Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Tan Shi Hui @ireviewureadsh

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

I am a student in Murdoch University, Kaplan, undertaking the Bachelor of arts in Tourism & events management and Communications and Media Studies. When I’m not hitting the books, I blog at ireviewuread.com . Ireviewuread is mainly a Singapore based beauty blog which covers beauty products and services reviews. Occasionally, IreviewUread will cover on lifestyle topics and simple DIY tutorials.

IreviewUread did not start as a beauty blog, in fact I was never interested in beauty related stuff until IreviewUread evolved (You can just imagine my pimpled filled face back in my teens). It started out as a sample redemption blog where I posts photos and links of the samples which I have redeemed so that my friends can get these freebies too (I mean, if it’s free redeem it right?). However as IreviewUread turned one, I started to randomly review some of the samples out of boredom and the need for versatility. Since most of the samples which was available for redemption was beauty related, I was forced to learn how to be ‘beautiful’ and to review stuff. Soon enough, my first sponsor, Nezon marketing, saw some potential in me and that helped plays a huge part in IreviewUread being where it is today. Although there’s lots of ups and down throughout my 4 years of blogging, I am still glad that IreviewUread is still standing.

As mentioned I have the need for versatility thus, I’ve incorporated lifestyle posts into the blog. In fact recently, I’ve started a Beauty & DIY channel on youtube (http://youtube.com/c/ireviewuread) covering authentic beauty reviews and creative DIY tutorials to help release my balls of ideas from the box in my head. I believe that IreviewUread will never be a finished piece of work. Like us, it’s always changing and improving for the better. On top of that, I hope that IreviewUread can evolved to be more than a beauty blog. In fact, I hope to be able to include more comical articles (http://ireviewuread.com/post/115872073698/13-types-of-interns) and philosophical articles so that IreviewUread can be more of a blog of advise (beauty purchase decisions, DIY tutorials, life tips) instead of just another beauty blog.

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

Being a beauty blogger, beauty is definitely included in my Instagram feed. However, because of the fact that I chose not to separate my blog from my personal account – after all my blog IS my life – there’s lots of lifestyle posts on my profile. Like any Singaporean, eating is my hobby thus expect lots of food. On top of that, expect lots of scenery and artsy stuff (Music, street art, my DIY projects, etc.)
However recently, I’ve taken a huge turn in my Instagram photos. Although they still contains pretty much the same things, I have decided to theme my photos. Like any other mediocre blogger, I am starting out with the white theme. However, unlike any other mediocre blogger, I have decided to shape overall photos according to my initials such that the white photos will eventually look like “SH” when you look at my profile horizontally. (I’m still at the H part though)
After that theme is done, I’m thinking about doing a journaling theme where I post photos of my journal – scrapbook made from an old planner or maybe I’ll try a negative theme. We’ll see 🙂

Back to the question of what are my topic of interest, I would definitely say life inspires me to be creative and Instagram is a great platform for one to unleash it.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

It’s a simple combination of my blog (ireviewuread) and my initials (sh).

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

I try not to edit my photos too much unless it’s taken from my phone. On the computer I would use picmonkey for collages I would use MS powerpoint (you can rotate and overlap your pictures however you want on Powerpoint!) or picmonkey. For selfies I use photocat.
On the phone I use pixlr and eyeem (similar to vsco) when I’m not that lazy. However, if I am too lazy I would just use the Instagram editor.

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

For beauty, I like how @loveforskincare poses the products
For journaling, I like to get inspiration from @janethecrazy
For food, I like @melicacy mouthwatering dishes
For just great inspiration, I like @pooburr and her photos randomness

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

Theming a section of your Instagram, instead of making your whole Instagram be of a white theme or dog theme, trying doing like 9 images. That way you don’t restrict yourself to only taking white photos or black and be more creative with your Instagram profile.

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

Can I say getting free stuff? Haha, that’s the misconception about influencers. We do get the occasional freebies but not everything is sponsored. As an influencer, I hope to help others with all I can, connect with them and not make them feel so alone. We do hope that by ‘knowing’ us on Instagram, their lives would be better be it through the advice we give or even the random things we post to put a smile on their faces.

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

I’m a wild child. Thus I do whatever I want, whenever I want. My point here is not asking you to break the rules and hurt people. It is for you to express yourself without harming others. As my mother always say, “when making a tough decision in life. choose happiness”

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

Be yourself without the fear of not being like. In this life, you only have one person to impress and that is you. Who care’s about what the world thinks. What matters is what YOU think and do what makes you happy. So, post whatever you want but at the same time, learn from those better then you and always improve without commodifying your personality.

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

You get to spread your message to a bigger audience, that means you get to do good through positive messages for more people.

Topics:

• Art
• Design
• DIY & Crafts
• Food & Drink
• Hair & Beauty
• Nature & Outdoors
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

Singapore