Two CNN Journalists on the Power of Their Natural Hair During Election Season

Plus, their favorite on-air products.

As newscasters dissect, distill, and deliver vital and often complex information to the nation, their appearance is inevitably scrutinized. CNN journalists Eva McKend and Camila DeChalus take on this reality with grace and pride, embracing their natural curls and coils, both on-air and off. It's a choice that's especially meaningful amid a contentious election season that may result in our nation's first female president—a Black female president, at that.

Just 10 years ago, a broadcast journalist wearing their natural hair on air was unheard of. Historically, broadcasting has sat at the top of the list of industries where straight, tidy hair has served as a measure of professionalism. "I was often told by mentors and colleagues that you want to make sure that you have a uniform look," says McKend, 35, a national politics correspondent for the network. "And I feel like, often, 'uniform' kind of meant 'white.' " So, at the beginning of her career more than a decade ago, she leaned toward wigs and weaves in straight styles. But now, McKend has found power in natural styles that feel more authentically her. She knows her curls make her stand out—and that's the point.

"I'm just trying to develop my own style and look because a lot of people don't look like me," says McKend. "It really came out of a desire to set myself apart and own my identity. I don't want to look like everyone else. I want to look like Eva."

Thankfully, society has evolved to a place where natural hair is more than just accepted—it's celebrated. McKend and DeChalus are part of a growing cohort of Black broadcasters who wear their natural hair on-air, giving viewers a front-row seat to our nation's beautifully diverse reality.

Below, InStyle chats further with the pair, discussing how their hair serves as a tool of self-expression, their approach to managing the pressure to appear perfect on air, and the curly hair products they can't live without.

On Their Natural Hair and Self-Expression:

"At some points in my career, wearing my natural hair was a statement or an act of defiance. But, at this stage, it's really not about that," says McKend. "Wearing natural hair as a Black woman is inherently political, but that isn't my goal right now in my life, and that's not how I think about it. I am proud that I can present myself in this way, that I'm supported, and that other women might see me and feel comfortable if they want to be natural on air, too."

DeChalus, 29, a white house reporter in her first year of broadcasting, says that when her hair is curly, she feels most like herself, and that comfort allows her to show up and do her absolute best.

"Part of covering politics is that you come across people of every different walk of life," says DeChalus. "I've traveled across the country for this job and others, covering political campaigns and really contentious topics. All the time, I'm going up to people that I do not know, usually on the street at campaign rallies. The most important thing for me is to feel that they feel comfortable talking to me. So if I'm comfortable in myself, I feel more confident and comfortable going up to people and talking to them about issues that are very contentious, whether it's about immigration or abortion."

On Dealing with Perfectionism and Public Scrutiny:

Anyone who has cared for natural hair knows how much of a time commitment it is. And excess time isn't a luxury news broacasters are afforded. This is especially daunting considering the incredibly high aesthetic standard they are held to. There's pressure to look their best no matter how much sleep they get or how long they've been away from home. McKend, for example, typically works out of the CNN studio in Washington D.C., but during election season, she's constantly on the move. During the week of our interview in early October, McKend was in North Carolina on Sunday, back home in Washington D.C. on Monday, in Detroit on Tuesday, back in D.C. on Wednesday, in Wisconsin on Thursday, and then wrapped the week in Georgia.

Luckily, both journalists have the support of the CNN glam team. "I get tremendous help from the absolutely amazing hair and makeup team at CNN," says McKend. Whenever she's back in D.C., they help her detangle and reset her curls so they can stay camera-ready.

The reality of natural hair is that it can be unpredictable regardless of how much styling help is available. If it's a humid day or a twist-out comes out, there's only so much that can be done. Instead of crumbling under the weight of perfectionism, both DeChalus and McKend have accepted the beauty in the unknown. Being on TV, "you do get a lot of scrutiny about your looks," says DeChalus. "For me, it's coming from random people on Twitter." While she used to struggle with the fear of an out-of-place strand or curls that just aren't curling, she now leans into the authenticity of these moments. "In reality, humans aren't perfect, so why are we trying to be that?"

On the Products in Their On-Air Curly-Hair Arsenal

Refresh Spray

DeChalus loves the Alikay Naturals Wake Me Up Curl Refresher, while McKend keeps things simple. "I carry just a simple squirt bottle with me on the road to refill with water," says McKend. "Water is your biggest friend. You don't want to do too much product on top of product on top of product. If they have already put product in my hair on a Tuesday and I just need a refresh on a Wednesday, it's better to just do a spritz of water to refresh the look."

Mousse

Both DeChalus and McKend love the strong yet malleable hold that comes from a mousse. "I love setting mousses," says DeChalus, "and right now, I'm obsessed with Aunt Jackie's Grape Seed Frizz Patrol Setting Mousse." McKend favors the Camille Rose Spiked Honey Mousse.

Gel

A good gel is a must. For all over, McKend uses the Mielle Pomegranate and Honey Maximum Hold Gel and DeChalus looks to the Miche Beauty Tropical Oasis Anti-Humidity Firm Hold Hair Gel. To set her edges, McKend relies on Pattern Beauty Edge Control.

On Normalizing Natural Hair Beyond Broadcasting

While broadcast journalism presents unique aesthetic pressures, DeChalus and McKend recognize that natural hair and professionalism are important topics across industries. By appearing on our screens night after night, they help normalize the presence of natural hair in any professional setting. "It's a conversation that's been sparked in so many industries, not just in broadcast journalism," says DeChalus. "If we can provide a face and start that conversation or spark that curiosity, then I think that's worth it."