First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist Lina Hanson

Naomi Watts. Emma Stone. Natalie Portman. Portia de Rossi. Mandy Moore. These gorgeous women all have one thing in common -- they've all had their makeup done by the fabulous makeup artist Lina Hanson. In addition to working on some of the biggest names in the business, Lina created Global Face Serum and wrote the book Eco-Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Natural Beauty and Wellness. Read on to learn about Lina's trick for waking up tired eyes, the mascara she can't live without and so much more.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I grew up with my family in a smaller town in Sweden just outside Stockholm. After school I moved to London, and a couple years after that I relocated to NYC to pursue a makeup career.

How did you first become interested in makeup, and what led you to become a makeup artist?
I've always been really captured by fashion and beauty. I used to copy makeup I saw in fashion magazines as a young girl, but it wasn't until I met makeup artist Jeanine Lobell that I started pursuing it as a career. Jeanine trained me to become a makeup artist, I started assisting her and that's how it all started.

What are your top 5 favorite products?
I only use natural and organic beauty products in my makeup kit. I love:

Tarte Cheek Stain

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara

ZuZu Luxe Lip Glosses

Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers

5) Global Face Serum: My own product that I'm just about to launch! [It's] a 100 percent natural serum with exotic and unique ingredients from all around the world that help diminish lines and wrinkles and give your skin an amazing glow. I use it on my clients before any makeup application and it helps their skin look and feel beautiful.

What are your top 3 makeup tips?
1) I like to use creme or gel blush rather than powder blush as it goes into the skin and looks more natural.

2) A great trick for tired eyes is to apply a nude eye pencil to the inside rim of your eye. It will instantly open up your eye and make you look more awake.

3) A great way to freshen up your makeup is to spritz some cold rosewater on your face. It hydrates the skin and gives your skin a great boost.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
I truly enjoy what I do, and I love that I can, in a small way, contribute to a woman feeling great about the way she looks. I also love the fact that I get to travel so many interesting places and meet amazing people from all walks of life. That always keeps it interesting.

Being a makeup artist must be fun -- but what do you do in your spare time?
If I'm not working on a makeup job, I'm busy working on my line of products or I teach a makeup workshop that focuses on teaching women how to incorporate green beauty products into their routine. I do go hiking with my dog a lot, and spend time with my fiance or friends. I think it's important to keep a balanced life. That makes your work so much more enjoyable!

For more information about Lina, be sure to check out her website here!