Thinking outside the botox

For more than a decade, Empress Jackie has styled her hair, zipped up her dress and donned her eyeliner all while traveling the country representing Long Beach, raising money for numerous charities and balancing her appearance schedule with a regular day job.

It ain’t easy, but what’s a gal, er, a guy to do?

At 6 feet, 3 inches, the drag queen has a hard time finding clothes off the rack.

“I have to make my own clothes,” Empress Jackie said. “I’m not a delicate flower, but I do try to be in proportion.”

She picks the fabrics and does all the tailoring herself.

Empress Jackie takes more than two hours to do her hair and makeup.

Empress Jackie will show off her all her fabulousness as she emcees the HB Skin Spa’s drag/botox party Friday.

“There’s going to be a 6-foot-5 drag queen, it’s going to be hard to miss us,” said Boy About Town, who organized the party along with HB Skin Spa owner Samantha Land.

Botox will be available from Dr. Susan Davoodifar while Empress Jackie stirs up the crowd and Immaculate Perfection, a drag Madonna troupe, performs.

Land said she had wanted to do a botox party, but couldn’t get the idea off the ground.

Boy About Town suggested they crossbreed the concepts.

“Why not combine the two and make a party out of it,” Land said.

As a drag queen, Empress Jackie said she has spent a good portion of her cross-dressing career encouraging people to be themselves.

It’s a message that will mix well with the crowd at the HB Skin Spa, a party where you can be beautiful any way you choose.

“One of the big messages I’ve sent is just be yourself. Have fun, and don’t hurt anybody,” Empress Jackie said.

Land and Boy About Town said they’ve had a few incredulous reactions when they tell people about the drag party.

While drag shows are common in areas with large gay populations, they are more of a rarity in conservative Orange County.

“It’s about time to change that, to pull back the Orange Curtain,” Boy About Town said.

It’s a goal Empress Jackie says she’s excited to support.

“We’re trying to reach out to all people — straight, gay, black, white, Jew or Christian,” she said.

What: Drag/Botox Party

Where: HB Skin Spa, 526 Main St.

When: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Cost: Free with a reservation

Information: Call (714) 969-9713, or visit www.hbskinspa.com or www.fabulousboyabout town.com.