Drag queen makeup done right can be more than transformative. Diva makeup can tell a story, represent a work of art. Diva makeup isn’t focused on fixing flaws; the central idea is to create authentic and beautiful stage makeup. Always keep in mind when doing diva makeup that gender transformative looks are an important form of self-expression.
Beyond Drag
Drag makeup is an umbrella term with a countless number of subcategories. Looks may include comedy, pageantry, club kid, and so much more. Since drag makeup is true stage makeup, you’re going to take a steep turn away from creating what is known as natural makeup looks. A drag queen’s makeup will make or break her stage presence. The makeup needs to be not only perfect, but have a certain level of outrageousness.
The Art Behind Diva Makeup
When doing gender transformative looks, you must become a magician with your makeup tools. One of the major goals will be creating features on your client that aren’t truly there. Enhancement of eyes and lips may be part of the job. You may need to contour cheekbones and diminish the size of a forehead. By the end of the job, you’re not highlighting what was already there; you’re creating a completely new face.
Drag for Everyone
Although drag makeup takes a high level of technical proficiency, you don’t need to be a drag queen to know how to master diva makeup. If you have a high level of artistry in other areas of beauty, you can transfer these skills to drag makeup. Think about it this way: you work backstage at Fashion Week and the designer requests for models to have no eyebrows. If you attempt to go near a model with a razor, there may be bloodshed backstage. Instead, you’ll know how to do makeup in a way that makes the models look to have no eyebrows, with everyone in the audience none the wiser.
Top techniques will allow you to highlight and contour as if you’re a long-lost member of the Kardashian clan. You’ll even have the ability to recreate the cut crease that you’ve been seeing pop up everywhere on your Instagram feed. Learning diva makeup can be a profitable skill set as you launch your career as a professional makeup artist.
Written by Robert C. Kohnken L.E. , New York Institute of Beauty Esthetics Instructor.
Robert will be presenting a diva workshop on March 22nd called “Accessing Your Inner Diva“.
