Top 10 RuPaul's Drag Race Makeup Fails

This might be a relatively subtle faux-pas, but it still caused a storm. This queen's visible stubble was much-discussed on Season 4, most memorably during the reading mini-challenge. Both Latrice Royale and Sharon Needles laid into Willam for her insufficiently covered beard, and got serious laughs for it. But the issue truly came to a head when Michelle Visage pointed it out on the runway. And in “Untucked!,” Sharon clashed with Willam over the persisting problem, recommending that she use “pancake makeup” like her competitors. Granted, the advice was a bit harsh and not necessarily wanted, but the lack of coverage had practically been visible since day one.

Covering up facial hair can be a struggle. But as it turns out, putting it on is no cakewalk either. For one runway in Season 7, the contestants followed in Milk’s footsteps and sported beards on the main stage. The judges loved Jasmine Masters’ gown, but took serious issue with her chin strap-like five o’clock shadow. The queen said she couldn’t glue anything to her face, but surely she could’ve produced a better-looking beard using cosmetics alone! For her part, Kennedy Davenport’s poorly applied patches of hair were certainly an eyesore. But considering her lack of polish and effort, Jasmine’s makeup job was undoubtedly the worst.

Makeover challenges provide a unique opportunity for queens to demonstrate their makeup skills on another person’s face. Unfortunately, Joslyn Fox didn’t rise to the occasion in Season 6. Her partner Brandon wasn’t exactly a happy camper, but that shouldn’t have affected the queen’s ability to properly apply highlight and contour. Michelle Visage aptly pointed out that Bradonna looked metallic, as incorrect makeup shades had clearly been used on the bride-to-be. Whether the issue was Joslyn’s lack of skill or an understocked Werk Room, it’s a shame that we didn’t get to see Bradonna Fox shine as she could have.

There were many things to love about this campy queen during her time on Season 5 - but her makeup wasn’t always one of them. Early in her run, she often sported heavy-handed eyeshadow and a shaded nose that somehow looked off. In episode six, the runway theme required the queens to highlight their best body part. Judging by her aggressive contouring, you’d think that Jinkx’s choice was her cheeks! The intense shadows affected her face shape and distracted from her outfit. Although this queen’s skills with a brush were sometimes lacking, they were thankfully much-improved by the time the finale rolled around.

The “Snatch Game” challenge requires the queens to embody a celebrity figure. And that means harnessing the transformative powers of cosmetics. Sadly, Milan’s attempt to pay homage to Diana Ross fizzled in more ways than one. Her makeup was extremely messy, with distractingly thin eyebrows and tragically wonky false eyelashes. Guest judge Loretta Devine took notice, and later commented that Milan sometimes looked cross-eyed. But the biggest problem of all was that even with improvements to her lashes, it’s unlikely that the queen would’ve been able to channel Ms. Ross. Unfortunately, even Milan’s amped up take on the timeless diva’s personality couldn’t rescue her from the bottom.

A queen’s “Drag Race” Werk Room entrance look is her opportunity to make a good first impression on fellow competitors and viewers alike. It makes sense, then, that these ensembles speak volumes about a contestant’s fashion sense and taste level. Despite Shangela’s current status as a performer, there’s no question that her makeup in the Season 2 premiere left something to be desired. She barely appeared to be wearing any paint, and what she did have on failed to highlight her features. We weren’t exactly surprised when she revealed she’d only been doing drag for five months. Although she was still experiencing cosmetic issues by the Season 3 reunion, the glamorous queen we all know and love has since emerged. Halleloo!

Early in Season 9, this queen’s manufactured social media image was a point of contention in the Werk Room. Shortly afterward, the contestants presented a fleshed-out fairytale character on the runway. And Aja unsurprisingly got called out for their sloppy makeup. Their aggressive liner and long lashes combined to completely overshadow their eyes. The judges certainly didn’t mince words on the topic, with Michelle Visage brutally commenting that the Princess Disastah moniker was highly appropriate. Aja may have been going for a more dramatic look considering the challenge, but their execution was clearly flawed.

Every “Drag Race” fan knows what Michelle Visage’s least favorite color is. With that in mind, let’s just say that Alexis sporting green body paint for the judge’s comedy roast was… a choice. Of course, the theatrical queen intended to poke fun at Michelle’s taste. But the gag felt forced and just didn’t land. Unfortunately, the reference was also lost on guest judges Tamar Braxton and Fortune Feimster. To make matters worse, the makeup itself was patchy. In fact, there was none on her feet! Although Alexis Michelle had shown her skills in previous weeks, her poor decision-making in this instance understandably landed her in the bottom two.

A known Britney Spears impersonator, Derrick came onto the show sporting relatively minimal makeup compared to her competitors. Eventually, she was challenged to show off a face more typical of a drag queen. But it certainly proved to be a struggle. The Book Ball thrust her aesthetic - and eyebrows - into the spotlight, and Naomi Smalls gave her some harsh feedback and valuable advice. Unfortunately, the result was not quite up to par. With thin and too-high brows giving her a perpetually surprised expression, all three of Derrick’s Book Ball looks were brought down. She does deserve credit for applying the judges’ critiques, but “Drag Race” simply isn’t the place to learn the basics.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions.

Magnolia Crawford’s Nose Contour, “RuPaul’s Big Opening Part 2”
It Was Impossible Not to Focus on This Queen’s Exaggerated Makeup Job

Penny Tration's Hollywood Glamour Look, “RuPaullywood or Bust”
She Had Accidental Sideburns in Her One & Only Episode

Nina Bo’nina Brown’s Pink Skeleton, “Your Pilot’s on Fire”
Her Skull Makeup Was Impressive, But the Look Was Obviously Incomplete

Season 13 offered a spin on the perennial makeover challenge, as the queens paired up and transformed into each other. In a memorable Werk Room sequence, Rosé spun around and was clearly surprised by her new look. With her skin an orange hue and her eyes shrouded in an aggressively smoky shadow, she embodied the essence of Tina Burner. But she didn’t exactly look great. The judges commended the accuracy of the makeup, while simultaneously questioning Tina’s aesthetic. We can’t really be mad though, as this one-of-a-kind makeover birthed one of the season’s funniest moments.