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Posted: 2023-06-15T09:45:08Z | Updated: 2023-06-15T09:45:08Z Drag Queens Said These Makeup Products Are Worth Buying | HuffPost Life

Drag Queens Said These Makeup Products Are Worth Buying

No strangers to the power of makeup, heres what drag performers keep in their beauty bags.
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Makeup is a vital extension of drag as an art form. Thoughtfully painted eyelids, illusory contouring or an exaggerated lip all help to fashion the personas that so many of us know and love. And for many drag queens , their love of cosmetics existed long before they began performing. 

 

For drag performer and former “RuPaul’s Drag Race ” contestant DayaBetty , what began as the desire to conceal acne spots as a teen transformed into a tool for self-expression.

 

“As I got older and more comfortable in my queerness, that’s where my love for expression through makeup really began, as did my drag journey,” DayaBetty said. “I could make myself appear, feel and look however I felt on the inside. It became a special power, and one that I figured out by myself. ”

 

Others, like two-time former “Drag Race” contestant Adore Delano , drew influence from deep familial connections that centered around makeup.

 

“I can remember sitting in the bedrooms of my cousins watching them get ready,” Adore Delano said, describing the transformation as she observed them apply mascara and cat-like eyeliner.  

 

Whether or not makeup plays as large of a role in your life as it does a drag performer’s, it’s safe to say that anyone can learn a thing or two from them when it comes to products that are worthy of our coin. 

 

DayaBetty, Adore Delano and several other fabulous queens opened up their makeup kits to us to reveal some of their favorite products and why they love them. Keep reading to see the glittering array of universally adored makeup primers, life-saving setting powders, eyeshadows and more. 

 

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
A weightless liquid concealer
The makeup offerings from Black-owned beauty brand Juvia's Place "never miss," according to "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 14 contestant DeJa Skye . She specifically mentioned the I Am Magic concealer, which is full-coverage but weightless on the skin and doesn't settle into fine lines or creases. This waterproof and sweat-proof formula comes in 24 shades.
2
A creamy and universally flattering lipstick
"A good brown or nude tone lip liner matched with chapstick or Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk lipstick is always beautiful on every skin tone," said performer Adore Delano . This cream-textured, matte-finish lipstick is adored by many, and its formula has been boosted with orchid extract to smooth and condition the lips. Pillow Talk is the brand's most iconic and universally flattering mauve-pink shade.
3
A budge-proof liquid liner
Drag performer DayaBetty said that most of her looks incorporate black liquid eyeliner in some form or another, and this waterproof liquid liner from Nyx is a personal favorite. "The tiny felt tip allows me to get as detailed as I need to," she said. This highly pigmented and long-wearing liner also comes in several other colors, including brown and navy blue.
4
A pore-filling putty primer
"I make sure to start my routine with the E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer to give myself a good and even foundation to work off of. Its extremely affordable and easy to find," DayaBetty said of this internet-beloved makeup primer. Formulated with hydrating squalane, this uniquely textured base fills in pores to create a velvet-smooth surface that grips makeup all day long and prevents skin from drying out.
5
A blurring and smoothing primer
New York-based drag performer Castrata called Benefit's the Porefessional makeup primer "a must to make sure you have a balanced canvas to work with." It's a silky, lightweight balm that minimizes the appearance of pores, makes skin appear smoother and tones down excess shine. It's also been formulated with a vitamin E derivative, an antioxidant that can help reduce the effects of environmental stressors on the skin.
6
A pigmented, high-shine lip gloss
Activist and drag performer Cynthia Lee Fontaine said that she loves this tinted gloss from KimChi cosmetics in the bright berry shade called pomegranate. According to her, the pigment doesn't leave stubborn stains on her teeth and stays in place, even while performing. The glassy finish and hydrating formula is never sticky and the gloss comes in 18 juicy shades.
7
A long-wearing and acne-friendly foundation
"RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 15 contestant Aura Mayari calls Mac Cosmetics' Studio Fix Fluid one of her favorite foundations because it blends and matches skin tone. Infused with SPF protection, this natural matte foundation offers medium-to-buildable coverage while also controlling shine. The long-wearing formula also claims to be resistant to both sweat and humidity for up to eight hours. You can grab this in an impressive 55 different shades.
8
A powder contour palette
"I could not do drag without the Anastasia Beverly Hills contour palette. I use every pan down to the last speck," Castrata said. They said they use this six-pan palette to achieve a smooth and matte-finish definition around the face. The powder formula ensures the utmost blend-ability, making this a good option for anyone new to contouring. There are three highlight shades and three sculpting shades.
9
A long-lasting waterproof setting spray
Aura Mayari told us that a critical component to any makeup routine is setting it to ensure it lasts all day and night. Her go-to option? Urban Decay's All Nighter setting spray, which she says keeps her makeup intact even after hours of sweating while performing. This lightweight and waterproof finishing mist adds up to 16 hours of wear time to your makeup thanks to temperature technology patented by the brand.
10
A blurring setting powder
Both Aura Mayari and Cynthia Lee Fontaine consider the One Size blurring setting powder by Patrick Starrr an absolute essential. "It's one of the only few setting powders out there that gives you a fine, smooth, butter-finish," Aura Mayari said.

