Shear Genius

The twelve stylists arrive in Los Angeles where they will compete for $100,000 and an apprenticeship furnished by Nexxus, as well as a chance to style hair for an Allure magazine photo shoot. In their first shortcut challenge, the stylists must give unruly punk rockers a more polished look, while their elimination challenge has the contestants collaborating with hot Hollywood swimwear company, L*Space to create sophisticated styles for a risqué fashion show.

The competition continues when Kim Vo arrives at the Shear Genius Nexxus salon to explain their next challenge, color repair, in which the stylists must refresh damaged blonde dye jobs. For the elimination challenge, the stylists travel to the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to create avant-garde hairstyles based on a tasting menu from the hotel's famed Dakota restaurant.

In their third shortcut challenge, the remaining stylists are presented with a unique twist on extensions - applying them to men to give them sexier, longer looks. The steamy elimination challenge brings the stylists to a ranch that serves as the backdrop for photos for their first cover shoot, romance novels. The stylists work in teams to create sexy and dramatic looks for both a male and a female model.

The nine remaining stylists must incorporate flowers into their hairstyles for this week's shortcut challenge, which will be judged by Canadian celebrity stylist, Harry Josh. During the elimination round, the stylists leave the comfort of the salon to attend a real Indian wedding. It doesn't make the stylists any less nervous to know that Tabatha Coffey, star of Bravo's "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" and former "Shear Genius" contestant, is their guest judge for the challenge.

When curly haired models enter the Shear Genius Salon, the stylists learn they must turn these wiry tresses into smooth, sleek bobs, all while cutting the hair completely dry. Famed international dry cutter Moulay Yacoubi joins to assess the stylist's skills.

For the shortcut challenge, the seven remaining stylists are asked to interpret actual geometric shapes into edgy, angular hairstyles on challenging Asian hair. For the elimination challenge, the competitors must create two different headshot looks on working actresses that showcase their client's personality and versatility.

The stylists' versatility is put to the test when they give their clients, recent high school graduates, sophisticated looks to open new chapters in their lives. The stylists turn back the clock in the elimination challenge as they give VIP clients red carpet-ready looks inspired by the 60's and 70's for an album release party for Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Estelle, who joins as guest judge.

When the remaining stylists arrive in the salon, they learn that other competitors must select a tool, a style and an inspiration for them to use on their model. In this challenge, the stylists are charged with updating hairstyles from classic Hollywood movies for an editorial-style photo shoot.

The four remaining competitors find themselves at a Hollywood Hills home to style their first celebrity client. For the elimination challenge, legendary stylist Oribe joins as guest judge and offers the stylists some insight into creating a brand for themselves. In this challenge, the stylists must develop looks for two models to create a portfolio they feel best defines their signature look.

The third season comes to a close when the final three stylists team up with fashion designer Henry Duarte for their biggest challenge yet. They'll each style six models for a fashion show where the designer will debut Duarte's new line of edgy rock-and-roll inspired clothing. Editor-in-chief of Allure Magazine Linda Wells rejoins as the final guest judge and one lucky contestant wins $100,000 courtesy of Nexxus Salon Hair Care, an apprenticeship with Nexxus, and a chance to style hair for an Allure magazine photo shoot.