By Anna Bechtel –

Being a drag performer requires a lot of things: bookings, ideas for numbers, mixes, outfits, and a variety of products. But with so many different products out there, not all of them are created equal. So, how do you know which ones reign supreme and which ones you should avoid purchasing? Well, we asked 10 of Connecticut’s talented drag performers, in no particular order, to share the one product they can’t live without, what they like about it, how they use it, and why you should give it a try.

1. Ambrosia Black

When it comes to drag makeup, full coverage doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. ConnecticutDrag.com Person of the Year 2024, Ambrosia Black, swears by Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup for its affordability, built-in sunscreen, and generous amount of product.

“The one product I cannot live without is Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup. This foundation costs $30 and contains three times as much product as many similar products, while also offering built-in sunscreen and full coverage.”
– Ambrosia Black

2. Auntie Lu

Keeping your skin hydrated is key when layers of makeup and powder are part of your drag routine. Auntie Lu swears by Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base, a product she’s relied on since she first started performing to combat dry patches and keep her skin feeling moisturized.

“The one product I cannot live without is Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base. When I started drag, I kept getting dry patches from all the powder. This product literally saved me from that. So, if you have dry skin, this is the product for you!”
– Auntie Lu

3. Rory Roux Lay

Sometimes, the most versatile products in a drag makeup kit are also the simplest. For Rory Roux Lay, brown eyeshadow is an absolute must-have, no matter the brand or price tag. From contouring to creating brows and setting eyeliner, this one product can do it all in a pinch.

“The one product I cannot live without is brown eyeshadow. It could be from a drugstore, for all I care. I truly believe I could do an entire face of makeup with foundation, eyeliner, and brown eyeshadow if I had to. That’s contour, brows, setting powder for liner, and eyeshadow, all in a moment’s notice.”
– Rory Roux Lay

4. Angel Rivers

When you’re a working drag performer, your makeup needs to hold up through long days and even longer nights. Mx. Chez Est 2026, Angel Rivers, swears by Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray to keep her face fresh and her makeup in place. With a claimed 16-hour matte hold, it’s a must-have for this party girl on the go.

“The makeup product I swear by is Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray. I could never leave the house without setting my face with it. As a party girl and a working drag queen, I truly need something that will keep me fresh all day. It boasts a 16-hour matte hold! It changed my life.”
– Angel Rivers

5. Chai

For Chai, no makeup look is complete without the perfect pop of color on the cheeks. The Mx. KYNK 2024 winner and Drag Duel contestant swears by MAC pastel pink blush to bring her looks together. With a big, fluffy brush and her favorite shade, she believes blush is the finishing touch every face needs.

“I can’t live without blush! I use a MAC pastel pink, and when I put blush on, it just finishes my face. A big, fluffy brush and some blush have never done me wrong!”
– Chai

6. Dro Lopez

A good concealer can make all the difference when you need your makeup to last from the first look to the final number. Sea Queens hostess Dro Lopez swears by E.L.F. Hydrating Camo Concealer for its full coverage and affordable price. It’s her go-to product for keeping her makeup in place all day without breaking the bank.

“The one product I cannot live without is E.L.F. Hydrating Camo Concealer. It’s the only thing that keeps my makeup on all day. I love the full coverage and affordable price.”
– Dro Lopez

7. Frizzie Borden

In drag, a little sparkle can go a long way, but for Frizzie Borden, you can never have too much glitter. The Mx. Chez Est Comedy Legend 2025 knows that a generous dusting of glitter can take a look from ordinary to fabulous. When in doubt, add more sparkle!

“Glitter is the best makeup product! You can save any look with a good amount of glitter, and it makes you look fabulous, too!”
– Frizzie Borden

8. Spencer Scarlett

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a blush that makes your drag look pop. Spencer Scarlett swears by CoverGirl blush for its beautiful color payoff and rich pigment, proving that a drugstore staple can deliver fabulous results for around $10.

“I cannot live without this blush. It’s so beautiful and so pigmented! You can get it at the drugstore for around $10.”
– Spencer Scarlett

9. Enigma Jones

Creating show-stopping drag looks takes more than makeup and a wig. ConnecticutDrag.com Hall of Fame member and Mx. Comedy Legend host Enigma Jones brings her fashion visions to life with a Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine, helping her create everything from original designs to stunning recreations of looks from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

“The one product I cannot live without is a Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine. It’s the most reliable and easy-to-use machine. It’s versatile and stands up to the big projects we do.”
– Enigma Jones

10. Gabriella Diamante

From competition-winning looks to standout stage outfits, Gabriella Diamante knows that a great drag wardrobe starts with the right tools. The recent Baddie Ball Instagram competition winner relies on her Singer Simple Sewing Machine to create every outfit she wears. For Gabriella, it’s more than just a piece of equipment; it’s an essential part of bringing her drag to life.

“The one product I cannot live without is a Singer Simple Sewing Machine. It’s made every single outfit I’ve worn. I don’t know what I would do without it.”
– Gabriella Diamante