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. They meet new host Camila Alves and this season’s panel of judges – celebrity stylist Jonathan Antin (star of Bravo’s “Blowout”) and renowned stylist Kim Vo. In their first shortcut challenge, the stylists must give unruly punk rockers a more polished look, with the brash Antin as their first guest judge. The competition gets even more edgy during the elimination challenge when the contestants collaborate with hot Hollywood swimwear company, L*Space to create sophisticated styles for a risqué fashion show. Monica Wise, lead designer for L*Space Swimwear, joins as a guest judge.

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. Joel Warren from the styling team of Warren-Tricomi joins as guest judge for this challenge.

The steamy Elimination Challenge brings the stylists to a ranch that serves as the backdrop for photos for their first cover shoot, romance novels.

Short Cut Challenge: Interpret geometric shapes into angular hairstyles on Asian clients. Elimination Challenge: Create two different headshot looks on working actresses. Judges: Camila Alves, Kim Vo, Jonathan Antin, Kevin Mancuso

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 sing

The stylists are charged with updating hairstyles from classic Hollywood movies

For the Elimination Challenge, legendary stylist Oribe joins as guest judge and offers the stylists some insight into creating a brand for themselves.

Elimination Challenge: Each of the final three contestants must style six models for a fashion show. Judges: Camila Alves, Kim Vo, Jonathan Antin, Linda Wells