Thank you to everyone who participated in QC’s Halloween Makeup Contest: Trick category. Below is Michele’s critique of the five finalists. Click here to view Nathan’s critique of the Treat category finalists.
Here’s what Michele was looking for:
Effort: There will be points awarded to each entry based on the use of makeup skills and techniques. You will gain extra points if you use additional items such as hair, costumes, and/or props to make a complete horror makeup look.
Skill/Technique: Points will be awarded to each entry based on the application of the makeup itself. The details in the makeup look are very important to the look you create! Some examples include:
- If prosthetics are used, are there any edges showing or is the prosthetic glued to the skin completely?
- If there is blood used, does it flow in a natural way from the wound/wounds?
Photo Quality: Points will be awarded in this category based on whether the photo could be used in a portfolio or magazine ad. If the photo is clear, well lit, with an appropriate background for the photo, higher points will be awarded. Blurry, badly lit photos with busy backgrounds will receive lower points.
Fun/Originality: This is the category where you get points awarded for using your imagination! Horror makeup can be anything and everything! Use your imagination to create a new take on a classic or something completely out-of-this-world scary. The more creative the entry is, the more points the artist will be awarded. Originality is key! Please note that copying someone else work will cause the entry to be disqualified.
Story: This category allows for the backstory of the entry. Points will be given based on explaining what the person or creature is, and not how you applied the makeup. Have fun with this category! It is your chance to tell the world about YOUR creation!
Finalists & Scoring
Artist: Liam Wycherley
Story
After applying for a vaccination trial, you arrive to find something sketchy looking about the place. Once you’ve been taken through, you’re strapped to a chair and tortured and given all sorts of ‘medication’. After it’s all over, you’re left with boils that are ready to explode.
Score
- Effort: 3/5
- Skill/Technique: 4/5
- Photo Quality: 4/5
- Fun/Originality: 5/5
- Story: 4/5
- Total Score: 20
Comments
This was excellent makeup, Liam! Very deserving of the semi-finals. Your application was extremely well executed and you had a good story to go with your creation. I would have liked to see a little more with the photo as far as the background. Being that this was a medical experiment gone wrong, a height chart in the background, or having the photo taken while the victim was still strapped in the chair would have been a great addition. The story mentions torture as well, so evidence of torture would have been great to see. The originality of the makeup was as intriguing as it was scary. Excellent job!!!
Artist: Nicole Ashleigh
Story
THE CONTAGION
It all starts with one bite. They tried to contain the spread but now it’s in your city! You were mugged on the way back from the store and one of them bit you! Now you sit alone in your apartment listening to the sound of gunshots below, waiting, praying.
Then it happens. You look down and notice your nose is bleeding, this is the start. And within a few minutes, your vision becomes blurry, your head starts pounding, scrambling into the bathroom, you look in the mirror and you can faintly see the reflection staring back at you. It’s too late for you now. Will they ever find a cure? Who knows. Will you remember anything that happens? Maybe. But all that we do know is that you are now, a zombie.
Score
- Effort: 4/5
- Skill/Technique: 4/5
- Photo Quality: 4/5
- Fun/Originality: 5/5
- Story: 5/5
- Total Score: 22
Comments
I must start by saying that when I first viewed this photo Nicole, I thought it was a prosthetic! Upon reviewing your video, I was astounded that you did this with wax. You have my utmost respect for your incredible creation! The application and coloring of this makeup were very well executed and you had the best back story to go with your makeup, period. The photo was well done, although a bit more of a background setting would have added to the total look. I would also have loved to see a new take on a Zombie as they have become a standard in Pop Culture over the last decade. Overall, you should be beyond proud of your makeup! You are a truly talented makeup artist and it was a pleasure to see your work in this contest!
Artist: Jessica Brown
QC Makeup Academy Graduate
Story
I tried to imagine myself as a zombie from the Walking Dead.
Score
- Effort: 4/5
- Skill/Technique: 4/5
- Photo Quality: 4/5
- Fun/Originality: 4/5
- Story: 2/5
- Total Score: 18
Comments
This was a fantastic makeup application, Jessica! I was very impressed with not only your application but the coloring as well. The addition of contacts added to the overall look as well. The photo was crisp but a more intriguing background would have added to your overall look. The lack of a story hurt you in points, and although you created fabulous makeup, I would have liked to see a new take on Zombies instead of the more established look of The Walking Dead Zombies. This was a great makeup application and definitely earned its place in the semi-finals! Awesome job!!!
Artist: Romane Castelnau
Story
The legendary Spider-Queen, Lissandrea has built her own empire deep within the shadows of Rivenwood. With legions of ghastly Giant Spiders at her command, she has accumulated an untold fortune of treasure. For those seeking riches, Beware! For the queen has none to spare!
Score
- Effort: 5/5
- Skill/Technique: 4/5
- Photo Quality: 5/5
- Fun/Originality: 5/5
- Story: 4/5
- Total Score: 23
Comments
Fantastic makeup Romane! Your application and coloring are both phenomenal and something you should be very proud of. Even though the background is solid black; the composition lends itself to the makeup creating a final look that could be out of a sci-fi magazine or as a character-still from a new movie or TV show. The addition of the horns was great and a perfect addition to your total look. This unique makeup is a wonderful addition to the semi-finals. Very impressive all around Romane!
Artist: Cassie Stephans
QC Makeup Academy Graduate
Story
As the relentless sun scorches the earth and the liquid disappears from the life-giving dam, a figure emerges. Crawling out of its muddy pit in await of its next victim. Taking on anyone or anything thing that comes close!
Score
- Effort: 5/5
- Skill/Technique: 5/5
- Photo Quality: 5/5
- Fun/Originality: 5/5
- Story: 4/5
- Total Score: 24
Comments
What an incredible entry Cassie! Your creation has just blown me away! Your application was well executed and it was beyond evident that you considered every aspect of this creation. Your story was unique in design and the incredible effort you put into the fantastic setting was above and beyond. Your photos looked as if they could be screengrabs from a horror movie. You also considered the whole body as a canvas which was evident with the body makeup and details like nails and hair.
You did an incredible job with every category Cassie and that is why you are the winner of the Trick Contest! This was a job well done in every aspect. Congratulations Cassie!!!
A big congratulations to Cassie for winning the 2020 Halloween Makeup Contest: Trick category!
Cassie wins an Anastasia Beverly Hills’ “Norvina® Mini Pro Pigment Palette Vol 3”, an Urban Decay “All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray”, a set of 5 latex prosthetics, an injury wheel and an RMG bald cap wheel, and two bottles of special effects blood.
Congratulations to Jessica for winning the student prize of the Trick Category!
Jessica wins a Violet Voss “Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Crème Brûlé”, a set of 5 latex prosthetics, and two bottles of special effects blood.
