Embrace Eco-Fabulous: Sustainable Drag for a Glamorous Earth Day Celebration!

Hey friends! Welcome to the ultimate intersection of fabulousness and sustainability! As Earth Day approaches, it's time to redefine what it means to strut your stuff on the stage of life. Gone are the days when glamour came at the cost of our precious planet. Today, we're breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and proving that sustainability is the true essence of fabulousness.

We can have a dazzling display of sequins, feathers, and glitter, all while treading lightly on Mother Earth. It's not necessary to contribute to the accumulation of microplastics in order to do drag. In fact, a performer increases their fabulousness by being sustainable!

Join us on this journey as we delve into the world of sustainable drag, where every strut, every pose, and every lip-sync is a celebration of eco-consciousness. From eco-friendly makeup to recycled costumes, we're dishing out all the tips and tricks to help you slay sustainably.

So, grab your stilettos and unleash your inner eco-diva! Together, let's paint the town green and show the world that when it comes to glamour, sustainability is always en vogue. Happy Earth Day, gorgeous humans! It's time to shine bright while leaving a lighter footprint on our beautiful planet.

Ah, the myriad reasons why one might immerse themselves into the fabulous world of drag… so many motives. Some come for the spotlight, some for the glam, some for the art and some for the outlet… then there are those of us who see drag as the perfect runway for activism. Nothing says 'change the world' quite like a killer contour and a fierce lip-sync.

Activism is right up there on the list of reasons why I'm strutting into the drag scene, along with my desperate need for a creative outlet that's as expressive as it is liberating… and I get the chance to flaunt my gender nonconformity in a way that feels authentic to me. Flaunting gender nonconformity and utilizing my platform to spread an activist message… I’m here for that!

As a budding activist (and fabulous drag enthusiast), I'm ready to slay Earth Day sustainability style. Mother Nature is our guest star today, and we can celebrate her with some ideas on how to bring sustainability into drag.

I'm also excited to share some of my own personal examples and shed light on how fabulous humans in my community are championing sustainability every single day, not just today.

Let's talk about upcycling… It's like giving your tired old clothes a fierce makeover and bring envy to all performers in your path. Not only does it save your wallet, but it's also a surefire way to reignite the spark in those once show-stopping costumes that now look like they've seen better days.

So, channel your inner DIY diva and get crafty! Who knows, you might just create a masterpiece that'll have the audience gagging all over again. Upcycling apparel for costumes is a great way to keep worn out clothes from ending up in the landfill. Creativity is one of the pillars of drag artistry, so dip into your imagination and start upcycling those beautiful costumes that once shocked the audience, but have lost their luster. You can revive them! And if the thought of sewing needles and E6000 makes you panic, relax… Your drag family has got your back. Reach out to your fellow artists, swap tips, and maybe even find someone willing to sprinkle a little magic on your wardrobe for a fair price. After all, in the world of drag, we're all about lifting each other up and serving looks that could stop traffic.

I’m super lucky to have my friend Jane, who is like a thrift store wizard, turning grandma's old curtains into runway-ready couture! We'll stroll through a Goodwill and while I'm still trying to figure out which sweater doesn't smell like mothballs, she's already mentally crafting the next show-stopping ensemble.

It's like she's got a sixth sense for finding hidden treasures in the racks of used clothing, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of strutting onto the stage in a custom creation made from recycled threads. It's like saying to Mother Earth, "Girl, I got you covered in sequins and sustainable style!"

So, shoutout to Excentric Designs by Jane for turning thrift store finds into one-of-a-kind masterpieces fit for a king. Because who needs brand new when you can rock secondhand chic like nobody's business?

Then there’s my drag sister Artemisia VanHo. I get so much inspiration from this fabulous diva. It's all about the costumes… This queen doesn't just wear the outfits, she creates them! With an artist's eye and a flair for fashion that could outshine the runway, she serves looks that leave the crowd gagging in her fabulous wake. Trust me, every time Artemisia hits the stage, it's like Christmas morning for fashionistas – you never know what fabulous creation she's whipped up next! Known for her unique costumes and energetic performances, it is always a treat to see what she has to serve.

