What's In Kevin Aviance's Makeup Bag?
Beauty snoop

Downtown-Manhattan drag queen extraordinaire Kevin Aviance projects such a vivacious approach to life, it shocked even jaded New Yorkers last June when he was hospitalized after a gay-bashing incident. Fortunately, he has healed, though he's still singing the blues… and metallics, and fuchsias, as we recently learned after a peek at his makeup table.
1. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK GREAT LASH MASCARA IN BLACK "There willnever be another Great Lash! It binds my naturally curly lashes to my fakes."
2. CHANEL ROUGE HYDRABASE CREME LIPSTICK "Creamy and mesmerizing."
3. NARS BODY SMOOTHER CREAM "After I was attacked, a fellow black queen brought this to me in the hospital. They know how I am about my skin."
4. MAC BRONZING POWDER "What I use to tie it all together, from lashes to legs."
5. MEHRON METALLIC POWDER "The trick to a last-all-night metallic mouth? Spread platinum powder on lips and layer on clear gloss."
6. JOHNSON'S BABY SHAMPOO "A dermatologist advised me to use it as makeup remover."
7. MAC LIPGLASS "Not just for lips, but cheeks, eyes, everything."
8. SHISEIDO THE MAKEUP LIP LINER PENCIL "Oh God, the lip pencil. It's soft and goes on true-to-color."
9. YVES SAINT LAURENT ROUGE PUR LIPSTICK IN FUCHSIA PINK "There's no other fuchsia that pops the way this one does on a black girl, honey."
10. RICKY'S FALSE EYELASHES "I own them in every length."
11. MAC PIGMENT COLOR POWDERS "I seal them onto my face with clear MAC Lipglass."
12. STOLI ON THE ROCKS "To take the edge off before a show."
13. MAC POWDER BLUSH IN FRANKLY SCARLET "With this swept from my cheek to the back of my head, I look part alien, part Nadja Auermann."
14. MAKEUP BRUSHES"Got 'em all: If I'm feeling heavy-handed, I'll even use paint brushes." When we told the people at Curve Fragrances about this story, they donated $1000 to People of Color in Crisis, Inc. (www.pocc.org)—Aviance's charity of choice."My inspiration? Diana Ross. Before there was airbrushing, Diana was honest glam."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Dedicated to women of power, purpose, and style, Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. Reaching millions of women every month, Marie Claire is an internationally recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-Flops
Next stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats
The controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions"
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
The Buzzy Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter Makes Me Feel Part of the One Percent
It's worth every penny, and lasts for *so* long.
-
NARS Just Dropped a Lip Oil Shade Inspired by the South of France and I’m Living for the Glow
The kind of bronze shimmer that transports you to the French Riviera.
-
I've Been to Over 100 Concerts, Which Means My Sweat-Proof Makeup Routine Is Basically Flawless
Hours of dancing later, I can confirm this is the best concert-ready routine.
-
22 Under-$50 Products at the Shopbop Beauty Sale I Swear By for My Summer Glow
My favorite self-tanners, bronzers, sunscreens, and more are currently 20 percent off at Shopbop.
-
This Cult-Favorite Urban Decay Eyeliner More Than Lives Up to the Hype
It passes my strict standards with flying colors.
-
The 2025 Met Gala Beauty Looks Were Even Better at the After-Parties
The behind-the-scenes hair and makeup we missed on the navy carpet.
-
Everyone Needs a Bad Bitch Lipstick in Their Makeup Collection
Hot girl certified.
-
Patrick Ta's Major Glow Bronzing Body Oil Gives My Skin a Vacation Glow—Without the Vacation
Patrick Ta's newest drop gives a vacation glow without the vacation.