Honey Davenport’s Sweet Drag Makeup Transformation: A Step-by-Step Guide
A vibrant, detailed guide to Honey Davenport’s dazzling drag makeup on Cosmo Queens, from brow block to dripping finishes.
Honey Davenport’s Sweet Drag Makeup Transformation
From the boldest brows to lips that sparkle like liquid gold, drag transformations are art in motion. In a standout Cosmo Queens feature, Honey Davenport — legendary from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 — reveals her signature sugary-glam process. Let’s unpack each step, product, and technique that turns a talented performer into an icon that’s dripping in honeyed perfection.
Meet Honey Davenport: A Queen Who Serves Looks and Sweetness
Crowned by fans as a queen of transformation, Honey Davenport may not have snatched the actual competition crown, but her impact resonates far beyond the main stage. She blends classic drag artistry with flavors all her own — and always with a touch of sweetness.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 contestant, unforgettable for her high-energy performances and fashion moments.
- Expert in crafting “look after look” — each one a narrative in color and contour.
- Celebrated for combining technical makeup skill with whimsical, theme-driven costuming.
The Makeup Transformation: Step by Step
Honey’s drag transformation distills the best of drag tradition with a fresh, playful twist. Follow along for each step of her journey from bare face to full fantasy.
1. Brow Block: Creating a Blank Canvas
Drag makeup often begins with erasing the natural brow, allowing for dramatic, high-arched brows later. Here’s how Honey blocks out her brows for a truly transformative effect:
- Gluing Down Brows: A thick, washable glue stick is worked through the brows, both with and against the natural hair grain, to flatten.
- Setting with Powder: After smoothing the glue, a loose translucent powder is applied over the brows to lock in place.
- Concealer Layer: A full-coverage concealer is buffed on top, merging the brow with surrounding skin.
This meticulous blocking step ensures that nothing takes away from her later, vivid brow artistry.
2. Foundation and Cream Contour: Building Structure
With brows blocked, Honey lays the groundwork for bold color by sculpting the face from flat canvas to dramatic dimension:
- Base Shade: A neutral foundation is spread evenly over the face, providing an opaque base to disguise all natural features.
- Initial Contour: Using a foundation one or two shades darker, Honey maps lines under the cheekbones, along the sides of the nose, and at the edges of her jawline.
- Deep Contour: For extra sculpting, a yet deeper shade is applied along the hairline and hollows of the cheeks—emphasizing bone structure in true drag fashion.
- Highlight and Setting Powder: A powder matching her lighter skin tone is pressed beneath the cheek contours and under the eyes, creating a pop of brightness and increased contrast.
All layers are buffed and blended until seamless, then set thoroughly to prevent shifting during the next steps.
3. Intense Powder Contour and Blush: Carving a Dramatic Visage
Powder products lock in cream work and give the face dramatic, camera-ready angles:
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- Powder Contour: Intense, matte brown powders are swept over the same areas as the earlier cream contour, adding another chiseled effect and “raising” the cheekbones visually.
- Blush: A vivid pink blush is generously applied to the apples and tops of the cheeks, tying together Honey’s playful, bold aesthetic.
- Highlight: Frosted, shimmering powder highlighter tops the cheekbones and is dusted over strategic points for a signature drag glow.
4. Signature Brows: Powerful, Painted Arches
With the canvas set, Honey crafts dramatic brows that command attention:
- Base Shape: She outlines and fills the brow with two dark-brown crème products, rendering a fiercely arched and elongated brow shape above the natural line.
- Brow Depth: Two matching brown powder shades add both depth and a soft gradient, intensifying the three-dimensional effect.
- Cleaning and Highlighting: A matte skin-tone powder sweeps just beneath the brow for sharp definition, followed by a metallic highlighter for a brow bone pop.
- Final Perfecting: Liquid liner is used on the brows’ lower edge for extra sharpness and graphic detail.
5. The Eyes: Painting a Vibrant Sunset
Honey’s eyes are unforgettable: a vibrant sunset unfolds in bold, blended color.
- Inner Lid (Pink): A matte, hot pink shadow fills the inner half of the upper eyelid, acting as a striking base.
- Outer Lid (Orange): The second half of the upper lid is blended into a rich orange shadow that meets the pink for a radiant, two-tone effect.
- Lid Center (Yellow): Over both shades, a punchy yellow shadow brings warmth and ties the blend together, mimicking a literal sunset gradient.
- Cut Crease Drama: Strategic blending and edge-cleaning create a defined color transition, opening the eye for stage and screen.
- Winged Liner: A precise liquid eyeliner carves a crisp, winged shape on the upper lid, further elongating and lifting the eye.
- Lower Lashline: Similar shades echo the upper lid, maintaining harmony and boldness in every angle.