I’ve also met an incredible wig designer that won’t won't let a single strand go to waste. Seriously, throwing away a wig? That's so last season, and they are too expensive to waste! Kyle's on a mission to save those luscious locks from ending up in wig heaven (or worse, a landfill). So before you toss that wig aside like yesterday's drama, think about giving it a second chance at life. Kyle's got an awesome class where he spills all the secrets on wig CPR – that's Care, Preservation, and Revival of course! And if you can't be bothered to DIY, fear not! He'll happily sprinkle his wig wizardry for a fee, or even whip up a custom creation that'll have you feeling like a superstar. I recently got my first topper piece from him and can’t wait to show it off at the US of A MI Classic prelim pageant!! Check out his fabulous creations at kping.com and say goodbye to wig woes forever! Or, if you're feeling adventurous, scout around your area for a wig guru near you. Because let's face it, life's too short for bad hair days!

Then there’s makeup… As drag performers, we practically have a love affair with our makeup kits! Don’t worry eco-kings, queens, and ‘tweens, because there are green alternatives out there just waiting to be discovered! Grab your phones and get ready to Google, because there's a whole world of eco-friendly makeup brands just waiting to glam you up without harming the planet, from EcoTools to Bare Minerals… Chantecaille and Elf, you can absolutely find something to suit your needs. I personally have a whole lot of the Eco Tools and I love them! Most of my brushes are EcoTools… they blend well and are easy to keep clean. I also haven’t found a better primer than the one that I got from Elf. These are brands that I can find at places like Walgreens and Marshalls… I don’t have to spend an entire number’s tips on primer (I also need E6000 and sewing supplies to keep this king sustainable). Speaking of makeup marvels, though, I stumbled upon this fabulous sponge that's not only a dream for blending, but it comes wrapped in seed paper! That's right, when it's time to bid adieu to your trusty sponge, you can bury it with its packaging and watch wildflowers bloom. Talk about makeup with a mission!

So I mentioned keeping those brushes clean… Let's not forget the importance of TLC for our beauty tools. Keep those brushes and sponges squeaky clean, and you'll not only extend their lifespan but keep your skin looking fierce and fabulous. And get this – sustainable glitter is a thing, too! So, go ahead, sparkle guilt-free knowing you're keeping the planet as fabulous as you are. Earth Glitter has some shimmer and shine that is aluminum free/biodegradable and earth friendly at https://naturalearthpaint.com/eco-friendly-glitter/ … Unicorn snot is cruelty free, and check out the biodegradable glitter at projekt glitter - https://projektglitter.com/ ! Of these I have only tried unicorn snot, and had a lot of fun with it, but I can’t wait to check out these other brands!! If you try them, leave me a comment and let me know how you like them!! Also if you have any other recommendations please leave a comment to help all of us become a little kinder to our planet.

Being part of the queer community and the fabulous drag scene doesn't mean we have to choose between saving the planet and serving looks hotter than the sun. We can have our eco-friendly cake and eat it too! Obviously we can strut onto the stage like we own it, dripping in sustainable glam from head to toe and costumes that make jaws drop. With a little research, we can have makeup so flawless it could make a unicorn jealous, and glitter so sparkly it could blind the haters – all while giving Mother Earth a sustainable smooch. The impact that we will make on the audience with our eco-friendly looks will be so hot that it rivals climate change.

From using tools made with eco-friendly materials to giving tired wigs a second chance at life, we're showing the world that sustainability is the new black, darling. So, let's keep slaying the stage, owning the spotlight, and giving our planet the love it deserves. Because at the end of the day, being a drag king means not just serving looks, but serving the planet too. Werk it, Earth!

Please leave me some comments on your ideas, thoughts, and recommendations on sustainable drag.