Watch Scarlet Envy’s Drag Queen Makeup Transformation Step by Step
Go inside Scarlet Envy’s glam routine to learn how she creates show-stopping drag looks, from brows to bust.

The Scarlet Envy Makeover: Inside a Drag Queen’s Beauty Toolkit
Scarlet Envy, the fan favorite from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11, walked into the Cosmopolitan studios and walked out with a look as glamorous as it gets—think Jessica Rabbit meets Broadway diva. She graciously took us step-by-step through her transformation from a bare face to a jaw-dropping bombshell, sharing insider tricks that make her one of the most visually arresting queens in the game.
The Starting Point: Prepping the Canvas
The foundation of any great drag look is, well, foundation—but before that, preparation matters. Scarlet’s routine begins with gluing down the outer half of her eyebrows, a signature move in drag makeup that allows queens to redraw them higher and more arched for dramatic effect. Next, she tackles facial hair, a common concern for all drag queens, by applying a red color corrector (a common workaround for blue shadows on the upper lip and chin). She sets this with a dusting of powder, locking in the color so it doesn’t interfere with her foundation.
Creating the Drag Face: Foundation, Sculpting, and Bake
With her canvas smoothed and prepped, Scarlet applies cream foundation, contour, and highlight sticks with the precision of a Renaissance painter. She blends, recontours with a deeper shade for extra drama, and blends again—then “bakes” her face with a heavy dusting of loose white setting powder. This technique, beloved by queens, mattifies, chisels, and helps makeup last all night (or all queens’ runway).
(Table: Scarlet Envy’s Drag Foundation Routine)
Step | Product Type | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Eyebrows | Cream (for glue/prosthetics) | Create new, dramatic arch |
Facial Hair | Red color corrector | Neutralize blue tones |
Foundation | Cream stick | Full-coverage base |
Contour/Highlight | Cream stick | Sculpt and illuminate |
Bake | Loose white powder | Set, mattify, chisel |
Blush | Powder or cream | Add color and dimension |
Eyes That Slay
Scarlet’s eyes are the centerpiece of her look, so she doesn’t skimp. She begins by lining her waterline with white eyeliner to make her baby blue eyes pop—a classic drag trick that instantly brightens and opens the eyes. For extra drama, she sketches two distinct wings: a classic cat eye and another along the crease, blending out the crease line with a warm brown and topping it with a shimmering copper eyeshadow. She repeats the liquid liner on the lower lash line and smokes it out with black shadow for maximum impact.
The Art of the Illusion: Eyebrows and Brows
New brows are drawn over the concealed area with a brown cream. She highlights them with a lighter nude cream and sets everything with powder for longevity. Full, archy, drag-ready brows are not an accident but a work of layered artistry.
Finishing Touches: Lashes, Lip, and Luster
Mascara, blue contact lenses, and the glue-on of false lashes bring the eyes to life. Then, the lips—Scarlet swipes on a bold red liquid lipstick and outlines them with black liner for extra drama, a move that perfectly complements her vintage Hollywood-meets-cartoon bombshell vibe.
The Secret Sauce: Cleavage Contouring
Drag queens are masters of body illusion. Scarlet uses a cream contour stick to “draw” two half-circles on her chest. Blending these lines artfully—with practice, of course—she creates the illusion of a dramatic, voluptuous bust, then cinches her waist with a corset for that classic hourglass silhouette. Add a chic dressing gown, statement earrings, a feather boa, and suddenly, Scarlet Envy could walk straight out of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and onto any red carpet.
The Complete Scarlet Envy Drag Makeup Routine
- Prime the face: Glue down brows, color correct, and powder to smooth the canvas.
- Foundation and contour: Layer cream products, blend, contour, bake, and blush for sculpted drama.
- Eyes: Waterline with white, winged liner, multi-shadow blend, and intense lower liner.
- Brows: Conceal and redraw, highlight, and set for maximum arch.
- Lashes and lips: Mascara, colored contacts, false lashes, red liquid lipstick, and black liner.
- Body illusion: Contour the chest, cinch with a corset, and accessorize for full glamour.
Why Scarlet Envy’s Makeup Matters
Scarlet Envy’s makeup transformation isn’t just about vanity—it’s a masterclass in illusion, self-expression, and technical skill. Each step is designed to amplify, sculpt, and celebrate theatrical femininity in a way that’s both artistic and empowering. Fans who watched her on RuPaul’s Drag Race often felt she was “robbed” of a longer run on the show; this tutorial is proof of why she’s such a beloved queen. Her look is not only visually stunning but also a deliberate, layered performance—one that welcomes fans into the process and demystifies drag for newcomers.
Common Drag Makeup Myths Debunked
- Myth: Drag makeup is all about heavy, caked-on products.
- Truth: Layering and blending are key; it’s about sculpting, not just coverage.
- Myth: Only professionals can do drag makeup.
- Truth: While technical, anyone can learn and adapt these techniques at home.
- Myth: Drag makeup is for men who want to pass as women.
- Truth: Drag is about theatrical transformation and self-expression, not passing.
FAQs: All About Scarlet Envy’s Drag Makeup Routine
Q: How long does it take Scarlet Envy to do her full drag makeup?
A: Most drag queens invest 1–3 hours in a full face, depending on complexity. Scarlet’s look, with detailed contouring and illusion work, likely falls closer to the 2-hour mark.
Q: Does Scarlet Envy always wear blue contacts?
A: While blue contacts are a signature part of her Jessica Rabbit-inspired look, drag queens often switch up eye colors to match different outfits and personas.
Q: What’s the trick to her cleavage illusion?
A: Scarlet uses cream contour to draw two half-circles and blends them to create the appearance of a natural bust. Combined with a corset, the effect is dramatic and convincing.
Q: Can beginners try this at home?
A: Yes! While drag makeup is advanced, breaking it down into steps—prep, face, eyes, brows, lips, and body—makes the process approachable. Practice and patience are key.
Q: What is “baking” and why do queens do it?
A: “Baking” is applying a heavy coat of translucent powder to set liquid makeup; it helps the face look airbrushed and keeps everything in place for hours.
Drag Makeup Must-Haves
- Cream foundation and contour sticks
- Loose white setting powder
- Red color corrector
- White eyeliner pencil
- Liquid eyeliner (black)
- Neutral and shimmer eyeshadows
- False eyelashes and lash glue
- Colored contact lenses
- Bold liquid lipstick and black lip liner
- Corset and body contour products
The Future of Scarlet Envy and Drag Makeup
Scarlet Envy’s growing fan base and social media presence suggest she’s just getting started. With whispers of a possible RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars run, her influence on drag makeup and culture is likely to expand even further. And with tutorials like this, she’s helping to make drag more accessible and inspiring for future queens and fans everywhere.
Final Words: The Magic of Transformation
At its heart, drag is about transformation, illusion, and celebration. Scarlet Envy’s makeup routine is a testament to the art form’s creativity and technical brilliance. Each layer—from glued-down brows to contour-sculpted cleavage—is a statement, a performance, and a nod to the joy of becoming something extraordinary, at least for a night.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a27104356/scarlet-envy-makeup-transformation-cosmo-queens/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a34233613/pearl-scarlet-envy-makeup-transformation-cosmo-queens/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANWx8sIgHqA
- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x75vnio
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRu-Doaaq80
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrx4fxhgMUOaOZC6TLRr1_E0MGnhnBQ9Z
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrx4fxhgMUObxX0iY54Q996G8VLgAauvD
Read full bio of Sneha Tete