Jenn Chan Glam – Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle

Hello, you lovely lot, and a very warm welcome to Jenn Chan Glam. If you’ve stumbled upon our little corner of the internet, consider this your official invitation to pull up a chair, pop the kettle on, and settle in. We’re not about unattainable perfection or sterile mood boards here; this is a shared journey into the vibrant, often chaotic, but always inspiring UK style scene. Think of us as your brutally honest, slightly over-caffeinated mates who love dissecting the high street’s latest offerings just as much as we adore raiding the luxury beauty aisles. Our team lives for the candid conversations that happen between desk-to-drinks touch-ups and weekend strolls through London’s hidden mews. We’re here to share the real stories behind the outfits, the skincare that actually works when the British weather throws a tantrum, and the lifestyle musings that keep us grounded. So, welcome to the squad—we’re so glad you’re here.

Fashion Edits & High-Street Style Finds

Navigating the UK fashion landscape requires a keen eye for a peg, an umbrella, and a killer pair of transitional boots. We dissect current UK trends with a practical yet opinionated lens, refusing to let the drizzle dampen our sartorial spirits. Right now, we’re witnessing a glorious return to utilitarian heritage, where the waxed Barbour jacket has stomped straight off the muddy festival fields and onto the concrete catwalks of Shoreditch. It’s no longer just for dog walkers; we’re styling ours with slip dresses and chunky trainers. Simultaneously, we’re obsessed with the stealth-wealth elegance found in Marks & Spencer’s surprisingly chic cashmere blends—who knew a supermarket sweep could feel so luxurious? Our team is dedicated to road-testing these looks for real life, ensuring we don’t just look good standing still, but can actually sprint for a departing bus without splitting a seam.

What Our Team is Wearing This Week

On any given Tuesday, our team mood board is a mixed bag of textures and eras. You’ll spot our editor throwing an oversized, pre-loved blazer over a graphic band tee, tucked into high-waisted, wide-leg denim from the high street. We’re currently living in chunky loafers—a nod to the preppy revival—paired with bright, ribbed socks. The real MVP of our communal wardrobe, however, is the resurgence of the Barbour waxed jacket in UK street style. It’s the perfect topper for everything from floral midi dresses to leather trousers, adding that essential layer of rugged protection without veering into “country estate” cosplay. We’re also layering gold chain necklaces with reckless abandon and clutching oversized tote bags that can somehow house a laptop, a spare pair of heels, and a Tupperware of last night’s pasta.

Spotlight on British Heritage Brands

There’s a profound comfort in the craftsmanship of British heritage brands, a feeling of permanence in a fast-fashion world. We find ourselves perpetually drawn to the hallowed halls of Liberty London, where the iconic floral print fabrics whisper tales of Arts and Crafts history. Whether it’s a Tana Lawn cotton blouse or a silk scarf tied around a handbag handle, those intricate blooms add instant poetry to an outfit. We’re also casting a spotlight on the knitwear mills of Scotland and the shoemakers of Northampton, celebrating pieces designed to outlive trends. It’s about investing in the story behind the stitch, knowing that a well-made brogue or a hand-finished quilted jacket carries a legacy that high-speed hauls simply cannot replicate.

High-Street vs. Designer: Our Honest Dupe Tests

We love the thrill of the chase, but we love a bargain even more. That’s why we regularly put the high street under the microscope to see if it can truly compete with the runway. Our honest dupe tests are legendary within the team, often involving blind touch-tests and rigorous wearability trials. We’ve pitted high-end leather blazers against their vegan counterparts on the high street, and compared the drape of a designer satin skirt with a £35 find. The results are often surprising, proving that you don’t need a trust fund to look expensive. However, we’ll always hold our hands up when the designer original justifies its price tag—usually in the tailoring and fabric longevity departments.

Beauty Cupboard: Tested & Reviewed

Welcome to the laboratory, where our team puts cult British brands to the test alongside Boots’ most affordable skincare heroes. We’re giving you the unvarnished truth on what’s actually worth your hard-earned pounds. From the hallowed halls of Elemis to the star-studded counters of Charlotte Tilbury, we’ve swatched, swiped, and cleansed our way through the hype to separate the holy-grail heroes from the overpriced duds. We know the UK beauty market is saturated, and we’re here to be your filter, ensuring you never suffer from buyer’s remorse again.

