The 7 best Drag beauty buys that bring the sass!
Photo credit: @ellis_atlantis
The desire to emulate cutting edge Queen glam is inevitable, as stars and make-up artists now look to Drag culture for inspiration. As far back as 2011, iconic make-up artist Joyce Bonelli said her "transformational makeup technique is inspired by drag anything and everything" which involves "accentuating everyone's natural beauty with a lot of layering and lots of contour." Creating statement looks has become something of the norm with shows such as Ru Pauls' drag race, where praising your inner diva is embraced. Make-up artistry has also become a celebratory space where Queens can safely express themselves. However, we know how trying it can be to flawlessly beat your face without the right make-up. That's why we're here! We're offering a list of the best Drag reputable brands to help you on your journey to looking GiGi*. The Gigi adjective = a fiercely beautiful drag queen
Photo credit: @ellis_atlantis
1 of 7 Best for eye palette glam: Alyssa Edwards x Anastasia Beverly Hills Why you'll love it: This limited-edition eyeshadow palette is excellent for gradation between shades. With little to zero fallout, all the stunning colours have full
pigment formulas to keep you snatched and have remarkable staying power. We recommend you top our favourite shade 'believe', with the colour 'D.D.G', which Nikkie De Jager, best known as @Nikkietutorials, says, is the "purple of all purples". Try blending that with 'texas made' and 'brick road' for the upper lid, and 'dream it' for your waterline. The vibrant coloured shades are all matte, whilst the shimmery shades add a divine bit of sparkle. Top tip: Lightly dot your inner corners with the shade 'inspire' to make your eyes pop. We're taking expert advice from the beauty expert Molly Stern, who says, "Highlighting will give your eyes more dimension". Which queens love it: @NikkieTutorials, who loves everything drag, says she "freaked the hell out when this collaboration came out" because "Alyssa brings the extra, the fun, and is one of the most successful queens to come out of Ru Pauls' drag race." Website: https://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com/ Price range: £26-£40 Shop it: Anastasiabeverlyhills, Beautybay, Selfridges Want a closer look? Check out @Nikkietutorials' ABH Cosmetics X ALYSSA EDWARDS Palette tutorial video here.
Photo credit to @ellis_atlantis
2 of 7 Best for lipsticks: Jeffree Star Cosmetics Why you'll love it: The brain and founder of the brilliant company, Jeffree star, credits the success of his labour of love to the three following shades of lipstick. Firstly, 'Prom Night', a striking matte pink, secondly, 'I'm Royalty', a matte royal purple, and thirdly, 'Redrum', a darker rouge red. After their launch, they immediately sold out and are considered what got his eponymous brand noticed. Jeffree says, "I wanted to do something different for the industry, as at the time, only two other brands offered matte drying lipstick". These velour, velvety lipsticks aren't just cruelty-free and vegan, they're opaque and non-streaky. Using these, you can count on getting a full application that will last for hours.
"I've done make-up since I was twelve," he says, "I gave up my dreams of being a musician to create these velour liquid lipsticks, and they changed my life, bitch, I'm so grateful." Available in 73 shades, Jeffree Star Cosmetics is also the first brand to offer pigmented white and black liquid lipsticks, which are bold and full coverage. We love Celebrity skin for a soft brown nude, or Are You Filming, a fire engine red which is perfect if you're planning to serve looks. Top tip: Before applying the lipsticks, use a lip scrub for a smoother application and extra staying power. (We love Jeffree Stars' pancake syrup flavoured lip scrub, it's delicious!) Matte lipsticks can also take a toll on your lips if you're constantly reapplying; dabbing on a bit of Vaseline after removal will do them a world of good. Which queens love it: Recognised "skinny legend "Trixie Mattel and the season 10 winner of Ru Pauls' drag race, Aquaria. Website: https://jeffreestarcosmetics.com/ Price range: £8-£45 Shop it: Beautybay Fancy a closer look? Check out Jeffree Star "swatching every lipstick he's ever made" here.
Photo credit: @evayoung_
3 of 7 Best for fierce nails: The Drag Queen Closet Why you'll love it: The Drag Queen Closet offer 24 pieces of full nail tipped acrylics per set. Every pack also comes with glue stickers which is an obvious life saviour. These sisters have got you covered from matte, shiny, short squared tips to 16 mm rhinestone fingertips.
We love ''Drag nails in Pos", extra-long burgundy claws, or "Drag nails bitch", in a beautiful pale lilac, which, we agree, add greatly needed sass to your outfit. We'll also let you in on a little secret: you can grab 10% off your first order! Top tip: Apply onto clean, dry, buffed nails for easy application that extends staying power. Which queens love it: A strong favourite of the Italian Drag Queen duo "Karma", and Lovelle of London. Website: https://thedragqueencloset.com Price range: £9.90-£14.90 Shop it: Main site only
Photo credit: @evayoung_
4 of 7 Best for lashes: What A Drag Why you'll love it: We live for the drama of these beautiful fluffy lashes, which are perfect for everyday use or for a big performance. With multiple layers of 3D synthetic fibres, these styles are versatile and powerful whilst giving you that extra bit of flutter and confidence. We recommend combining the fluffy, pointed "Femme toplashes" with the adorable "Power bottomlashes", which are customisable in shape, for a more feminine look.
