MAC and RuPaul's Drag Race - a winning combination!

Any open-minded makeup afficionado  (especially one who, like me, used to work at MAC!) enjoys a good Drag Queen. And some of us would argue that there's rarely such thing as a bad Drag Queen.

I have some friends who preform in drag, and have always admired the art. And when most of us think of Drag Queens, who's name pops up? RuPaul, of course!

(image source)

The master of drag, RuPaul, has a new show from LOGO called RuPaul's Drag Race, a reality show searching for America's Next Drag Queen Superstar. RuPaul hosts, and nine performers compete weekly in challenges testing their aptitude as fashion designers, hair stylists, performers, spokespeople, and makeup artists.

Most MAC fans know that RuPaul was the first spokesperson for VivaGlam fifteen years ago, so it should come as no surprise that MAC is sponsoring the makup for the show. RuPaul and this new show embody the spirit of MAC's slogan: "All races, all ages, all sexes."

"I was the first MAC Viva-Glam Girl, and I was fabulous. But being a Viva Glam Spokesperson and an amazing Drag Performer isn't just about being glamourous and gorgeous - although that's vital - it's about being honest as a person, touching your audience, and leaving them better for having been in your presence." -RuPaul

Something I learned from my Drag Queen friends is that it takes tons and tons of practice to get the right look. Taking a masculine figure and features to feminine is not easy. Most of these performers learn from other performers, and spend hours and hours in front of a mirror perfecting their art. It takes a lot of practice, and a lot of time before each performance.

"There's a real artistry to transforming the angular, masculine features of a man to softer, feminine features. While the overall look is sometimes over-the-top, there are real lessons to be learned from drag about contouring, shaping the face and makeup application. It's true - Drag Queens know a thing or two about makeup." - Gordon Espinet, MAC Vice President of Makeup Artistry

MAC has shared some tips from behind-the-scenes at RuPaul's Drag Race, and they can be used to help you, too!

• Tammie Brown, shown above in the first picture in this post, advises "for killer lips that will last all though a rockin' night at the club, first line your lips with MAC Lip Pencil in Redd and then fill them in with Russian Red Lipstick. For an extra bit of shine that will make heads turn, apply just a hint of Lustreglass in Venetian on top. It will put disco balls to shame and add hot loving to your game."
• Brows are also important, presses another contestant, Victoria Parker (not shown here). "Make sure they're arched to perfection - a bushy brow does not a pretty woman make!"

And THE episode to watch is the MAC Viva Glam Challenge, premiering on Feb. 23rd. This Drag Queen smackdown will involve the judges, including RuPaul, selecting one contestant as "MAC VivaGlam Spokesperson for the Day". Each contestant will film a public service announcement, styled in the VivaGlam signature look. Whomever embodies the look and spirit of the campaign the best, showing over-the-top glamor and demonstrating the most sincerity about the program, will win the title of "VivaGlam Spokesperson for the Day", $5,000 worth of MAC products (!), and will appear in a MAC store to present a grant donation to an HIV/AIDS charity.

 

This entertaining new show's season has already started, but you can catch what you missed online, here. There are also lots of other online features, including behind-the-scene videos to show what it takes to be a Drag Queen, exit interviews with contestants on their way out, and interviews galore.







“RuPaul’s Drag Race” premiered Monday, February 2 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

The MAC Viva Glam Challenge Episode will premiere on Monday, February 23rd at 10:00om ET/PT on LOGO and online at www.rupaulsdragrace.com.




 

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So, I didn't know anything about LOGO, but now I do:
LOGO is the world's leading ad-supported multi-technology entertainment network for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) audience, from MTV/Viacom. TheLOGO cable channel is supplemented by online programs: LOGOonline.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, 365gay.com, DowneLink.com, and NewNowNext.com, and is distributed through all of the leading download-to-own, streaming and mobile services.

For those of you who don't know about MAC's VivaGlam program and the MAC AIDS Fund:
The MAC AIDS Fund is referred to as "the heart and soul of MAC". It was founded in 1994 to support men, women, and children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS across the world. It funds HIV/AIDS research, and is the largest non-pharmaceutical donator to the cause (something I didn't even know until reading this press release!). The MAC AIDS Fund has raised over $140 million exclusively through the sale of MAC Viva Glam lipsticks and lipglasses, from which 100% of the selling price goes directly to helping fight HIV/AIDS.