(Photo credit: Lucy Garland)

Lucy Garland is one bad ass artist. I’ve been following her drag inspired tutorials for 8 months now and she never fails to blow me away! So, it’s only natural (Haha) that I’ve been giddy ever since we knew about this collaboration. Do you blame me? I mean, seriously. We love her for her talent, her passion, her honesty, her open-mindedness, and she is without a doubt bringing inspiration and confidence to a whole new level. 

We chose Lucy for this project because I feel as if we can all relate to her passion. I see myself in her readiness and willingness to share her knowledge with others. She’s made me realize how important it is to be confident and comfortable with your own style and what you create as long it makes you happy.

During my teen years, western beauty was pigeon holed into something that wasn’t relatable to those who didn’t fit the bill (such as myself) and luckily today, people are starting to understand that beauty is transcendent. Beauty is not defined by colour, race, age, size or gender; beauty just IS, and her work speaks to me as if she knows all about it- Lucy gets it! She. Totally. Gets. It. As I continue to grow and progress as a person and as an artist, I can honestly say, by watching her videos and now having the pleasure of talking with her, she’s already inspired me to be more confident in everything that I do. With that being said, we hope this collaboration leaves you feeling inspired to be true to who you are, be more confident and see the beauty in whatever life has blessed you with.

Be you, 

Ale 
  

Beauty According to Lucy Garland

AO: First and foremost; thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts for doing this beautiful collaboration with us. We’re beyond excited to have the opportunity to share your art with all of our followers. For those who don't know you yet, who is Lucy Garland, what’s she all about?

LG: Lucy Garland is all about being Fierce! I am very intrigued with the art of transformation and blurring gender lines. Im in love with glamor and sass and colour! Its all about having fun creatively. Experimenting with makeup and clothing and accessories and seeing what can come from that!

AO: Beauty is very tribal. Which is great, but I also think its good to have diversity. Both Meli, and I love and admire that you march to the beat of your own drum. You give your followers such a real and fun platform to express themselves through the power of makeup and art. Your work is truly visionary, inspiring and influential. Who or what inspires you to create such amazing content? What’s the creative process?

LG: So many things inspire me! Super creative people excite me so much. Other queens are a huge source of inspiration, as well as artists, designers, musicians etc. Anyone who can create something awesome and individual inspire me to do the same! That's what this is all about for me, being able to challenge myself in different ways and come up with something interesting and unique is a very empowering feeling! The creative process can sometimes be gruelling! Although once I am in the moment things start to run like clockwork, and that's when it gets exciting!

AO: You mentioned in one of your youtube videos that your friend convinced you to start a youtube channel (Send him our thanks!!) How did you get into drag and how long have you been doing drag makeup?

LG: I got into drag after watching the first episode of season 5 of RuPaul's drag race. That sealed the deal for me. I had always been obsessed with fashion and art and everything that came along with that, but until I found drag I couldn't seem to find a way to bring the two together.
I have always drawn my whole life, specifically a lot of super realistic portraitrature, So I've spent countless hours studying the face and understanding proportions and depth and shadow. After finishing that first episode, the makeup was the first thing that caught my eye, because it was so similar to the way I was drawing! So I thought why not try it! This was back at the beginning of 2015. Then 6 months later I started my YouTube channel and drag quickly became my life!

AO: Drag makeup has been around for a long time, and it's finally getting the positive attention it deserves. Why do you think that is?

LG: I think people are starting to realise that it is a viable art form, much like painting and drawing! You can slowly feel the world embracing it more and more. With people like Pat McGrath, Marc Jacobs, and even Miley Cyrus who are celebrating drag culture and making it visible in mainstream media, a wider audience is becoming aware that drag is where it all started! The Kardashians are in full beat everyday! No tea, I live for it!

AO: What does 'create your own beauty statement' mean to you?

LG: 'Create your own beauty statement' means be exciting and fierce and do you! Think outside the box and come up with something that will blow people away!

AO: What tip would you give someone who wants to get into drag?

LG: I'd say just do it! Confidence is key!

AO: What does being beautiful mean to you?

LG: Confidence, over anything else.

AO: What’s a beauty+fashion trend you really want to happen?

LG: Good question!  In terms of a fashion trend, I feel like we're not seeing enough platform heels lately. It's all about stilettos and ankle boots! Bring back those gorgeous John Galliano platform heels! He always did them the best, and in amazing colours! And a beauty trend I really want to happen is more outrageous eyeshadow! I feel like you can wow a whole crowd with a good eyeshadow colour!

AO: The outfits, the wigs, the jewellery - every single detail you put into your looks, always looks incredible, and what we like is that it never, no matter how bad ass it is, it never wears you, your personality still shines right through. What does ‘style’ mean for you?

LG: Style to me means to understand the composition of your piece of art. What colour is going to look good with that? What texture will compliment that? It's all about having a strong vision. Every time I dress up in drag I have a persona or a character in mind. By knowing what attitude you're wanting to put out there, you can then use your style to help to convey that!

AO: Based on your incredible journey so far, If there's one piece of advice you can give anyone, what would that be?

LG: Practice!

AO: Top three people you would love to do makeup on?

LG: Number one would have to be RuPaul! Number 2 probably Beyonce, just because I would like to be in the same room as her. Although I do think she would look fierce in full drag! And 3rd maybe kim Kardashian, I would just love to see if her skin was really that flawless close up!

Your highlight is always on point! do you have a preferred highlight medium?

LG: I have this really good role on highlighter that I got for $2. It's the most efficient highlighter I have ever used!

AO: What’s your favourite makeup remover/cleanser to help take off your makeup at the end of a filming day?

LG: Honestly, coconut oil works wonders for removing drag makeup! It gets rid of anything!

AO: We also love us some Queen Bey! What's your favourite Album?

LG: Tough question!
To be honest, Lemonade is still on repeat. I don't think I will ever get over it. But! Dangerously in Love will always be classic Bey! Can't go wrong with a bit of Crazy In Love!

(We couldn't agree more!)

Lucy made a 5 part tutorial on how to do drag makeup. Watch, and get inspired! (Keep an eye out for our No.6 Beauty Primer in Part 2! )

Part 1: How to cover your eyebrows

Part 2: Skin-prep, Foundation & Countour

Part 3: Eyes & Eyebrows

Part 4: Lips & Lashes

Want to watch more? Head over to Lucy's YouTube channel, and get lost in her magic! 

Follow her on Instagram: @Lucygarland