TV Cohost

On the value of volume

“I grew up in Queens, New York, and that’s why, to this day, I love big hair. I’m old school and still use Sebastian Shaper Hair Spray [$20; drugstores], which gives me volume and hold.”

On being a late bloomer

“I thought I’d be Clair Huxtable [fromThe Cosby Show] in my forties: married with five kids and a career. But once I got on the journalism fast track, I accepted that marriage and kids weren’t in store for me. Then, at 34, I fell in love and quickly married [CBS president and CEO Les Moonves]. At 39, I was pregnant.”

On getting older—and wiser

“Life gets fuller and richer. Yes, your body changes, and you have to work harder to keep in shape. But the benefit of being wiser makes it worth it.”

On her anti-aging mentor

“I used to watch my mother lie in bed rubbing her hands together, then pressing them to her face. She said it prevented lines. She’s 79 years old today and doesn’t have a single wrinkle.”

As told to Nikki Ostasiewski

Giorgio Armani regional makeup artist 

On discovering the beauty industry
“I used to assist [news anchor] Hugh Downs, and when we’d go to the makeup chair before he went on air, I’d linger, asking for tips. Then I started to do my friends’ makeup. I finally decided to turn cosmetics into a career.”
 

On makeover miracles
“I love meeting women who are re-inventing themselves as a result of divorce, job hunting or just because they’re aging. The right makeup can boost your confidence.”
 

On her good-looks essentials
“I can’t live without Armani Designer Lift Foundation [$65; giorgio
armanibeauty-usa.com] or the Clarisonic Cleansing Brush [$119; beauty.com].”

On her anti-aging secrets
“I run three miles daily with 2.5-pound weights. And I’ve replaced soda with green tea. But I love to cook. I’m Jamaican and am all about the spicy food. My specialty is jerk chicken.”

As told to Nikki Ostasiewski
 

Senior VP of Global Marketing for Clinique 

On choosing the beauty biz “I grew up in Puerto Rico, and makeup is a big part of my culture; I adore it. I moved to New York to get my MBAand because I wanted to work with the big guys in the beauty business.”

On her product picks “Red lips are my signature. So my must-have is Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Chunky Cherry [$16; clinique.com].”

On getting dressed “My favorite piece is a purple Prada jacket. Everyone in New York always wears black, but I like a bit of color.”

On her antiaging strategy“Jogging keeps me in shape. I also exfoliate my face twice a day with a washcloth, use Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus [$67; clinique.com] and wear black eyeliner to keep my eyes looking sharp. Also, I laugh a lot.”

-As told to Nikki Ostasiewski

Jewelry Designer

On leaving the L.A. scene

“In my twenties, I was an actress on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,and I danced as a Fly Girl on In Living Color. But I gave it all up after getting married and having a daughter, because I wanted a schedule I had more control over.”

On building her own business

“Five years ago, I bought a jewelry-design manual, then signed up for a class. At first making jewelry was just a hobby, but in 2009 I turned it into a business [marietodd.com].”

On her kinder, gentler workout

“I used to dance eight hours a day, but can’t imagine doing that now! I hike and take Pilates because I love to cook—and eat."

On her beautiful skin

“I started buying Olay as a teen—though now I use the anti-aging line! My favorite is Olay Regenerist Serum [$20; drugstore.com]. I also love Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep [$35; bobbi​browncosmetics.com].”

As told to Nikki Ostasiewski

Jewelry designer

On turning a hobby into profit

“I used to sit on my bathroom floor and bead jewelry to relax. Then I started wearing the pieces when I went out, and people asked where they could buy them. So I joined forces with a friend to create a jewelry line, Friendship, Love & Peace by Nicole Murphy [friendshiplovepeace.com].”

On editing her wardrobe

“I’m into classics. I want to be able to pull it out of my closet in five years and have it still work. No more waste.”

On dating . . . again

“Since my divorce [ex is Eddie Murphy], I don’t tolerate nonsense: ‘This is me. And this is what I expect out of you.’ ”

On her beauty staples

“I’m growing my hair, and Wen Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner [$36; chazdean.com] is making the process manageable. As for makeup, I love Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 [$42; sephora.com] and Lancôme Définicils Mas-
cara [$29; lancome-usa.com].”

-As told to Nikki Ostasiewski

Shoe Designer

ON GOING FROM MD TO DESIGNER
“As an orthopedic surgeon, I heard patients constantly complain about the lack of comfortable but stylish heels. So I created my own line. My designs are both feet-friendly and fashionable.”

ON HER MASCARA-FREE ROUTINE
“Being a former surgeon with steady hands is helpful when it comes to my best beauty trick: false lashes. I pop them on every day, which allows me to skip regular eye makeup. Other than that, I rely on Armani Luminous Silk Foundation [$59; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com] to keep my skin looking fresh.”

ON DROPPING 30 POUNDS
“Two years ago, I realized that my business was thriving but my health was not. I was tired, depressed and overweight. So I started working out and even took up competitive skiing. It’s like doing a squat for five hours, which is great for my 44-year-old bottom!”

