionally, she has a fondness for coconut oil, which she considers essential for her skincare regimen while traveling, as noted in a Forbes interview.
Savannah Guthrie’s Natural Beauty After Giving Birth
Similar to her co-host Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie embraces a no-makeup approach at times, surprising her fans when she shared her first pictures with her newborn daughter, Vale, in 2014 without any makeup. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, although Guthrie initially didn’t expect it. “I didn’t even think about hair and makeup. The only makeup I wore was joy!!” she mentioned.
Guthrie often skips makeup while traveling, as seen in a 2015 Instagram post from a flight to Australia. To refresh her skin on the go, she uses Evian Facial Spray, which she describes as feeling like a refreshing bath. For thorough cleansing, she relies on Clinique Take The Day Off Micellar Cleansing Makeup Remover Wipes. These wipes are handy for experimenting with makeup, and Guthrie has humorously admitted to struggling with the smokey eye technique for years during a “Today” interview in 2018.
By occasionally going makeup-free, Guthrie sets a positive example for her children, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance amidst societal pressures. “Many women, including myself, see imperfections when they look in the mirror. I want to shield my kids from that mindset, starting with my own example,” she stated in an interview with Refinery29.
Before stepping into the spotlight on “The Five,” Dana Perino served as the White House press secretary under George W. Bush. When she filled in for Tony Snow, she recalls the overwhelming makeup experience: “I thought I might be sick; I’ve never worn that much makeup before,” she shared with The Denver Post.
At Fox News, the expectation for a polished look continued. Gabriel Sherman, in his book “The Loudest Voice in the Room,” discussed how this high-glam appearance marketed by the late Roger Ailes may not resonate positively with all professionals. One makeup artist expressed concern over it, stating, “Honestly, some of those intelligent women at Fox resemble bimbos.”
However, Perino values her glam team’s talent. “We are incredibly fortunate at FOX; they enhance my appearance far better than I could!” she commented.
“““html Advisors Magazine. And when she doesn’t want people to scrutinize her makeup mask, she can always wipe off all that war paint and enjoy a judgment-free zone at home, as she’s doing in the Facebook pic above.
T.J. Holmes Shares Candid Thoughts on Amy Robach’s Beauty Treatments
Amy Robach took a break after her controversial fallout with T.J. Holmes, which resulted in her dismissal from “Good Morning America” in 2023. In a 2022 Instagram update, she disclosed her recovery from COVID-19, showcasing a fresh and lively look while sharing her enthusiasm to start running outside again, even in snowy conditions.
Later, the pair started a podcast, “Amy & T.J.”, where they talked about the procedures Robach undergoes for her flawless looks without makeup. She confessed to being a fan of Botox and mentioned trying a ‘vampire facial,’ a treatment made famous by Kim Kardashian. Although promised minimal swelling, the effects lingered longer than expected. T.J. humorously noted the impact on their cuddling sessions, saying, “I was big spoon for those three days.”
Additionally, Robach discussed a collagen treatment that caused her significant bruising, leading T.J. to jokingly comment that the process felt like being repeatedly punched. Despite the initial bruising, Robach expressed satisfaction with not looking altered after recovery, remarking, “That’s the way I want it to be. I don’t want to look different.”
Jenna Bush Hager’s Daughter Suggests She Shouldn’t Skip Glam
Jenna Bush Hager recounted a humorous moment with her daughter Mila, who once remarked on her mother’s appearance, saying, “You do look better in makeup.” This surprised Hager, as she had never suggested such a thing to her daughter. During a 2022 segment of “Today with Hoda & Jenna,” she chuckled over the comment.
Despite some unsolicited beauty advice from Mila regarding her red cheeks before a lunch outing, Hager has embraced her natural look. When running late, she filmed a spontaneous GRWM (Get Ready With Me) video for her TikTok. Starting with a bare face in her car, she made it to the studio just in time for her team to work their magic in 10 minutes, yielding impressive results.
For those curious about Hager’s radiant complexion, her makeup artist revealed that they start her skincare routine with The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil. Additionally, she swears by ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, a versatile product perfect for days when she’s in a rush. “I apply this right after washing my face, and that’s my makeup,” she mentioned during a segment on “Today.”
Sophia Michaels
