Lewks of Season 13 — A Review of Makeup Looks from RuPaul's Drag Race
By Alexandra Nieto
Hey kitty girl! We are halfway through Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and this season has been exceptional in several ways. With a record number of episodes in one season, we have the chance to really get to know and love the contestants. Despite filming during a pandemic, the queens of Drag Race are yet again raising the bar for the art of drag. So far, we’ve seen stunning runway gowns and jaw-dropping lip syncs. Most notably, this season the queens have brought phenomenal makeup looks, or in drag race lingo, makeup lewks.
Currently, we are nine episodes into the season, and we have already seen five queens sashay away. The makeup skills in this season have been unmatched, and the queens bring something new to the table every episode.
I will be reviewing my favorite of the queens’ looks from each episode so far in Season 13.
Episode 1 – Gottmik
Gottmik started off the season strong with this entrance look. For her season debut, we see Gottmik’s signature white foundation, and her pristine makeup skills are showcased with a neon eye that contrasts with the white and black details of the rest of her face. The pops of color from the shadows match perfectly with her neon tulle bodysuit. Coming in with this look, Gottmik established herself as a threat in the competition. Gottmik is making “Herstory” as a contestant, as he is the first trans man to compete on the show.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 2 – Kandy Muse
Kandy takes my top pick for makeup looks for episode two. Giving you Ariana Grande’s “34+35” music video realness, Kandy created a beautiful soft glam look. I absolutely loved how dewy and glossy her face looked. Her blonde wig is pulled back by a white headband, framing her face nicely. Kandy looks simply pretty with this makeup look.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 3 – Utica Queen
For the “We’re Here, We’re Sheer, Get Used To It” runway, Utica showcases her stunning makeup skills with a watercolor and dotted makeup look. Showing crazy attention to detail, Utica’s intricate makeup skills highlight sections of her face with clean rainbow blending. I am still amazed at how her eye makeup incorporates the colors from her sheer look while blending toward the high point of her cheeks. Her dark lipstick is accentuated by pops of color and dots. Utica’s look in Episode 3 shows her range of makeup techniques.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 4 – Kahmora Hall
Kahmora Hall, known as Chicago’s Mackie Doll, served face in the “Trains for Days” runway. Her makeup in Episode 4 was full glam, giving the audience a completely polished makeup look. With a striking contour above her cheekbones, her skin looked perfectly airbrushed. Kahmora’s nose contour this week was everything. While natural makeup looks are typically not my favorite, I think Kahmora looked beautiful this week as her natural glam makeup did not distract from the stunning floor-length gown she had on. Even though Kahmora sadly went home this episode, she looked gorgeous leaving the runway.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 5 – Utica Queen
With this second appearance of Utica on my list, it might be obvious by now that she is one of my favorite queens. During the Bag Ball challenge of Episode 5, Utica brought three different looks to the runway. Her sewing challenge look takes my top makeup pick. I am a huge fan of the across-the-face blush look and the accent sparkles lining her face. The eyebrow shape is simple but still effective for this look. While I don’t always love the smudged lip technique, I think that it looks phenomenal here. Even though I think Utica was robbed of a win during the Bag Ball, her face looked stunning this episode.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 6 – Symone
One of the front runners of Season 13, Symone looked absolutely gorgeous for the little black dress runway. Her makeup look for this week was simple yet stunning. It made her look beautiful without distracting from the rest of the look. A basic red lip did wonders for this look, giving the audience a pop of color in contrast to her black dress. Some praise is due for Symone’s wig for this challenge. Styled by Season 12’s Gigi Goode, this statement piece gained much-deserved attention. The asymmetry of the wig is distracting, but in a charming way. Without a doubt, Symone looked amazing this week.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 7 – Olivia Lux
Miss Olivia Lux served schoolgirl double-dutch realness for the Bead It! runway. After an amazing performance in the improv challenge, Olivia secured her win for the week with this makeup look. She looked so cute with her glittery smokey eye and a nude lip. My favorite part of this look was the subtle rhinestone freckles. This attention to detail shows Olivia’s skills in the art of drag. Even the pink and purple Band-Aid on her shin told a story that makes viewers fall in love with Olivia Lux.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 8 – Denali Foxx
The ice skating queen herself takes my top pick for the best makeup look of Episode 8. For the Yellow Gorgeous runway, Denali brought this breathtaking python look to the stage. Her makeup for this look is to die for. The red contacts and scale-like pearls on her face really convey the snake look. I am obsessed with the green and black cut crease for the eyes, and I think it was a really smart choice to not draw any brows for this look. Even the scale-like yellow makeup on her nose was very well done.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Episode 9 – Rosé
In the most recent episode, Rosé brought her signature pink look for the Fascinating Fascinator runway. After performing extremely well in the Snatch Game, Rosé served a cut crease eye makeup look incorporating different shades of pink and sparkles. I am a big fan of huge false lashes here in this look. Her eyebrow shape in this look is simple and not too distracting from the rest of her face.
Photo Credits of RuPaul’s Drag Race
