Make Up Secrets of Network Anchors

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It is a good bet if you anchor the news in local television, you are responsible for putting on your own make up. 

But, at the network level they have teams to make the Anchors look good and here are some of their tricks. 

“Viewers don’t realize what goes into it,” says Maria Licari, who does hair and makeup for CNBC. “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.”

To keep her hair looking flyaway-free on camera, “Today” show host Hoda Kotb swears by Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray ($29.99) — a heat-activated polymer that fights humidity and frizz. Drench washed and towel-dried strands with the product, then hit them with a blow-dryer and flatiron for lustrous locks.

“I’ve tried every hair product known to man, every single one, and this one … I promise you is the last hair product you’re [ever] going to need,” Kotb raved during a segment last year. Co-host Kathie Lee Gifford added, “[NBC hairstylist] Laura [Castorino] uses it on us all the time.”

“When you’re getting talent ready for air, you want to create a beautiful look, but most importantly it has to last,” says Merrell Daly, who does hair and makeup at CNN. “These reporters are standing outside for hours, or on set for hours. You have to execute a perfect application so it really lasts throughout.”

To battle the elements, Daly blends a full-coverage foundation (to cover redness and nix shine) with a CC cream, which stands for “color correcting” and tends to be a little dewier and more breathable than standard foundation. It also allows her to layer on powder throughout the day without it looking too heavy-handed.

“If you keep applying powder on top of [dry foundation],” says Daly, “you get a cakey makeup face.”

For female anchors, it’s all about volume — hair height can slim a face and fight the flattening effect of 2-D TV. Hairstylist Gregg Giannillo uses a crimping tool called Voloom Rootie the Rootlifter ($129.99) — a recent update of a ’90s-style crimper.

“It looks like a flatiron, but it has teeth that fit into each other on both sides of the iron,” says Giannillo, who works with Lara Spencer at ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

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Megan Alexander, a reporter at CBS’ “Inside Edition,” switches up her eye shadow if she hasn’t gotten much sleep.

“I avoid blue tones if I feel tired. Instead, use warm colors like peach and bronze,” says Alexander, who notes that such shades don’t highlight undereye circles like cool colors do.

As for FTVLive? We shave about every 4 days wear no make-up and do our hair by putting on a hat. 

Oh yeah....and sunglasses....don't forget the sunglasses. 

H/T New York Post