By: Nakia Cooper and Devan Lutz, originally posted on CW39.com.
HOUSTON — The beauties behind a bold look that is sweeping the nation are not exactly who — or what — you think. Nobody does drag better than the “Queens” — Drag Queens, that is.
For years, female impersonators have been emulating women — to perfection we may add. But now, the tables have turned.
Now, women want to master the makeup techniques of the drag divas, and no one #SLAYS better than Alexye’us Paris, a headliner in the Houston drag community.
It takes about 90 minutes for Demarcus to transform into Alexye’us.
And if you want your face “beat’ like a queen, H-Town’s super duo makeup artists Stephen “ColeColors” Coleman and Brandi Holmes can show you how to get the look.
“Their artistry is on a whole other level, a whole other skill set. And to be able to create those dimensions and lines and sometimes look better than a lot of these natural-born women is amazing,” Holmes said.
Mr. “ColeColors” had one thing to clear up.
“So you say that you don’t want to look like a drag queen, but you use the terminology, the skills, you use some of the tools that they use. Well, you do look like a drag queen,” he said.
And that — is a compliment — in the eyes of the makeup Gods.
A lot of effort goes into looking fabulous, so to all the ladies and queens out there, in the words of RuPaul — “You better werk!”
[Brandi Holmes gave NewsFix a special makeup tutorial with typical “Dos and Dont’s” in the “Art of the Slay” Check out bonus footage of what she has to say.]
[To schedule an appointment with Steven Coleman and/or Brandi Holmes, visit them at “The Studio” located at 6343 Skyline Drive // Houston, TX 77057, and click the link on their names to connect with them on Facebook.]
This feature is Part of a digital exclusive series, #Slay: Exploring Houston’s drag community. Click links below for complete coverage.
Introduction: #Slay: Exploring Houston’s Drag Community
Part I: #Slay: The Makeover Takeover: How drag queens inspire the way women “beat” their face today
Part II: #Slay: Go BIG with fierce drag fashions or exit stage left
Part III: #Slay: “Death Drop” with the Drag Gawds — it’s all about the performance
Part IV: #Slay: It’s no illusion — drag celebrity impersonators are the real deal!
Part V: #Slay: Perfectly-imperfect and unapologetic, androgynous performers take drag next level
Part VI: #Slay: Don’t mind the onlookers! Camp, bearded queens become drag’s proudest rule breakers
