That the women who appear on Fox News are very young, very beautiful, and very heavily made up is news to no one. And despite the often combative nature of the on-air segments, the backstage experience seems to be much more relaxing. "Honestly," says Basse, "99.9 percent of guests are jazzed about being there because it's almost like a mini-spa. They do full hair and makeup [at the Fox News studio], and the people there are nice. They're just nice." But, she continues, not everyone who sits in her chair wants to have their makeup done. "Sometimes a guest is more low-key and low-maintenance, and they're really nervous, and all I've ever said is, 'Makeup is meant to make you look your best,'" she says. "I let them think I'm giving them exactly what they want, but in the end, I always get exactly what I want. Because I know what the producer's looking for. If for some reason I get someone who's really pushing back, I'll tell them a little bit more about what's going on instead of just slapping something on their face."

Basse believes that the way makeup is applied can even affect the outcome of an interview. "I've never tried to change the way someone looks, but I always try to have them reflect their best self," she says. "If they're really comfortable with how they look, then they're going to give a really great interview. The interviewer's going to get the most authentic interview. Makeup, a lot of times, really sets the tone for how the interview goes, believe it or not."

Dr. Heldman is more critical of Fox News' beauty rules. "They never write anything down, but there are unofficial rules, like you can never put your hair up," she says. "They're definitely looking for certain physical types. There's not really any doubt about that." She added, "When you go on Fox you're automatically not legitimate. You're there as eye candy and to be scoffed at. That is your role on Fox if you're a woman."

Veteran hair stylist Tanya Crocker echoes the hair-down rule. "The majority of the time, the hair is down," she says. "I don't think I've ever had an up-do or even a half-up or anything on any actor or news anchor who was filming for interviews. Most of the time they want hair down." But, she tells me, she understands the reasoning behind this. "I do remember hearing about Fox News being in articles about sexism," Crocker tells me, "but really you're just trying to put your best face forward. You want to look your best on camera."