Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Cheryl Ong @cherrietomato

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

I’m Cheryl, I’m from Singapore, I’m not anyone special, i love fashion but don’t have an amazing wardrobe, I love to travel but don’t so as often, I love makeup and beauty products but I don’t have mad skills in doing my makeup. I am a normal girl, with a normal life, and a passion for media and fashion in general. I’ve been through my fair share of problems in struggling with accepting who i am, loving myself and in finding myself. There were times I felt like giving up and i was given a helping hand. I can’t say that things are the most ideal now, but I’m stronger than ever. My dream is to create my own brand and online zine, to show women, and girls that they aren’t alone in their struggle of emotions, body image, problems, giving them a solution, and inspiration.
Right now, I’m saving up to study in January, am currently a wardrobe stylist for commercials while working as a part-time waitress at Mambo Beach Club.

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

I usually post my travel pictures, outfit of the days, candids, selfies (on days that I dress up and do my makeup) and my song covers.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Cherrietomato is my childhood nickname that stuck throughout the years, Cherrie because my name is Cheryl and my friends took to making fun of my name that way. Tomato because they said my face is round and red (i get flushed easily while exercising or drinking).

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

I have used VSCO and Font Candy so far along with a few slight tweaks with Instagram’s own internal editing functions. Usually I go with whatever suits the mood of the picture, adjusting the exposure, contrast, tint/temperature, filter if needed, then finally tweaking the highlights and shadow color overlays.

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

I have worked with a few influencers/models, Directors of Photography, Photographers, Directors as well as Fashion Stylists (both editorial and commercial) and Hair and Makeup Artists. Usually we’d follow each other’s Instagram accounts after working together, which results in my timeline being flooded with amazing pictures from various people with various styles. The constant variation of travel, fashion, cinematography, makeup and hair brings much inspiration in my posts but the biggest thing I look out for is the composition and quality of the picture. A picture speaks a thousand words and if it could relate and speak to the audience that i intended to capture the attention of I would’ve succeeded.

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

Try to learn to forgive yourself and love yourself for who you are. That is the root of beauty in all women, everything else just stems out from there.

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

Being able to inspire others and give each other hope, showing the community that the world is much larger than we are. Furthermore I’m able to share the things I value, am passionate about, or strongly believe in.

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

Be sincere, know what your audience wants and needs to hear. I promote what i believe in or am convinced by.

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

Actually believing in the product and its quality would affect how sincere the Instagrammer is. If he/she is just doing it for the sake of it, it would show. If anyone really believes in a product they would put in the effort to share it with everyone else and would create content with the purpose and sincerity of sharing it with the world.

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

Being able to share their products with the right people and helping their targeted audience.

Topics:

• Design
• DIY & Crafts
• Fashion
• Film, Music & Books
• Food & Drink
• Hair & Beauty
• Nature & Outdoors
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

Singapore