Tigra has a lot more going on than her visual (which is pretty cool -- the tail is unnecessary as it was added about a decade after she reviewed and adds nothing to the character). Aside from enhanced strength, speed and agility (basically Spider-Man class), she has enhanced senses and durable claws. She also has an empathy power which allows her to pick up on injuries or weaknesses in a opponent. I don't think that ability has ever been fully explored.
Perhaps her most unique trait is that in comics, she had a short-career as more traditional masked heroine (the Cat), before her career was cut short by a potentially fatal does of radiation that necessitated her being transformed into Tigra.
I think using makeup would be cheesy as far as adding stripes -- unless they totally revamp her look.