Tin Hau's makeup has been kept relatively simple. She has only patterns in red painted on her forehead.

"The color red is associated with both the Chinese opera and Chinese mythological characters, and frequently appears in Chinese festive celebrations and auspicious ceremonies," Lee points out. "Also, red is a color Chinese people associate with the image of the divine." However, both the makeup and headpiece for the goddess are designed "in a very modern style", he hastens to add.