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.