Beauty Confidential: Tina Turnbow

"When I was in art school, I loved textile design," explains Turnbow as she glances at a trio of neon paintings propped up on her bookcase. "I was always attracted to the symmetry of the patterns, so I try to paint now whenever I have downtime. Ultimately, most makeup artists dabble in color, while hairstylists veer towards sculpture. That's the difference between the two disciplines." As for the printed quote? "That's the back of André Leon Talley's book," she explains. "I liked it more than the front."

"I'm pretty particular with most things, so I like to pare down on clutter as much as possible," notes Turnbow about her minimalistic necklace collection. "But the Hermès watch was a recent present to myself."

"I used to keep all of my makeup in a wicker chest," the artist adds. "But I moved in here two days ago and got this new chest from CB2. Even though there's a lot inside, it's usually very organized."

"I've had that mug since I moved to New York," laughs Turnbow. "When I wash my brushes, I place them standing up to dry." As for the blue palette? "I love blue!" she exclaims. "My walls are a shade called Bermuda Blue from Benjamin Moore, and I adore bright, blue makeup. Maybe I just love the 1980s, but I also appreciate how these shades can brighten the eyes."

"It's always nice to see where beauty trends started and how some classic looks are truly timeless," Turnbow notes about the pin-up pictures on her refrigerator and the Bette Page coffee table book. "More than just makeup, these women are exuding something special from within. That's what really inspires me as an artist."

"I blog for T Magazine and, in addition to interviewing celebrities about their beauty routines, I photograph and talk to women around NYC who have great street style," adds Turnbow. "Freelance makeup work will always be my focus, but I bring my camera and journals with me wherever I go." As for the photography book? "It might be because I'm Italian, but this book of Italian beauties, like Sophia Loren, is a constant source of inspiration for me."

"I think I bought this because the brand is called 'Free Spirit'," Turnbow says with a smile. "Truthfully, I'm worried about it getting stolen, so, unless I'm out for a ride, I leave it here and walk everywhere. Someone once said in an interview that, 'The city is my gym,' and I'd have to agree. My arm muscles are toned solely from lugging bags around town."

"MAC stopped making these kits, and I'm desperate to find a replacement," explains Turnbow. "For fashion and beauty on-set jobs, I pack a lot, but for celebrity appointments—I'm doing Melania Trump for Fashion's Night Out this afternoon—I know what the client likes and will pack accordingly." As for all the freebies makeup artists get from beauty brands? "I share the love," she says. "Whether I'm introducing a client to new fall shades or skin-care solutions—I have a La Mer serum for Brooke Shields to try—it's part of my job to teach people about new things in the field."

"These are my essentials," states Turnbow. "The red-capped bottle near the jewelry box is an oil from Pearl River in Soho. I massage it into my muscles when they're stiff. A hairstylist friend of mine recommended it, since we both spend a lot of time hunched over on our feet."

"I truly believe that if you lead a good, clean lifestyle, you'll see it in your skin and will only need makeup to define features," adds Turnbow. "I take lots of supplements, like green tea and evening primrose oil, and use mostly natural products." And spa days? "I call LED treatments happy lights because they shrink pores so well, but in general, I prefer facials that stimulate circulation with massage, rather than extractions, to keep skin looking fresh."