'Face Off' Recap: 'Sexy Beasts'

Chloe & Rashaad's Beast, Courtesy Syfy

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The Season Six return of “Face Off” started off not only by introducing us to 15 new artists, but also showcasing their talents with two challenges. The prizes are similar to last season and include a VIP trip compliments of Krylon, $100K, and a 2014 Fiat 500.

McKenzie Westmore returns as host along with her father, Michael Westmore, serving as mentor. Judges Ve Neil, Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page also return to judge the creations which promise to be “extreme” this season. A new twist was introduced for this season. The judges can issue a one-time immunity for an artist who may have had a difficult week. We won’t know when this will occur but I’m sure some of the artists from past seasons would have liked this feature. In retrospect, the judges did seem to take into account if one of the artists had a rough week and offered leniency. However, they also stressed that in the real world of the industry, they need to give their all and leniency is often not offered.

So let’s meet this season’s 15 artists, two of which are dating (Cat and Niko). Will that cause some drama? For more details on the artists, click here.

‘Face Off’ Two-Hour Special Airing Tuesday

Courtesy Syfy

This Tuesday, August 6 at 9 p.m. ET, Syfy will air the two-hour special, Face Off: The Vets Strike Back.

From the press release, “The special includes exclusive interviews and a sneak peek of the new season, plus will look back on the past seasons to highlight the veteran contestants’ best and worst moments.”

During the special, hostess McKenzie Westmore, will be joined by Face Off judges Ve Neill, Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page. Season Five of Face Off is taking things in a different direction by pitting eight veterans of the show with eight newcomers. Returning this season will be: Alana Rose Schiro from New York; Tate Steinsiek from Henryetta, OK; Eric Zapata from Victoria, TX; Frank Ippolito from Cleveland; Laura Tyler from Orlando; Miranda Jory from Seattle; RJ Haddy from Charleston, WV, and Roy Wooley from Tucker, GA. The judges will offer their opinions on “why the contestants were eliminated originally and why they deserve a second chance.”

'Face Off' Season Five brings back previous competitors in new twist

The fifth season of Syfy’s unscripted make-up competition series, Face Off begins Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 9 p.m. ET and you’ll see many familiar faces. Namely; McKenzie Westmore; her dad and mentor to the contestants, Michael Westmore; and judges Ve Neill, Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page.

But joining eight new up-and-coming artists will be eight contestants who competed in past seasons and are fighting for a chance to redeem themselves. These veteran contestants include: Alana Schiro (season 3); Brian “Tate” Steinsiek (s1); Eric Zapata (s4); Frank Ippolito (s1); Laura Tyler (s3); Miranda Jory (s2); Robert “RJ” Haddy (s2); and, Roy Wooley (s3).

The Spotlight Challenges for this season are “tasked to create fully-realized characters that not only look camera ready for TV or film, but also tell a story specific to the challenge’s genre, scene or world.” according to the press release. Examples include creating a futuristic Frankenstein and his bride; a Mother Goose-inspired character; and a grim character based on one of the seven deadly sins. Aliens, ghosts and elves will challenge the 16 artists as well.

The finale will have the final three diving into Swan Lake for their creations. Their designs will be tested during an epic performance at the Los Angeles Ballet.

Some of the guest judges will include: Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies); former Face Off series judge Patrick Tatopolous (Total Recall, 300: Rise of an Empire); and, makeup artist Bill Corso (Lemony Snicket, The Amazing Spider-Man).

The stakes are similar to past seasons but they have a new make-up sponsor. The winner will receive $100K; a 2013 Fiat; and a VIP trip from new sponsor, Kryolan Professional Make-Up to one of their 85 locations.

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Face Off' premieres with interactive fan challenge

Season Two contestants prep for the competition.
Courtesy Syfy

A new season of the makeup effects show Face Off debuts on Syfy tonight at 9 p.m. ET. The third season ups the ante on the reality competition with more extreme challenges (as well as some great guest judges, like Sean Astin and Kevin Smith).

Also, the show is involving fans with the "Face Off Challenge," which encourages the viewers to transform their face into a "zombie, animal and other magical movie creature" using the Face Off Challenge App or with practical makeup effects. Once complete, fans can submit photos to enter the "FANtastic Transformation of the week contest." Beginning Aug. 28, the photo with the most votes each week will appear during the Tuesday airing of Face Off. Then, on Oct. 10, Syfy judges will select one of the winners of the week them to Los Angeles on Halloween to see Face Off filmed live.

Check out the sneak peek of tonight's episode below, and make certain to join in on the challenge. And don't forget to follow host McKenzie Westmore's live tweets during the premiere - then check back tomorrow for Larissa Mrykalo's episode recap.