And oh honey, What a Drag doesn't just offer lash bundles. They ship each product with hella cute keep safe boxes so that your puppies are kept intact! Keep in mind they sell out fast; I wouldn't wait around too long. Top tip: The application is easy, but if you're wearing claws, try using tweezers. We'll quote Ru Paul here for extra reassurance, "good luck, and don't fuck it up". Which queens love it: The Hairy cartoon clown Danny Beard, and drag and visual artist, The Mademoiselle Bijou. Website: https://whatadrag.co.uk/lashes/ Price range: £7.49-£60 Shop it: Main site only
Photo credit: @ellis_atlantis
5 of 7 Best for glitter: Anastasia Beverly Hills "Loose glitter" Why you'll love it: Available in eight different metallic shades, these glitters are perfect for either serving looks on nights out or just playing dress-up. We love that the formula is buttery and easy to apply. It's also non-irritable as it has been dermatologically tested. The intensity is buildable and has a high-level shine if you're looking to stand out, whilst the light-reflecting particles allow you to create multidimensional make-up looks. These little pots of magic will add an envious shine to top off your cut creases. Alternatively, you can buff it over your lids for a subtle glow.
Not only are they vegan, but they're also cruelty, gluten and paraben-free! Tick tick and tick! Which queens love it: Drag Queen artist and "professional cupcake," @Crèmefatale says, "their glitters have a great fine texture that is even comfortable on top of lipsticks." Beauty blogger @xThuyLe boasts that "Anastasia loose glitter powders are so fricking beautiful". Top tips: You can mix with hydrating oils for an all-over body shimmer: lightly dab on top of your cheekbones for a highlighter, or mix with a liquid highlighter for higher pigment colour intensity. Website: https://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com Price range: £15-£46 Shop it: Beautybay, Brownthomas, Cultbeauty, Lookfantastic,
Photo credit: @ThePlasticBoy
6 of 7 Best for Darker skin tones: Juvia's Place Why you'll love it: Juvia's Palace matches perfectly with darker skin tones by offering creamy caramel toned concealers and foundations. The royal colourings in their eye palettes are inspired by the tribal beauty of ancient African origins, as they're vibrantly pigmented with rich emeralds, golds and deep reds. An advocate for diversity, their products are suitable for all skin tones. Juvia's Palace says, "Our customers are women. Our
customers are men. Our customers have skin tones from the fairest fairs to the deepest darks. We believe in inclusive beauty". Which queens love it: Renowned beauty blogger Gary Thompson, or better known as ''@ThePlasticBo", an advocate for purchasing blackowned beauty brands, says "Their palettes give me all that life, the shades are so beautiful, I'm so obsessed." Website: https://www.juviasplace.com/ Price range: £6.95-£62.95 Shop it: Amazon, Beautybay, Houseofbeauty, Londonlovesbeauty, Top tip: For better blending, let their make-up base sit before buffing outwards. Tap with a smaller brush for a full under eye coverage, or use a damp beauty blender for an airbrushed effect. Fancy a closer look? Check out @ThePlasticBoy's video tutorial for The Wahala Palette from Juvia's Place here.
Photo credit: @evayoung_ wearing WigsandGrace in the style Brunette Aphrodite
7 of 7 Best for wigs: Wigsandgrace Why you'll love it: Wig and Grace wigs not only withstand up to 150 degrees of heat, but they're also super easy to style, tease and brush out. Their pieces are available from 14 to 30 inches in length of silky soft Kanekalon synthetic fibres, and their selection is broad as well. With a
variety in all kinds of lengths and colours, you could go for Cassies' style in the blush Legally pink or that one of Naomi in Garnet. We love that their wigs are made with soft lace front caps. It's also possible for you to request custom styled wigs through the company's website if you have something in mind. We recommend the style Blonde Aphrodite, for when you're feeling like a Heather. They sell out quickly, though, so do keep an eye out for those restocks! Which queens love it: Season 9 contestant of Ru Pauls' Drag Race, Jaymes Mansfield, says, "I love the setting patterns Wig and Grace use, I don't even have to re-curl it, I feel like a goddess. These wigs are fabulous." Top tip: Add hairspray after styling to leave your hair feeling laid! Website: https://www.wigsandgrace.com/ Price range: £55-£105 Shop it: Main site only Fancy a closer look? Check out Jaymes Mansfields unboxing the Wigs and Grace mystery box here. If you've purchased from any of these brands above, we'd love to showcase your style! Please, send in your looks to gigimagazine@gmail.com or tag your look on Instagram with the handle @Gigimazazine01.