"The Dea al Mon go for brighter colors," Chaosti said, sounding a little smug. "But then, any makeup we apply is meant to enhance the actual painting we do."

Pulling his mirror over, he began to outline thumbnail-sized bright gold oak leaves from under his eyes, following the contours of his cheeks. "Silver would be better for my coloring," he added. "And bright green to fill it in. And I'd follow it up with purples around my eyes and lips."