Drag makeup is more than just applying makeup; it’s about crafting a whole new persona, transforming the face, and experimenting with gender expression. Whether you’re new to drag or looking to refine your technique, this comprehensive tutorial will walk you through the process of achieving a flawless drag makeup look. From skin prep to final touches, we’ll cover the best products and tips used by professionals to create stunning drag transformations.
Step 1: Skin Prep and Base Foundation
Why It’s Important:
A solid foundation is key to a long-lasting drag look. Drag makeup is built on layers of heavy product, so creating a smooth, clean canvas is essential. Proper skin prep helps your makeup stay in place for longer, and it also prevents the buildup of oils or dryness, which can cause creasing or patchy areas.
What You’ll Need:
- Cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Primer
- Full-coverage foundation (preferably in a shade or two lighter than your skin tone)
- Color Corrector (optional for redness or dark spots)
- Setting powder
How to Do It:
- Cleanse Your Skin:
Start with a clean face. Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, or any old makeup. This will help your base products adhere better. - Moisturize:
Drag makeup can be quite heavy, and it’s important to hydrate your skin beforehand. Apply a lightweight moisturizer to ensure your skin is nourished and ready to take on multiple layers of makeup. - Prime Your Face:
Choose a mattifying primer if you have oily skin or a hydrating primer if your skin is dry. Applying primer helps fill in pores and creates a smooth, even base for the foundation. Focus on areas where you may have large pores or texture (such as the T-zone). - Apply Foundation:
For drag, the foundation needs to be full-coverage and often several shades lighter than your natural skin tone to create the “blank canvas” look. Use a beauty sponge or flat foundation brush to apply the foundation evenly across your face, including the neck and ears (so your makeup looks consistent). - Correct and Conceal:
If you have any redness, blemishes, or dark circles, apply color corrector before concealer. Green corrector neutralizes redness, while peach or orange corrector helps cancel out dark circles. Blend it out, then apply a brightening concealer under your eyes, on the chin, and in the center of the forehead to create a lifted look. - Set With Powder:
Drag makeup is all about setting your base, so it stays in place throughout the night. Use a translucent setting powder to set your foundation and concealer. Be sure to “bake” under the eyes, on the jawline, and down the nose by applying extra powder and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before brushing it off. This helps to lock in the makeup and add a smooth finish.
Step 2: Contouring and Highlighting
Why It’s Important:
Contouring and highlighting are fundamental techniques in drag makeup, helping to sculpt and define the face. The exaggerated application of contouring creates high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and a snatched nose, while highlighting brightens the face and creates the illusion of dimension.
What You’ll Need:
- Contour cream or powder (2-3 shades darker than your skin tone)
- Highlighter (a light, shimmery shade)
- Blush (optional for a flushed look)
- Contour brush, angled brush, or sponge
How to Do It:
- Contouring the Cheeks:
To create high, sculpted cheekbones, apply contour in a diagonal line just below the cheekbone. Start from the ear and drag the contour towards the mouth, stopping a few inches from the edge of the lip. Blend well to avoid harsh lines, but be sure to leave the contour fairly strong. - Contouring the Forehead and Jawline:
If you want to make your forehead appear smaller, contour along the hairline in a “C” shape, blending into the temples. Apply contour along the jawline and under the chin to give the face a sharper, more angular look. - Nose Contouring:
To slim the nose, apply a line of contour along the sides of your nose, making sure to blend it in well. A common technique is to connect the contour along the brow bone, down the sides of the nose, and stop right before the nostrils. For the nose bridge, apply a small amount of highlight in the center, blending it to create a sleek, straight appearance. - Highlighting:
Highlight the high points of your face, including the tops of the cheekbones, the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, and the chin. This will bring attention to these features and make them appear more prominent. Use a light-reflective product or a shimmery powder for a dazzling glow. - Blush:
Optional but fun, blush adds a youthful, vibrant touch to your face. Apply a soft blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards toward your temples.
Step 3: Eyebrows and Eye Makeup
Why It’s Important:
Eyes are the focal point of most drag looks, and dramatic eye makeup can completely transform your face. Drag queens often overdraw their brows to create higher, more arched shapes, and use bold eyeshadows, eyeliner, and false lashes to make their eyes appear larger and more expressive.
What You’ll Need:
- Brow pencil or pomade (two shades darker than your hair)
- Eyeshadow primer
- Eyeshadow palette (neutral tones for a classic look, bold colors for drama)
- Liquid eyeliner or gel liner
- False lashes and lash glue
- Mascara
How to Do It:
- Re-shape Your Brows:
Start by covering your natural eyebrows with a concealer or a special brow wax. Use a flat, firm concealer to cover the hairs, setting the product with translucent powder. Once your natural brows are hidden, draw new, exaggerated brows higher on your forehead. Drag brows upwards for a lifted effect, and use a brow pencil or pomade to fill them in with sharp, clean lines. Keep them bold and arched for maximum drama. - Eyeshadow Base:
Use an eyeshadow primer to ensure your eyeshadow lasts and doesn’t crease. A good primer will also intensify the colors you apply, giving them better payoff.
- Create the Eyeshadow Look:
Start with a neutral shade in the crease to define the eyes. Use darker shades to add depth and dimension to the outer corners. For a classic drag look, create a dramatic cut crease by applying a lighter shade to the lid and blending a darker shade into the crease to create a sharp line. - Eyeliner:
Use liquid or gel eyeliner to create a dramatic wing that extends far past your natural lash line. The longer and sharper, the better. A thick, bold cat-eye is essential to drag makeup, as it enhances the size and shape of the eyes. - Apply False Lashes:
Drag queens rarely skip false lashes. Apply a pair of voluminous lashes to give your eyes extra impact. You can stack two pairs for a more dramatic effect. Use lash glue to attach the lashes, ensuring they are placed as close to your natural lash line as possible. - Mascara:
Finish off the eyes by applying a few coats of mascara to blend your natural lashes with the false lashes and add volume.
Step 4: Lips and Finishing Touches
Why It’s Important:
The lips in drag makeup are usually bold and overlined, with a high-shine finish that complements the rest of the makeup. Lips can be the finishing touch that pulls your entire look together.
What You’ll Need:
- Lip liner (1-2 shades darker than your lipstick)
- Lipstick (bold, matte, or glossy)
- Highlighter (optional)
- Setting spray
How to Do It:
- Line and Overdraw the Lips:
To create the illusion of fuller lips, overline your natural lip line with a lip liner. Drag the lip liner slightly above your cupid’s bow and along the bottom lip to make them appear fuller. Be bold with your overlining—drag queens are known for making their lips as exaggerated as possible. - Fill in with Lipstick:
Choose a bold color—red, pink, purple, or whatever fits your look. Apply lipstick with a brush or directly from the tube, ensuring that the color is crisp and even. If you want to take it to the next level, you can add a gloss or glitter to your lips to make them shine. - Set the Makeup:
Use a setting spray to lock your makeup in place, ensuring it lasts for hours. Setting spray helps to melt the layers together and gives your face a flawless, airbrushed finish.
Conclusion
Mastering drag makeup requires practice, patience, and precision. With these step-by-step instructions, you have the tools to create a flawless, dramatic look that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing for a performance, a photoshoot, or just want to explore the art of drag, following this tutorial will help you achieve a bold, show-stopping transformation. Embrace the power of makeup, experiment with different styles, and let your creativity shine—because in the world of drag, anything is possible.