BenDeLaCreme’s Jaw-Dropping Drag Makeup Transformation Guide
Discover pro drag makeup artistry, step-by-step glam secrets, and performance-ready transformation tips in this exclusive tutorial.
BenDeLaCreme’s Complete Drag Makeup Transformation: A Cosmo Queens Feature
Step into the world of drag artistry with BenDeLaCreme, celebrated queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race and star of Cosmopolitan’s Cosmo Queens series. In this exclusive guide, BenDeLaCreme shares her masterful approach to transformative makeup, covering everything from skin prep to dramatic final touches. Whether you want a look worthy of the runway or the stage, this comprehensive tutorial brings professional insight, trade secrets, and bold beauty techniques right to your vanity.
About BenDeLaCreme and the Drag Artistry
Renowned for her theatrical charisma, bold style, and technical finesse, BenDeLaCreme brings classic camp with contemporary sophistication. In this featured tutorial, she not only walks viewers through her transformation, but also offers expert advice on embracing individuality, confidence, and creativity through makeup.
- Signature Style: Exaggerated lashes, vibrant colors, and stylized brows define her drag persona.
- Performance-Ready: Every step is designed for maximum impact on stage and in photos.
- Inclusivity in Artistry: BenDeLaCreme encourages makeup lovers of all backgrounds to experiment and express themselves.
Essential Step-by-Step Drag Makeup Routine
Follow along as BenDeLaCreme reveals each phase of her dramatic transformation, explaining technique and intention for every product and brush stroke.
1. Prep and Prime: Creating the Canvas
- Skin Care: Start with clean, moisturized skin to ensure smooth makeup application.
- Hydrating Primer: BenDeLaCreme applies a silicone-based primer, optimizing for long wear and flawless finish.
Proper prep supports the heavy layering and intense color payoff needed for stage-ready transformation.
2. Full Coverage Foundation and Concealer
- High-Pigment Foundation: Drag makeup needs an opaque base that can withstand bright lights and sweating.
- Application: Use a damp beauty sponge or dense brush, blending from center outward.
- Heavy Concealing: Apply a light-toned concealer beneath the eyes, on the center of the forehead, nose bridge, and chin.
This technique amplifies the structure and provides a vivid palette for color and contour work.
3. Sculpting the Face: Drag Contour and Highlight
- Contouring Shades: BenDeLaCreme sculpts dramatic cheekbones, jawline, and nose using cream and powder products several shades darker than her base.
- Highlights: Bright matte and shimmery highlights are placed to sharpen contrast and catch the light.
- Blend, Blend, Blend: Seamless blending is key to a convincing drag transformation, using both brushes and sponges for a diffused look.
Exaggerated contouring not only feminizes features but aligns with the performative aesthetic central to drag.
4. Brows: Video-Game Realness
- Blocking Out Brows: Traditional brows are glued down and concealed to create a blank canvas.
- Custom Drag Brows: BenDeLaCreme draws a bold, arched brow high above her natural line for animated, expressive impact.
- Technique: Outline with a pencil, fill with pomade or colored powders, and define with concealer.
What others are reading
The dramatic new brow shape amplifies facial expression and sets the drag aesthetic apart from everyday beauty routines.
5. Eyes: The Ultimate Cat Eye and Lashes
- Bold Shapes: Layer eyeshadows to carve out deep, exaggerated sockets and outer wing for feline drama.
- BenDeLaCreme’s Signature Cat Eye: A multi-step process involving black gel liner, precision brushes, and graphic detail.
- Lash Stacking: Combine multiple pairs of false lashes for volume, length, and theatrical flair.
- Finishing Touch: Colorful accents and metallic shimmer add dimension and pop on stage.
| Step | Products Used | Key Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Primer | Cream primer, concealer | Set with powder for smooth application |
| Eyeshadow | Neutrals, bold pigments | Layer lights, deepen sockets with darks |
| Liner | Black gel, felt-tip | Sharp wing, graphic edges |
| Lashes | Stacked falsies | Multi-pair application, secure glue |
6. Blush, Color, and Drag Drama
- Vivid Blush: Apply heavy, strategic blush to bring animation and exaggeration to the cheeks.
- Color Theory: BenDeLaCreme chooses tones that pop against her foundation and harmonize with her costume.
Strategic placement higher on the cheeks and temples creates a lifted, stylized effect unique to drag.
7. Lips: Design, Outline, and Fill
- Lip Blocking: Foundation over natural lips erases original shape.
- Overdrawn Lips: BenDeLaCreme sketches a new, larger contour with liner, then fills with vibrant, non-transfer lipstick.
- Gloss and Highlight: Accentuate cupid’s bow, center, and lower lip for extra fullness.
