Each week, we’ll be taking a peek into some of our faves’ makeup bags to see their must-have products, because we’re nosey. This week, it’s the turn of drag artist and promoter Victoria Secret (see draggedup.net for more)
Her earliest makeup memories
“My makeup introduction came in 2nd year of college where I decided drag looked like fun and decided to do a show. “Armed with a light wear liquid foundation (yes, light wear – what was I thinking?!) from L’Oréal in shade ‘toasty beige’ probably, a Rimmel bronzer, a bright green Make Up Forever shadow (which had fall out that I had no idea how to manage) and some TINY fake eyelashes I picked up in Boots, I attempted to paint my face for the first time.”
The result? Well, imagine Heidi Klum – now forget her, and think scauldy face covered in bronzer topped with a Sharon Watts from Eastenders-style flat wig that was definitely not my friend.”
“It’s been a long journey. I’ve never completed any courses, YouTube tutorials may as well be in Spanish and I wasn’t blessed with a natural flair for painting and decorating. “Along the way I have built up my skills by sitting next to my drag sisters in the dressing room (sipping on a small beverage) and sharing techniques. Everyone glues down their eyebrows or puts on foundations differently and you can pick up little tricks from each other that help your face come together. “If I’m honest I think I only learnt how to blend after ten years of performing … And some days I still forget.”
Her makeup bag and what’s inside
“Firstly, I avoid handbags at all cost – standing at almost 6 foot 9 inches in heels and hair, plus having a build more suited to a Rugby field than Ladies Day at the races, I do not need a small little bag highlighting exactly what monster woman I am. “My essentials include Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel #77 - give me and flick and I’m armed for whatever a gig has to throw at me. I love Inglot both for their price point and quality. This liner is easy to apply and super black while still washing off easily.
“I can sometimes – or all the time – go overboard with popping some white eyeshadow under the eyes to hide all evidence of whatever antics we got up to that week. This Make Up Forever Pro Fusion #1 highlighter has brought me back from being Casper the friendly drag ghost but also it makes your skin look fresh and light after I’ve covered it with very heavy foundations and setting powders.
“I’m not blessed with full Kylie Jenner-style lips – then again, neither was she! I rely on MAC’s lip liner in the shade ‘Currant’ to shape out what looks like a full lip. My absolute favourite colour is their Violetta lipstick … Ever since I saw Christina Aguilera in a promo picture for her not-much loved album ‘Bionic’ with beautiful purple lips… I’ve been obsessed. #JusticeForBionic TBH.”
“When in doubt, stick on the biggest lashes you can find … In this case it’s a drag queens best friend – a 301 eyelash. Long, full and jet black – even if you made a little mistake the 301 eyelash can hide a multitude. “I like to double stack them and sometimes add the Make Up Forever C-811 extra long spikey eyelashes under two pairs of 301s to make them even longer.”
