Face Off – Triads of trouble

A “make under” is the toning down of a subject to the point of understatement, making them “plain” looking or even appearing worse than they truly are. This foundation challenge on Face Off this week — coming directly on the heels of the “Dangerous Beauty” competition from last episode — was committed on some rather lanky models to sometimes comical result. Rayce’s “dumpy librarian” came out on top as judged by guest Kim Greene. (Terminator Salvation, 17 Again).

But the fun really got going when the main challenge got underway: The aging of a pair of twins to 75 and 100 years of age. The contestants were instructed to make them appear as the same person but with the physical attributes of a generation of wear between them. Shortly after the teams of three get underway, however, McKenzie pops back in and announces things are going to get tougher … and she introduces the triplet of each of the models. Each team now must include a 50 year old to the mix. Oh … ramping up the pressure of the challenge, guest judge and Academy Award winner Greg Cannom (make up expert who worked on The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button) sits in on the panel, too.

The top looks were the centenarians of the groups, all of which I was impressed with. The judges squawked about Heather’s 100 year old looking more like a “melting zombie” than someone who has reached the century mark, but the fact of the matter is jowly, droopy skin is oft times a common characteristic of someone that age. Why were the judges pushing Heather’s creation was too much of this? Because in the end that was her undoing and she was sent packing. I didn’t quite understand this line of thinking. Maybe it was a matter of African-American features not aging as much as other races because of characteristics of their skin, but I thought she looked appropriately aged. It’s apparent my services will not be called on as a guest judge on Face Off anytime in the near future.

Notes: 

• Beki may not have done any whining or cause any scenes this episode, but it bears mention her “deformed” 50 year old was one of the bottom three in the challenge.
• On the flip side, Sue (Beki’s former-partner-who-was-lavishly-heaved-blame-upon) turned the tables and was commended for the best artistry of the challenge … which has to stick in Beki’s craw marvelously.
• Damn fine kudos to RJ for his quick thinking and artistry in adapting his creations to a different model after his first gal suffered an allergic reaction to the make up he was applying. Even dour Glenn Hetrick called him out on his craft with a mental high five.

Quotes:

“I’m really good at making certain types of girls look like crap.” — Tara

“This is s slam dunk unless we screw it up.” — Jerry

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Feb 16, 2012 @ 12:21 EST5EDT