Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Leah Schulz @misspettigrewreview

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I’m a Cali girl with a stud of a husband and 4 littles 7 and under. (No joke right?) I have a degree in journalism and a need for self expression and creativity. I have a passion for beauty, babies, photography and writing. I’m a bit obsessed with subscription boxes, makeup dupes and DIY skincare at the moment. Color makes me happy and I prefer to be bold and never boring. I love life and living it with purpose. I enjoy engaging with different communities and creating community. I have founded the Beauty Bloggers Forum on Facebook (which has reached over 450 beauty bloggers in just a few months) and I love chatting with other Instagrammers and being a part of their Instaworld. I review everything that makes me smile and I have a knack for getting others passionate about what interests me.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I am passionate about all things fabulous, functional and fun! I blog about beauty, style and baby product reviews. I’m also a photography junkie and have been known to give a photo tip or two. I’m really into subscription box services from Sephora Play to Hello Fresh and everything in between, and post a lot of photos and blog posts featuring them. I love to review remarkable products and introduce others to products and services that will enhance their lives.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

So glad you asked. I love the movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. This woman with a drab and colorless existence has an extravagant, colorful and exciting day that changes her life. I’m down with all of that and it was a happy accident that Pettigrew rhymes with review. A match made in heaven.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

I love PicMonkey and Pixlr. Both are free and have a wide range of tools that are fast and efficient. I usually use PicMonkey first to crop and brighten and follow up with Pixlr for little touch ups or details. I then put the photo into Instagram and make a few more changes with the Instagram editor to make the photo sing.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

Tons. I’m inspired by so many Instagrammers and it’s so hard to choose just one. I think I’ll just go with who’s inspiring me at the moment and the person who pops into my head is Lisa Eldridge. Her page is so fascinating, informative and adventurous. Her photos are glamorous, classic and filled with drama, and she always has something worthwhile to say about beauty. She has a strong point of view and always speaks her mind, but she does so with grace and elegance. Plus she has the best makeup tips and tricks for every age and skin type. What’s not to love!

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

So many to choose from, but I’ll go with Play! by Sephora. I’m so excited by this new subscription box. I was on the waiting list for a while and have received 3 months of boxes so far. All have been fabulous and full of the latest and greatest beauty products. I love their cute little white and black striped box and the sweet little makeup bag with designs like Popsicles and red lips. It’s so great that you can go in store and get tips on all of the products for that month and the fold out brochure of products is the best. They are doing everything right so far and I’m thrilled with this subscription box. I can’t believe it’s only $10 a month.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

All of it. I can’t get enough of writing and photography. I love sharing great products and reviews with others who are into the same interests as I am. I look forward to all of the conversations I have about the stuff I love. I really like being a part of a great community on Instagram. It’s a joy of mine to inspire others as well.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Don’t sell anything, just tell "your friends" about your favorite things and what makes them so awesome. Be genuinely passionate about your products and services and other will be too. Make people laugh, smile and feel good about themselves. Show off pictures of your brand that tells an awesome story and one that others want to be a part of. Create a community around your brand and it’s products that’s fun and feels special.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

There are a lot of copy cats on social media, but what works for one brand or product doesn’t work for anther and what is awesome for one Instagrammer falls flat for the next. You have to find your own rhythm and creative pulse. If you’re just copying whats popular your not doing anything new or exciting and your certainly not being your best you. Don’t be afraid to stand out. In a sea of ivory and pastels I love to be a rainbow!

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I love helping brands that I believe in reach the customers who will believe in them as well. I once did some reviews and social media spots for a single mom entrepreneur for her makeup sponges and she emailed me and told me that her products weren’t selling before my reviews and they started to selling a ton afterwards (she featured my review on her website) Her goal was to quit her job and be a full time "mompreneur" and it was just the most awesome feeling knowing that I helped with that dream in some small way. Plus her sponges were bomb and I was happy to promote them. It’s a win for everyone!

Topics:

• DIY & Crafts
• Fashion
• Hair & Beauty
• Kids & Parenting
• Photography

Country:

United States of America