Heist Guide: How To Be A Drag Queen

Our Heist Guides introduce new fans to something we think is seriously cool, and they may even provide some behind-the-scenes knowledge to longtime diehards. It's everything you need to know to plan your own heist.

So, you wanna be a drag queen, huh? I get it! The money, the fame, the glamour — those are all things I think about while parked in front of an air conditioner, standing on aching feet in four-inch heels, corset squeezing all the gas in my gut up into my throat and out of my lacquered lips. "Someday," I think to myself, "Someday I'll have 1,000 followers on Instagram." Lesson #1: You don't do drag for money, fame, or glamour. Take it from me, a drag queen that has earned none of that!

Hi! My name is Barb Hardly — or Brett White, Editor-in-Chief of Pop Heist. Yes, this very website is overseen by a drag queen. Wild. And truthfully, the fact that I'm both EiC and a drag queen is where my qualifications to write this article sorta begin and end. I've been doing drag for two and a half years, sure, but I hardly claim to be an authority on the subject. What I do know is that when I started down this incredibly expensive journey, I could not find a single article laying out all that one needed to know in order to start doing drag. Maybe that's because no other drag queen has ever been in charge of a website before? Maybe it's because drag queens aren't known for being Type-A over-thinkers and/or professional journalists? Well, I am just that queen, and I want to share everything that I've learned about being a queen, both to inspire you to give it a go … and also because I would love for queens to read this and give me advice, too. 

Idle your engines, gurl, because this is going to be a long read.

Step #1: Why are you doing drag?

It ain't the money, fame, or glamour — but don't worry, because those are pretty much the only wrong answers. Drag is a stupid amount of work, takes up a bonkers amount of time, and costs a fortune. If you're gonna do it, it needs to be satisfying something within you. For me, I started drag in a fit of protest — but I quickly realized that drag could mean more to me than just making my Southern Baptist relatives think about their prejudices. I thought drag would satisfy my creativity, a background in improv, art, comedy, and video production that I'd run out of means to explore. Also, like, I wanted to wear dresses and makeup? 

Step #2: Who are you in drag?

You absolutely don't have to have a fully-formed drag persona before getting in full drag for the first time. In fact, getting in drag will help you figure out who your new alter ego really is whether or not you've given any advance thought to it. But if you've read this far, then I bet you've given enough thought to drag to already have a drag name in mind. You know what kind of drag you gravitate towards. You know which divas you worship, which comediennes crack you up, and which IRL queens have your heart. Don't question that! Go with it!

I actually came up with my drag name four years before I became Barb Hardly. It's a play on Bob Hartley, the character Bob Newhart played in The Bob Newhart Show. I did not intend to become Barb when I came up with Barb, but she patiently waited four years for me to unleash her. And a name inspired by a ‘70s sitcom lined up with the queens I admired (Trixie Mattel, BenDeLaCreme), my divas (Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton), my comediennes (Rue McClanahan, Betty White), and my IRL queens (all the southern women in my family). I ran with it.

Step #3: What will you do in drag?

Wow, I'm really making you do a lot of existential pondering before actually getting to the physical stuff. But — having all this stuff in mind will help you figure out what tools to put in your kaboodle. Now that you know why you're doing drag and who you think you'll be, you can put those together and figure out what that actually looks like in practice. Are you doing drag because you love fashion and are inspired by look queens and models? Are you a Broadway girl who loves a karaoke night? Are you an Irish folk dancer or sword-swallower? You're in luck, because drag encompasses literally everything a person could do! 

I spent 10 years doing improv and sketch comedy in New York City, and I have a background in TV production. Becoming a one-woman variety show just made sense. But I also have an obsessive, lifelong love of comic books! Does it make sense for a ‘70s showgirl with a southern accent to do 20-minute-long videos about obscure X-Men comics? No — but I'm a 40-year-old man who loves wearing women's clothing and only talks in a Tennessee twang whilst doing so. Who knows why we do anything? Let your drag encompass all your passions. It'll make sense.

Steps #1-3, I consider "The Brains." You know how queens make it all the way to Drag Race, only to fall short because "she doesn't know who she is yet"? I'm not saying that Steps #1-3 make you impervious to that critique, but at least you're thinking about this. Keep thinking about it, and don't be afraid to change your mind!

Step #4: The Beauty

Don't be intimidated. One does not need to be a makeup artist in order to be a drag queen. I took one theatrical makeup class in college…and then didn't think about contour or foundation for 15 years. You can teach yourself by watching YouTube tutorials, of which there are a million. A big shoutout to my iconic drag mom (and high school buddy!) Mini Pearl Necklace for giving me so many of these tips back in 2022 when I slid into her DMs. She recommended I start with Manila Luzon's tutorial. Did it help me? Nothing could help me at first. Just think of a queen whose makeup you want to emulate (not steal) and search. 

