Last night I met Rihanna and it was everything I dreamt of and more

Bow-down to Bad Gal Ri-Ri and her Fenty Beauty collab

My journey home last night begun much like any other; I left work and jumped on a busy tube, squashed between one stranger’s armpit and someone else’s rucksack. But, rather than heading home I was enroute to the most anticipated event in the beauty calendar. The post LFW party thrown to celebrate the successful launch of Fenty Beauty Products by Rihanna in London.

My destination was Harvey Nichols; the exclusive home to the new Fenty by Rihanna range. As I rounded the corner from Knightsbridge station I spotted a queue at one of the doors, cordoned off by a rope. I quickened my pace, worried I would miss the entrace of the night’s star, Rihanna.

Once I arrived at the door, I realised this wasn’t a queue for the party, it was actually a gaggle of die-hard beauty fans all desperate to get their hands on their own piece of the new collection. Since it’s global launch in NYC on September 8th the range has launched to sell-out success and rave online reviews and it’s clear the hype surrounding the range has made it’s way across the pond to London.

After my false start, I was shepherded round the corner to a secret, side entrance where I had to manoeuvre a series of security checks, paparazzi and Ri-Ri super fans to make it to the door of the underground party venue.

Guests including Edward Enninful, Leomie Anderson, Malaika Firth and Marie Claire Future Shapers winner Sharmadean Reid MBE, sipped on champagne and cocktails and tucked into glitter donuts, candyfloss and fortune cookies. While beauty bloggers and celebrities like Chloe Lloyd, Phoebe Lettice and Patricia Bright were let loose to play with the new products, take photobooth selfies and soak up the party atmosphere.

Rihanna made an entrance in a beautiful purple tulle dress by Molly Goddard and then let loose on the dance floor with a glass of champagne in hand. Some lucky party guests even had their makeup applied by Rihanna herself (!). Draped in a dazzling necklace and some mega-watte bling rings, Ri-Ri happily chatted with fans and beauty fanatics about her range including the game changing, 40-shade foundation range.

In real life Rihanna looked even more beautiful than you imagine, her skin was totally flawless and she was charming and friendly, happily mingling amongst us party-goers. For the event Ri-Ri wore her hair pulled back in a high pony to show-off her killer highlighter, glossy lips and smokey eyeshadow.

I was a mega Ri-Ri fan before but after partying with her IRL, my love for the award-winning, Wild Thoughts songstress has reached epic proportions.

What we love most about the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna makeup range?

Mainstream beauty brands are (understandably) subject to a lot of criticism about lack of diversity with their ranges. The new Fenty Beauty by Rihanna collection tackles that head on with it’s impressive 40 shade foundation range that provides colours pale enough even for Albino skin all the way up to much deeper tones that other brands have typically failed to cater for.

Is Fenty Beauty By Rihanna cruelty free?

Rihanna herself confirmed the range was cruelty free and didn’t test on animals in a series of messages exchanged with one of her fan’s via Instagram.

What are the best bits of the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna makeup range?

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Invisimatte Blotting Papers

Shop now: Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Invisimatte Blotting Papers for £13 from HARVEY NICHOLS

This miniature blotting paper roll comes in a handy, tin foil like, dispenser with a serrated edge that allows you to tear off just as much as you need. Perfect for mopping up any excess oil at the end of the day and small enough to keep in your clutch for a party.

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

Shop now: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation for £26 from HARVEY NICHOLS

Pushing boundaries in the beauty industry with a groundbreaking 40-shade range of foundations that has been released to international acclaim and sell-out success. The finish is matte, medium coverage that evens out skin tone in a flash.

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Killawatte Freestyle Highlighter

Shop now: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatte Freestyle Highlighter for £26 from HARVEY NICHOLS

Probably our favourite part of the range, Ri-Ri loves to rock a highlight and it shows - there are two different types are available in the collection. We love the Killawatte powder cream hybrid that leaves cheekbones dazzling with just a single swipe. The shade names are everything you’d expect from @badgalriri too - there’s the champagne toned Mean Money/ Hustla Baby, the metallic gold Trophy Wife and the peachy pink Girl Next Door/ Chic Phreak combo.