In the high-stakes world of televised media, hair and makeup artistry is far more than cosmetic. It is credibility, confidence, and storytelling. Bringing professionalism and artistry to every assignment—where every frame counts, Rose Lionetti Brown’s work helps ensure that the world is watching its best. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, Lionetti Brown is a hair and makeup artist whose precision has shaped decades of broadcast television.
Born and raised in Stamford to Italian immigrant parents, Emilio and Filomena Lionetti, Rose grew up in a household defined by sacrifice, discipline, and pride in one’s work. Those values would later guide her through the demanding, high-pressure environment of live television.
She attended Stark School, Dolan Middle School, and Stamford High School, where academics were challenging. Art class, however, became her refuge—the place where focus, confidence, and creativity came naturally.
As a teenager, Rose held jobs at Stamford Town Center Mall, but it was at the A&P on High Ridge Road where she discovered her strength in customer service and responsibility. A pivotal influence came through her uncle, Carmine Lionetti, owner of Pine Hill Florist, who introduced her to Kathy Lyddy. Kathy hired Rose and, more importantly, believed in her—an affirmation that proved foundational.
After beauty school, Rose married and moved to Virginia. In Washington, D.C., she worked as a hairstylist at Randolph Cree. Everything changed when she stepped into C-SPAN for the first time. Seeing her work on live television brought instant clarity—this was where she belonged.
Through a connection, she met Skip Smith, a legendary CNN hair and makeup artist, who became her mentor. For nearly a year, Rose showed up daily, learning every detail of live television production. Her persistence paid off when she was hired at CNN, launching a career that spanned more than two decades.
At CNN, Rose styled hair and makeup for daytime and primetime programming. She became a trusted presence for journalists including Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, Larry King, Fareed Zakaria, and Richard Quest.
Rose holds a rare distinction: she has done hair and makeup for four U.S. Presidents—Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama—preparing them for televised addresses, interviews, and historic appearances.
Her work also spans entertainment and sports, collaborating with Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Céline Dion, and athletes such as Michael Phelps, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Larry Fitzgerald, and Reggie Jackson. She served as personal makeup artist for Rachel Nichols. Her résumé includes PBS, ABC’s This Week, The Today Show, Fox 5, national commercials, films, and Olympic broadcasts.
After the birth of her son, Nico, Rose returned to Stamford, commuting long hours to New York while her parents helped care for him. During the pandemic, she lost her position at CNN and reinvented her career—working at CVS, offering free virtual makeup sessions for healthcare workers, and building a thriving online teaching platform that now includes virtual instruction, corporate engagements, and live events.
Today, Rose’s work appears regularly on Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and Fox Business, as she continues to adapt in an evolving media landscape.
Her journey—from a struggling student to a trusted artist behind presidents and icons—is a testament to resilience, belief, and the power of persistence.
Follow Rose @RoseLionetti or email: StamfordGirlRose@yahoo.com