Beauty Biographies is a column where we ask some of our favourite people to reflect on the beauty items that have influenced their lives and have a sentimental place in their heart. From their grandmother’s perfume to the eyeshadow they wore to their first dance these are the products that have had a significant impact on them and that instantly transport them back to a particular time, place, or person.

Rising star JGrrey first caught our attention during a captivating COLOURS session performance of “Don’t Fade,” a song the south London musician wrote by herself in her bedroom. Since then, JGrrey has gained a loyal following of fans who’ve been bewitched by her buttery vocals and dreamy soulful singles. With her signature introspective and confessional style, JGrrey candidly explores in her music themes from mental health and troubled relationships to moving away from home for the first time. The singer’s smoky, mellow sound have brought comparisons to Jorja Smith flooding in and industry figures including Annie Mac and Jamz Supernova have been championing the singer.     

With her much anticipated debut EP Grrey Daze out today, we caught up with JGrrey to discover the beauty products that have shaped her life.  

Compact Face Powder

“Not that I ever use it now, but it is the first experience I ever had with make-up. My nan (Nanny Josey) always used to excuse herself to powder her nose and I just assumed it was an old people thing until I asked what she meant. She showed me and then asked if I’d like some. It smelt of her and every time I saw her it became our thing.”

Get it here: Avon Mattifying Pressed Powder

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

“My mum had a make-up bag obviously, and only after my nan introduced me to compact powder did I wonder what the contents of my mothers entailed. The most interesting discovery was mascara, I remember my mum screaming so loudly "she could go blind!" at my dad when she walked in to find my eyes streaming with black liquid because I had pretty much put it directly onto my eyeball.”

Get it here: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse

“The stuff of teenage nightmares. I remember after my first two make-up encounters I wasn't really into it but all the girls wore this shit so I got my mum to buy it. I wore it every day, all. over. my. face. including pale-ing out my lips. To this day I still don't really get it but I wasn't not going to fit in.”

Liquid Eyeliner

“A saviour of my makeup horrors, when I found out I could just put eyeliner on the corners of my eyes and call it a day, cosmetic equilibrium had been restored. Thank you to youtube makeup tutorials.”

Get it here: Benefit Roller Liner

YSL Opium Eau de Parfum

“My mums favourite perfume, it reminds me of her so much. It’s such a strong smell not everyone can pull it off, but you better believe she can.”

Get it here: YSL Opium Eau de Parfum