Getting Started

If you are considering starting drag but not sure what you will need I've decided to put a list together of things that I use for every performance. Of course other things can be picked up over time but these will be very important for you to start.

1) Foundation:
You will want a form of stage foundation, as simple saying goes like this "covergirl will not coverboy" and its true your facial hair will show through your makeup. You will want a creme based makeup not a liquid based makeup for drag, although if you want to try M.A.C Foundations then by all mean go right ahead, some queens live on mac, but you don't need mac to be a fierce queen. I recommend using Krylon T.V Paint stick or Ben Nye foundations for stage performance. They are less likely to sweat off under high heat lights. 

2) Eye Shadow:
I recommend La Femme eyeshadow.  They are very highly pigmented and I would easily compare them to MAC and they are half the price. Usually they go for about $4 for a pan of pressed powder. I currently am using the 88 matte pallet by coastal scents although people have compared it to MAC I don't think it has anywhere near the pigmentation as MAC. However for the price it really isn't bad either. I would have to say they are a pretty good brand all in all. I also recommend trying their contour pallet. Neither of these is really easy to travel with, but you do get a lot of product for your money.

3) Lip Liners/Lip Sticks:
For lipsticks I have to say the only lipsticks I have found to be really good are Revlon lipsticks. They last through a night of drinking and for a queen that's obviously a plus. If I wasn't buying Revlon the only other alternative I would settle for is MAC lipsticks. Although if you are a person of color, it maybe hard to find a good MAC lipstick or so I'm told. Lip liners for me are hit and miss. I have found some good wet and wild liners, and some bad, some good revlon liners and some bad. Its really a process of trial and error with those it seems.

4) Eyeliner:
Never should you buy a dollar store eyeliner pencil. Those things hurt! well usually, or they are so soft you use most of the pencil on one eye! I recommend using NYX for eyeliner pencils you will want to start off with a black and a white. You may also want to get one in brown if you are going to need to draw on eyebrows in that color. The white pencil is multi purpose, you can use it as an eyeshadow primer, as a lipstick highlighter, as a water line enhancer to make your eyes look bigger. You can use it for a lot of things so its good to have with you at all times.

5) Hip and Butt Pads:
You don't necessarily need these to do drag, in fact most queens will tell you that they didn't start wearing pads until they started doing pageants. However if you are a female illusionist then you will want to create the full illusion and using these will be essential. Tracking down someone in your area may be a chore, but talk to local queens at least one of them will know someone who you can commission to make pads for you. You can also make them. There are a few video's on youtube on how to do this. All you need is some foam padding, something to measure, and an electronic cutting knife. It can be a difficult task making pads which is why most queens don't wear them at first.

6) Panty Hose:
You don't have to shave your  legs! If you go to a dance shop and buy dancing tights, they will cover up your leg hairs. If you go to a drag queen shop they might also sell these or pantyhose of higher quality. Again this is one of those things were you have to ask around to really get to find a good pair.

7) Outfits:
There are different styles of drag and the most common for new queens is called "Street Drag" that is where you dress up wearing real girl clothes, nothing really out there or costume like. This is fine for a new girl, but expect to either make or buy clothes that are a little more glitter, rhinestoned, and sparkly. If you are on a budget try checking sites like ebay i have heard many queens look there first.

8) Wigs:
To find hair is a chore in itself. I know it sounds horrible but if you go to a more ghetto neighborhood and find a discount beauty supply store, stop in and see if they have wigs. If they don't ask them if they know anywhere close that does. Usually you will find wigs for a huge discount. Look for hair that feels "full" or thick. and one that doesn't show the wig tracks. If you want to try it on, either buy or bring in a wig cap because usually they wont let you put it on your head until then.

9) Shoes:
If you have small feet you can go out and probably find your shoes at every local shoe retailer on the block. If you have big feet size 14+ you will probably have to special order shoes that fit you. You will want to ask around for places that do this in your area.


Those I suppose are my essentials everything I bring to a show for one night. If you have any further questions or need help with something else, please feel free to shoot me a message! Thanks for reading stay beautiful!