Local Beauty Matters: Erin Colton

The News12 lead anchor shares her camera-ready makeup secrets

Photo courtesy of News12

For the past 19 years, Erin Colton has been a friendly face on the News12 morning edition. News chops aside, she’s known for her upbeat personality, her keeping-it-real talk about mental health, and, of course, those snow angels! Every time I catch her on TV, I think, “She seems like she’d be really fun to hang out with!” Well, it finally happened, albeit on Zoom. I got to sit down with the top anchor and talk about her favorite beauty products and Long Island beauty spots. Anyone who starts her work day at 2:45 a.m. (yes, you read that right!) knows a thing or two about looking refreshed and awake, even when you’re not. Here’s what she had to say.

So, you’re at the studios at 2:45 a.m.!?! I’m guessing you have your makeup routine down to a science, right?

“A science! I’ve never worked on anything but the morning show, so I’m used to the schedule. My alarm goes off at 1:30 in the morning, and it’s like go-go-go! Makeup for TV is a whole other ballgame compared to my everyday makeup because it has to last long and cover everything. A lot of people love that dewy look right now, but for TV, it’s all about full, matte coverage. I’ve been using Nars Soft Matte Foundation for about five years now. It stays put. I can apply it in the morning, blot every couple of hours, and I’ll still have it on when I go to dinner that night.

Another product that’s been life-changing for TV is Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. You can go in the pool or shower, and your eyeshadow still looks the same.”

Your eyes always stand out. What are some other eye makeup must-haves?

“I never used to wear faux lashes, but the one time I did, I realized, ‘Wow! They really do make a difference!’ So, now I wear Ardell Wispies — just on the outer corners. For eyeshadows, I’m an Anastasia Beverly Hills girl. They have the best-pigmented eyeshadows. I love all their palettes but mostly stick to neutrals, browns, and pink shades. Sometimes I’ll do a darker, smoky eye, but people need to be looking at my face to hear the news, not wondering what eyeshadow I’m wearing.

I’m also in love with E.l.f. brow products. I use the tinted Wow Brow Gel and their new Soap Brow. They’re so good! Whenever I can get a dupe that’s exactly like an expensive product, I’m all in!”

Do you have any other favorite dupes?

“Yes! I love Rare Beauty and Selena Gomez like beyond anything, but I found an amazing liquid blush dupe for Rare Beauty from Sheglam. It’s like $5 a bottle, and they have the most amazing pink colors. Then I add a little bit of Rare Beauty’s Liquid Highlighter, and it’s an exact dupe of the Nars Orgasm blush!”

Wow! I love that tip. Ok, let’s talk about local beauty spots. Where do you go for hair?

“Years ago, a viewer came out to meet me while I was reporting on the scene near her house. She said she was a hairstylist and would love to do my hair. Sometime later, I needed my hair done for an event, and my usual place couldn’t take me, so I called her. I’ve been going to her ever since. Her name is Sandy. She’s the owner of The Perfect Cut in Seaford, and she’s fantastic! I think five of my best friends now go there, too.”

What about brows?

“I get ombré brows at Bare Fruit Sugaring & Brows, which has locations in Wantagh, Melville, and Westbury. It’s permanent makeup—it’s like getting a tattoo. Ombré brows are different from microblading because they have more of a powdered look. I’ve sent so many people there, too, even to just get their eyebrows laminated. The owner, Shari, is unbelievable. The ‘before’ and ‘after’ of my brows were like….what?!?”

What do you do for self-care?

“I go to Island Salt and Spa in Sayville. Because when we talk about beauty, it’s understandably all about hair and makeup, but you got to be okay inside, too. I deal with a lot of anxiety, so I file this place under my ‘beauty war chest’ as well. They do everything: reiki, massage. They have a salt room. It’s been life-changing for me.”

Any other favorite Long Island beauty spots?

“I love local stuff, but it’s hard to find local beauty products. Everyone buys their makeup and skincare at places such as Target. It’s not like there’s a Long Island makeup store, right? But there are so many beauty creators on Long Island! So I subscribe to LocalLI Bred, the subscription box service. They release boxes each season, and often they’ll include beauty products. Through them, I recently discovered Whipped. The body products are made on Long Island by Long Islanders. And that’s the mission of LocalLI Bred: to let people know these products exist.”

Check out Erin’s products below (shopping links in text)!

A huge thank you to Erin for taking the time to chat with LI Beauty Scene. Check her out every weekday morning on News12 Long Island and follow her on Instagram at @erincolton.