Reality Fix: The Final Four, Face Off “Dark Magic” 

That was an intense episode. What I love most about this show is how these artists take each challenge and interpret it in their own way. Laura is well versed in all things elfin, so she probably put the most pressure on herself this week. Tate loves mythology, so he really rose to the occasion when challenged by the Runes element. Miranda, Roy, and Laney struggled, all for different reasons. Miranda spent way too much time on her sculpt and mismanaged her time. Roy did an interesting makeup, but it didn’t fit the parameters of the challenge. And Laney. Laney was an unpleasant surprise this week.

I guess we’ve got to start with Laney. I really liked a lot of her work this season and it’s a real disappointment that she decided to give up. If you have any level of success in the entertainment business you know you’re going to be away from home for long periods of time. You either spend long days on set in town or long days on location around the world. I’m sure she was kind of freaked because she was in the bottom for the last challenge and even though I think her design looked strong, she didn’t seem all that inspired by this challenge. I’m going to chalk it up to youth and inexperience, but either way it was still really discouraging to see her give up.

The Top Looks

Tate’s dark elf was so cool. I loved all of his design choices and all the thought he put into this week’s makeup. Not only did he make a seriously cool headpiece, but I love the crackled-skin effect he did on his model. Tate does really well in challenges that inspire him. I want him in the finale, so I hope his work is really strong next week as well.

Laura is one of my favorite artists from any season of this show. She always does such beautiful – and by that I mean complete and detailed – makeups. I would’ve liked to see her elf have more of an edge, especially since she was a warrior but you can’t deny that her creation was gorgeous to look at. I’m so excited she’s in the final four and she’s better make it to the finale.

The Bottom Looks

Disaster, thy name is Miranda. At least for this week. I think she got too caught up in her Mayan-inspired headpiece. She’s had time management issues before – all the artists have – but this week her indecision almost paralyzed her. She had to rely on her model to help her clean her mold, make the cowl and even paint his own base coat. He seemed game, but he’s the model and she’s the artist. Not good. Talk about luck. The only reason she’s still in the competition is because Laney bowed out. Miranda really needs to redeem herself next week. Based on her previous work, I’d like to see her in the finale.

Roy’s makeup looked like a creature – not an elf – and a reptilian one at that. He absolutely missed the mark this week, which is very disappointing considering his win on the last challenge. I liked this paint job, but he made some pretty bad decisions with the rest of the look. I think he was so concerned on making that head big and getting those ears right that he didn’t have time to worry about anything else. I know he’s better than this, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll do next week. By default, I guess I’m rooting for Roy to go home. Actually, that’s not true. I really like Roy and his work. But I think the other three artists are stronger and I want to see them fight for the big win in the finale.

Do you think the judges made the right decision in keeping all the remaining artists in the competition this week? Roy and Miranda’s work was very disappointing, but I’m glad they’re getting another chance.

Who do you want to see in the finale?

Face Off airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Syfy.