- Finishing Touches: Honey defines brows once more with liquid liner, then boosts her lashes with voluminous mascara and dramatic false lashes.
| Eye Color Placement | Product Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Lid | Matte Pink Shadow | Brightens and opens eye |
| Outer Lid | Orange Shadow | Adds warmth and depth |
| Center Lid | Yellow Shadow | Sunset effect; unifies look |
| Upper Lid Edge | Liquid Liner (Black) | Defines & elongates shape |
| Lashes | Mascara + False Lashes | Dramatic finishing impact |
6. The Lips: Glossy, Glittering Drama
No drag look is complete without lips that captivate. Honey’s “dripping honey” lip routine includes:
- Lip Liner: Outlining with a vibrant pink pencil, exaggerating drama and volume.
- Liquid Lipstick: Filling in with a coral-toned liquid lipstick for saturated color and smudge-proof wear.
- Glitter Gloss: Finishing with layers of shimmering glitter lip gloss—the ultimate drag queen sparkle.
The result is a juicy, dimensional lip look that demands attention under any spotlight.
7. Setting the Look: Powder, Precision, and Perseverance
Honey completes her transformation by ensuring every product is set for endurance:
- All-Over Setting: Generous setting powder keeps each layer in place, preventing shine and slippage.
- Final Touch-Up: Edges are checked, contours re-intensified if needed, and the look is tweaked for stage perfection.
The Final Look: Honey-Drenched Drag Perfection
Beyond just the makeup, Honey’s ensemble is a tour de force of themed costuming, complete with “dripping honey” motifs and even a plush, hungry bear prop. Her entire look radiates playful confidence and creativity — encapsulating what makes drag such a powerful artistic expression.
- Signature Honey Theme: Costume design echoes the glistening effect of real honey and amplifies the sweetness motif.
- Bold, Colorful Beauty Aesthetic: Each element from brows to lips is both performative and editorially striking.
- Stage-Ready Finish: Final result is equal parts meticulous craft and fearless self-expression.
Pro Tips for Creating the Look at Home
- Practice brow-blocking with patience — it’s essential for a transformative drag effect.
- Experiment with unconventional color placements for a bold eye look (try the sunset blend!).
- Use contrasting powders for sculpting: “painting” on bone structure is a drag tradition for a reason.
- Finish with plenty of powder to set even the thickest creams.
- For lips, layer gloss over liquid lipstick for a high-impact shine that lasts.
- Don’t forget: costume and attitude can amplify your makeup even further!
About Honey Davenport
Honey Davenport stands out not just for her skills in makeup but also for her vibrant presence in music and performance. Beyond drag, she’s known for her single “Made Like You”—a fitting anthem for anyone choosing to express themselves boldly and unapologetically.
- Performs nationally and internationally as a drag artist and vocalist.
- Creates themed looks for music videos, live events, and editorial shoots.
- Champions individuality and the art of transformation both onstage and online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What foundation does Honey Davenport use for drag?
A: While the exact brand isn’t specified, she applies a neutral, full-coverage foundation, layering darker shades for strategic contouring to achieve a flawless, mask-like base suitable for stage and intense lighting effects.
Q: How does Honey get her dramatic brows?
A: She first blocks out her natural brows and then redraws new, sharply arched brows using a mix of dark-brown creams, powder for depth, and liquid liner to define the bottom edge. The process allows for expressive, graphic brows essential to drag looks.
Q: Can beginners recreate Honey’s sunset eyes?
A: Yes! Start by applying each shadow (pink, orange, yellow) carefully, focusing on blending between shades. Use clean brushes for each color, and apply a bright base if colors aren’t popping enough. Patience and practice make perfect.
Q: What’s the trick to achieving her honey-themed lips?
A: Outline with a bright or deep pink liner, fill with high-pigment coral lipstick, and top with plenty of glitter gloss for the signature “dripping in honey” glitter effect.
Q: How important is the final costume in Honey’s transformation?
A: Extremely! The makeup tells the story, while the costume (like Honey’s bear and honey-drip ensemble) brings the entire theme to life. In drag, fashion and face are inseparable parts of self-expression.
Cosmo Queens: Drag Makeup as Art, Expression, and Celebration
The Cosmo Queens series isn’t just about showing off makeup—it’s about spotlighting artistry, self-confidence, and the rich tapestry of drag culture. Drag performers like Honey Davenport teach us that makeup can be armor, canvas, and joy all at once. Whether you’re seasoned in stage makeup or playing with color for the first time at home, these tutorials encourage blending outside the lines—and always making it sweet.
- Celebrate your individuality, whatever your makeup skill level.
- Learn from every queen — every transformation offers new tricks and inspiration.
- Beauty is about creating yourself anew: just like Honey, make every look your own.
Ready to create your own honey-dripped glam? Roll out the foundation, pick up your boldest shadows, and remember: confidence is always the first step in any transformation.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a27184160/honey-davenport-makeup-transformation-cosmo-queens/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a27754291/akeria-chanel-davenport-makeup-transformation-cosmo-queens/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE1kTrTYE7g
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJgJ1kMqICU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5t_IxT6Pw8
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrx4fxhgMUOaOZC6TLRr1_E0MGnhnBQ9Z
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Davenport
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