Dragged out Inspiration

Kevin Acouin - Makeup artist, Magician - Illusionist

Dragged out Inspiration

My inspiration and love for makeup comes from many people, places and objects. It may be a random photo or even Mother Nature’s backdrop of the setting sun. With all the vivid colors, my mind races with ideas on how to approach my next glamification. Is that a word? If not, then I vote to make it a word. It really is what I do for my clients.

It is no wonder that one of my on going muses has been the ultimate beauty queen, the drag queen. Having spent the larger portion of my 20's living it up in the oh-so trendy and underground South Beach of the 90's, my affinity and love of the gay population has grown to idolization and most of all admiration.

After years of working in the beauty-mainly gay mans world -industry, I have been fortunate enough to discover that the makeup routine lesson best learned is that of the gay makeup artist’s technique and talents. Gay men dominate the makeup world and it is that very reason why I look to them for a vision they obviously get and understand. The drag queen takes makeup to a professional level not easily achieved by a novice.

It is why the drag queen can be considered an expert in the world of highlighting, contouring and perfecting. To enhance the right angles and features so strategically that it brings out the best lineament of the face, elevating the skill level and technique to that of an illusionist. It is an art that truly mesmerizes me. And it is the love of that art that inspired me to become a makeup artist.

Kevin Acuoin was a visionary makeup artist in that very art. His was the first book I opened that whisked me off in to the world of glamour and fantasy. He made me believe in myself and in the possibility of doing what planted a light inside of me for a living. It is mainly because of his talents that I was in turn able to realize this dream of mine...

And my fascination continues. From Gia Nicole West to Justice Divine, my exposure to drag queens has also taught me that these ladies are true entertainers. Never under estimate that raw talent. This is my homage to these lovely divas.

In working side by side with some of the most talented makeup artists such as Global Makeup Artist for Laura Mercier, Benjamin Ruiz, I once dared to question a choice of his color selection while working with him at a Laura Mercier Face to Face event in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

The challenge annoyed Mr. Ruiz and he retorted with a quick and severe "Don't you (REALLY?) me sweetie!" I was nervous and perspiring after I realized I had just questioned one of the top artists in the industry!

But I stood my ground and remained confident throughout our collaboration. In the end he turned to me and said, "you are very talented,” and with the nod of his head signaled his approval. I about died at the praise. It was just another one of my many interactions I would have with a true artist.

In addition to my exposure to the best of the best in the makeup artist industry and ultimately being a fan of some of Miami’s fiercest female impersonators, (this leads back to my fag hag hey days in a Miami that no longer exists sadly) my interaction with the truly marvelous has taught me that these ladies know what the hell they are doing!

This is their life; this is what they do to earn a living! That makes them the ultimate professionals in my eyes. Thank you ladies for being who you are and teaching this wanna-be straight girl the skills of a true make up damsel.