Glow Up Ireland (Season 1)

## Season 1

The **first series** of *Glow Up: Ireland's Next Make-Up Star* began on 2nd September 2021 on RTÉ2. The series was hosted by Maura Higgins, and was judged by industry professionals Cathyanne Mac Allister and Emma O'Byrne.

The series was won by Glen Edward, with Niall Casey finishing as runner-up.

On 23rd March 2022, Glow Up Ireland aired in the UK on BBC Three.

## About The Show

Who glows and who goes? Amazing transformations and stunning creations from aspiring artists competing to become Ireland's next make-up star. Hosted by Love Island's Maura Higgins.

## Contestants

The cast for the first series of Glow Up Ireland was revealed on 18th August 2021.

### Key

█ The contestant won *Glow Up*.
█ The contestant was a runner-up.
█ The contestant came in third place.
█ The contestant won the challenge alongside another contestant.
█ The contestant won the challenge.
█ The contestant was safe.
█ The contestant was originally in the red chair but later declared safe.
█ The contestant was originally safe but later up for elimination.
█ The contestant won the challenge but was up for elimination, but not eliminated.
█ The contestant won the challenge but was eliminated.
█ The contestant was in the red chair and still eligible for elimination.
█ The contestant was eliminated.
█ The contestant decided to leave the competition.
## Face offs

The face off is a mini challenge lasting 10 minutes. After then 10 minutes the judges will choose who will get eliminated and who will stay in the competition. The challenge content normally focuses on one section of the face (e.g. Lips, Eyes).

█ The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the face off.
█ The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the face off.
█ The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the face off.
█ The contestant was eliminated after their fourth time in the face off.
█ The contestant won the final face off and became Ireland’s First Make Up Star.
## Episodes

### **Episode 1**

*Synopsis: For the first Industry Challenge Colin has chosen ten different looks from his upcoming SS22 season launching 17th September at London Fashion Week and the MUAs must create an editorial look considering the complete outfit and brief which they have been assigned by Colin.*

* **Guest Judge:** Colin Horgan
* **Professional Assignment:** Create an editorial look considering the complete outfit.
* **Professional Assignment winner:** Megan
* **Creative Brief:** Uniquely You - What is your iconic look?
* **Bottom Two:** Carol & Marie
* **Face Off Challenge:** Create an ombre lip.
* **Eliminated:** Marie

### **Episode 2**

*Synopsis: Maura Higgins presents as the remaining nine competitors rummage through a selection of pre-owned or upcycled objects for a sustainable TikTok challenge featuring guest judge, Keilidh MUA.*

* **Guest Judge:** Keilidh Cashell
* **Professional Assignment:** The makeup artists rummage through a selection of pre-owned or upcycled objects for a sustainable Tik Tok challenge.
* **Professional Assignment winner:** Michael
* **Creative Brief:** Two Faced - a half & half look showing their good and bad sides.
* **Bottom Two:** Laura & Leah
* **Face Off Challenge:** Create a colourful crease.
* **Eliminated:** Leah

### **Episode 3**

*Synopsis: The remaining competitors are tasked with creating modern day versions of Oscar-winning make-up artist Michéle Burke's most memorable film characters.*

* **Guest Judge:** Michéle Burke
* **Professional Assignment:** Create modern day versions of Michéle Burke's most memorable film characters.
* **Professional Assignment winners:** Caolán & Megan
* **Creative Brief:** Create a look based on a primal fear of their own.
* **Bottom Two:** Laura & Michael
* **Face Off Challenge:** Block a brow and create a 30's arch
* **Eliminated:** Laura

### **Episode 4**

*Synopsis: The contestants are assigned a different drag superstar, and will need to create a distinctive drag look on their model based on the brief.*

* **Guest Judge:** Panti Bliss
* **Professional Assignment:** Create a distinctive drag look.
* **Professional Assignment winner:** Michael
* **Creative Brief:** A look showing what freedom means to you.
* **Bottom Two:** Megan & Michael
* **Face Off Challenge:** Create a clumpy lash
* **Eliminated:** Megan

### **Episode 5**

*Synopsis: This week's guest judge is London-based celebrity make-up artist SJ Wai O'Flynn, who asks the remaining six artists to create a high-end and glamorous red carpet look.*

* **Guest Judge:** SJ Wai O'Flynn
* **Professional Assignment:** Create a high-end, glamorous red carpet look.
* **Professional Assignment winner:** Jade
* **Creative Brief:** Create a look based on someone who inspires you.
* **Bottom Two:** Caolán & Carol
* **Face Off Challenge:** Create a crystal lip
* **Eliminated:** Carol

### **Episode 6**

*Synopsis: This week the remaining five are put through their paces by guest judge Tom McInerney.*

* **Guest Judge:** Tom McInerney
* **Professional Assignment:** Create a look inspired by one Irish mythological character - they must use atleast one prosthetic and SFX make-up features.
* **Professional Assignment winner:** Jade
* **Creative Brief:** Create a look inspired by their favourite books/childhood stories.
* **Bottom Two:** Caolán & Jade
* **Face Off Challenge:** Create false freckles.
* **Eliminated:** Caolán

### **Episode 7**

*Synopsis: The four semi-finalists are assigned avant garde headpieces by Cork designer Paul MacSpecial and must complete bold makeup looks to compliment the daring headwear.*

* **Guest Judges:** James Mac Inerney & Paul MacSpecial
* **Professional Assignment:** Create a bold make-up that compliments their assigned headwear.
* **Professional Assignment winner:** Glen
* **Creative Brief:** "Beauty is the Eye of the Beholder"
* **Bottom Two:** Jade & Niall
* **Face Off Challenge:** Create a double-winged eyeliner
* **Eliminated:** Jade

**Final 3 of Season 1**

### **Episode 8**

*Synopsis: With only three of the make-up artists remaining, the contestants take part in their final challenges in the competition, hoping to be crowned the winner*

* **Guest Judge:** Charlotte Tilbury
* **Professional Assignment:** Present a masterclass to some of the biggest Irish names in the Make-Up Industry.
* **Creative Brief:** Create a look about themselves, demonstrating who they are as an artist and what they've learned in their time on Glow Up.
* **Face Off Challenge**: "Full beat" face, with a smokey eye and a bold red lip.
* **Third Place:** Michael
* **Runner-up:** Niall
* **Winner: Glen**

## References

1. ↑ This episode was the top two to decide the winner, instead of the bottom two to decide who goes home.