Michelle Visage and Makeup Artist Nicole Faulkner Dissect Their ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Collaboration

It took a worldwide pandemic for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” choose Michelle Visage to lastly say sure to carrying black lipstick.“I feel I used to be much more open to attempting new issues,” admits Visage, who has been with the present since its third season.More from VarietyHer associate in crime and trusted collaborator is make-up artist Nicole Faulkner who has made a reputation for herself with greater than 900,000 Instagram followers and is the co-founder of Pout Beauty Bar. Faulkner has been accountable for remodeling Visage for greater than six years, whether or not it’s making use of a daring and daring lip or shimmer on the eyelids. The duo has an “open and rising relationship,” says Visage, who additionally notes that Faulkner understands her make-up guidelines effectively.“If you give me a Nike swoosh, it’s coming off. I prefer it straight and geometric. I’ll say, ‘Nicole, you simply swooped me, it’s coming off.’ She is aware of,” Visage says.Faulkner was in a position to assist Visage transfer previous her PTSD of her previous black lipstick expertise from “once I was an emo woman in highschool,” Visage says, however getting Visage prepared each week is a collaborative course of with hair stylist Tony Medina, as effectively. They start with a gaggle chat, during which they share inspirational photos and concepts.“We’ll pick the look I’m going to put on for the subsequent present the week earlier than so we are able to put together and begin occupied with hair and make-up earlier than we go into it,” says Visage, who’s hands-on along with her group. “I understand how I prefer to look and how I prefer to current myself as a choose.”That planning course of helps Faulkner to give you concepts and when to make use of them. She provides, “We’re not afraid to save lots of moments and say, ‘This could be higher for 2 episodes from now due to a sure visitor.’ We can maintain issues calm and impartial one week and use orange eyeliner the subsequent.”Story continuesFaulkner factors out that Visage loves the glam course of, which dedicates two hours to hair, one other two hours to make-up and another to placing the ending touches collectively. Getting prepared is one thing neither desires to hurry. Visage respects the artistry, permitting Faulkner to take her time along with her work so the look all falls into place. “Every make-up artist desires {that a} consumer will provide you with your time,” Faulkner says.Admittedly, their trailer time could possibly be much less, however Visage says, “That’s not what I need to do. We have the time, so why not let Nicole do her job in peace?”Often, Visage will inform the queens on the VH1 competitors collection that they should step up their seems to be, so she acknowledges that her seems to be additionally need to be “elevated.” Praising Faulkner for at all times having her fingers on the heartbeat, Visage says, “She’s at all times attempting to push me in that facet. She’ll say, ‘Let’s do a blue lip.’ I’ll say, ‘You can fuck off, it’s by no means going to occur.’”Although Faulkner might problem Visage to step exterior her consolation zone, she is aware of her means round Visage’s face and can remodel her each week, bringing drama and vogue to the palette.“A lady of a sure age would possibly assume she couldn’t put on one thing. We’re right here each week proving you could,” Faulkner says.Best of VarietyJoin Variety’s Newsletter. For the most recent information, comply with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.