How to Practice Drag King Makeup Without Getting Overwhelmed (or Spending Hours)

Because sometimes, “just try makeup” isn’t helpful advice.

You’re curious about Drag Kinging. You’ve got a name bubbling, a persona stirring, maybe even a costume idea forming in your head. But the makeup?

That’s where things can get… stuck. Maybe you’ve never touched a contour stick in your life. Or maybe you have—and it ended in a frustrated smudge and a YouTube tutorial rabbit hole. Sound familiar?

If you’re feeling intimidated, unsure, or just plain exhausted at the thought of learning Drag King makeup from scratch—you’re not alone. And more importantly, you don’t have to figure it all out at once.

This is for you, my friend—the one exploring masculinity through performance, looking for a safe space to play without pressure.

Let’s break it down into something real, gentle, and do-able.

Start With Curiosity, Not Perfection

You don’t have to “get it right.” You just have to get curious.

What does masculinity look like on your face? How does it feel in your body when you deepen your brow or square your jawline? It’s not about erasing who you are—it’s about amplifying a part of you that’s waiting to come forward.

Start small. Even five minutes in front of the mirror can open something.

Try This: Choose just one thing—like contouring your jawline or adding sideburns—and see how it shifts your expression.

Keep It Short and Sweet: 5-Minute Practice Ideas

You don’t need a full hour and a ring light to begin. Here are some simple ways to ease in:

• Brush on confidence: Take a makeup brush and play with shadow placement on your cheekbones or brow.
  
  
• Do one feature: Just focus on your eyebrows or jawline. That’s it.
  
  
• Private playtime: Try your look before bed or after a shower—when there’s no pressure to be seen.
  
  

Makeup can be sacred, silly, affirming, or awkward—and all of that is welcome.

Make It Yours, Not Instagram’s

Forget the algorithm. Your Drag King makeup doesn’t have to be Insta-worthy. It just needs to feel like you. Start where you are—with your face, your curiosity, your courage.

Build from there. Practice when you can. Let it be messy.

At Kings of Joy, I’ve seen over 140 first-time Drag Kings go from zero to stage-ready—with no prior makeup experience. Many of them started by playing in private, asking for help, and building one look at a time.

You don’t have to go it alone.

Ready to Try? You’re Invited.

If something in you is whispering, “I want to try this…”—trust that voice.

And if you need a guide, you’re welcome here. Kings of Joy is the space where we experiment, uplift, and find joy in exploring gender and creativity together. You can start with something as simple as playing in front of the mirror. Or you can download Step Into Your King, a free guide to help you choose a Drag King name and connect to your archetype. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to begin.

👑 Download the guide now Step Into Your King

👑 Explore Kings of Joy 

Remember, you’re not behind. You’re not alone. And you’re not the only one who’s ever stared at a makeup sponge like it was a spaceship.

You’ve got this. On your own terms, in your own time.

Xx

Danica Lani

The King Coach

About Danica Lani, The King Coach

Hey you 👋 I’m Danica Lani—also known as The King Coach. I’ve mentored 140+ first-time Drag Kings since 2020, and I’m here to say: if you’re feeling the pull to explore gender through performance, you’re not alone—and you’re not too late.

Whether you’re new to this world or quietly dreaming of stepping into your masculine side on stage, there’s space for you here.

✨ Ready to name your King? Download Step Into Your King—a free guide to choosing your Drag King name.

💫 Want to see what’s possible? Explore Kings of Joy and discover the queer community bringing masculine expression to life with joy, power, and heart.

📸 Sarah Malone