Hello contestants and spectators, and welcome to the third round of Arda's Best Face Forward 2017! The last challenge was definitely a hurdle, but our contestants turned out some really amazing looks, and we couldn't be more proud. This challenge is going to go in the opposite direction of one product and will be centered around some of our favorite holidays! For this round, each contestant received a randomized package which contained a personalized letter stating which holiday the contestant received, as well as 8 pieces of makeup items in accordance with these holidays:

Christmas

New Year's 

Valentine's Day

St. Patrick's Day

Easter 

Halloween

Contestants: This is a challenge that will be focusing on your creativity and skill. You were given a variety of products this round, and we want to see what kind of makeup look can be completed utilizing these products in the given theme. Use the products traditionally, but we also highly encourage you to use the products in different and creative ways as well, thus tying in techniques you may have learned from the last challenge (i.e. using a lipstick as your eyeliner). Also, like the last challenge, you will only be allowed to use the products given to you with the exception of these materials:

• Foundation, concealer, and powder in your or your model's skin tone
• Highlighting and contouring creams, liquids, and powders that are not in shades of black and white
• Mascara - any color, but preferably black
• False eyelashes
• Clear or translucent mixing mediums that are either powder, liquid, gel, cream, or oil based
• Adhesives such as fixing sprays, spirit gum, Pros-Aide, etc.
• Prosthetics and bald caps

You can use any costuming, props, contact lenses, wigs, etc to enhance your look. It is a requirement that you use all of the products that were sent to you in some manner, and please explain to us in some form of media, such as a picture or video, as well as a brief written description on how you used each product sent. As always, if you have any further questions on any additional products that may be used, please email us.

We will require 1 photo of all the products that were sent to you as well as in-progress shots and/or video demonstrating where and how the products were used. If you are submitting photos, please include concise descriptions of the steps you took to achieve your overall look. The more information we have, the better! Please include at least 3 photos of your final submission. Do take photos with several angles as well as detailed, up close shots of your finished makeup. Be aware of your background (plain is best) and the time of day your photos are being shot. Taking photos at night can affect the clarity of your photos unless you have the proper lighting equipment. Please do not add filters to your photo or alter your photos with a photo editing software. This is grounds for a penalization and will affect your Presentation score. We are looking for clean, clear shots of your makeup and anything obstructing that will affect your final score. Failure to submit the information requested will also affect your final score. 

This is not a full body makeup challenge. From the shoulders -- up is fine, but please submit photos that are tight shots of your makeup. Keep in mind that any skin that is showing in the photo (like a hand or the chest) needs to be cohesive with the rest of your look. You may have assistance with the photography, hair, wardrobe, and modeling, but not with the makeup application. Keep in mind, as stated and signed in our rules and regulations that you must obtain permission from your photographer to use the photos in this contest, as well as Arda retains the rights to use these photos for any current and future promotional opportunities. It is also not required that the makeup be applied on yourself. The use of a model is perfectly acceptable. 

These are the categories we will be judging for a total of 50 points possible:

- Use of Product/Efficiency of Materials (10 points)

- Presentation (10 points)

- Creativity (10 points)

- Cleanliness/Technique (10 points)

- Artistry (10 points)

Here is a breakdown of each category:

Use of Product/Efficiency of Materials

In this category, we will be judging you on how well you utilized the products given to you. How and where did you use each product to illuminate a particular effect? Are the products overshadowed by the costume, wig, etc? Or are the products the main focus of your look? Do you have in-progress photos and/or video detailing your application process? Did you submit clear and concise descriptions of the steps you took to create your look? Remember, we need to see how and where you used each product that you were sent.

Presentation

This is where the quality of your pictures/video comes into play. How well can we see your makeup? Are there any good, detailed shots of the final look? Or are your photos grainy and blurry? Is there any skin showing that isn't intentional? Is the lighting of your pictures/video poor? What was your reference material? Did you submit pictures/video that show your in-progress steps as well? Are there written descriptions to go with your in-progress photos and/or video? Or are we left confused by your process? Remember, it is better to have more information than to skip a step and assume that the judges can figure out what you did. 

Creativity

For this category, we want to see the different methods you utilized the products sent to you. This will differ from the Efficiency of Materials category in that we want to see how you creatively used products in nontraditional ways to achieve your overall look. Is the lipstick just used on the lips? Or did you use it on the eyes? Where else did you apply that eyeshadow? Etc. What techniques did you learn from the last challenge, the One Product Challenge, and apply to this challenge as well? What kind of finishes did you achieve? What extra details did you add? Is your concept clear? Or do we have to go back and read your explanations to see what it was you were trying to achieve? 

Cleanliness/Technique

Here we will be looking at how well you applied your makeup. Are the products blended where they need to be? Is there any fallout visible? Are there any jagged and uneven lines that are not intentional? Is the application smooth and even? If you are utilizing prosthetics and/or a bald cap, can we see your blending edges? How are your transitions between product and finishes? How well did you utilize light and shadow to bring about the desired effect? Or maybe a gradient technique? Etc. 

Artistry

For this category, we will be looking at the overall look that was achieved. We want to see a clear concept of your holiday look. We will also be looking at how closely you stuck to your concept. For example, if your holiday was Christmas, and your design was a Christmas elf, but you applied World of Warcraft style ears, why? Does that make sense with the rest of your theme/makeup/color palette? While we don't require the use of prosthetics, if you do decide to use them, they must make sense with the rest of your design. The same requirement goes for the rest of your costuming that you decide to incorporate. If you would like to submit any reference material, a mood board, sketches, etc that will aid the judges in understanding your concept, please do!

Scores will be done by 3 Arda judges. Scores will be added up and divided by 3 to give each contestant an average score for each category. Contestants can obtain a private critique if requested. 

Also...

Surprise! Surprise! This round will be a DOUBLE ELIMINATION round!

The TWO contestants with the lowest score will be eliminated from Best Face Forward, but they will each go home with a $50 gift certificate to Arda Wigs!

The contestant with the top score will not receive immunity from the next round, but they will receive a $20 gift certificate!

There will be an audience favorite poll once the submissions are in; the top favorite will also receive a $20 gift certificate to our website!

Entries should be submitted to makeup@arda-wigs.com with the title: ArdaBFF Round 3 Entry.

Late entry policy: Entries submitted within 12 hours after the deadline can be accepted as a late entry. Late entries will not be qualified to enter the audience poll and will receive a 15% point deduction from their total score. This will likely result in being eliminated from the competition, but the contestant can still receive their $50 gift certificate. Entries submitted past the 12-hour late entry period will be disqualified and will not qualify for the $50 gift certificate. 

Contestants, your deadline will be Monday, January 8, 2018 at 12pm CST.

Good luck! And happy holidays from all of us at Arda! We couldn't be more excited to see these fun, festive looks. See you in the new year! :)

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