"I helped create 'the look' for three of the leading ladies, Kate Winslet, Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates.

"My role was to suggest hairstyles and complementary facial coloring for the beautiful gowns they wore aboard ship. The makeup had to be perfect because there were so many close-ups in the movie."

Partial to period films, Mr. Lamas had the most fun working on glamorous scenes that taxed his creative talents.

"My favorite of all is the opening panorama when Kate is standing on the pier in a wide-brimmed hat, turns around and the hat draws attention to her beautiful face. I'm very proud of that makeup."

The end of the fiIm required him to solve a tricky problem ---coming up with an alternative to waterproof-makeup, which is "too heavy and obvious in close-ups," he says.

"James Cameron (the director) didn't want to reshoot scenes of Kate in the water, just because her makeup was running. That was a real dilemma."

Since Mr. Lamas' solution saved money, it was more than welcome; it was somewhat ironic.

After watching synchronized swimming during the 1996 Olympics, he wondered how each athlete kept everything on her face in place during a mostly underwater performance.

A spray was used to create a silicon effect after makeup is applied, he learned. Although this protective finish felt Iike glue, it was perfect for water scenes because of the makeup artist's goal, he says.

"It was all right for Kate to look sick and washed out when she was floating on flotsam after the ship sank even in traumatic scenes like that, you never want facial imperfections such as freckles or birthmarks to show."

Critics of the movie's titanic price tag ($200 million) were "just waiting for the film to flop," in his opinion. It didn't of course, and neither did the consultant's cosmetics, thanks to his inquiring mind.

Miss Winslet's only flaw is "a patchy redness in her cheeks that needs to be toned down a little," Mr. Lamas reveals.

She continues to use his skincare products, as have many other celebrities; Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Princess Grace, Liz Taylor, Sharon Stone, Barbra Streisand, Barbara Walters, Diana Ross and Goldie Hawn.

"Because of my work with glamorous women, I fell in love with the idea of creating my own line of 'cosmeceuticals,' which repair, restore and rejuvenate the skin," he says, "and that eventually led to my side career in films."

Makeup artists who used his products invited Mr. Lamas to work his creative magic on movies such as The Wiz and Mahogany.

Any expert in the field will say the same thing about cosmetics, according to the 30-year veteran of the beauty business.

"Makeup should never be used like putty to mask imperfections. When applied correctly, it always enhances features without going overboard."

"No pun intended," adds the consultant, who confides, "Titanic is definately my glory."

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