As for what to buy? Get ready to drop the dollars — or don't. Honestly, there are always affordable (that site) alternatives to the more profesh and polished options (Sephora). Below I'll list what I bought when I was starting out (affordable) and what I use now (filing Chapter 9).

NOTE ABOUT LINKS: Listen ... you know where to find a lot of this stuff. You know where I bought ... a lot of this stuff. We know the deal. I just don't think that, while I am still indirectly directing you there ... that billionaire doesn't need my linkage. I'm going to tell you what the product is named, and then you can seek it out! Maybe you'll find a small business, or maybe you can buy directly from the vendor. Or maybe you'll do what I did — and what I still do — and buy it from that site. No shame. We all know the score!

• Brushes
  • Then: Real Perfection Makeup Brushes
  • Now: Trixie Cosmetics pink brush set
• Eyebrows
  • Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks
  • Rubbing alcohol: Oh my god, please wipe your eyebrows with alcohol before applying the glue stick. I did not learn this for a year!
• Primer
  • Then: Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer
  • Now: ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr Secure the Blur
• Setting Powder
  • Then: Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder
  • Now: ONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder, with ONE/SIZE Ultimate Setting & Baking Puff
• Foundation
  • Then: Mehron Makeup CreamBlend Stick
  • Now: Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation. Baby, it has to be full coverage.
• Contour
  • Then & Now: Mehron Makeup CreamBlend Stick in White and Dark
  • Now: I contour my "cheekbones" with Sephora Collection Trio Contour Face Palette 
• Eyeshadow Primer
  • Then: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
  • Now: NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• Eyeliner
  • Then & Now: NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
  • Now: Trixie Cosmetics Hotline Gel Liner, White and Black
• Eyeshadow
  • Then & Now: Trixie Cosmetics eyeshadow palettes. Just go nuts.
  • Now: NYX Ultimate Color Palette
• Eyes, Misc.
  • Now: Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Glitter
  • Now: Urban Decay 24/7 Inks Vegan Liquid Eyeliner Pen
• Eyelashes — THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. You will not look like a drag queen without lashes. Do not skip this, unless it's part of Your Drag Experience
  • Just type "301 lashes" into that site and hope for the best. Be prepared to stack your lashes, so don't buy them one pair at a time. And avoid anything that says "wispy."
  • Lash glue is a similar roll of the dice, IMO. 
• Blush
  • Then & Now: Trixie Cosmetics Mod About You
  • Now: Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
• Highlighter
  • Then & Now: Kim Chi Chic Beauty Drama Queen Highlighter Palette
• Lipstick, Lipgloss
  • Then & Now: Trixie Cosmetics assortment
• Setting Spray
  • Then & Now: Stage Proof Matte Setting Spray

Uh… got all that…?

Step #5: The Body

Here we go! Drag! Actual drag! In order to get your curves in place, you'll need a corset, pads, a bra, all sorts of hosiery, and a lot of sweaty slight of hand to turn what you're working with into what you're werking with. Here's what I wear, in the order that I put them on:

• NORFULL Hiding Gaff Panties: Call me uncommitted to the cause, but under no circumstances will I put any kind of tape over my penis. Instead, I tuck by pushing my testicles up into the home they moved out of 30 years ago and then pulling—not yanking—my penis between my legs, over the cavity where my testicles are hiding. The gaff panties hold all that in place, and I don't have to worry about losing a layer of skin between-me-down-theres when I'm done.
• Werena Tummy Control Thong Shapewear: I have a gut, so the more I can do to rein it in the better—even before I put on the corset. 
• SHAPERX Women's Heavy Duty Corset: Hey, it's a corset. You may face some trial and error in regards to sizing and comfort, but these corsets tend to last a while. 
• VENDAU Hip Pads, two pair: I have one pair of these shapewear shorts that I've stuffed the pads from two pairs into. I see queens on Drag Race stick foam shapes directly into pantyhose and I just don't get it. That doesn't work for me!
• SPANX Seamless Higher Power Panties, two pair: Please welcome to the stage, the diva we all know and love—SPANX! What can I say? These do what needs to be done.
• Pop Closets Women Butt Lifter Padded Lace Shapewear, two pair: Like with the hip pads, I have one pair of shorts with double the padding. Do not be fooled by any of the cartoonish photos. Under no circumstances will your ass look like that without Photoshop. Now, the lace trim poses a problem if you're wearing a bodysuit and relying on regular pantyhose to camouflage those lines. Be wary! Or, find better shorts. And let me know.
• Capezio footed tights, two or more pairs: I prefer the ultra shimmery tights because, uh, they're prettier and so much easier to layer than matte tights. Capezio tights hold up better than pantyhose and they're opaque enough and thick enough to hide VPL. The more tights you wear, the smoother your legs and hips will look, so don't skimp (even if putting on hosiery while wearing a corset is, in fact, hell).
• HWDI Women's Strapless Push Up Bra: I don't have any loyalty to any one brand. I actually like my Maidenform bras more than this one, but it's incredibly rare that I wear something that allows me to use the brastraps. So instead of tucking the straps into the cup on my Maidenforms, I usually go with this bra.
• Hercicy 1 Pair Cotton Breast Forms: Go on. Go on and try some silicone boob inserts. Try them. After you mop up the gallons of sweat accumulating on your chest, you'll switch.
• Panties: You can opt for one final layer of shapewear, like these Maidenform briefs in basic black (they go with everything!). Or you can, y'know, just buy panties, whatever panties your heart desires. If you're wearing a miniskirt or a high slit, wear panties! You never know what's gonna be seen when, and anything is better than Barbie crotch. I wear Bali Double Support Full Briefs or, if Barb's feelin' sexy, ITAYAX Sexy Lace Underwear. 

