The How To's of Kinging

Facial Hair, Binding, Packing & The Swagger
By Carlos Las Vegas
Printed in Kingdom International Drag King Magazine vol.1
Where does one begin? The following are some tips that have been used by several drag kings and male impersonators. While this section is limited, use whatever technique works best for you.

Facial Hair Make-Up
Eye Shadow
Darker eye shadow is the easiest application to achieve the 12 o’clock shadow look as well as for emphasizing particular facial features making them look more predominant under special lighting. Those features include the forehead, nose, jaw line, and neck (Adam’s apple). Apply eye shadow with applicator or sponge and blend.
Cork
Cork is not used as often but is great for achieving a stubble look. To use cork, burn the end of a cork lightly and wait for cork to cool off. Use cork by lightly dabbing or lightly sweeping on the face. Used correctly, one to three day look should appear. Cork is best used for sideburns or the 12 o'clock shadow.
Crepe & Human Hair Clippings
Crepe or hair clippings are the most commonly used methods for facial hair applications. Deciding to use either crepe or hair clippings is completely up to you. Both can achieve that realistic look but make sure that what you use makes sense to your physiology (eg. Don't use crepe hair excessively if you have thin hair). To apply the hair, most use spirit gum or liquid latex as an adhesive. Both adhesives may be acquired at most theatrical or costume merchandisers.
Tip: Spirit gum remover can irritate sensitive skin. Therefore purchase a more oil based product or you can make your own remover by mixing 2/3 baby oil with 1/3 alcohol.
Crepe Preparation
Crepe hair can be purchased at most theatrical or costume merchandisers. For the more realistic look, iron or steam the stretched crepe until desired relaxed look is achieved. Cut off preferred length and apply.
The Three Day Growth
For the three day growth, cut the crepe/human hair finely and evenly so that it’s almost dust like in texture and appearance. Choose preferred adhesive (sprit gum, etc.), apply on face. Wrap a chamoix or stocking around your finger and pat the glue area until it is tacky and the artificial shine is gone. Take the chopped hair either on your finger or using rouge brush and apply to the tacky area in even sweeping motions.
Longer Moustache/Beard
Creating a moustache and/or beard is more time consuming and takes a lot more practice. Crepe is usually the hair of choice. Newly purchased crepe needs to be conditioned or relaxed. At the same time keep in mind that a realistic beard retains some wave. Condition crepe as mentioned earlier.

Facial Hair Application
Moustache application
Gather the relaxed crepe in one hand and with the other hand using sharp scissors, cut across horizontally to create a straight edge. To create a moustache, the application needs to be layered and built upwards on the face. Therefore, apply glue to the lower area of the top lip and place the straight edge of the crepe on the glue. Wait a few seconds and cut off the excess crepe. Again repeat the previous step but work your way up the top lip, each time cutting off the excess crepe.
Beard Application
To create a beard, the technique is very similar to a moustache. Preparation of the crepe is key. Stretch the crepe vertically until you can tear off a piece of crepe. The result is a natural end growth of a beard. Cut across or pull apart the desired length, and apply on to face using the upward layering technique (see moustache application).
Chest Hair
Using the same principles of building a beard, chest hair can be easily applied. For a thick curlier look, take the crepe hair and stretch it out thinly and evenly. Then apply glue on to chest and apply the crepe.
Trimming after the hair is set may be necessary. You may also use the lace netting technique. Make sure that the netting is more pouris than what is applied to the face. Some want to achieve that cheezy “machismo” look by purchasing doll hair. Doll hair can be purchased at your nearest craft or toy store.
Eyebrows
This may or may not be an issue but darkening the eyebrows by making them thicker and/or darker can accentuate a more masculine feature. Eye shadow or an eyebrow pencil is best used. To apply, follow the natural growth of the brow and thicken and widen. You can find an eyebrow pencil at any make-up section.

Binding the Breasts
Binding may be the most difficult part of the transition. It requires some physical skill as breathing may be labored. The most common techniques for those with larger breasts are sports bras, plastic wrap, or tensor bandages. Whatever you decide to use, keep in mind that it may be difficult to move and especially breathe. Practice different breathing techniques.
Sports Bra
Purchase a sports bra that is at least one size smaller than yourself. You may then want to add additional duck tape to reinforce the breasts down. To do so, lift your arms up and tape layers starting from top and working your way down. It is entirely possible to accomplish this task with only one person. Keep in mind that the direction of the breasts should be lowered towards the armpits.
Plastic Wrap
The benefit is that the width of the plastic wrap really helps pack the breasts down evenly. The draw back is that plastic cannot breath. Reinforce the wrap with duck tape or packing tape.
Tensor/ACE Bandages
The most commonly used method is using tensor bandages. You can acquire them at any first aid section of a drug store, medical store, or sports store. The wider bandage is optimal but is quite costly. A couple narrower bandages will suffice. When applying the bandage, work from top-down, pushing breasts down and outward toward armpits. Working top-up will result in over exaggerated and unrealistic looking pecks (unless that is what you want to achieve). Reinforce the bandage with duck tape keeping in mind to tape top down.

Packing
Every king’s favorite section! Pack with what you are comfortable with. Whether you pack with rolled up socks, dildos or silicone replicas, all are fabulous! Specific packing dildos are difficult to acquire however most can either be purchased at your local adult toy store or be ordered on-line. (see resource guide)
Some kings make their own packs at home by filling a condom with hair gel or with gak. Gak is a substance that can either be purchased at the toy store or can be made at home.