There are beauty queens, and then there are beauty Queens. Meet Esther Rix, colorful chameleon of all things coiffure. Drag queen royalty in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia, Esther started out styling wigs as a hobby for her friends, but her talent soon grew into a fully-fledged career. Today, she’s a sought-after stylist, working with some of the biggest names on the drag scene. 

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If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the technicalities of crafting sky-scraping hair and stunning makeup, Esther Rix is your girl. A prolific content creator, you’ll find her sharing engaging tutorials and serving looks across a wide range of social platforms.

We caught up with Esther to learn more about her inspiration, content and attitude towards creativity.

Hi Esther, it’s great to connect! Could you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Kristian Zorino AKA Esther Rix. I’m a fabulous, singing drag queen, makeup artist, wig stylist and content creator. I work and live in Melbourne, Australia, running my whole operation out of my apartment – where I have turned the lounge into my creative studio!

How did you get into content creation, and how has your output evolved into what it is today?

I created my first TikTok account at the beginning of the pandemic, back in March 2020. I posted random videos and jumped on a few trends – and I did okay. But whenever I posted a wig-related video, I noticed my content did really well. So, I made a second account under the same handle as my Instagram account – StyledbyEsther – and decided to make a more curated page, focusing on my wigs and drag. And it took off! 

Could you tell us about a post you created that makes you feel especially proud?

Yes – a post that I'm super proud of is a video I created last Christmas, recreating the iconic scene from Home Alone 2 at the airport – Kevin’s not here. It used all the wigs I had made for my Christmas themed wig sale and, even though it didn't go viral (as a lot of my other videos have), I’m so happy with how it turned out. I get a good chuckle out of it every time.

‍Kevin McCallister – an undisputed Christmas icon. So, what are you working on right now?

In regards to content, I've always got several ideas on the go and in various stages of creation, as I work on my wigs. I’m currently working on a drag makeup tutorial series for my YouTube channel, and I’m also creating wig styling tutorials for my Patreon supporters. With regard to my wiggy creations, right now I'm planning my Halloween and Christmas collections for 2021.

Tell us about your workflow – where do you find inspiration? How do you plan your posts? 

A general workflow for me is get up, take the dog for a walk, have breakfast, and then work all day and into the night! I create wigs to sell and also make custom orders. At the same time, I document the process step by step to turn into my TikTok videos. I get inspired by other designers and artists, and try to come up with unique and inventive ideas to make my work extra special.

I don't plan posts – I just film them and then, when I find the right sound or music to add, I edit everything together, post and hope for the best! I am a serial procrastinator and, as a creative, my brain does not function in a regimented way. I just try to post on all my social media at least once per day – beyond that, what happens, happens!

Let’s talk dream projects…

My dream project would be designing and creating wigs for a movie or theatre show, but I have had the opportunity to work with many high-calibre drag entertainers from around the world. I’m also very happy with the opportunities I've had already. 

What's the best advice or tip that you’d like to share with creators around the world? 

My best piece of advice for content creators would be to be consistent, find your niche and use it to your advantage. Make and create every day – and, at the end of the day, be genuine and have fun! There's no need to take life too seriously! 

Are you following any creators who you’d recommend we check out? 

I don't like to have favorites. I like to follow like-minded people who share my views of the world. The most important thing to me is to support LGBTQI+ and BIPOC creators from all around the world. Expand your community, uplift them and, in turn, it will uplift you! 

Which emoji best describes you?

My most-used emoji is the pink heart with stars 💖 (because it's fabulous), but I’m probably the “tongue out squint” emoji as I'm cheeky and sassy! 😝

Thanks so much for spending this time with us, Esther. Where can we find your creations and content on social media?

TikTok

Instagram

YouTube

Patreon