Step #3: Get in loser we're going shopping

I think this was the best and the worst part for me, because I totally have a shopping addiction, and this just enabled that. Especially because I didn't do step 2: the planning stage. I spent SO much money at the start that I didn't need to spend.

What follows is a fairly comprehensive list of materials you will need to get yourself into a single drag look:

• -Glue stick (non-toxic, like a standard children’s glue)
• -Mascara brush (without mascara) or fine-toothed comb
• -Brushes (I recommend antibacterial)
• Honestly, just buy a set; you’ll need them all.  At minimum you need an eye shadow brush, an eye shadow blending brush, a contour brush, and a blending brush (powder brush)
• -Translucent or lightly pigmented setting powder
• -Foundation (preferably matte finish unless you want to shine like the moon)
• Skin tone (or desired skin tone)
• Dark tone for beard cover (brown/orange)
• -Base Contour (for defining indented areas of face – cheeks, neck, nose, forehead)
• Preferably cream, should be darker than foundation
• -Base Highlight (for bringing forward areas of face – Cheekbones, jaw, chin, upper lip, forehead, nose)
• Preferably cream, should be lighter than foundation
• -Blending ball (trust me, you’ll love it)
• -Contour powder
• Ideally you will want a few skin-tone-similar colours to allow for fading of your contour. These should be a little darker than your skin tone.
• -Highlight powder
• If you bought pigmented setting powder, use it
• If you bought translucent powder, get a setting powder similar to your highlight colour
• -Eyeliner
• Black for sure
• White also recommended
• Fine-tipped brush or liquid applicator
• -Eye shadow
• Black
• At least two other colours for a good eye (your choice)
• -Eyebrow pencil
• Or you can just use your black eyeliner for a startling eyebrow
• -Lipstick
• -Eyelashes
• One or two sets (top/bottom lashes), just get long ones then trim them
• -Eyelash adhesive
• -Mascara

 Recommended but not necessarily required:

• -Primer
• -Blush
• Really brightens up the look
• -Fine-tipped eye shadow brush
• For precise application
• -Lip liner
• Keeps your lipstick from spreading
• -Setting spray
• Depends on how long you are wearing your makeup. Keeps your makeup looking good, longer, on your face
• -Makeup remover or remover wipes (for after)

From Left to right, back to front: Holding container, glue stick, makeup sponges, eye shadow primer, cream foundation (skin tone and beard cover), contour stick, mascara, lipstick, blending ball, black eyeliner, white eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrow pencil, blush, false eyelashes (2 sets), eyelash adhesive, setting spray, translucent and lightly pigmented setting powders, neutrals eye shadow pallet (I used for contour), black/white eye shadow wheel, blue eye shadow wheel, powder foundation, eyebrow/eyelash brush, precision eye shadow brush, eye shadow brush, eye shadow blending brush, foundation brush, blending brush, contour brush.

That might seem like a lot, and you would be correct in thinking that, but having this entire list will allow you to create a good first look, and a few more looks after that. It’s like stocking a bar with liquor, the initial expenditure is great, but the replacement costs are minimal after that, especially once you find the brands, sales, etc. that you like, and will save money using.

So let’s discuss brands.  I will not tell you to buy specific brands. No one is paying me to market his or her products. This is my personal venture, and I don’t want to steer you wrong.  Yes, I have my preferences, but not really, I’m still new, my loyalties haven’t really been formed yet.

Despite what advertisements would lead you to believe, it is not necessary to buy all the most expensive brands. Cosmetic industries are voracious in their product placements, advertisements, and other marketing to get you to buy the top brands. Yes, they do tend to be better, but when you’re starting out, avoid them. You don’t want to be buying foundations and eye shadows, etc. at huge mark-ups when there’s a high chance you:

1. 1. Will mismatch colours to your skin, hair, taste, and need to purchase all new products soon after your first few attempts at drag makeup
2. 2. Won’t use all the product before it expires
3. 3. Will decide drag just isn’t for you (though I hope this doesn't happen) 

Buy the less expensive versions; buy what’s on sale. Seriously. Seriously.

If the colours match in a cheaper brand, get the cheaper brand. Yes the quality is probably lower, but until you’ve actually successfully made a look, you don’t need the best of the best. Actors don’t wear their costumes during their dress rehearsals, and you shouldn’t use your best makeup when you’re trying to learn how to apply it. That would be an expensive waste of good makeup. After all, you are going to want to PRACTICE your look right?  In some of the posts to follow you will see my practice attempts. I went through a whole thing of liquid foundation before I presented my Snow White costume to the world.

I hope I’ve pressed upon you the importance of this final planning step.  Without it you probably will end up going overboard on makeup, or you’ll forget something and have to run out to the store with half a face on (yes I actually did this at Shopper’s Drug Mart at 11pm at night. Some very strange looks got thrown my way as I didn’t have eyebrows).

Go have fun! Find some new favourite brands, and feed that shopping addiction for me. :D  Let me know your favourite brands, maybe you’ll find something I haven’t discovered yet!