Tynomi Banks describes her look drag look as ‘high fashion and very fun,’ a tribute to iconic runway models Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell.
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With the explosion of drag’s popularity and the international success of RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s important to remember that local queens such as Toronto’s Tynomi Banks have been burning up the scene for a decade. “My drag is high fashion and very fun,” she says of her look, a tribute to iconic runway models Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell. “Because I am a dancer, I love to show off my physique – my legs are amazing!” Recently, Banks applied her modelesque looks to the spring campaign for luxury jeweller, Carrera y Carrera.
This Pride week in Toronto, Banks is rocking a number of events, including the annual Starry Night gala on June 20, the Business Woman’s Special party June 23 and marching in the Pride parade on June 24.
“I look forward to performing in the village, or anywhere super public, where people have never seen drag before,” she says. “I love being close and connected with the crowd who have never seen me – all ages, all genders, everyone’s connected.”
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Here, she shares the beauty must-haves behind her megawatt performance look.
Photograph by Joseph Saraceno; Set design and Styling by Wilson Wong
Primer
“I didn’t use primer until I found this product, but honestly it makes your face a smooth canvas ready to paint – I love it.”
NYX Total Control Drop Primer, $20 at NYX (nyxcosmetics.ca).
Mineral Stick Foundation
“It makes contouring easy, it goes on smooth, and it’s affordable.”
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NYX Mineral Stick Foundation in “Espresso,” $12 at NYX (nyxcosmetics.ca).
Finishing Powder
“When doing drag makeup, you want to make sure you’re ready for the stage, especially under those hot lights.”
Nude by Nature Translucent Loose Finishing Powder, $30 at Shopper’s Drug Mart (nudebynature.ca).
Setting Spray
“Makeup setting spray that has a matte finish is really good because my skin is so oily. It holds everything in place.”
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Urban Decay “All Nighter” Long Lasting Makeup Spray, $40 at Sephora (sephora.ca).
Metallic Lipstick
“This lipstick has a pearlized chrome finish. I use it especially at night because it’s sexy and it keeps the boys curious.”
Metallic Lipstick in “Anything Once,” $23 at M.A.C Cosmetics (maccosmetics.ca).
Metallic Liquid Lip
“It makes a simple lipstick pop when you apply it on top. It’s long-lasting and there are so many colours to choose from.”
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Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil in “Televator,” $22 at Sephora (sephora.ca).
Glitter
“These are so rich in colour and give me that evening-into-night sexiness I’m always feeling.”
Glitter in “Silver Hologram,” $26, and Pigment in “Rose,” $12 at M.A. C Cosmetics (maccosmetics.ca).
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