Lips become a focal point, balancing the eyes and enhancing the character’s personality.
8. Setting and Locking in the Look
- Bake and Set: Generous translucent powder ensures longevity and sweat-resistance for performance.
- Fixing Spray: A final mist integrates layers and locks in pigments.
These steps guarantee the transformation stays flawless under stage lights and throughout the night.
9. Wig Styling, Accessories, and Finishing Touches
- Wig Prep: Secure and style the wig, adding height, volume, and drama to frame the newly transformed face.
- Statement Accessories: Big earrings, the perfect drag necklace, and headpieces complement the look.
- Character Reveal: BenDeLaCreme makes a final reveal, embracing her drag persona with flair.
Behind the Scenes: Pro Makeup Tips for Drag Queens
- Layering is Key: The best drag looks are built gradually. Take time to layer foundation, color, and detail.
- Product Selection: Full-coverage, highly pigmented products hold up best.
- Precision Tools: Invest in fine brushes for liner, blending, and detail work.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Try new techniques off-stage to build confidence and skill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does a full drag transformation take?
Depending on experience and complexity, most drag queens—including BenDeLaCreme—spend 1–2 hours on complete drag makeup. This includes intricate face paint, brow creation, and multi-step facial contouring.
Can beginners achieve a similar look to BenDeLaCreme?
Yes. While BenDeLaCreme uses advanced techniques, many elements—such as exaggerated brows and bold lips—are accessible with practice and step-by-step tutorials. Start with simpler shapes and build skill over time.
What products are essential for drag makeup?
- Full-coverage foundation and concealer
- Translucent setting powder
- Highly pigmented eyeshadows and liners
- Strong adhesive for brow blocking and false lashes
- Long-wearing lipstick and gloss
How do you choose the right wig and accessories?
Wigs and accessories should complement the character you are creating. Consider face shape, costume color, and intended persona—just as BenDeLaCreme does when preparing for performance or photoshoot.
What are BenDeLaCreme’s top tips for drag makeup longevity?
- Use primer and finishing spray to lock layers.
- “Bake” with powder to absorb oils and prevent creasing.
- Stack lashes and layer colors for visuals that read well at any distance.
Table: Drag Makeup vs. Everyday Glam
| Feature | Drag Makeup | Everyday Glam |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Coverage | Ultra full-coverage, buildable | Medium to full, natural finish |
| Brow Style | Blocked and redrawn, exaggerated | Natural arch, slight fill |
| Contouring | Intense sculpting | Soft definition |
| Eye Makeup | Bold shapes, multi-layered colors | Single shade, light liner |
| Lashes | Stacked, oversized falsies | Single natural pair or mascara |
| Lip Design | Overdrawn, vivid, glossy | Natural, subtle lining |
The Power of Performance: Makeup as Character and Story
BenDeLaCreme’s makeup ritual is far more than surface artistry—it’s a means of storytelling and personal empowerment. Each transformation is crafted to embody a character and evoke audience engagement. Whether on televised competitions or live stage acts, her look amplifies personality, emotion, and the spirit of drag culture.
- Character Building: Makeup informs posture, expression, and confidence, helping queens inhabit their roles.
- Cultural Expression: Drag makeup carries the legacy of LGBTQ+ performance, celebrating boldness and resilience.
- Individual Voice: Each queen’s style—from color choices to brow angles—speaks to their unique narrative and artistry.
Your Turn: Experiment, Transform, Play
Inspired by BenDeLaCreme’s techniques? Gather your favorite products and unleash creativity. Drag is about liberation and joy—every face is a blank canvas for invention.
- Follow tutorials, but adapt steps to your own features and style.
- Try different techniques, wigs, accessories, and stage-worthy elements.
- Embrace every transformation as a celebration of self-expression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I unblock brows for drag?
A: Glue stick or professional brow wax followed by concealer and powder will erase your natural brow for a clean canvas.
Q: What sets drag makeup apart from regular glam?
A: Drag makeup uses higher coverage, vivid colors, and exaggerated features designed for performance visibility and artistic expression.
Q: How can I make my drag makeup last through a night of dancing?
A: Prime, bake heavily with powder, set with mist, and use long-wear products for best results.
Q: Where can I watch BenDeLaCreme’s full tutorial?
A: Check Cosmopolitan’s Cosmo Queens series and related YouTube episodes for official step-by-step guides and behind-the-scenes content.
Final Thoughts: Celebrate Your Drag Journey
BenDeLaCreme’s transformative makeup tutorial is both celebration and education—inviting viewers to play, invent, and redefine beauty one look at a time. Whether you’re aspiring to hit the stage, dominate the selfie game, or simply push creative boundaries in your beauty routine, unleash your inner queen and join the color revolution.
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