Judging the FX Makeup Competition in Oil City

Every once in a while, life throws something your way that feels like it was written just for you. For us, that moment came when our friend Kaleb Lewis—a former contestant on the TV show Face Off—invited us to come out and judge a special effects makeup competition right here in Oil City.

If you know us, you know we LOVED Face Off. Week after week, we’d geek out over the insane artistry, the transformations, and the sheer creativity of the contestants. So to suddenly find ourselves on the other side of the table as judges for an FX competition? Let’s just say our excitement levels were off the charts.

The Competition

Kaleb’s students were the ones bringing the magic to life, and WOW… they absolutely blew us away.

We saw:

• Sea creatures come to life with shimmering scales and tridents.
• Forest guardians crowned with antlers and flowers.
• Creepy skeletal beings that looked like they’d walked straight out of a fantasy novel.
• Octopus-inspired creations that made us want to double-check we weren’t standing near the ocean.

The amount of detail, skill, and imagination that went into these designs was next-level. Honestly, we had to keep reminding ourselves these were students—because the quality was professional-grade.

The Experience of Judging

Sitting in those seats, watching the transformations, and then getting to talk with the artists about their process was such an honor. We weren’t just there to pick winners—we were there to celebrate creativity, courage, and craft.

And let’s be real—it wasn’t easy. Every single student brought something unique and powerful to the stage. Picking favorites felt almost impossible, but in the end, it was all about recognizing the passion and hard work that went into every creation.

Why It Mattered to Us

Being invited to judge this competition was more than just a fun evening (though it was definitely that!). It was a reminder of why community matters so much.

Creative humans inspiring each other. Students pushing themselves. Teachers like Kaleb who are passing on knowledge and sparking new imaginations.

And us? We got to be witnesses—and cheerleaders—for the magic of it all.

Final Thoughts

We left the event buzzing with inspiration (and maybe a little glitter still stuck to us).

A huge shoutout to Kaleb for inviting us and to his students for sharing their phenomenal work. If this is the future of special effects makeup, the industry is in very good hands.

It was an absolute honor to be part of it—and you better believe, if we’re ever asked to judge again, we’ll say yes in a heartbeat.

✨ Takeaway for fellow creatives: Never underestimate the power of sharing your creativity, no matter what stage you’re at. You never know who you’ll inspire—or who’ll be inspired by you.