How to be a Drag King - secret tips and tricks from your local Drag King performers

So, you want to be a Drag King?

You've decided to challenge gender norms and explore what it means to be masculine through the art of Drag. Go you! But where to start? Pick a name? Choose a style? To glitter, or not to glitter?

We spoke to 5 Drag Kings who perform in pubs and clubs around the world to share their most secret Drag tips in the hope that you can be inspired and create your own work of art.

JACK-THE-LAD

UK 

"Forgot your packer and feel like you need a bulge? Nothing a ball of rolled up socks can't temporarily fix! Another tip is if you're a long-haired King - try out some rock & roll looks... or even WWE - use you mane to your main advantage."

Instagram @jacktheladjtl

Facebook @JackTheLadJTL

HOLDEN WOOD

New York 

"My advice is kinda general but it took a long time for me to realize and apply:

Drag is what you make it. Any level, any day you feel dragged out, you are killing it! Use it to express yourself openly and honestly; people are interested in the genuine you"

Instagram @theholdenwood

CHARLES DICKENDS

Germany 

"I prepare my beards before I do the makeup. I cut the hair off a wig and build the base with latex. Then style the beard the next day when the latex is dry. Always plan the look and the makeup in advance. I use face charts to plan my makeup, so I don't have to stress about where the lines have to be. And I always plan the makeup, cause I don't want to have non-matching makeup and clothes."

Instagram @Charles_dickends_drag

OLIVER CLOZOFF

South Dakota 

"Sometimes you have to drown out the noise and do what will make you happy. There will always be people on the sidelines trying to diminish your shine, but don’t let them. Be willing to take advice from people who have been doing this longer because if they offer it they genuinely want to see you succeed."

Instagram @Oliver.clozoff/

Facebook @Mr.Oliver.Clozoff/

LAREDO BARKS

Texas 

"There is never enough glitter! Don’t wear the same thing that you would just walking down the street. You can never stop learning. Contour is EVERYTHING"

Instagram @jaden_rae13
Facebook @Jaden-Rae-Davenport

Now that you have the secrets to becoming the next big Dra King - what are you waiting for? Give it a go and share your results with us. Don’t forget us when you’re famous!

How to wear more colour in your outfits

We LOVE expressing ourselves with bright colours! (Couldn’t you tell?) But what we don’t love is how tricky it is to get the right combination of colours without looking like you was just involved in a paint factory explosion. It can be a lot of fun styling colours together when you do get it right, so we're here to share our tips and tricks that we've picked up along the way to make your colourful outfit work.

OBEY THE COLOUR WHEEL

If you’re an artist or designer you’ll be familiar with the sacred colour wheel. For everyone else, here's a great example;

There are lots of colour combinations to choose from, but we found that using these two rules when plotting your outfit colours gives you a massive advantage;

1. Colours that are OPPOSITE each other on the colour wheel compliment each other well because they clash against each other to create a bold effect 

2. Colours that are NEXT to each other on the colour wheel compliment each other in a more subtle, harmonious way

Stick to these 2 rules and you can't go wrong.

USE YOUR HAIR

If you're planning a colourful outfit - how about dying your hair to match? Even a few streaks or a wash-out dye will bring everything together. We recommed NYC punks MANIC PANIC because they’re vegan, easy to use and last a long time! We swear by them. If you’re not brave enough to dye your hair, then manic panic sell great strips of clip-in hair too!

Pro tip: mix up your hair dyes to create your own custom colour

ACCESSORISE!

An easy way to add colour to your outfit is with accessories. Choose from necklaces, glasses, wristbands, badges, hair clips or whatever else takes your fancy. You can mix and match them to compliment the colours in your outfit and add extra accents. Plus, studs, diamantes, silver, gold, chrome or holographic materials will work with ANY colour combo; they all reflect and enhance what you’re wearing.

PASTEL COLOURS

You might think pastel colours aren't bright - but when used in the right way they are just as colourful. Unlike bolder colours, pastels can be mixed with a lot more shades (as long as they're all pastel) to create a rainbow effect. How Kawaii!

DONT WEAR TOO MANY COLOURS

Wait, aren't we talking about wearing colour? Yes, but if you’re trying to create a colourful look without looking garish, try not to mix up too many colours. Try and stick to three main colours using the colour wheel, or add neutral shades like black, white and brown to enhance the colours you do have. You can use different shades of the same colour too. Unless of course you like looking garish - in that case - go for it!

DON'T CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK

The most important advice we can give you is to wear what you are comfortable in, and stop caring about what others may think. Sure, they might stare, but as long as you like what you look like - that's all that matters. Besides, they're probably just admiring your excellent sense of aesthetic colour matching. Wave and smile!


Do you like wearing colour? Post a photo of your outfit below!