Facecard: Makeup Showdown launches every player into one of two modes, both named directly in the official Roblox description. Showdown is the timed, vote-decided competitive mode where the highest-voted facecard wins the round; Freeplay is the timer-free practice mode where you build the same makeup tools but without an opposing voting round. The mode is picked before the round starts, or via the main lobby / mode selector inside the experience.
More context
The right pick depends on whether you are grinding a badge or iterating on a look. Showdown fires badges and competitive rewards; Freeplay is the place to test new combinations without round-timer pressure.
On this page
Showdown mode
Showdown is the headline Facecard Showdown mode and the only one that fires badges and competitive rewards.
- How it works. Players join a lobby (server size is roughly 10 players per session in current public stats), build a facecard under the round timer, then submit it for the other players to vote on. The highest-voted facecard wins the round.
- What it pays out. A 1st-place finish in Showdown awards the First Lethal Facecard Common badge (about 15.7–18.5% snapshot earn rate). Showdown is also where Robux and in-game cash flow back via the 2x Facecard Cashback Game Pass (199 Robux) when you own it.
- When to use it. Use Showdown when you actually want to compete and earn the "LETHAL facecard" the title advertises, or when you are chasing the First Lethal Facecard badge.
The natural next question once you are in Showdown mode is what actually helps a facecard win the vote — see the Voting & Winning guide for the four judging levers that decide Showdown placement.
Freeplay mode
Freeplay is the Facecard freeplay mode for practice and template-building.
- How it works. Players get the same makeup tools — head bases, brushes, lashes, rhinestones — and build without an opposing voting round. The official description says players "can take your time in freeplay," which removes the build-phase timer pressure.
- What it pays out. Freeplay does not award First Lethal Facecard-style victory badges because no voting round decides a winner. There is no community / developer Facecard of the Week badge path that requires Showdown either, but the typical submission route is also Freeplay, not Showdown.
- When to use it. Freeplay is the right pick to test a new head base, stack an unusually heavy layered look that pushes the Increased Layer Limit cap (129 Robux pass if you own it), try out a brush combo before bringing it into Showdown, or simply paint without the timer pressure.
Side-by-side
| Aspect | Showdown mode | Freeplay mode |
|---|---|---|
Timer | Yes (round timer) | No |
Voting round | Yes, after the build timer | No |
Awards First Lethal Facecard badge | Yes, on 1st place | No |
Pays out cashback (with 2x Facecard Cashback pass) | Yes, on votes / wins | No |
Best for | Competing, chasing the badge, earning cashback | Testing head bases, brush combos, layered templates |
FAQ
Should I play Showdown or Freeplay?
Play Showdown when you actually want to compete or chase the First Lethal Facecard badge. Play Freeplay to test heavy layered looks, new head bases, or brush combos without the round-timer pressure.