SUMMER
PLEASURES
SIMPLY SMASHING
A dynamic duo launches a creative makeup collection with a Hollywood legacy.
CARLA JEAN SCHWARTZ SECTION EDITOR
Above: SmashBox is creatively packaged for consumers.
THE DETRO IT JEWIS H N EWS
Right: Dean Factor (left) is the businessman, while brother Davis is the
photographer. Davis is holding a remote to take this picture.
mashBox may sound like a
rock group, but to the Hol-
lywood crowd and cos-
metic world SmashBox
is a photo studio and
cosmetics line. Broth-
ers Dean and Davis Fac-
tor are the creative forces
at SmashBox. You could say
this business came naturally, for
they are the great-grandsons of
cosmetics heir Max Factor.
Although their affinity for cos-
metics is genetic, SmashBox
evolved from a photography stu-
dio. The name SmashBox was
chosen because of the accordion-
like device that used to protect a
camera lens. The 20,000-square-
foot studio in Culver City, Cali-
fornia began in 1990 when Davis
Factor, a photographer, rented a
warehouse in Santa Monica.
Brother Dean joined the oper-
ation after receiving an M.B.A.
The studio burgeoned into a pro-
duction company providing
makeup and hair styling for fash-
ion and celebrity photography.
Makeup artists requested new
products to enhance their skills
and encouraged the Brothers
Factor to launch a cosmetic line.
`The SmashBox line came out
a year ago. We launched the line
first in the Troy store," says
Cheryl Davis, cosmetic buyer for
Nordstrom.
"Dean and Davis Factor pre-
sented the line to us at our buy-
ing meeting. We were impressed
with the concept, quality and ex-
citing background of the
founders," she adds.
These two Beverly Hills high
school graduates, who look like
they could play a role on the TV
series "90210" developed make-
up that would be perfect for the-
atrics — long-lasting and non
smearing.
"Dean and Davis really are in-
volved in the business. Dean, the
CEO, takes feedback from cus-
tomers and salespeople. He takes
it to heart and puts into the prod-
uct what the customers are ask-
ing for," notes Cheryl Davis.
Davis says that customers
rave about the SmashBox anti-
shine foundation. "They devel-
oped what they couldn't find in
studios.
"It doesn't clog pores. It takes
away the shine and gives a mat-
te finish for hours. For people
who like the matte finish, this is
an excellent product," adds
Cheryl Davis.
For lipsticks, the Factor broth-
ers strived to develop products
that were moisturizing and long-
lasting. The names are as in-
triguing as the colors. Smashing
Bubble Gum, Smashing Moscow
Night, Smashing Brown Sugar
and Smashing Amethyst are just
some of the choices. Of course,
there is a Smashing Pumpkin.
The makeup brushes are made
from goat fibers, boar's hair, sable
and a pony mix.
Customers and makeup artists
agree that SmashBox is a smash-
ing success. ❑
SmashBox makeup is available
locally at Nordstrom and Henri
Bendel in Troy.