Want to step up your beauty game? Look fierce and flawless by taking note of these drag queens’ top beauty tips — because it’s always an extravaganza eleganza on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Fortunately you can master these tricks without the worry of having to lip-sync for your life.
These drag queens are masters of the art of transformation. While the drag look tends to go crazy on your features, these queens’ beauty secrets are easily translated into real life.
1. Keep skin hydrated
Photo credit: Raja via Facebook
Raja (Season 3) keeps her skin youthful looking, soft and supple by moisturising day and night.
Product recommendations: Lait-creme concentre by Embryolisse Laboratories (£20), Rosehip BioRenerate Fruit & Seed Oil Blend by Pai Skincare (£20), or Ultra Facial Cream by Kiehls (£24)
2. Exfoliate
Photo credit: Mariah Balenciaga via Twitter
Regular exfoliation helps keep Mariah Balenciaga’s (Season 3) skin great and creates a smooth base for makeup. Gone are the days of harsh apricot scrub; cherish your skin and discover the wonders of gentle chemical exfoliation. With skin so smooth it will be the perfect canvas to express yourself through makeup.
Product recommendations:Glow Tonic Beauty Elixir by Pixi (£18), Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner by Clarins (£25), or Lotion P50 by Biologique Recherche (£52)
See how glycolic acid can keep you youthful >>
3. Hair removal
Photo credit: Pandora Boxx via Twitter
While you may not have to take a razor to your face, Pandora Boxx (Season 2) recommends Gillette Mac 3 for serious hair removal. For something a little less serious, try hot wax, Veet or threading for more sensitive skin types to achieve the fuzz-free look.
Product recommendations:Facial Hair Removal Cream by Nad’s (£5) or Poetic Waxing Kit by Bliss (£38)
4. Blend the base
Photo credit: Shannel
To create a flawless look and avoid mask-like makeup, Shannel (Season 1) always blends the foundation down to the neck. If you have decent skin, opt for a lighter coverage base like a BB/CC cream or tinted moisturiser and use concealer on areas that need a bit more help.
Product recommendations:CC Creme HD by Erborian (£36), Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier (£27), or The Sensual Skin Enhancer by Kevyn Aucoin (£38)
5. It’s all about the brows
Photo credit: Courtney Act via Twitter
To achieve those feminine arches, Courtney Act (Season 6) uses a glue stick or plastic eyebrow covers to conceal her masculine eyebrows and creates brand new brows. However the emphasis is well-defined and structured eyebrows. Groom your brows regularly by having them waxed or threaded every 2–4 weeks to maintain clean but killer brows.
Product recommendations: Brow Wiz by Anastasia Beverly Hills (£16), Eyebrow Liquid Pen by Suqqu (£20), or Brow Sculptor by Tom Ford (£34)
See how you can achieve your perfect brows >>
6. Accentuate those eyes
Photo credit: Bianca Del Rio via Twitter
Manila Luzon (Season 3) piles on the mascara, while Bianca Del Rio (Season 6) is not afraid to play with false lashes. For a more dramatic look, opt for volumising dark mascara. Individual lashes create an easy natural everyday look but for more oomph choose luxurious full-lash strips.
Product recommendations:Black Fashion Lash by Ardell (£6), Volume Million Lashes Mascara by L’Oreal Paris (£11), or Hypnose Drama Mascara by Lancome (£23)
7. Contour and highlight
Video credit: Serena ChaCha/YouTube
Use contouring and highlighting tricks like Serena Chacha (Season 5) to transform your face and emphasise those feminine features. Contour to define a round face or carve out cheekbones. Use a highlighter to bring forward features that naturally catch light.
Product recommendations:Matte Multiple in Vientiane by NARS (£30), The Sculpting Powder by Kevyn Aucoin (£33), or Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light by Hourglass (£38)
8. Experiment with colour
Photo credit: Alexis Mateo via Twitter
Don’t be afraid to venture beyond neutrals like Alexis Mateo (Season 3). Step away from your naked palettes and embrace vibrant and intense colours. To inject bold colour into daytime or make it office appropriate, choose a feature you want to accentuate (eyes or lips). For a daytime look, opt for a light colourful wash over the lids. If you want to play up your lips, dab a pigmented lipstick on with your fingers to create a stain or choose a colourful lip balm. For evenings and weekends, be bold and daring with dramatic eyes and/or lips.
Product recommendations:i-Divine in i Candy by Sleek Makeup (£8), Couture Palettes in Lumieres Majorelle by Yves Saint Laurent (£40), or Lipstick Palette by Illamasqua (£34)
9. Bigger hair, the better
Photo credit: Manila Luzon via manilaluzon.com
While you may not be sporting a wig any time soon, Manila Luzon (Season 3) says volume can be achieved with a back-teasing comb. Instead of channelling your inner Texan beauty queen, bring life into your locks with volumising hair products. Amp it up by taking a spin with a curling rod or hot rollers.
Product recommendations:SS Professional Backcomber (£4), Volumetry Root Spray by L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert (£13), or 30 Piece Heated Ceramic Roller Set by Babyliss (£36)
10. Purify the skin
Photo credit: Latrice Royal via Instagram
Whether you go for light makeup application or going all out like the queens, thoroughly cleanse the skin to remove all makeup. Latrice Royal (Season 4) uses dish soap because it cuts grease but for something a little more face-friendly try cleansing balms or oils to dissolve the makeup and grease. Follow makeup removal with a gentle cleanser for a fresh face.
Product recommendations:Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm by Clinique (£22), Classic High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil by Shu Uemura (£60), or Face Cleanser by First Aid Beauty (£14)
11. Fierce Nails
Photo credit: Alyssa Edwards via Instagram
Be expressive with your nails and push the boundaries of conventional manicures with a visit to Pinky’s Nails—the world’s only gender-bender nail salon. Alyssa Edwards (Season 5) always carries nail glue in her kit because you never know when a nail emergency will strike. Also be careful not to over expose your hands to water since this could make nail application difficult.
Product recommendations:5-Second Ultra Fast Nail Glue by IBD (£8), Nail Paint by Barry M (£3), or Decals by DIY Nails (£6)
In the words of RuPaul: “good luck, and don’t f*ck it up.”
Tell us: Do you use any of these tips or have any favourites? Share with us below.
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