Hoda Kotb is fully embracing life after Today, trading in early morning glam sessions for a more relaxed and makeup-free lifestyle.
The former morning show anchor, who left her position nearly two months ago,
recently opened up about how her daily routine has completely transformed since stepping away from the cameras.
A Fresh-Faced Approach to Life
Kotb, 60, admitted that she has barely worn makeup since leaving her role on Today. “I have worn makeup probably three times since I left the show,”
she shared during an appearance at the Runway for Recovery fashion show in New York City.
The event, which raised over $456,000 to support families who have lost a parent to metastatic breast cancer, was one of her rare public outings since her departure.
Gone are the days of sitting in a makeup chair before the sun rises. Instead, Kotb now enjoys a slower, more natural start to her mornings. “I don’t look at myself anymore,” she revealed, explaining that her work in television required her to constantly be aware of her appearance. “You look at yourself at work because there’s a big mirror and a camera, and you’re always fussing with your hair or fixing something. But I don’t notice anymore.”
Though her daughters, Haley Joy, 9, and Hope Catherine, 5, occasionally tease her about her new look, Kotb doesn’t mind. “My kids are like, ‘Mom, you look crazy right now,’” she laughed. “But you know what? I’m happy.”
A New Morning Routine
Now that she’s no longer rushing to a studio before dawn, Kotb has replaced her high-profile morning routine with a much more casual approach. Instead of wearing polished outfits for the camera, she now opts for comfortable and functional clothing.
“Sometimes I go with jeans if I’m going crazy, but for the walk to school, usually it’s leggings because I either have just worked out or I’m going to,” she explained. “Sneaks, hat, of course, and face cream.” She enjoys her new, laid-back lifestyle, often walking with a group of moms and kids on the way to school. “I go, ‘This is awesome. Look at me with my sweats on and my coffee. I’m into it.’”
This shift in pace has given her a newfound appreciation for the simple joys of life. No longer concerned with cameras and bright lights, she’s savoring the little moments—something she hadn’t been able to do while managing the demands of live television.
Keeping a Piece of Today
Even though Kotb has moved on from Today, she still carries a reminder of her time on the show. Around her wrist, she wears a stack of friendship bracelets—each one given to her on her final day.
“All these bracelets that I got are from people who gave them to me on my last day,” she shared. Among the collection is one with the date of her farewell, “January 10, 2025,” while another simply reads, “Today Show.” One bracelet serves as a special reminder to stay grounded, with the message, “Hoda. Be kind.”
One of the most sentimental pieces in the collection was gifted to her by her longtime Today co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie. “Savannah gave this to me,” Kotb said, pointing to a delicate gold linked chain. “It says ‘With you.’”
A Bittersweet Goodbye and a Bright Future
While stepping away from Today was a major life change, Kotb is optimistic about what lies ahead. Though she cherished her time on the show, she feels ready to embrace the next chapter. “It’s feeling like a new dawning,” she said, expressing excitement for the opportunities and experiences that await her.
Hoda Kotb’s departure from Today may have marked the end of an era, but for her, it’s just the beginning of a new, more fulfilling phase—one filled with school drop-offs, makeup-free mornings, and the joy of simply living in the moment.
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