10 Essential Hacks for Drag Kings Performing Regularly

Being a Drag King is exhilarating—until you’re peeling off layers of tape, scrubbing at stubborn makeup, or realising your costume smells like a gym bag because you haven’t had time to wash it. When drag becomes a drag, it’s usually because the little things start piling up—sweaty costumes, dry skin, missing essentials, and the exhaustion of back-to-back gigs. Performing often means your drag routine gets faster, but your self-care can take a hit. Here are 10 pro hacks to keep your drag fresh, even when it starts to feel like a drag.

1. Sticky Tape Residue That Won’t Budge

Problem: Binding or costume tape leaves sticky residue that refuses to come off, no matter how much you scrub with soap, warm water, or coconut oil.

Solution: Surgical adhesive remover wipes—used in hospitals to remove medical tape—effortlessly dissolve the glue. You can get them from chemists or online. They’re small, portable, and save you from hours of painful peeling.

2. Drag Makeup = Dry, Flaky Skin

Problem: Wearing heavy stage makeup regularly dries out your skin, making it look cracked and irritated.

Solution:

• Barrier cream before makeup helps prevent dryness and irritation.
• After performing, use a double cleanse: first with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, then with a gentle cleanser to remove residue.
• Follow with a serum and a thick night cream to rehydrate.
• Keep a hydrating mist in your kit to refresh your skin between performances. 

3. The Unwashed Costume Emergency

Problem: You have back-to-back performances, and your Drag King costume smells like a locker room.

Solution:

• Spray vodka or rubbing alcohol on the armpits and inside the costume to kill bacteria and neutralise odour.
• Be careful—it’s flammable, so let it dry before stepping near a flame.
• Keep a fabric freshener spray in your kit for a quick refresh.
• Hang costumes outside overnight to air them out between gigs.

4. Makeup Staining Everything You Own

Problem: Your Drag King makeup smears onto your white shirt, your pillow, and that poor audience member who hugged you too hard.

Solution:

• Layer powder between cream-based products to lock them in.
• Use a heavy-duty theatre-grade setting spray to prevent smudging.
• If makeup gets on your clothes, baby wipes with micellar water can help lift stains.

5. Overheating in Heavy Fabrics (Suits, Leather, Layers)

Problem: Leather jackets, layered suits, and masculine costumes trap heat, making you overheat under stage lights.

Solution:

• Wear a moisture-wicking undershirt to absorb sweat and stay cooler.
• Choose ventilated or lightweight suit fabrics (linen, stretch cotton) instead of full wool or polyester.
• Unbutton or unzip during transitions when possible to let air circulate.

6. Forgetting to Pack Something Essential

Problem: You get to the venue and realise you’ve forgotten something crucial—your wig, your mustache, your belt, or your lucky packer.

Solution:

• Take a tip from Milton Mango and create a ‘Bloke in a Bag’ to store all your gear.
• Keep a notes app list or Google Keep checklist of everything you need.
• Pack your bag the night before a gig to avoid last-minute rushing.

7. Lip-Syncing with a Dry Mouth

Problem: Your lips are sticking to your teeth mid-performance, making it look like your Drag King just got dentures.

Solution:

• Sip pineapple juice before performing—the natural enzymes help with saliva production.
• Use a thin layer of coconut oil, shea butter or beeswax balm on your teeth to keep your lips gliding smoothly.

8. Hat or Cap Slipping Off During High-Energy Routines

Problem: Your fedora, cap, or beanie flies off mid-performance instead of staying part of your cool King persona.

Solution:

• Use wig clips sewn inside the hat to anchor it to your hair.
• If you have short hair, wear a wig cap and use hat tape for extra grip.
• For caps, try a sweatband or silicone strip inside to keep it snug.

9. Managing Gender Dysphoria When Performing as a Drag King

Problem: Some Drag Kings experience gender dysphoria when switching between drag and everyday life, especially after multiple performances in a row.

Solution:

• Take intentional de-dragging time—don’t rush straight back into ‘normal life’ after a gig.
• Wear comfortable, gender-affirming clothing post-performance to ease the transition.
• Acknowledge and validate your experience—Drag Kinging is an art form, and your gender identity is valid regardless of how you present on or off stage.

10. Post-Performance Blues

Problem: Performing all the time is amazing, but the high-energy rush is followed by exhaustion and burnout.

Solution:

• Build intentional recovery time into your schedule.
• Hydrate, eat real food (not just bar snacks), and schedule a rest day where you do something completely different—like watching a movie in your PJs or taking a long bath.
• Remind yourself that rest is part of the creative process. Your Drag King needs downtime too!

Performing as a Drag King should feel empowering, not exhausting. If drag is starting to feel like a drag, these hacks will help keep you fresh, comfortable, and ready to slay the stage without slaying yourself in the process.

Xx

Danica Lani

The King Coach

P.S. Wanna be a Drag King? Click here to join the Kings of Joy community

Hello handsome, 🌈 I'm Danica Lani, also known as The King Coach. I'm here to empower you in your exploration of gender, sexuality, and performance. I have proudly mentored and choreographed 132 first-time Drag Kings since December 2020. Welcome to the joyous community of Kings of Joy, where we uplift and celebrate each other every step of the way! 🎉🤩 Let's embark on this Drag King journey together! 🤗💖 #KingsOfJoy

Photo credit: 📸 Sarah Malone