Rihanna never does things by halves and the exclusive UK launch of Fenty Beauty, certainly arrived with a bang. Hundreds of posters lined Knightsbridge underground station as beauty devotees emerged to form a mile long queue at 8am (Sep 19th). Hoards of crowds were seen across the country as Harvey Nichols opened its doors nationwide, with 10,000 online customers also logging on for a first look at the new generation of beauty online.

Amid tight security and secrecy (this is Rihanna after all), the crowd gathered with escalating excitement.

A hotbed of social influencer talent and VIP guests including new Vogue Editor Edward Enninful, model Leomie Anderson and singer Talia Storm (pictured), were taken on an experiential journey exploring the five different Fenty Beauty stations; Artistry, Gloss Bomb, Match Stix, Killawatt and Blotting. While playing with products, guests snacked on Prosecco-flavoured doughnuts and fortune cookies that revealed custom Fenty fates.

But it was before the party had even started that our Bajan queen produced the highlight of the night. Six lucky (and unsurprisingly shaky) customers were plucked from the swirling queue outside and invited for a Fenty makeover with the lady herself.

Resplendent in a lilac dress by Molly Goddard, the superstar greeted her awestruck fans to talk makeup, magic and more before heading down to spend a night dancing to a live set from DJ Debby Coda.

With litres of Ace of Spades Champagne, Don Julio tequila cocktails and Peroni beer, the rest of the night was a blur of swirling shapes and starry-eyes.

The event
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Leaving the launch
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The launch

The windows