Radiologist

On being an MD mom:

"Growing up, I was very shy and serious. My husband and three kids have brought fun and levity into my life, which balances out the seriousness of my job. It’s important for me to incorporate a sense of joy in all that I do."

On hitting the pavement:

"I’ve done 25 marathons and hope to keep running until I need a walker. With my schedule, I can’t just go to the gym for vanity’s sake. I always have a charity run scheduled to motivate my training."

On her beauty essentials:

"I’m loyal to my Merle Norman skin care routine. My favorite product is their Luxiva Brilliant-C Serum [$44; merle norman.com for stores]. And I can’t live without a good plum lipstick like Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani in 601 [$30; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com."

On loving her forties: "I absolutely love my age. I’m confident in my career and happy with my home life. Why not embrace this age instead of dreading it?" 

Jewelry Designer

On becoming her own boss:

"I spent my twenties and thirties building other people’s brands [Brodie was Harry Winston’s global director of communications]. Then, in my forties, I set out to create my own jewelry line, Rarities hsn.com."

On building a biz at 40:

"I hope I inspire other women to become entrepreneurs. It’s at this point in our lives that we have the guts and brains to do great things."

On her inner circle:

"I speak my mind and I know what I say can often make people cringe. So I surround myself with people who are open-minded, who don’t judge."

On her beauty must-haves: "I love June Jacobs skin care, especially the Redness Diffusing Masque [$56; junejacobs.com. And I can’t live without Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder [$46; sephora.com, Huge Lips Skinny Hips Lip Gloss in Red Sole [$25; purplelabnyc.com and Tarte Flower Child Eyeshadow Palette [$44; sephora.com."

Salon owner and hairstylist

On personal style: "I admire women over 40 who have a distinct look, like Diane Keaton and Sharon Stone. Midlife women dress for themselves and no one else, and I think it shows in how we carry ourselves."

On her hair: "Aging sucks, but I say that with a smile. I’m embracing the changes. Though I was once known as ‘the hairstylist with a shaved head,’ I’ve decided to grow out my hair. It’s drier than it was when I was younger, but I’ve found Lubriderm body lotion makes a great leave-in conditioner."

On beauty rest: "Since entering menopause, I have trouble falling asleep. Reading a novel or doing the New York Times crossword puzzle helps to quiet my mind."

On travel: "I enjoy seeing how other people in other cultures live. When I was in my 20s, it was all about me. Now I want to understand others."

President of the fashion house Luca Luca

On making time for makeup: "I spend 30 seconds on my face—in between getting breakfast for my five-year-old son, Joshua, and putting on my clothes." In her makeup bag: Fresh Bronzing Face Luster ($45; fresh.com), Lancome Definicils Mascara ($24; lancome-usa.com) and Chanel Ultra Wear Lip Colour in Sandstone ($32; chanel.com)

On being in her 40s: "This is my best age. My 20s were hard—I moved to the U.S. from Turkey, and I wasn’t sure yet who I was. In my 30s, I figured out what I liked and went after it. Now, at 42, I’m enjoying the rewards of working hard for two decades. I’ve never been more confident."

On getting dressed: "I was more into fashion before I was actually in the business Now, I value a simpler wardrobe with only very good quality pieces. You won’t find me in the trend of the moment."

Public relations director

On signature colors:

"I always wore black when I was younger because I thought it looked more sophisticated. But then my mother sent me to a color analyst; it was 1985, and these people were everywhere. They gave me a color chart and told me to wear baby blue and pink. After years of resistance, I now love color."

On being professional:

"Years ago, I was representing Halston at New York’s Fashion Week. As the designer was being interviewed after his show, I walked right by saying, ‘Oh, shit’ and didn’t realize I’d been caught on camera until the segment aired on national TV. After that I learned to be more aware of my surroundings."

On the perfect morning: "I always feel confident when I start my day with yoga—it’s spiritual, I can meditate, and it makes me feel more balanced. When I’m doing a reverse warrior, I can’t tell what my hair looks like, so bad hair days don’t matter. That said, achieving balance and good hair on the same day would be ideal."

Co-owner of graphic design firm Sajedesign

On miniskirts:

"I grew up in a fairly strict house and wasn’t really able to express myself through fashion. So now I wear everything super short. And I will do that as long as I possibly can."

On her favorite outfit:

"I hate to wear things you see coming and going. I prefer vintage clothes – like my yellow and orange 1960s Rudi Gernreich shift dress. I pair it with chunky jewelry."

On skin care:

"I used to just wash my face and go. Then the aesthetician Aida Bicaj changed my skin. She told me to use Biologique RechercheLait Oxygenant VIP 02 Cleanser and Serum Yall 02 at home."

On downtime: "At this point in my life, I love to sleep and watch TV. We have two Tivos, and it’s not enough. I watch Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Life on Mars, Top Chef, and The Real Housewives of any city. I I love it all."

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