Watch out for the SPF Flash!

We all know lots of our foundation products (concealers, liquid foundations, mineral foundations) are all formulated these days with SPF in them. Now, don't get me wrong, SPF has its place on our face keeping our skin in great condition but you just need to watch out for one important thing- the SPF Flash:



This sweet, beautiful woman has become the next victim of the SPF flash. The nature of SPF products is to get light to reflect off the face, instead of absorbing it so, naturally when SPF makeup is flashed by light from a camera it sort of bites back by reflecting the light off your face- causing that infamous "white face" look. I know many women who have seen pictures after a party, stupefied trying figure out if their makeup was really that badly matched, if it was the camera angle or something else- it was their makeup. So, if you are heading to any event where camera flashes will be involved- use an SPF free foundation product (and possibly even an spf free moisturizer) and you're face will come out flawless- like this:



Flawless finished for my flashed homegirl Emma Roberts- she is fully flashed by cameras on the red carpet and her face is perfect!

So, ladies, use your SPF products for every day because they do protect your face but when you go out and you know there will be pictures, invest in some SPF free products. And just an FYI, almost every mineral foundation (bare minerals) comes with SPF I have spent hours searching for an SPF free mineral foundation product and I don't think it exists, I think its an urban ledgend.

I hope this is helpful, have a great day and remember- you can do it!

Budding Photographer!

Hello Again!

Looks like it's all boom and bust for me and blogging but better that way than never posting. I had a chance in the last few months to work on my photography with some friends of mine. I've gotten a "couple" session, graduating senior session and an engagement session. With every shoot I learn a lot like: yes, it can be too bright at 6:45pm, I have a love/hate relationship with the wind, if you shoot downtown take some bodyguards and finally color walls are my best friend.

With those things in mind here are some of my favorites from those shoots. L.Schott Artistry is branching out- not just makeup and hair but I'll take your pictures too!

New Faces!

Wow! I have not been here in quite a few days but it's definitely been that lingering thought in the back of my head. I have a few more faces to show today that I am very proud of and will have almost a dozen more in the next two weeks but this is a preview. Thanks to each of my friends/models for volunteering their face for my science- you will forever be immortalized in my blog (kind of).

The Beauty Blender

Hello My Friends!

I just received my Beauty Blender sponge in the mail a few days ago and one word comes to mind...Wow! I love this little pink bubble. Not only is it soft and cute (like a little puppy) it actually WORKS!

Now, in the past I have used rounded, flat, triangle and wedge sponges, powder puffs and multiple brushes and this little pink thing covers better than them all (although my finger still does a really good job with concealer and shadow). Alright, let me give you a break down as to why I like this little thing:

1. Moist and delicious- The BB works best a little damp so the sponge will absorb the water first and not your foundation...much product has been wasted on a thirsty sponge! I find the coverage comes out smooth, even and creamy.

2. Big and beautiful- The bottom of the BB is large and round which makes for very even blending, no streak lines and soft coverage.

3. Quite pointy in parts - The tiny cone shaped top is perfect for little areas like under the eye or blemishes that need some extra help.

4. Multi-tasker- The BB works with liquid, cream and powder foundations, loose and pressed powders and even blush. One sponge can do a lot!

5. Ready for a close up - I find the coverage with this sponge is super soft, even, long lasting, not cakey looking, comfortable and EASY! To get my foundation as well blended as I do with just a tiny bit of effort with the BB takes at least twice as much time with my old sponge or brush.

6. The sponge shouldn't be pink, it should be GREEN- the cleanser I purchased with my BB is eco-friendly (so I feel a little better about soaking the sponge for my face in it and won't kill my puppy if she gets into it!) AND when you are done with your BB they will recycle it for you (cha-ching!).

So, those are some of my reasons! The price for the BB if you are interested varies with how many you are getting and whether or not you are buying the cleanser (which I HIGHLY recommend) but from what I've found online, the prices are consistent everywhere. This may seem like a significant price to some but I think it's really worth it whether its just for personal use or whether you are a professional. The coverage really is striking and the Beauty Blender speaks for itself the first time you use it.

Go try it! You can do it!