Liz Claman Talks Keeping An On-The-Go Beauty Routine And Interviewing Warren Buffett

When Liz Claman joined FOX Business Network in October 2007, her debut included an exclusive interview with Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett. A feat for any journalist, what was even more remarkable was that it was not her first time talking to the legendary investor. Since then, Claman, who anchors Countdown to the Closing Bell with Liz Claman, has landed a raft of in-depth interviews with who’s who in the business world, including the CEOs of Starbucks and JP Morgan as well as a string of US Treasury secretaries, among other notable figures.

Bringing the views of business luminaries to her millions-strong audience, however, often requires extensive travel. This past weekend, for instance, Claman flew to Omaha, Nebraska to attend the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Conference for the 10th time in a row. Hours before her 40th interview with Buffett, Haute Living caught up with Claman, who shared what it is like to chat with him, in addition to her tested, on-the-go skin and hair care.

What is your skin care routine when on the road? How does it differ from what you do daily at home?

I’m vigilant about skin care but we get so busy on the road I have to resort to an abbreviated routine. I have dry skin, which gets even drier with air travel so every night and ever morning, I use Algenist Repairing Oil. It comes in a gold bottle with a dropper. Years ago I interviewed the CEO of a company called Solazyme. They were making alternative fuel out of fresh algae. They had some extra so they made an experimental skin care line with it and he asked me to try it out. Ew, right? But I was blown away by what it did for my skin so I swear by it. I also pack a travel size pot of La Mer moisturizer which I use on top of that. Hydration is crucial because sitting on a plane robs your skin of its glow.

What about your hair care?

I’ve tried every shampoo on the planet but in the end, I’ve come to realize that what I was using when I was a teen still works best. Good, old-fashioned Herbal Essence. I wash and condition my hair every other day because otherwise it’s too drying and besides, there’s just no time to do it every day. I use zero product before blowing it out, and then to set it, Big Sexy hair spray. It really keeps the look in place.

When you travel for work, do you do your own make-up? How do you usually do your daily make-up?

If I did my own makeup you’d all be frightened. I’m terrible at it! Thankfully, we have makeup artists not just in studio but on the road. Redheads are very tricky. Very few companies understand us and our coloring. I’m fair skinned with light green eyes and I don’t like a heavy look. We use Makeup Forever HD liquid foundation in a shade a little bit warmer than my natural skin so it warms up my pale color. MAC has some eyeshadow that really work like All That Glitters, Expensive Pink, and Texture. And I just found an amazing palette by Tarte called “Tartlelette Toasted” which even includes a little “how-to” card. The colors are incredible for us ‘Gingers.’ I use Anastasia brow pencil and powder in Blonde. For lips, I use the same thing every day: a fig colored lip liner and Revlon’s Silver City Pink over it. I stockpile that color in fear they’ll discontinue it one day!

If you could take only one product with you when traveling, what would it be?

For skincare, La Mer. Makeup, Kiehls Lip Butterstick in Nude.

Keeping a workout schedule can be hard when traveling. Do you find time for exercising? What does your workout consist of?

It’s brutal trying to carve out time but if I don’t, I feel awful. I’ll throw a towel down on the hotel room floor and bang out 100 push-ups. I force myself to go to the hotel gym, even if it’s a Friday night before a dinner meeting. I’ll do 25 mins on the elliptical with a high-intensity push every third minute. Jump Squats, 3 sets of 20 leg extensions, some planks and then I’m out. 40 mins flat.

Maintaining a balanced diet when on the road can also be hard. What are your tips to eating healthy on the road or at a relatively unfamiliar destination?

It’s almost impossible for me to find healthy choices on the road so I pack One bars and Chef’s Cut jerky. It’s pure protein and better than the junk food we often find ourselves stuck with. And, sorry to be a buzzkill but, NO alcohol! It ruins your skin. If we get to a restaurant, I’ll get some green vegetables in front of me. I know I sound like I’ve got it under control, but as I write this, I’m munching on a Sees lollipop, ok?

You are to interview Warren Buffett for the 40th time, what is it like to pick his mind?

Considering he’s arguably the greatest investor of our time, it’s an honor to have the ability to sit across from him and ask him his philosophy not just on investing but on how he sees the world. Remember, this is a guy born in Nebraska at the height of the Great Depression, rejected from Harvard, so shy he had to force himself to take the Dale Carnegie course on “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” With a few bucks cobbled together by friends and family, he started Berkshire Hathaway with the belief that he could buy businesses that were best in class and would create unbelievable shareholder value over the years. He’s unafraid and totally optimistic about the future of American business. To pick a mind like that is a gift for me and my viewers.

What lessons have you learned from him?

We live in a very acquisitive world but Warren Buffett is a capitalist but not a materialist. Who doesn’t want the latest electronic gadget, designer handbag, fancy car or diamond necklace? But Buffett has said to me, “People get into trouble when they go for what they want versus what they need.” Beyond the ability to solve world problems through charitable giving, he simply doesn’t care about what money can buy. I’ll never forget attending a bridge game with him in Omaha and when it was time to bring out his money, he had it in a ziplock bag. No Gucci wallet. I can’t say I’m quite at that point, but I’ve learned to enjoy the chase in life more versus the actual catch. It might just lead to a happier existence.

Images courtesy of FOX Business Network, AP