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Yuhua Hamasaki’s Jaw-Dropping Drag Makeup Transformation

Discover the artistry, technique, and personality behind Yuhua Hamasaki’s unforgettable Cosmo Queens makeup transformation.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Discover the artistry, technique, and personality behind Yuhua Hamasaki’s unforgettable Cosmo Queens makeup transformation.

Yuhua Hamasaki’s Dazzling Drag Queen Makeup: An In-Depth Transformation

If you’re looking for a show-stopping, unapologetically extra beauty transformation, no one brings it quite like Yuhua Hamasaki—the celebrated drag queen, performer, and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum. In her third epic appearance on Cosmopolitan’s Cosmo Queens series, Yuhua takes us behind the scenes for a jaw-dropping drag makeup makeover, turning her face into a stunning, rhinestone-studded denim fantasy. Let’s break down every step, tip, and secret behind this unforgettable transformation, complete with glam techniques you can try at home.

About Yuhua Hamasaki: The Queen Behind the Glam

Known for her electrifying style and comedic flair, Yuhua Hamasaki is a multi-talented performer who rose to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 10. She’s renowned for pushing makeup boundaries and experimenting with bold, creative concepts on Cosmo Queens. During quarantine, she’s also flexed her creativity in the kitchen (yes, cooking!) and on YouTube, where her Bootleg Opinions series delights fans.

Cosmo Queens: Celebrating Drag Excellence

Cosmo Queens, produced by Cosmopolitan, offers exclusive video makeup transformations by top drag artists. Each episode showcases the behind-the-scenes magic, step-by-step artistry, and campy energy that makes drag so extraordinary. Yuhua’s return to Cosmo Queens is much anticipated, with each transformation more elaborate and dazzling than the last.

Denim and Rhinestones: Inspiration for the Transformation

For this episode, Yuhua crafts a look inspired by denim and rhinestones—a nod to classic American style, revamped through drag glamour. The combination of everyday fabrics with over-the-top sparkle sets the tone for a transformation that’s fierce, dramatic, and uniquely personal.

Theme: Denim fabric accents paired with rhinestone detailing
Goal: To fuse fashion, nostalgia, and ultra-glam drag makeup

Step-by-Step: How Yuhua Hamasaki Transforms Her Face

1. Skin Preparation — Flawless, Drag-Ready Base

Every drag transformation starts with a clean canvas. Yuhua begins by prepping her skin, ensuring moisturization and priming for longevity—a crucial foundation for bold makeup.

Moisturizer for hydration
Professional-grade primer to lock in makeup

2. Blocking Brows for Maximum Drama

Drag makeup demands a blank brow canvas. Yuhua uses glue sticks to flatten down her natural brows, followed by powder to set and mask them.

Step 1: Apply washable glue stick to brows
Step 2: Layer with translucent powder
Step 3: Repeat until brows are fully blocked

3. Building the Base: Foundation and Concealer

A flawless complexion is non-negotiable. Yuhua applies high-coverage foundation across her entire face, neck, and décolletage—ensuring an even, opaque surface.

Full-coverage liquid foundation (multiple shades for depth)
Concealer for extra coverage under the eyes

4. Baking and Setting

Drag baking involves packing translucent powder onto high-points of the face to set the base, absorb oil, and intensify highlight.

Generous application along cheekbones, jawline, nose, and under eyes
Let sit for several minutes before dusting away

5. Contour and Highlight — Sculpting the Drag Fantasy

Next, Yuhua emphasizes her bone structure with strategic contouring—cheeks are chiseled, nose is snatched, and jaw is sharpened.

Dark cream contour shades to shape face
Light powder highlight along nose, forehead, and cheekbone

She blends meticulously, ensuring dramatic yet seamless structure—a look uniquely theatrical for drag.

6. Brows and Eye Definition — Extreme Shapes and Details

With natural brows blocked, Yuhua draws in wildly exaggerated, arched brows using deep brown and black pencils. She accentuates the brow bone with a shimmery highlight, then moves on to layered, extra-bold eyeshadow.

Brow pencil to sketch dramatic arches
Pressed powder shadows for blending and intensity
Glitter for added drama

7. Eyeshadow Magic: Smoky, Glittery, Multidimensional

Layer after layer of eyeshadow creates mesmerizing depth. Yuhua combines matte and shimmer pigments to achieve her trademark smoky eyes, topped with rhinestone accents and glitter for the full drag effect.

Dusky tones along the crease for depth
Bold colors packed on the lid
Loose glitter and rhinestones for 3D sparkle

8. Eyeliner and Lashes: The Drama Finale

No drag look is complete without ultra-sharp winged liner and voluminous lashes—Yuhua’s signature moves.

Jet-black liquid liner for crisp cat eyes
Stacked falsies, often two to three pairs for maximum fluff

She fans out lashes for exaggerated, camera-ready dimension.

