Etcetera Etcetera and Art Simone are legends from the Australian drag community. After achieving mainstream fame on Ru Paul’s Drag Race Here they have now partnered with NYX Professional Makeup to create lessons towards the outback. The duo have both been practising drag artists for Fifteen years and will also be sharing their tricks and tips in regional towns as they tour their stage show AS SEEN ON TV!
Alexandra Shadbolt, Marketing Director for NYX Professional Makeup told PB: “At NYX Professional Makeup we stand for PROUD ARTISTRY For those. The brand is focussed on driving boldness, colour and the freedom to allow everyone to produce with inclusivity.” She states that the Backstage Beauty initiative is the perfect partnership for NYX, ensuring makeup “is accessible for all communities around australia.”
We spoke to Etcetera Etcetera and Art Simone concerning the power of makeup, challenging preconceptions within the beauty industry and the top tips, tricks and product recs for a bullet-proof beat each time.
What does makeup artistry mean to you?
Etcetera Etcetera
Makeup is such an important tool for a drag artist – it can easily elevate your drag from basic to unique. I take great pride in putting effort into the transformation process and the correct ways to apply products. I worked as a makeup artist for a few years also it taught me a lot of valuable skills to add to my drag arsenal. Art is my life!
Art Simone:
Makeup artistry is really a strong tool, it's equal parts escapism along with a strong armour that equips me to become the good thing of myself. this is an evergreen platform in my creativity and it is something I can always guarantee to make me happy
How has makeup changed or enhanced your lifetime?
Etcetera Etcetera:
Beauty is aspirational! Creating aesthetically impactful work, especially through makeup, inspires others to become their best selves. I really like looking and feeling beautiful, and makeup and drag is a huge part of that process.
Art Simone:
“The beauty world has really helped me to live my life authentically, it's given me strength, skill and solved the problem to build a network of fabulous friends who all like to get glam!”
There is a longstanding perception from prestige cosmetics companies that makeup is perfect for cis women only – do you consider this is changing?
Etcetera Etcetera:
“Whether they like it or otherwise, the world has changed! Makeup happens to be used by subcultures and fringe communities to convey identity and assert individuality – now that's full-scale on view! For a lot of trans and gender-diverse people, makeup is really a tool to face the adversity of day-to-day life. In our series of workshops, you want to give a safe space for everyday Australians to discover how to express their inner beauty and also have the confidence to be exactly who they're inside! I love dealing with classical brands like a drag artist – there's s much possibility for exploring new ideas. I'm able to have the alternation in the air, and that i feel so lucky to be a part of that movement.”
Art Simone:
“The concept that makeup is for cis women only isn't changing – it HAS changed. It's so empowering to see companies embracing that makeup is for everyone and that's why it's this type of joy to get together with NYX Professional Makeup for our Backstage Beauty School makeup seminars. They celebrate and encourage us that makeup and all sorts of makeup artistry has no barrier based on gender. For me personally, makeup was the gateway into a realm of drag and self-expression. It had been an ideal mixture of escapism and self-exploration and was key to me forming my sense of identity. It will be an absolute joy to share over 10 years of industry experience with attendees because they obtain the rare chance to peek behind the curtain in an informal and informative environment.”
Drag makeup artistry requires a different approach and skillet to your day-to-day office makeup! What exactly are some techniques those wanting to slay their looks – or make sure they are focus on clients – need to nail?
Etcetera Etcetera:
I think people have a lot of misconceptions about drag makeup! Sometimes bigger isn’t necessarily better! Drag makeup is all about finding the most effective way to transform the face and standing up for using the aesthetic you're attempting to achieve. Clean your brushes, use pigments and mixing mediums, and blending is your friend!
Art Simone:
Drag makeup used to differ largely from traditional methods, however in the past few years it's actually been popularised via “beauty gurus” and celebrities like Kim Kardashian. The amount at which they paint is not dissimilar to techniques used by drag queens. The only real huge difference is that we go to the extreme when it comes to scale, bigger, bigger, bigger! My biggest tip which i think crosses to traditional makeup techniques, will be very conscious of angles. Should you angle all of your makeup slightly upwards (as if you would a cat eye) it opens and tightens the feel of the face – basically free cosmetic surgery!”
Do you've got a favourite beauty tip you'd like to share with PB readers?
Etcetera Etcetera:
“Take care of the skin! From somebody that wears heavy make-up a lot more than an average joe, it requires a tole! And you have to be kind for your complexion to be able to stretch your artistry to new heights.”
Art Simone:
“My favourite beauty hack is by using eyelashes, when i know a lo of people struggle with application. First be sure you trim your lashes right down to match your eye, if anything its best they are a touch smaller (trim form the outer/longst end). Then for application – apply your lash glue (I prefer latex based glues), press the eyelash where you need it then remove it. Let the glue dry for around 30 seconds (on the lash as well as on your eyelid), this helps to have it nice and tacky. Then put your lash back around the eyelid also it should secure place immediately! Be sure to also push the outer ends of the lash upwards so you don't end up with a sad eye.
What's your favourite beauty product and why?
Etcetera Etcetera:
I love highlighter/shimmer. Currently hooked on the Metals range from Danessa Myricks – nothing shimmers like them! Adds such dimension towards the face.
Art Simone:
My absolute favourite is setting spray! As drag queens, we push our makeup to the absolute extreme. We wear layers and layers of makeup and also have to do on stage under hot lights all night at a time. So a fantastic setting spray is a life changer!
What would you hope attendees at Backstage Beauty School will take away from their experience?
Etcetera Etcetera:
“You don't frequently get to look at a drag queen get ready in the real world – this is a front-row seat to the exact techniques we use to transform ourselves. Both of us have very different styles – so you'll get to begin to see the full-range of drag magic! They'll also take away a present back from NYX Professional Makeup – who doesn’t love freebies?
Art Simone:
I hope that attendees not only leave with some fabulous tricks and tips about drag makeup but also make use of the experience to discover more on how it is like to be an expert drag artist too. It's going to be like a youtube tutorial in the real world, except this time around we are able to talk back – we are able to answer all your questions and also enlighten you about the wider world of drag!
Tickets for the As Seen on TV show and Backstage Beauty School can be found at www.asseenontvtour.com
Want more some tips from the pros? Read our interviews with Rae Morris, Victoria Curtis and Lisa Eldridge.
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