Drag Make-Up Essay

Within the context of drag entertainment it is obvious that make-up has a primary role in a drag artist’s consumption to create the character. Make-up within this context refers to theatrical make-up, i.e. make-up that is used to assist in creating the appearance of the characters that actors portray during a theater production, rather than cosmetics. Make-up is used to bring the character to fruition and therefore creates the illusory aspect of a drag artist’s performance: verisimilitude. Mariana Trench explains;

Mariana trench demonstrates that drag make-up is a complex process of studying shadows, bone structure and lighting. The use of language elevates it beyond the cosmetic realm and into that of art. It can be argued that drag make-up application is a
As more make-up is applied the drag impersonator begins to diminish and transform into the drag persona that has been carefully developed down to the finest detail of body language, dictation, voice, biography, personality, etc. It appears to be a personalised, ritualistic process that helps them transition into the desired mind-set or persona so to perform. This process is akin to physicalization in the acting world where an actor will use material resources such as costumes and props to signal something about their character. A drag artist will use make-up to hint to the type of character they are. For example, Wednesday Tuesday has a signature clown lip to signify that she is not a polished drag queen. A drag impersonators make-up application, if completed correctly, along with the effort put in for the character creation process all come together to create an authentic performance. Dependant on the degree of authenticity, some drag artists have a constant struggle to reiterate the division of their character and themselves to their audience and society at large who appears to blur the line between the