Shana King, Co-Founder of Adesign brushes shares her top five brush cleaning tips

1. Clean brushes once a week at home. Daily if your a Makeup Artist.

2. Steer away from alcohol base cleaners.  The Alcohol dries out the brushes. Use mild facial cleanser  or baby shampoo. Something with moisturizing property works best. 

Conditioner brushes once a month.  

Make sure you rinse with luke warm water. Hot water will cause glue to soften between handle and ferril. Do not submerse brush completely in water.

Always reshape and lie your brushes flat. Hang them over  the counter edge so they get fullness back. Don’t throw them back in kit while wet. Make sure they are completely dry before returning to brush roll or kit.

                                           Expert Quick tip: 

                          Use Facial Wipes for a fast clean up.          

                      Allow   brushes to dry a little before using. 

Read  The Red Lipstick Reporter’s complete Interview with Shana King as she talks about her passion for brushes, how she got started as a brush designer and what she hopes to share with women everywhere. The Hair & Makeup Artist Network  

Smashbox Make up Artist, Lori Taylor, has been in meetings with designers and creating looks that we’ll be watching walk the runways beginning October 12 and ending on October 16^th. As the lead Makeup Artist, Taylor is in charge of the talented artists who will be working backstage.  

Taylor begins by creating look board for visual guidance. Along with tear sheets from the designers, face charts are created to illustrate each look. Backstage you’ll find one makeup artist to every two models.  Each show is different, averaging between 16 and 35 models, and often as many as 40 models.  Taylor applies makeup to one model and demonstrates the look for the show while the rest of her team watch. Their job is to duplicate the look exactly in about 20 minutes. “Artists need to be flexible. Always check your ego at the door.  It’s less about an artist’s interpretation and more about duplications of the lead’s look.”

“When I’m hiring my team I always look for people in pursuit of their career. They need to be persistent and patient. We all know how hectic it can get in this business, and sometimes I’m not able to respond to everyone immediately because I’ve got a very busy schedule, but that doesn’t mean I’m not interested.” Taylor explains. One quality a PR agency, a Designer, or Taylor seeks when hiring an Artist to work backstage is professionalism and flexibility. A portfolio with great images and a resume that shows work history and experience are very important. “We need people that really understand the business.” And, Taylor’s found Hank Hoffman and Tara Savelo, two standouts for this week’s event.

What: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Los Angeles) Spring 2009

When: October 12^th – 16^th, 2008

Where: Smash box Studios

Schedule, Directions, and Event Parking information available @ http://www.mbfashionweek.com/losangeles/

Who: Designers Amelia Toro, Beach Bunny Swimwear, Christian Audigier presents American Lord, Crispin & Basilio, D’Amore by Marceau, Debra Davenport, Eco-Ganik, Ed Hardy presents Street Fame by Christian Audigier, Elmer Ave, Joseph Domingo, Julia Clancey, Kevan Hall, Lana Fuchs, Lauren Conrad Collection, Leila Hafzi, Nonja McKenzie, Samora, Sheiki Collections, Suh-Than, The Green Initiative  Humanitarian Fashion Show, Tulle & Cloth Logic, Viridis Luxe, and Whitley Kros.