The third episode of Face Off, a makeup reality competition series featuring Makeup Design for Film & Television grad Sarah Elizabeth, aired last night. In case you missed it, the episode is available online on Space in Canada and Syfy in the US. You can also take a look at our recaps of Episode 1 and Episode 2, as well as a Q&A with Sarah about the show.

Recap below – contains spoilers!

This very special recap comes to you from a screening room in the back of a bar in downtown Vancouver, where this recapper had the very special opportunity to watch the episode with Sarah herself, along with a dozen or so of Sarah’s friends and colleagues.

As the episode begins, we are reminded that two contestants have already gone home and the remaining competitors are realizing that the next challenge could very well be their last. It’s clear that no one wants to leave just yet and that they will need to continue to impress the judges if they want a shot at winning.

With that in mind, the makeup artists gather in LA’s Chinatown, where host McKenzie Westmore pairs them into groups of two and explains their 3-day Spotlight Challenge. This week’s task will be to complete an original take on a traditional Chinese New Year’s Dragon. The dragon will also have to perform for the judges, so the makeup and fabrication needs to be durable and sweat-proof! Another twist? The dragons must incorporate the Chinese Zodiac signs of their creators. Sarah, a Boar, is paired with Eric, a Monkey, and they decide to create a hairy, boar-faced dragon with monkey fingers. Sounds kind of terrifying yet pretty cool.

Day one of the challenge kicks off with choosing a model, and beginning the sculpting and fabricating phase. On day two, the artists finish the detailing of their sculptures and start the molding phase. Sarah and Eric decide to paint their dragon orange, blue, and red. In the midst of day two, judge Glen Hetrick pays the artists a visit and singles out Sarah and Eric as being the weakest of the teams this week. He says he is concerned about their work which understandably unnerves both of the team members.

Much laughter is elicited here at the screening when Sarah’s brief swearing tirade, due to her concern over her mold not working properly, is bleeped out. “My grandparents are going to see this!” Sarah worries. The mold turns out perfectly, by the way. Day three arrives and the makeup artists begin the application phase. Eric shares to the camera that he isn’t getting much positive reinforcement from Sarah. “What?!” she exclaims, back here in the very special screening room.

Finally, the artists are ready to bring their creations to the judges at the Reveal Stage, where one person will be eliminated. After learning more about everyone’s creations, watching the dragons perform, and then taking a closer look at each one, the judges decide their favourite and least favourite of the week.

Coming out on top are Tommy and Derek (Eric’s twin brother) with their Ox and Monkey creation. Derek is named the overall winner of the week for spearheading the concept and the makeup. At the bottom is our girl Sarah and her partner, Eric. The judges had a lot of problems with their dragon – they didn’t like the horns or the paint job and they just felt that it missed the mark. One of the two has to go home and this week it’s Eric’s turn. This is sad news for Eric but great news for all of us here in the screening room as that means Sarah is safe for another week! Cheering erupts all around and even our server is relieved. “That was a close one, huh?” she asks Sarah. Yes, indeed.

We’ll have some interesting behind-the-scenes info from Sarah herself coming up so stay tuned!

Meanwhile, check out the preview for next week’s episode, Alice in Zombieland:

Take a look at our recaps of episodes One, Two, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine as well as a Q&A with Sarah about the show.