That's why we sought guidance from a reliable source: Serena Tea. The Brooklyn-based drag queen has earned her rightful spot on stages in New York City and across the U.S. (and she’ll soon hit our television screens in an upcoming drama series that explores queer identity and the beauty industry). Night after night, as she has for the past five years, Tea energetically performs and dances in DIY outfits, her signature high ponytail, and a makeup look she calls her “stamp.” Angular, sharp, and strong, it’s “kind of mean-looking,” she tells Refinery29. “I paint my eyes very cat-like and draw my eyebrows super thin and arched. And I love to overdraw my lips so they look really plump. There’s definitely nothing light about my makeup — I don’t ever do ‘soft’ or ‘natural.’ It’s very in your face: My nose is sharp, my eyes are snatched back, and it’s all very high and defined.”
In addition to using makeup that withstands hours of spotlights, movement, and sweat, Tea looks for products that are affordable and multifaceted (being strongly pigmented doesn’t hurt, either). Below, with support from Ulta Beauty, Tea shares the top products worthy of gifting your makeup-loving friend or relative this year, from an unassuming eyeliner that truly will not budge to a nine-pan eyeshadow palette that doubles as blush.
A collection of eyeshadows that work on cheeks, too
If there's one product here that'll make you feel like you're getting the most bang for your buck, it's this colorful, nine-pan eyeshadow palette. Inspired by the vibrant colors seen at a music festival, the shades in Juvia's Place The Festival Palette include orange (which Tea also likes to apply on her cheeks and nose for a sun-kissed look), shimmery turquoise (for a pop of brightness on the inside of her cut crease), and nude (for a neutral eye makeup look). The bottom line? "This palette is really pigmented and affordable," she says. "I don't like paying for makeup because I use so much of it — drag queens should get a makeup discount — so anytime I find a product that's affordable and actually good, I stick with it."
Juvia's Place The Festival Eyeshadow Palette, $, available at Ulta Beauty
A highlighter that gives an otherworldly glow
There's a reason a certain celebrity known for her high vocal range (and high ponytail) name-dropped this highlighter in a song. For starters, Tea explains, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna's Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter is "shiny as hell. With other highlighters, I feel like I really have to pack it on, but with this one, it's one-and-done." Tea cites the shade "Trophy Wife" as a shining star in the inclusive, eight-product range as it "has this nice yellow-gold undertone that looks really, really incredible on all skin tones." The formula is a hybrid of cream and powder, making for an effortless application — and a comfortable, skin-melting texture.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter, $, available at Ulta Beauty
An eyeliner pen that'll last all night — & the next day, too
Eyeliner might seem like a relatively unremarkable gift, but don't write this one off just yet. "I've tried a lot of eyeliners," Tea explains, "and this one is the best. I've been using it for literally five years." Not only does NYX Professional Makeup's Super Skinny Eye Marker Black Eyeliner cost $10, the formula is actually long-lasting. "There are a lot of products that claim to last a long time, but as a drag artist, I'm performing and running around and sweating all the time, and it's hard to find makeup that can endure that," Tea says. "But I never have an issue with this eyeliner — and I sweat a lot. I'm a very sweaty queen." If that doesn't convince you to slap a bow on this felt-tip pen, we're not sure what will.
NYX Professional Makeup Super Skinny Eye Marker Black Eyeliner, $, available at Ulta Beauty
A lip color that's a twist on a classic
Whether your friend's a longtime beauty enthusiast or at a recently reformed makeup minimalist, chances are they'll be somewhat familiar with MAC's iconic, universally flattering lipstick shade, Ruby Woo. (Maybe they even own it.) Regardless, they'll be excited to own Love Me Liquid Lipcolour in Ruby Do!, one of the recently repurposed versions of the classic lip color. Instead of the creamy, matte look of the original, the new version comes in a hydrating, liquid formula. Tea loves it for its "velvety look," adding that she found it at Ulta Beauty last year and hasn't looked back since. The satin finish makes it perfect on its own, though Tea will sometimes apply a coat of MAC Lipglass (in Ruby Woo) on top for some extra sheen.
MAC Love Me Liquid Lipcolour, $, available at Ulta Beauty
A palette that makes a very convincing case for red eyeshadow
If your friend has ever shied away from red eye makeup, you might hesitate before adding this whopping 35-pan palette — specifically, the Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Palette Volume II — to cart. "Reds are kind of hard to find in eyeshadow palettes," says Tea. "And whenever you do find them, there aren't a lot. This one's got enough reds to really blend to create a lot of depth, which I appreciate." She says she'll typically start with Tipsy Girl (a hot pink) or or Lolli Mama (a matte fuchsia), then go in with Dance Party (a bold fruit punch) to darken it before adding burgundy red shades to add depth. She adds that while this palette doesn't have "everything," it has exactly what she's looking for when she's going for a brighter look. "It's definitely worth the money — it's got so many playful, inviting colors."
Morphe Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Palette Volume II, $, available at Ulta Beauty
A liquid lipstick for a witchy, moody vibe
"Typically with [liquid lipsticks] like this, they get really thick and cake-y on the lip," Tea says. Not this one, though. In addition to a long-lasting, high-shine formula, the color in Urban Decay Cosmetics' Vice Lip Bond Glossy Liquid Lipstick is super pigmented (simply shake the tube for five seconds to "activate" the color). Tea calls out "Unbreakable," a blood red, and "Raw Footage," a deep plum, as her two favorite shades in the lineup. Both work well if she's "wearing a lot of black or doing a [fierce] look," but she reaches for "Raw Footage" when she's feeling an editorial, magazine spread-worthy vibe. The best part about this glossy lipstick? "I don't even have to use a lip liner." (Yeah, it's that good.)
Urban Decay Cosmetics Vice Lip Bond Glossy Liquid Lipstick, $, available at Ulta Beauty
A setting spray that takes things to the next level
"It's a known fact that this is the setting spray to have," Tea gushes. "It just brings life into my face." She adds that she likes to mist this beauty industry-favorite (which is also transfer-resistant and smudge-proof) a few times onto her complexion right after applying her makeup, and then "going in on my highlighter" directly after. "The wetness of the setting spray makes it shine even more." If your friend loves glistening skin — and makeup that'll remain intact all throughout the evening — heed Tea's advice and throw Urban Decay Cosmetics' All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray in your cart.
Urban Decay Cosmetics All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $, available at Ulta Beauty
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