Available in four shades including a universal translucent and a pastel pink shade for brightening, this finely milled powder contains surface-treated pigments which allow better adhesion to skin and the ability to improve the look of skin texture.
11
A classic volumizing mascara
"You can never go wrong with the original formula pink and green Great Lash mascara from Maybelline in blackest black," Adore Delano said. This recognizable tube of mascara boasts a classic, long-wearing formula that promises to extend and volumize even the scarcest of lashes.

Before You Go

The Best Blurring Products For Impeccable Skin, According To Makeup Artists
Nars Soft Matte concealer(01 of09)
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New York City-based makeup artist Anna Agostena told HuffPost that using a matte cream concealer like this one from Nars is her favorite way to cover areas with large pores.

"I like to use a tiny fluffy brush and work very little product into the pores in circular motions. A little patience, and the pores disappear like magic!" she said.

It comes in 30 shades and provides full coverage with the addition of several skin-beneficial ingredients, including wrinkle-reducing peptides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.
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Givenchy Ambient Lighting palette(02 of09)
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"I use [this palette] as the final step on my makeup applications. It gives a soft-focus blurry finish to the skin, while adding a natural coming-from-within glow," Agostena said. "This powder removes the powdery look from setting powders and makes everything look more cohesive."

The palette comes in three color combinations that all offer radiant finishes that manipulate light to filter out the look of imperfections, pores, and wrinkles.
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Hourglass Vanish airbrush primer(03 of09)
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Alexa Rae Johnson , a New York City-based makeup artist, recommends this translucent primer because it smooths skin and gives a blurred effect. Plus, she noted, it doesn't pill up or feel thick on the skin like a lot of silicone primers.

Like the name suggests, it provides an airbrushed look and also extends the wear of your makeup. It's free of parabens, phthalates and and sulfates SLS and SLES .
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Givenchy Prisme Libre loose setting powder(04 of09)
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Both Johnson and Agostena picked this luxe matte powder as a must-have for its blurring effect, with Agostena calling it a "real-life filter for your face."

It comes in six color combinations designed to illuminate the face. Each shade contains two colors for correction and two for radiance.
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Make Up For Ever HD Skin foundation(05 of09)
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"This foundation blurs the skin to appear flawless and glowing, while still feeling lightweight and super skin-like. You can use the thinnest layer and it will give 'perfect skin' on camera," Johnson said.

It comes in 40 shades and has medium coverage and a natural finish.
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Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Fnish setting powder(06 of09)
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"This powder will blur and mattify the skin without making it feel too matte, so while it controls shine, it will also leave a beautiful, smooth radiance," Johnson said.

The compact pressed powder comes in four shades that leave a natural finish. It also contains rose wax and almond oil that help soften and nourish skin.
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Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection blurring under-eye powder(07 of09)
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"I love a good baked mineral powder. Packed with light-reflecting particles, it blurs fine lines under the eye with a luminous, skin-like finish and is great for setting concealer to prevent creasing and increase longevity," said Milwaukee-based makeup artist Shalisa Smith .

She recommended this baked powder from Pat McGrath Labs that comes in four shades and gives a radiant, natural finish.
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Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop blurring skin tint(08 of09)
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If you're looking for a blurring foundation, Smith recommends this popular option from Fenty.

"We already know Rihanna basically invented shade range and the same can be said about her tinted moisturizer. It has light, buildable coverage that feels like a second skin. This is literally like an Instagram filter for your face! I love to warm it up with my hands and press into the skin. It covers blemishes, color-corrects and leaves you with a beautiful velvety finish," she said.

It comes in 25 shades.
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Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm powder(09 of09)
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Smith said this balm from Danessa Myricks Beauty is her favorite blurring product to use because of its versatility.

"It comes in 11 flexible shades suitable for all skin types, and a 'colorless' universal shade that can be used as a primer. It controls oil like no other and fills in texture beautifully," she said.
(credit:Sephora)

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