Ta-da — you're a queen! And you're standing in front of a mirror looking like a nude woman, but you've actually never worn more clothes in your life. Such is the magic of drag!

Step #6: The Wigs Of It All

Wigs are hell. Two and a half years in and I feel pretty damn confident about my makeup skills and my body-ody-ody, oddly. But wigs? Wigs are hell. Here are the bare bones basics, because this is a journey you may have to travel alone (re: without me).

• Mxangel Lace Front Wigs have done me right. Just make sure you get a lace front, unless you plan on being a headband queen with a hardfront. Wigs will come with wig caps.
• GHOSTBOND XL Hair Replacement Adhesive
• Yofuly 22" Canvas Wig Head Set: Get a legit wig head and the means with which to bolt that sucker in place. 
• Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Hairspray: The only hairspray you need.
• Aleene's 15581 Stiffen-Quick Fabric Stiffening Spray, for when you really, really need the wig to hold.
• Styling brush, pick comb, a paddle brush with metal bristles, a round brush

Watch as many Jaymes Mansfield videos as possible and pray.

Step #7: The Drag, The Drag Drag

And now it's time to put on more clothes, the clothes that other people will see. This is where things get subjective, so, pop off! Pull all those ideas from Steps #1-3 into reality. My tips:

• Buy a tape measurer, the kind that measures fabric and bodies and not distances between picture frames that will forever be uneven. After you are in your new body, measure your bust, waist, and hips. These measurements are how you will buy clothes online. 
• There's no shame in being a queen who uses that site, despite my refusal to say it's name. But not everyone is a seamstress, money is hard to come by, and few have access to a designer. So, you do what you have to do. I tend to only shop for fast-delivery-eligible and four-star items, to filter out the iffy money-wasters. Measurements provided by sellers tend to be accurate, but read reviews to make sure. Don't trust anything that's "one size fits all," unless it's a caftan. 
• Ebay and Etsy are key if you want a look that will likely be unique to you. Sellers will have measurements, likely even more accurate than the kind you find on that site. 
• Jewelry is surprisingly cheap! You're not hitting the stage wearing something from Tiffany & Co. If it's got good reviews, go for it. If you want that good pageant jewelry, though, you're gonna struggle on that site—even if you use adjectives like "pageant" or "statement." To get the good, gaudy pieces, you'll have to try Etsy and you will have to pay a bit more. 
• Heels. I wear 4-5" heels exclusively, because I figured if I was going to learn how to walk in heels, I should learn how to walk in heels. If you can, go for it. Can I? I'm trying.
• Buy plenty of Fearless Tape, double sided tape that will keep everything in place. 
• Bodysuits at Discount Dance: It took me almost two years to find decent, glitzy bodysuits in an adult size.
• Gowns by MUXXN and Cololura… on that site, yes. I know. Evil. But affordable.

Step #8: "Please welcome to the stage… you!"

And that's it! A mere 2-4 hours after you decided to get into drag, you are now in drag! Where will you go? What will you do? Who will you be? Hopefully you've got a grasp on the last question, at least. The other two, you choose your own adventure! Here's the thing: you don't have to do anything in drag other than be in drag. Don't feel guilty if you don't have a show to go to. Drag can be a pastime, it can be a hobby, it can be your version of a spa day. You can book a gig. You can knock out some TikToks. You can go to a party. You can be a home office queen who makes elaborate YouTube videos that deal with classic TV and mental health. It's all valid, as long as it makes you happy. 

And remember: do whatever you want to do and be whoever you want to be. All those ideas you had in Steps #1-3? Be prepared to chuck'em. For instance, I thought I was going to be a campy queen, a mod girl in shift dresses serving Austin Powers meets Mary Tyler Moore realness. And then I discovered blonde wigs. And then I discovered gowns. And I realized, I love wearing gowns. I love dressing like Eva Gabor and talking about X-Men. I love being a 40 year old mustachioed man who wears ostrich feathers and huge wigs (if I can tease them high enough). I want to be a sparkling diva of a woman who speaks like a Kentucky fried banjo. That's the vibe that Barb Hardly became through experimentation and just feeling my inner diva. And I couldn't be happier.

God speed, sister. And if you have any better ideas about anything I said, read me in my DMs because I want to get better too.