Interview with FOX TV Host and Actress Anna Easteden

Anna Easteden is a Finnish–born farmer’s daughter, an international model and a Los Angeles–based award nominated actress. Easteden started her career as a teenager after receiving a large modeling contract with a Japanese modeling agency. She has acted notable in TV-shows, such as: “Two and a Half Men”, “Bones,” “Days Of Our Lives” and “Passions.” Her award nomination came from the Method Fest Film Festival from her portrayal of Nina in the film by Mika Kaurismäki, “The House of Branching Love”, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. In Finland, Easteden is the host of “Wipeout”, the same show as in America, but in Finnish, on FOX.

We sat down with Anna to discuss her childhood years in Finland, her successful acting career and why she loves being a redhead:

H2BAR: Were there a lot of redheads in your hometown of Tohmajarvi, Finland?

AE: There are a few redheads where I come from. There are some people with super red hair and some strawberry blonde, and then some with almost orange-ish, carrot color hair. Coincidentally enough, both of my parents have brown hair. When I was born, my hair looked almost black and then changed color in the next few years to a lot lighter with a red tint to it. My brother was born with super blonde hair and his hair changed to dark brown, and now we both have almost the same tone to our hair.

I love to make my hair even redder than it is, so I add additional red color to it every once in a while.

H2BAR: How did you get to become an actress? Was it always a dream of yours?

AE: My dream was always to live in Los Angeles. I had many dreams as a child: to be a model, to be a flight attendant and to be a lawyer. I started out as a model and then turned into an actress after having done music videos and TV commercials as a model. And my dream did come true, I live in Los Angeles now.

H2BAR: Why do you love being a redhead?

AE: I think it’s really unique. I colored my hair black a few times when I was a teenager, and I actually look really good with black hair too – but being a redhead is just who I am. Redheads are individuals.

H2BAR: May we ask…Who does your hair?

AE: I go to a variety of places for my hair. I have had my hair cut for $350 in Beverly Hills and I have also had a haircut at the Super Cuts down the street from my house. But, I absolutely love Marco Pelusi in West Hollywood. He does a great job coloring my hair.

H2BAR: Favorite television role?

AE: I loved working on “Two and a Half Men”. It’s a really fun show. But I also loved playing a Russian mail order bride on “Bones”.

H2BAR: Who is your favorite actor/actress you’ve worked with?

AE: Most actors are just the friendliest, funniest people. They are all great to be a around. I loved working with Charlie Sheen, Zeljko Ivanek and John McCook.

H2BAR: You’re the host of  “Wipeout” in Finland! It looks like a very cool show.

AE:  Yes, it’s the same format as the “Wipeout” here in the US. Super fun for me. I get to watch people fall in water all day long. Who wouldn’t want a job like that?!

H2BAR: Tell us about your role as an animal advocate and with the UNHCRI.

AE: I am huge into pet adoption (as opposed to buying). I personally have four adopted cats at home right now. Last fall I had seven cats, and I found good homes for three of the cats. Adopted animals can be SO loving and appreciative of their owners. It’s an amazing feeling to feel that love. With UNHCR I did a legal research study in Bratislava, Slovakia. The research was about laws for asylum seekers. It was my dream to be a lawyer when I was a kid, so maybe I did the research to feel that I made that dream come true too? Funny. The research came out great and some of the laws in Slovakia were passed based on my suggestions.

H2BAR: Do you have any advice for young girls who are having a hard time appreciating their red hair?

AE: I had a hard time appreciating my blue-green eyes when I was young. I really loved brown eyes. I loved brown eyes so much that I wore brown contact lenses. My modeling agent at the time found out that I was wearing brown contact lenses and yelled at me from the top of her lungs for being so stupid! Little did I know that my eye color was considered gorgeous by many people. And, in the same way, red hair is considered unbelievably beautiful by most.  It’s a true honor to be a redhead.

H2BAR: What is your daily hair routine?

AE: On days that I am just working from home, my hair routine is super simple: up in a high bun. That’s it. I might not even brush it. I think that it is important to let my hair have days off. On days that I have meetings or auditions, I usually do hot rollers in the morning, which gives my hair some body and soft curl and I can go all day with that. For the last couple of months I have been experimenting washing my hair with random, more natural, unusual things, like: baking soda, vinegar, borax or citric acid (vitamin C).

H2BAR: We hear you founded your own skincare company this fall! How did that come about? 

AE: Yes! I just launched Kaunis with a couple of products. I am now testing different skin and hair care to expand the products. Of course, Kaunis doesn’t test anything on animals, so I test everything on myself.

H2BAR: When going out on the town, how do you glam UP your hair?

AE: Sometimes I get a blow dry at a salon. I am terrible at blow drying my own hair to get that smooth blow out look, so I love it when someone else does it for me. I also love my hot rollers and  even drive my car with them on! I get odd looks, but I look fabulous when I get to where I am going.

H2BAR: Favorite hair products?

AE: Eventually, my favorite hair products will be by Kaunis. For now, I like products that don’t have too much fragrance in them. Lots of fragrances give me a headache. I end up using a lot of Big Sexy Hair hair spray.

H2BAR: What’s currently in your makeup bag?

AE: Various brands: Koh Gen Doh, Burts Bees, MAC, Shiseido.

H2BAR: Recent beauty spurge?

AE: I love getting pedicures. It’s not really a splurge money-wise, but it does make me feel special.

H2BAR: What are your skincare staples?

AE: I recommend giving your skin a day off once in a while. My skin really appreciates it. Drinking lots of water is a must. I have been pretty religious when it comes to moisturizing and feel weird going to bed without face cream.

H2BAR: What is a quote you live by? 

AE: “Never give up.”