WORKING -- Romaine Markus

-- Story by Lolita Harper; photo by [TK]

SHE IS

Revealing the inner beauty with outer adornment

CREATING YOUR OWN ROUTINE

Many women enter the small shop on the top level of Triangle Square

with their heads down, hiding the fact that they are wearing little or no

makeup. But after an hour with makeup artist Romaine Markus, clients walk

out of the Grecian-themed store sporting a new look, a look created with

an expertise that comes from making up hundreds of faces, each customized

especially for one.

“It’s important that women not only look good in their makeup but feel

comfortable applying it themselves,” Markus said. “They can’t come to me

every day.”

For the last 22 years -- 10 in Costa Mesa -- Markus has created looks

for clients, explaining each step of the process during the make-over.

Her clients leave not only flaunting a new look but a newfound knowledge

of how to properly apply their makeup.

“I don’t believe in trends,” Markus said. “I create a look that meets

a woman’s specialized need.”

ESPOUSAL EXECUTIVE

Markus -- creator of Romaine Markus of London Cosmetics -- said she

was inspired to start her own line of makeup after her wedding day.

“I was an emotional wreck, and everything I used came off,” Markus

said.

After that day, she was dedicated to making a product that suited

brides-to-be -- and other women -- so the last thing they had to worry

about was their makeup.

Markus not only creates a cosmetic product that will last the duration

of the day, she specializes in special event make-overs -- especially

weddings, she said.

Getting married is one of the most important events in most people’s

lives, and for women it is especially important that they look gorgeous.

Women are always naturally glowing on their wedding days, Markus said,

but with an expert touch they can be transformed from a blushing bride to

a radiant beauty.

THE EYES HAVE IT

Markus said eyes are her favorite facial feature.

Regardless of whether she is making up a celebrity such as Jennifer

Lopez -- who she recently worked with -- or a Costa Mesa homemaker,

Markus focuses on the eyes. People use their eyes to express emotion when

communicating, she said.

“You are constantly making eye contact with people,” she said.

Eyes are also the most personal facial feature. The different shapes

and colors of people’s eyes allow Markus to create a truly individual

look for each client, she said. Depending on the event, or the mood of

the woman, the makeup artist creates a look to reflect what is going on

inside the windows to the soul.