Halloween Makeup Contest 2019: Treat Category

Thank you to everyone who participated in QC’s Halloween Makeup Contest: Treat category. Below is Azzi’s critique of the five finalists. Click here to view Nathan’s critique on the Trick category finalists.

Here’s what Azzi was looking for:

Originality & Effort: A unique, creative makeup that is detailed and works seamlessly with the hair, costume styling, and accessories to create an overall striking and dramatic look. We will disqualify plagiarism.

Skill/Technique: Clean and sophisticated makeup techniques, attention to detail, and high-pigmented products that capture your sci-fi or fantasy character.

Photo Quality:Nice clean, crisp image that is of great quality–something you would see in a makeup artist’s portfolio. Nothing is blurred, out of focus, or has poorly thought-out backgrounds (certainly no bedroom clutter in the background). And less is more with skin retouching and Photoshop–yes, I will be able to tell!

Story: Tell the story behind your creativity, your way. What is your design concept and why? Where did you source inspiration? You don’t need to write an essay, but a few paragraphs will help give some context to your look.

Finalists & Scoring

Comments

Veronika tells an absolutely powerful, compelling, and unique story that forms the conceptual framework to this truly exceptional look.

The added special FX elements along the scalp give this look an extra-terrestrial edge, while the story comes to life with the floral detail around the eye. What brings this whole look together is the way the crystals come to life in the hand!

Great attention to detail. This is a look that requires immense effort to bring the entire body to life and give it a truly alienesque fantasy look. The colors and textures all work in harmony to spark curiosity and intrigue.

Comments

The pigment, colors, and blending of this gorgeous sea creature fantasy look is so mesmerizing. The intensity of the blue, contrasted against the luminous, smooth white skin really makes the character come to life. Meanwhile, the contour, the brow blocking, and the beautifully textured elements across the scalp gives the work a truly ultramarine-creature-feel.

Photographically, the entire image captures an underwater mood with exceptional detail and creativity. From the styling, through the darkness of the background contrasted against the white face in the center, the look truly does “emerge from the shadows of the ocean” and into the light!

Comments

The attention to detail, artistic mastery, and refined brushstrokes show tremendous skill and talent. The colors, textures, and blending work effortlessly to create a truly ethereal, fantasy, other-worldly look. I absolutely love the additional elements of the contact lenses and jewel work.

The way all the textures are worked right into the hair and all the beautiful jewel work, contrasted with the skull-like detail across the jawline is a wonderfully compelling juxtaposition. There’s a little touch of candy color, a bit of Halloween darkness, and a bit of “burning man”, all rolled into one.

A truly exceptional creation that really captures the spirit of the fantasy “treat” Halloween spirit–sweet, curious, mysterious, and out of this world!

Comments

A highly pigmented, intense and powerful interpretation of the classical alien fantasy look. The backdrop helps the body come to life because of the great contrast. This work also shows wonderful brushwork.

A few minor tweaks can be done to enhance the look. The green could be blended a little more evenly across the body, or blended with complementary colors for a creative twist.

What’s gorgeous about this look is the “tribal” element of the stenciling and detail, which is simple, beautiful and organic in its finish. This element could be worked into the story or concept of the entry in more detail.

Overall, additional special FX elements along the frame of the face add a great Halloween touch. And the entire mood is dark yet mesmerizing.

Comments

A beautiful artistic creation that captures a very sweet and romantic love story. The blending and attention to detail are beautiful, and the techniques to create a true piece of art shows tremendous talent.

The colors and pigment are intense, but could be given more pop with some added neon tones, such as in the sunset and across the eyes.

The entry is a powerful fantasy look, but a few little elements could take it to another dimension to give it a Halloween twist. For instance, some special FX techniques could have been used to add texture and multi-dimensionality to the sunset, birds, or lovers. Some highlight, contrast, and glittery elements or appliques could also enhance the multi-dimensionality of this incredible body of work.

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