i use for painting face at least 5-6 colors (here is a really handy tutorial from Navate: http://www.deviantart.com/art/SKIN-a-tutorial-Part-2-145159387, what gives idea, and i try to follow not just in my 2d, but in my 3d work too, this is why i am not allow to make the character skins “colorable”.
and the make up do not work, because the face shapes are differents. (the first season had makeup, because there every face had same anatomy)
If you have any special wish, i am gladly make it with care, for looking good (as i yesterday wrote pm how do you imagine your elves, for making skins for being perfect for you)