For this makeup tutorial, Elmer’s glue is needed.
That’s one of the tools Jerriana uses when she teaches the public how to apply cosmetics for an overall drag look.
Next week, the former Ms. Gay Vancouver will be in Coquitlam to offer a makeup workshop at the second annual Pride Festival organized by the Tri-Cities Pride Society in partnership with the City of Coquitlam and the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
A Vancouver resident, Jerriana will lead an hour-long class at Evergreen on how to create a drag king, drag queen or drag non-binary look.
She learned how to perfect drag appearances during the COVID-19 pandemic “when I had lots of free time on my hands,” she told the Tri-City News on Monday, July 8, by studying YouTube videos from other drag performers.
“I learned how to change facial features and accentuate them. I learned how to transform a face by watching the queens on RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
After hours of practice, she picked up these makeup tips: For a masculine look, you create stronger facial features, a sharp jawline and thicker eyebrows; by comparison, female faces have softer and rounder elements with covered eyebrows to give the eyelids more space and room for eyeshadow. And, for a non-binary look, Jerriana focuses on the creativity over a blank canvas to draw abstract shapes and to project a character.
To form these three looks, Jerriana asks participants to bring these products to her makeup tutorial:
- a foundation (to match skin colour)
- a concealer (in a lighter skin tone shade)
- a cream contour
- Elmer’s glue stick (to block eyebrows)
- a lipstick
- an eyeshadow palette
- brushes
- mirror
Moisturizer, primer, eyeliner, eyelashes and glue — as well as other makeup — are optional.
Jerriana, who mostly performs as a drag queen, said the drag makeup session is open to all ages and genders.
“The thing about makeup is that it gives you power and confidence,” she said, “but you have to love yourself before you can put the makeup on. Drag makeup is all about having fun and going on a journey.”
Jerriana’s makeup workshop comes after she gave a colourful performance at last year’s inaugural Coquitlam Pride Festival, at which she received a standing ovation.
A costume designer, dancer, gymnast and fire spinner, Jerriana will also perform with her light whips at the festival’s evening show at Evergreen: Pride Pirates and the Ship of Destiny, a ticketed event following the free day-long activities at and around Evergreen.
Organized by the society’s 2SLGBTQIA+ youth committee, the free program is as follows:
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Drag Story Time with the Coquitlam Public Library
- on the Evergreen mainstage
- Drag Story Time with the Coquitlam Public Library
- Noon
- Opening ceremony
- parade up sidewalk
- Opening ceremony
- Noon to 5 p.m.
- Booths and vendors
- 12:30 to 5 p.m.
- Music in the Park
- 12:30 p.m. = Matthew Presidente
- 1:40 p.m. = Auréana
- 2:50 p.m. = Genesis
- 3 p.m. = Carrie Oki Doki
- Music in the Park
- 1 to 5 p.m.
- workshops in Evergreen Studio A
- 1 p.m. = JoJo Zolina (dance)
- 2 p.m. = Jerriana (drag makeup)
- 3 p.m. = Theo Rhetical (drag bingo)
- 4 p.m. = 2-spirited panel (speakers)
- workshops in Evergreen Studio A
- 7:30 p.m.
- Pride Pirates and the Ship of Destiny (ticketed event by What The Frock Productions)
Last year, the City of Coquitlam awarded a Spirit of Coquitlam gaming grant for the Coquitlam Pride Festival.
Port Coquitlam
Meanwhile, to celebrate Pride season, Safeway at Shaughnessy Station will host a party on Sunday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes music, treats and bracelets for visitors.
And, on July 21, the city will have its Pride in Port Coquitlam festival at Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) to tie in with the municipal Music in the Park series, from 2 to 5 p.m., showcasing these performers:
- Carrie Dawn
- Margaux Rita
- Genesis
- Wan-Ting Moi
City hall will also be lit up in rainbow colours that night.
“Pride in Port Coquitlam is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our 2SLGBTQI+ communities and highlight our city's commitment to inclusivity," said Coun. Paige Petriw, council’s designate on community experience, celebrations, events and inclusion, in a news release.
“Come out and support and uplift everyone in our diverse community.”
