Blush Episode One: Twisted Disco

Is this look “twisted disco” or just twisted? PHOTO: Lifetime

The first true reality show for makeup junkies, Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist is definitely worth checking out. If you missed the first episode, don’t worry your gorgeous self about it. You can view past episodes on www.mylifetime.com or you can just stay tuned to Makeup Moxie’s new Blush page for weekly recaps.

Read on for my run-down of Blush’s first episode and feel free to dishy dish in the comments!

The ‘Max’ Challenge
Blush’s “Max Challenge” (named for the show’s sponsor and makeup legend, Max Factor) is designed to push the contestants to think outside the box. Whoever wins this short challenge is rewarded with immunity from the week’s bigger elimination challenge.

When the makeup artists arrived on set, they discovered a buffet table filled with an array of flowers, fruits, spices and other foods. The challenge? You guessed it: create a fantasy makeup look using only the foods and flowers from the buffet.

Not surprisingly, Blush’s first Max Challenge was fun, fast-paced and chaotic. While Todd fretted over a mixture of icing and curry that had melted into his model’s eyes, Jessica hopelessly struggled to apply coffee grounds to her model’s face.

Maxi had considerably more luck as he applied crystallized sugar and multi-colored flower petals to his model’s eyes. The finished look included a sparkly, multi-dimensional red and brown eye that featured a degree of shading and depth that set Maxi apart from the other competitors and allowed him to clinch his first win.

Maxi’s red and brown eye won praise from Blush mentor and Max Challenge judge Charlie Green. PHOTO: Lifetime

Elimination Challenge: Twisted Disco

This week’s elimination challenge was to create a music video makeup look for popstar and guest judge Dannii Minogue. Using Dannii as their muse, the contestants were required to create a look that was bold, innovative and captured the theme, “Twisted Disco.”

In addition to an outburst from Maxi (who seems to have already established himself as the show’s resident drama queen), the season’s first round of judging came with a surprise: The perky and cheerful Todd, who had created a glittery, bold look, revealed that he was colorblind.

The judges wondered how Todd’s colorblindess will effect his work, but declared him the winner of the challenge. Dannii congratulated Todd, saying that he used color in the “most amazing way.”

With its gold and purple eyes, exaggerated lashes, hot pink cheeks and shimmery turquoise lip, Todd’s look most clearly embodied the spirit of “twisted disco.” PHOTO: Lifetime

It doesn’t pay to play it safe

The bottom two contestants in the elimination challenge were Farrah and Jessica. While the judges described Farrah’s red and gold makeup look as too “showgirl” and “eerily clown-like”, they still preferred it over Jessica’s overly safe (read: boring) makeup look.

Before Jessica left in tears, Blush host Vanessa Marcil wished her luck and delivered Blush’s “farewell” tagline: This was your last makeup look.

Jessica Millington’s “Last Look” was considered beautiful, but too safe for a look that was supposed to be about taking risks. PHOTO: Lifetime

Next week on Blush

The makeup artists are challenged with transforming models from “ordinary to extraordinary” before tapping into their animal instincts in order to create a wildlife-inspired makeup look.