Unleashing Fierceness: The Time I Did Makeup for Drag Queens
Let me let you in on a little secret about me—under this tomboy exterior, I’ve got a love for makeup that runs deep. And for a brief moment in my life, I was a makeup artist—specifically, doing makeup for Drag Queens. I know, I know, you probably didn’t see that one coming, but trust me, it was one of the most exciting, challenging, and empowering experiences of my life.
Back in my college days, like most students, I was juggling several jobs to make ends meet. I was attending college on a women’s soccer scholarship (women’s soccer wasn’t as popular back then as it is now, so unfortunately and fortunately, I was offered a scholarship that covered half of my tuition). But the downside? I still had to figure out how to cover the rest—tuition, books, lab fees, parking permits, you name it. So, in true resourceful fashion, I took on a job that was definitely off the beaten path—doing makeup for Drag Queens.
Now, here’s the kicker: I was doing this while attending a Christian University, so yeah... this was definitely my “secret job.” And let me tell you, doing makeup for Drag Queens was no joke. It was a whole new level of dramatic—because, let’s face it, Drag Queens are just as dramatic as the makeup they wear. But in all that glitz and glam, I learned one of the most important life lessons I would ever come to know.
The Fierce Truth I Learned from Drag Queens
You know, when you’re doing makeup for a Drag Queen, it’s not just about the contour, the lashes, or the eyeliner that could cut glass. It’s about something deeper. Something that shines through no matter how much glitter is in the air. And that thing is confidence. Fierceness, boldness, and unapologetic self-love—these are the things I saw in every Drag Queen I worked with.
These queens didn’t just wear their makeup—they wore their confidence like a crown. And the thing that always blew my mind? They knew that fierceness didn’t start with the lashes or the foundation. It started within. It started with them—their belief in themselves. They understood that in order to step out on that runway and own it, they had to first own who they were on the inside.
It was this inner world that was reflected in every extravagant, jaw-dropping, head-turning look they created. When they stepped into their confidence, they didn’t just show up—they owned every moment. And that’s when I realized… if you want to be fierce, bold, courageous, or just a plain bad ass, it all starts within. You have to first love yourself, heal yourself, and show gratitude for what you do have. Because when you radiate that self-love and inner strength, it can’t help but reflect outward into everything you do.
Stepping Into Your Inner Fierceness
The lesson I took from those Drag Queens was simple but powerful: everything starts on the inside. If you’re looking to be fiercer than you’ve ever been, more confident, more bold, more unapologetically YOU, it’s not going to come from just putting on the right lipstick or a snazzy outfit. It starts with how you see and treat yourself. When you love yourself, you heal from the inside out. And that healing, that gratitude, will shine through in all that you do.
So, here’s the thing: You don’t need a stage, a crown, or the fiercest makeup on the planet to be bold. The truth is, the fierceness you’re looking for is already inside you. It’s in your ability to love and accept yourself, flaws and all. It’s in the gratitude you show for your strengths and your challenges. It’s in the quiet confidence that comes from knowing who you are.
Fierce doesn’t come from what you wear or what others think of you. It comes from within, from loving yourself unapologetically, and showing up as your authentic self, no matter the setting. When you do that, you’ll be unstoppable—just like the queens I had the privilege to work with. They didn’t need permission to be fierce; they just were.
And now, it’s your turn.
It’s time to step into your own inner fierceness. The world is waiting for you to show up boldly, unapologetically, and confidently.
You’ve got this! ✨
