A.La'Shae 

      Aquina Turner is a visionary muse, creative entrepreneur, and community advocate whose work spans beauty, branding, mentorship, and movement-building. With over 20 years of experience as a professional makeup artist and photographer, Aquina is known for her ability to transform not only faces but futures- especially for young creatives and aspiring entrepreneurs. Originally from San Jose, California, Aquina became a proud Oakland resident 14 years ago, planting roots in a city that reflects her values of resilience, artistry, and social impact. She moved to Oakland to expand her beauty and photography business and has since become a trusted leader in the Bay Area's creative and business communities.Her artistry has always gone beyond the surface. For over a decade, she worked with the P.A.R.T.I. Program, a San Jose-based nonprofit focused on youth development and creative leadership. There, she volunteered in multiple capacities-securing scholarships and sponsorships for youth, promoting events, and organizing fashion shows centered on anti-violence and empowerment. Her work created safe spaces for young people to express themselves, find their voice, and lead through creativity.

Aquina's dedication to her craft and professionalism as a makeup artist have led her to work with an impressive roster of high-profile clients and global productions. Her portfolio includes makeup work for CEO Caroline Wanga of Essence Magazine, Ashley Blaine Featherston-Jenkins, as well as commercial and editorial campaigns for Netflix, Spotify, A24 Films, Amazon, Old Navy, and Guardian Health Labs. She has also worked on the Nike GT Cut promo featuring NBA star Jordan Poole and WNBA athlete Arike Ogunbowale, and was part of projects with the women of the Lucasfilm franchise.

Her ability to deliver excellence across diverse platforms-from red carpets to production sets— speaks volumes about her range and professionalism.

As a photographer, Aquina's visual work has been published in major outlets including Ebony Magazine, Forbes, Blavity, Vogue Italia, and Vogue, where her ability to blend authenticity with aesthetic innovation has made her a sought-after creative in visual storytelling.

Aquina is the founder of The Beauty A & R, a platform dedicated to mentoring, educating, and building community for aspiring beauty professionals. She has hosted sponsored beauty workshops, collaborated with influencers and brands, and built a vibrant hub for trend-forward beauty education. The Beauty A & R produces original content— interviews, reviews, and cultural commentary-with a mission to celebrate artistry while creating new pathways for professionals in beauty.

In addition to her creative work, Aquina has extensive experience in visual branding, creative direction, and campaign development, providing strategic leadership to beauty brands and entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their presence. Currently pursuing her degree in business and preparing to transfer to UC Berkeley, Aquina is aligning her creative brilliance with formal business expertise to expand her impact across industries. Through every venture, she remains committed to building legacy through beauty, education, and bold, community-rooted leadership.

Contact: 

Info@alashaephotography.com