Episode 1

For their first assignment, ten new MUAs will have to impress iconic fashion designer HARRI, famed for Sam Smith’s show-stopping latex look at the 2023 Brit Awards, and legendary key make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench as they are booked to create looks for HARRI's avant-garde runway show.

For many of the MUAs, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But with a VIP audience at a high-profile fashion show to impress, the stakes have never been higher. For one MUA, the pressure becomes too much, and Isamaya is forced to step in and rescue their look.

On the next day at Glow Up Studios, the MUAs need to impress the pioneering influencer Patricia Bright as the make-up artists face their first Creative Brief: they must create a mind-blowing and unforgettable look inspired by their most influential characteristic. Before getting started, the MUAs are amazed to discover that their guest judge is pioneering influencer Patricia Bright, who throws down the gauntlet to them.

Keen to make their mark in the competition, the make-up artists pull off some truly breathtaking looks, including a blue and white cosmic creation inspired by spirituality, a swamp creature with parasitic worms escaping every orifice, and a monochromatic ink blot that totally transforms under UV light.

After the Creative Brief, the two MUAs who impressed the least must take part in the first Face-Off Elimination of the year. The challenge: to pull off a tricky, negative space eyeliner in just 15 minutes. But only one of them can make it through to next week.