On getting out of drag: What I do first is I go in either with a makeup wipe or a microfiber towel and some micellar water, then I very daintily and softly take off the eye makeup and the lip. Then I go in with Pond’s Cold Cream and I just lather, lather, lather, lather, lather. I take special care with the more sensitive areas of my face. Then, if I have time and it’s not too late at night, I love getting in the shower. You know what I like to do? Turn out every single light in the bathroom and put a candle on the toilet.
Geneva Karr, 30, Brownsville, Texas
On growing up Mexican-American: Geneva Karr is la diva más Latina. My drag style is very inspired by Mexican culture. I used to dance Mexican folklore growing up, and the girls would always put on a lot of blush, so I really love blush. [Geneva is] very Latina with a touch of Texas because that’s where I live. Bigger is better in Texas — or as I like to say, Tex-ass. And that’s who Geneva Carr is: sparkle, brillo fantasía, glamour, and everything that shines.
On getting into drag: I start with my eyes because that’s what takes me a little longer. I’ll do a cut crease, which is the pageant style in Texas, but if I want to be wild, I do a little glitter, a smoky eye, a halo, or whatnot. The rest of the face is muscle memory. I love to use Anastasia Beverly Hills for blush, or Juvia’s Place.
I do my signature lip — either red or maroon — and maybe outline in black just to be that little extra. If I’m not going to be moving, I will be wearing gloss. If I’m dancing and twirling and doing the most, I prefer a matte lip just so it doesn’t look like I was doing things I wasn’t supposed to in the dark.
On getting out of drag: If I had an amazing night and had a few drinks, I would just shower and then after, use a Neutrogena makeup wipe to take off whatever’s left over. If not, the One/Size by Patrick Starrr Go Off spray [Editor’s Note: This product has been discontinued.] will melt everything off — start with the eye area first because it’s delicate.
Hershii Liqcour-Jeté, 31, Los Angeles
On being your auntie: I tell everybody all the time, my drag is auntie drag. I wear pixie cut wigs. I drive the number 72 [bus] downtown. I have a Nissan Altima and four kids. However you picture that woman in your head, whatever just came up, that’s Hershii. But I’m a performance girl. I like to think of [my drag] like a very gay Tyler Perry play, but on stage for three minutes.