How A’keria C. Davenport Creates a Showstopping Drag Makeup Transformation
From gluing brows to mastering colorful eyeshadow, A’keria Davenport reveals her step-by-step secrets to unforgettable drag glam.
Watch A’keria Chanel Davenport’s Complete Drag Makeup Transformation
A’keria Chanel Davenport, celebrated for her spectacular appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11, gives fans and beauty enthusiasts an exclusive look into her iconic drag makeup process, transforming step-by-step for Cosmopolitan’s acclaimed Cosmo Queens series. In this guide, discover how A’keria turns a fresh face into a stage-ready masterpiece using bold eyeshadow, creative contouring, and signature lips—making sure every detail dazzles, even without a custom flower bikini.
Why A’keria’s Makeup Routine is Iconic
- Pioneering colorful, vibrant eye looks that break traditional beauty boundaries.
- Flawlessly sculpting features for high-impact stages and cameras.
- Empowering tips for drag newbies and seasoned queens alike.
Step 1: Preparing the Canvas – Brow Blocking
The foundation of any drag makeup transformation starts with redefining the eyebrows. For A’keria, gluing down the brows is essential, creating a blank slate to draw on a new, fierce shape above the natural brow line.
- Glue Brows: Smoothly apply glue to the eyebrows, flatten them down, and ensure no stray hairs escape.
- Conceal and Cover: After gluing, use concealer to neutralize the natural brows, blending until the area appears seamless with the rest of the skin.
- Draw New Brows: Sketch a crisp, exaggerated shape directly above the covered brows to achieve that classic drag arch, customizing it for dramatic expression.
Pro Tip: Take your time with blocking and concealing brows; the precision here will define the symmetry of your entire look.
Step 2: Eye Makeup – Bold, Colorful, and Dramatic
If there’s one feature A’keria is renowned for, it’s her extraordinary eye makeup—an explosion of color and shape that transforms her look from natural to theatrical in minutes.
Color Placement and Blending
- Nude Transition: Start with a soft nude shade as a base in the crease area, laying the groundwork for seamless blending.
- Adding Depth: Layer a rich brown shadow into the crease, building dimension and depth without harsh lines.
- Purple Pop: Sweep a bold purple shade just above the crease, ensuring the color sits noticeably above the lid’s natural fold for maximum visibility onstage.
Cut Crease Technique
A signature move in drag glam, the cut crease, adds precision and drama.
- White Cream Shadow: Use a white cream shadow to carve out the inner half of the eyelid, creating a stark, captivating contrast.
- Set With Powder: Pat white powder over the cream base, locking in the shape and preventing creasing during long performances or photoshoots.
Defining the Eyes: Liner and Lash Magic
- Line With Black: Trace both upper and lower lash lines with deep black liner to sharpen the structure.
- Brighten Waterline: Sweep white powder along the waterline for widened, doll-like eyes.
- Blue Accent: Top the waterline with a vivid blue shade, making the entire look pop with unexpected color.
- Finish With Lashes: Select the longest, most whimsical false lashes for both the top and bottom, adding volume and flair worthy of the main stage.
What others are reading
| Step | Product/Color | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nude Shadow | Soft beige/tan | Crease blending base |
| Brown Shadow | Medium to dark brown | Depth in crease |
| Purple Shadow | Bright, saturated purple | Above crease drama |
| White Cream & Powder | Stark white | Cut crease and highlight |
| Black Liner | Classic black | Define lash lines |
| Blue Shadow | Electric blue | Statement waterline |
| Faux Lashes | Extra-long, whimsical | Amplify eye shape |
Step 3: The Flawless Drag Complexion – Foundation, Highlight, and Shimmer
True drag glam relies on a sculpted complexion. A’keria’s routine for a flawless base involves expertly layering products to catch every light and camera flash.
- Highlight: Apply a cream highlight shade to the under-eyes, chin, and forehead. These high points attract light and enhance facial angles.
- Foundation: Blend a neutral foundation across the rest of the face, ensuring a seamless transition from highlight zones to the base.
