Drag Queens are some of the fiercest, boldest and most beautiful artists of the 21st Century. With shows such as Ru Paul’s Drag Race putting the art of drag at the epicentre of modern culture, it has become recognised as a form of creative expression all its own.
From the bright and eccentric to the dazzlingly beautiful and intricately theatric, drag artists create their own unique vibe and look to wow the crowd and ensure that shantay they SLAY!
Drag goes as far back as Shakespearean times when only men were allowed to perform on stage and would therefore adorn themselves in dresses and makeup in order to portray the female characters in Shakespeare’s famous writings. From then on, drag gained traction as a performance style, gaining popularity in vaudeville settings with queens forming their own sense of style and building up bases of fans who followed their fashion triumphs.
Drag really took off in 1970s New York, where the drag ball scene became a safe, creative community for drag queens and the LGBTQ+ community to come together and express themselves.
The 21st Century drag scene is a bright, shining beacon at the centre of modern culture, promoting inclusivity and a world in which anyone can be who they want to be, beautifully and authentically.
In this blog, we will be taking you through five of the most fierce and famous drag queens to grace the scene in the past few years and will be examining some of their most gorgeous and outrageous looks that got them to the top of their game.
In no particular order, we present your queens…
Bob the Drag Queen
Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight, Bob got herself to the top through her use of bold colour and striking silhouettes. Her looks can almost be described through comic strip exclamations…POW! CRASH! ZING!
In her winning season, she sported some incredible looks, everything from an elegant sheer gown and regal Afro hairstyle in the Movie Premiere Realness category, a haunting clown ensemble in the Black and White Realness Category, and a bold, preppy poodle-emblazoned dress in her promo shots.
Violet Chachki
Winner of season seven of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Violet’s looks all have a touch of vamp glamour. Think…Dita Von Teese with an extra dash of danger.
A bold red lip, stockings and lingerie, as well as shapely tartan numbers and purple organza gowns are the order of the day with Miss Chachki. This is a drag queen who knows herself and her style to a T.
Trixie Mattel
RuPaul season seven contestant and winner of All Stars 3, Trixie Mattel’s iconic eye make-up and Barbie-like aesthetic has made her a household name. With bright and pastel tones, along with a recognisable 60s style, Trixie looks are as perfect as doll clothes.
Trixie’s most iconic look has to be her bold eye makeup, with a large triangle of white highlight and extensively fanned lashes, giving the look an interesting geometric vibe. Miss Mattel has become a pop culture drag icon.
Sasha Velour
Any drag fanatic will remember Sasha Velour’s astonishing victory in season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, adorned in a flame-coloured gown where she gradually removed her gloves and glamorous wig to reveal torrents of red rose petals, which scattered around her and brought the house down.
Known for her quirky, off-the-wall and intricately designed pieces – pop art dresses and cartoon crowns, elegant, glamorous lines and gowns that would not look out of place in an Elizabethan royal court – her air of elegance and poise is unmatched.
RuPaul
The queen of drag herself! Possibly the world’s most famous drag queen, RuPaul has truly become THE face of drag. The elegant Hollywood-glamour gown and gravity-defying blonde wig is unmistakable.
RuPaul is like the Beyoncé of the drag scene.
LOVE makeup, drag or otherwise?
Makeup has the power to empower, to allow people to bring out a side of themselves that they may have kept hidden, and to give them the confidence to step out into the light and be their most authentic selves.
If you love expressing yourself through the medium of makeup, then a career as a makeup artist might be just the thing for you.
Makeup artistry takes many forms, with endless avenues and creative opportunities to show off your skills, you won’t be idle for long!
But how do you get started, and how can you reach your fullest potential whilst still having the flexibility to manage your own schedule and study hours?
All good questions and we have the answers!
Taking a makeup course online with New Zealand Beauty School is the perfect way to get your career in makeup artistry off to a sparkling start.
Our comprehensive and professionally crafted Certificate in Professional Makeup Artistry offers a creative, supportive learning environment in which to grow and explore your craft. Seeing as all our beauty courses are completely online, you can learn at your own pace, working your studies around your work and other commitments, meaning a less stressful and more fulfilling learning experience.
The course comes with a custom-designed kit that will be sent straight to your front door, full to the brim with all the bits and pieces you will need to create the most beautiful makeup looks and master all the latest techniques.
From the comfort of your own home, your eyes will be opened up to a world of beauty tips and tricks, as well as support in curating your own brand and finding where you fit in the industry.
All our courses come with a downloadable brochure with further information about course content, modules and assessments, accessing your learning online and tutor support. Once you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate of attainment, adding that touch of impressive professionalism to show off to potential employers.
We offer an interest-free payment plan where you can pay your fees in instalments at a small amount per week, or you can receive a discount if you choose to pay your course fees upfront.
Start your beauty journey with a makeup course in New Zealand with New Zealand Beauty School and walk the runway straight to success!