ESSENCE: Landing a coveted gig as an E! News correspondent is no easy feat. How did you do it?Zuri Hall: I went to Ohio State University and majored in strategic communications. A month from graduation I had no idea what I was going to do. I stumbled across an online posting searching for the next face of a local television station. I jumped in my hooptie and drove from Columbus [Ohio] to Indianapolis for the audition and ended up getting the job! From there I went to a local station in Dallas, then Fuse and MTV in New York City and Los Angeles for my current position at E! News. I just celebrated my one-year anniversary there.
ESSENCE: Which designers keep you flawless on the red carpet? Z.H.: I love how Michael Costello’s gowns fit and feel. I’ve also been working with Hayley Paige. She has a bridal line, but I wore one of her dresses at the SAG Awards and it was a hit—very feminine and elegant.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.ESSENCE: Staying camera-ready is a must in your profession. Share your makeup secrets with us!Z.H.: I am obsessed with Lady Danger [lipstick] by MAC ($17, macys.com). I wear lashes by Ardell ($4, target.com). You can get them from any local drugstore. I tend to stack them. I double—sometimes even triple—them. I also like to wear Graftobian Glamour Creme [foundation] ($29, graftobian.com). I swear by it both on and off set. I use the lighter colors to highlight, the middle to create a custom base and the darkest hue to set up my contour.
ESSENCE: How do you unwind?Z.H.: I love cooking for people by hosting family and friends at home or throwing dinner parties. I get excited when a holiday comes up or there’s a weekend I can get people together and entertain. My secret weapon is my granny’s cast-iron skillet—it’s priceless!
