Are you as excited as we are about the non-stop Drag Race binge-fest Miss RuPaul has kindly provided us with so far this year? Wishing you had the comedy stylings of Shangela, the death-dropping ability of Aja or the kick-ass attitude of The Vixen? Good news – GCU’s very own drag queen starlet Marie Juana has provided us with some sickening tips and tricks to help you become RuPaul-ready.
Marie, aka Sandy McKenzie, began doing drag 18 months ago (for context, that’s how long disputed Miss Congeniality Valentina had been performing for when she took her first steps into the workroom) and has fast become a staple of the Glasgow scene. Performing to an eclectic mix of camp divas like Kylie and cult icons such as Bjork, and impersonating everyone from Theresa May to Alan Sugar to Trisha Paytas, Marie’s ability to jump between cultural reference points while providing comic relief is refreshing. Just fresh from completing a 30 Pop Divas Instagram challenge, in which she was photographed as a different music star daily throughout February, Marie has proved she can turn it out both on and off the stage.
No longer brand new to Glasgow’s drag scene but not quite yet seasoned, Marie offers a unique perspective on the adventure that is starting a new creative pursuit from scratch. We asked her to look back on her own experiences so far to help shed some light on how to get started in drag.
Why did you start doing drag?
Marie: I started doing drag because I always considered myself to be very feminine – I’ve also always loved writing and storytelling and creating deep interesting characters. My friend then introduced me to drag and after experimenting a bit with makeup and wigs I knew this was an art form that would allow me to not just create a character, but also live in one and express all the femininity I didn’t feel I could express as a boy.
How did you go about starting to do drag?
Marie: I started off by watching over all the seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and following drag queens on Instagram to get a basic idea of drag makeup and faces. While I was doing this, I practised makeup and styles, and after six months I started to attend local drag shows in drag and started asking for gigs.
How did you deal with the initial anxiety of being in drag in front of others, and in turn performing in front of crowds?
Marie: I drank a lot of wine to be honest. The anxiety when I first started performing was mental because I had zero performing background prior to doing drag. But the best way to combat anxiety is to do your research and go to shows so you can learn what types of numbers go down well at certain venues. Another way to combat anxiety is to get yourself familiar with other queens in the area and gain their support and trust so you have that safety net in your mind when you’re on stage. There’s nothing more comforting than having a friend watch you and cheer you on.
Why should people who are interested in drag start doing it?
Marie: Once you start, your creativity will flourish and you’ll discover aspects of yourself that you didn’t know were there. Particularly regarding confidence – it does wonders for your confidence.
What advice do you have for people starting out – maybe something you yourself took a while to learn or wish someone had told you?
Marie: People aren’t going to be obsessed with you straight away. If you’re starting out and you make mistakes, that’s allowed. You have time to grow as a performer, just take your time and set realistic goals.
What do you look to to inspire your looks and performances?
Marie: My main inspirations for looks are pop divas like Gwen Stefani and Madonna. However, the place I get the most inspiration from is by going shopping. Very often I’ll see something I like whether it’s a dress or a hat and I’ll build an entire look around that, and that’s very exciting because you don’t know what’s going to come next. In terms of performances my inspiration could come from anywhere. I do a lot of themed shows so I’ll look at the theme and perform as the first thing that comes to my head, I tend to use my gut a lot.
What do you still want to improve in your own drag?
Marie: I have a lot to work on whether it be looks or performing. I think you have to be analytical and critical of what you’re putting out to do better. But at the same time, you have to take that time to sit back and go ‘oh wow, I did that and it was awesome’. It’s all about getting the perfect balance.
TOP 10 BEAUTY/STYLE TIPS
- Invest in some quality makeup brushes. Your makeup could be the highest quality out there but it means nothing without the right application tools.
- Big eye makeup needs big lashes but you will need to order them online. If you want big lashes quickly, then hitting up a Halloween store is a great shout.
- Don’t feel discouraged if halfway through you feel as though your makeup is terrible. Every piece of your face should complement each other and the end product will be stunning.
- Using baby powder is a fab substitute for setting powder. However, make sure to dust if off quickly as it may make your face look chalky. Likewise, actual setting powder is a must for setting your brows smoothly.
- Always keep a neutral nude or white shade of lipstick or foundation. This can be used to create an ombre effect on almost any lip colour and bring your lips to the next level.
- Accessorising is a must when it comes to style. The final details on your look will bring it from excellent to truly incredible.
- When on a budget, you can wear fabrics or hats with a cheap hard front wig. These types of looks are often the most stylish.
- If you want to splash out on any makeup product, my personal recommendation is eye shadow. Eyeshadow that’s high in pigment is the most difficult to come by so it’s worth investing in something a bit more expensive.
- Using coconut oil to remove your makeup is quicker and less irritating than using wipes.
- Drag makeup is all about exaggerating your features. So, don’t be afraid to go big, but at the same time once you’ve been at it a while, don’t be afraid to tone it down a little.