9. Final Details: Blush, Lip, and Highlighter

Yuhua’s blush is heavily applied, sweeping across cheeks to tie in her color story. For lips, she prefers bold shades—rich reds, deep berries—often finished with a layer of micro-glitter.

Blush in bright, saturated tones
Overdrawn lips for fullness
Gloss and glitter for lip shine
Beaming highlighter along cheekbones and brows

10. Costume Integration: Bringing the Look Together

This transformation isn’t just about makeup—Yuhua’s denim-and-rhinestone lewk features costume details that amplify her makeup. She coordinates her hair, accessories, and fashion to harmonize with her face.

Custom denim headpieces studded with rhinestones
Matching earrings and necklaces
Bouffant or sleek wigs styled for drama

Drag Makeup Tips and Pro Techniques from Yuhua Hamasaki

Mastering drag makeup requires patience, layering, and a fearless creative vision. Here are Yuhua’s top tips for beginners and pros:

Blend relentlessly: Harsh lines distract from the art—smooth transitions are key.
Layer for intensity: Color payoff depends on building up product in stages.
Don’t fear glitter: Glitter and rhinestones aren’t just for special events—they bring dimension and stage presence. Use lash glue for easy application.
Bake with intention: Baking isn’t just trend—it ensures makeup survives heat, sweat, and long hours.
Customize your brows: Exaggerated, expressive brows are the gateway to drag personality.
Embrace bold lips: Drag loves overstated lips. Use lip liner to create new shapes.

What Makes This Transformation So ‘Extra’?

Yuhua’s makeup artistry is defined by extremes—color, texture, embellishment. She combines classic techniques (baking, contouring, blending) with innovative product placement and avant-garde styling to maximize impact on camera and stage. Her denim-and-rhinestone drag lewk is celebrated for being:

Ultra-dramatic
Meticulously detailed
Cohesive between costume, hair, and face
Supported by advanced layering and blending

This artistry earns her acclaim not just from fans, but from fellow queens and makeup lovers globally.

Yuhua Hamasaki’s Other Iconic Cosmo Queens Looks

While her denim glam is standout, Yuhua’s previous appearances on Cosmo Queens are equally legendary. Some favorite looks include:

Red and gold glam with exaggerated lashes and bold brows
Avant-garde smokey eyes paired with luminous, highlighted skin
Colorful, experimental face paints integrating high fashion and drag camp

Her artistry evolves with every episode, but her signature remains: fearless, playful, bold.

Comparing Drag Makeup Techniques: Stage vs. Video

Feature	Stage Drag Makeup	Video Drag Makeup
Coverage	Heavy layering to survive heat and lights	Heavy layering, but needs to look flawless on HD cameras
Detail	Emphasized for distance	Fine-tuned for close-up shots
Lighting	Requires bold colors to stand out	Subtle color balance to avoid wash-out
Bling Factor	Big rhinestones and glitter for visibility	Smaller, more precision bling for crisp video effect

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Yuhua Hamasaki’s Drag Makeup

Q: What products does Yuhua Hamasaki swear by for drag transformations?

A: Yuhua favors high-coverage foundation (often Kryolan or Dermablend), flexible brow blockers, pressed glitters, professional-grade powder, and strong lash glue for rhinestones.

Q: How does Yuhua choose her color palette for each look?

A: She designs each look around her costume concept, selecting colors that harmonize with outfit and accessories. For her denim-inspired look, she leans into blues, silvers, and highlight shades.

Q: Tips for beginners wanting to try drag makeup?

A: Don’t be afraid of layering and experimenting—drag makeup is about fun and storytelling. Invest in good blending brushes, stick with high-pigment products, and practice bold lines.

Q: How long does a full drag transformation take?

A: On average, a transformational drag look like Yuhua’s can take 2–3 hours, accounting for costume, accessories, and wig styling.

Q: What is the most difficult part of the process?

A: Blocking brows and achieving seamless blending—these steps take practice but deliver maximum impact.

Watch the Transformation: Why Cosmo Queens Matters

Cosmo Queens isn’t just makeup. It’s a celebration of queer artistry, identity, and performance. Yuhua Hamasaki’s episode brings personality, skill, and joy. Viewers leave inspired—ready to embrace their own makeup journeys, whether onstage, on camera, or in everyday life.

Key Takeaways and Inspiring Notes

Drag makeup is an art form: It requires vision, skill, and daring creativity.
Yuhua Hamasaki is a master of transformation, blending classic drag techniques with personal flair.
Cosmo Queens offers exclusive, expert insight into the world of professional drag artistry.
Anyone can experiment with drag makeup: The secret is confidence and fearless self-expression.
Denim & rhinestones are just the beginning—let your imagination shine.

Conclusion: Unlock Your Inner Queen

Whether you’re an aspiring drag artist or a makeup enthusiast, Yuhua Hamasaki’s Cosmo Queens transformation is a masterclass in creativity and technical skill. Her makeup sets the bar for artistry, while her personality shines through every step. Drag makeup is for everyone—unleash your imagination, play with color, and don’t be afraid of bling.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb