At the Drag Workshop, put on by the AS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance (LGBTA) last Tuesday as part of their Weekly Night Series, sophomore Taelor Bond explains the importance of contour in makeup as she demonstrates how to apply foundation and powder on junior Andrew Stewart’s face. “It’s all about lights and shadows,” Bond said.

Bond chooses a color from her eye shadow palette to put on Stewart. The particular style of drag Bond demonstrated is called “fishy drag” or “passable drag” because it’s meant to make people think “there’s something fishy with that woman,” as opposed to “high camp drag” in which it’s obvious that the person in drag is a man, she said. Bond explained the importance of makeup brushes and said that there is no such thing as too much blush. Her advice: All skin around the face and between the hemline of the dress or shirt a drag queen will be wearing needs to be covered in foundation.

Bond adjusts a blonde wig on Stewart’s head as she talks about other aspects of being a convincing drag queen. She explained various methods of disguising male genitalia, creating the illusion of cleavage and the importance of wearing heels, which change gait and posture.

Colin Banger, Mr. Gay Bellingham 2009-2010, draws facial hair onto Clinton Yurmouth’s face with four different colors of eyebrow pencil. Facial hair can also be attained by gluing theater hair or real hair to someone’s face with spirit gum, a type of adhesive. Banger, who has dressed in drag for two years, talked about how to create the illusion of male genitalia, breast binding to create the appearance of a flat chest and mens’ style. For appearing flat-chested, Banger suggested using neoprene exercise waist-cinch belts. Duct tape and Ace bandages are not recommended because they may inhibit breathing and can cause injury to ribs, he said.

Shanita Blough, Her Most Imperial Sovereign Highness Princess 29 of Bellingham, helps a pair of attendees choose drag names. Josh Foley, LGBTA assistant coordinator, said that names usually have a sexual pun. Drag names come from a variety of sources: word play, inside jokes with friends, what your parents would have called you had you been of the opposite gender, pop culture and simple random inspiration.