- Set with Powder: Press translucent or matching powder onto the highlighted zones for extra staying power—critical for stage wear.
- Dusted Shimmer: Sweep shimmering powder or highlighter along the bridge of the nose and on the cheekbones to give the face a lit-from-within glow.
Expert Advice: Sharp contrast in highlight and contour is essential in drag—don’t be afraid to go bolder than day-to-day makeup, as intense lighting can wash out subtle shading.
Step 4: Lips – The Finishing Pop of Color
Lips frame the look and give that unmistakable drag diva finish. Here’s how A’keria crafts her signature pout:
- Definition with Concealer: Use a fine concealer brush to outline lip edges, erasing any color outside the lines and making the lip shape crisp and elevated.
- Bubblegum Pink Base: Fill lips with an energetic, bubblegum-pink lipstick, keeping the color vibrant and saturated.
- Dark Pink Liner: Trace the outer edges with a rich, dark-pink liquid lipstick for depth and precise shape, slightly overdrawing if desired for plumper lips.
Suggested Product Pairing: Look for highly pigmented liquid lipsticks and soft concealers that blend without caking—essential for a lasting, true-to-color finish under the heat of stage lights.
Step 5: Finishing Touches – Costume Optional
While A’keria is known for her incredible custom costumes, her makeup alone can steal the show. Whether you have an extravagant flower bikini or just the boldest face in the room, confidence is the ultimate accessory.
- Optional Costume: Don your favorite drag or stage costume to complete the fantasy, but know the makeup is more than enough to command attention.
- Strike a Pose: Finish with a spritz of setting spray, don your best attitude, and get ready for the spotlight—digital or in-person!
Drag Makeup FAQs
Q: How long does a typical drag makeup transformation take?
A: For queens like A’keria Chanel Davenport, a full transformation can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the intricacy of the look and required costume changes.
Q: What’s the best way to remove heavy drag makeup?
A: Begin with an oil-based cleanser to break down long-wear products, followed by a gentle foaming cleanser. Extra attention should be paid to areas with glued-down brows and waterproof products. A final balm or nourishing oil encourages calm, hydrated skin post-wear.
Q: Is bold eyeshadow wearable outside of drag?
A: Absolutely! While A’keria’s method is maxed out for stage, individual elements—like a bright crease or colorful liner—can be adapted to everyday or special event looks.
Q: What are A’keria’s top tips for makeup beginners?
A: Practice patience, blend thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to experiment with color. Begin with easier shapes before attempting a complex cut crease or extravagant lash application.
Q: Must you use all the same products as A’keria?
A: No—the essence is in technique. With the right brushes, sponges, and a willingness to experiment, any artist can achieve a stunning transformation with products they already own.
Behind the Scenes: The Influence of Cosmo Queens
Cosmo Queens on Cosmopolitan celebrates drag artistry, turning the spotlight on rising and established queens. By exposing detailed makeup routines, the series aims to demystify drag beauty and inspire viewers from all walks of life to embrace creativity and color. Through the talent of artists like A’keria, each episode showcases techniques that are as much about self-expression and confidence as they are about beauty.
- Spotlights unique voices, backgrounds, and artistic approaches from the drag world.
- Breaks down barriers between everyday makeup and stage transformation.
- Empowers viewers to experiment with new skills, regardless of gender or age.
Pro Resources for Mastering Drag Makeup
- Brush Up on Skills: Practice basics—brows, lashes, blending—before attempting advanced techniques.
- Study Other Queens: Watch transformation videos from artists across the drag spectrum for inspiration.
- Join Community: Engage with beauty and drag communities online for advice, reviews, and encouragement.
No matter your level of experience, channeling your inner queen is just a brushstroke away. With A’keria’s detailed process and fearless style, your own transformation can become unforgettable—both on and off the stage.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a27754291/akeria-chanel-davenport-makeup-transformation-cosmo-queens/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-CEWGjBIuc
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrx4fxhgMUOaOZC6TLRr1_E0MGnhnBQ9Z
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-CEWGjBIuc&hl=id&client=mv-google&fulldescription=1&app=desktop&persist_app=1
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