Skincare Routines for Moody UK Weather

Is it humid? Is it bone-dry with central heating? Is it a freezing gale? Often, it’s all three in one afternoon. Our skincare routines have to be as adaptable as our outerwear. We’ve learned that layering is just as important for the face as it is for the body. On our team, a hydrating mist is non-negotiable, spritzed over a hyaluronic acid serum before sealing it all in with a barrier-supporting moisturiser. We’ve been taking full advantage of the Boots Advantage Card loyalty scheme benefits, racking up points on our restocks of CeraVe and La Roche-Posay. Those points often fund our more frivolous purchases, because nothing feels better than a “free” lipstick when you’ve simply been buying your essentials.

The Glow-Up Edit: Makeup That Lasts from Desk to Drinks

We demand a lot from our makeup. It needs to survive a sweaty commute, a day of screen-staring, and still look fresh enough for a spontaneous rooftop spritz. Our team swears by long-wearing, luminous bases that don’t mask the skin but perfect it. The undisputed champion of our makeup bags remains the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk franchise. Whether it’s the matte revolution lipstick that somehow suits every skin tone or the multi-glow highlighter, it’s the failsafe we reach for when we need to look pulled-together in thirty seconds flat. We pair it with a cream blush that melts into the cheeks and a waterproof mascara that refuses to budge, ensuring we look like we’ve had eight hours of sleep even when we’ve had four.

Sustainable Beauty Swaps We’re Making

We’re on a conscious mission to clean up our beauty routines without sacrificing efficacy. The era of gritty, unpleasant “green” products is over, and we’re embracing the new wave of sustainable beauty with open arms. Our team is currently transitioning to solid shampoo bars that actually lather, refillable deodorant cases that look chic on a shelf, and biodegradable facial wipes. We’re also diving deep into upcycled ingredients, supporting brands that use discarded coffee grounds in scrubs and wonky fruit extracts in serums. It’s a journey of progress, not perfection, but we’re finding immense satisfaction in choosing packaging that doesn’t live forever in a landfill.

Lifestyle & London Living Diaries

Life isn’t just about what you wear and how you paint your face; it’s about the moments in between. We document our team’s real-life moments with an opinionated take, celebrating the beautiful chaos of urban living. From navigating the crushing existential crisis of the Central line during rush hour to finding a slice of serenity in nature, we’re capturing the duality of the city. This is a diary of the bits that don’t always make the Instagram grid—the wrong turns that lead to the right pubs, and the quiet moments of calm found in the metropolis.

Our Favourite Independent Coffee Spots

Fuel is essential, and we’re not talking about a watery Americano from a chain. We’re connoisseurs of the flat white, seeking out hole-in-the-wall spots where the baristas know our orders and the pastries are baked on-site. Our current rotation includes a tiny Scandinavian-inspired cafe in East London that serves cardamom buns to die for, and a grungy spot in Soho where the espresso is so strong it makes your eyelashes flutter. We judge a cafe on three things: the quality of the oat milk texture, the comfort of the seating, and the availability of natural light for a quick iPhone snap. These sanctuaries are our mobile offices and our therapy sessions.

Work-Life Balance as a Creative in the City

The hustle culture narrative is tired, and our team is actively rewriting the script. Maintaining a work-life balance as a creative in a city that never truly powers down is a constant negotiation. We’re learning to set firm boundaries, turning off notifications after 7 PM and resisting the urge to romanticise burnout. It’s a tricky dance when your passion is your paycheck, but we’re prioritising analogue hobbies—think pottery classes and paperback novels—to detach from the digital grid. We’re sharing the real struggles of freelance anxiety and the guilt of resting, because we know the glossy “rise and grind” mantra isn’t sustainable.

Weekend Escapes: UK Staycation Ideas

You don’t need a passport to find magic; the UK is bursting at the seams with stunning staycation spots. When the city walls start closing in, we’re quick to book a train ticket out. We’ve recently fallen in love with the wild beauty of the Kent coast, exploring art galleries in Margate and feasting on fresh seafood in Whitstable. For a full digital detox, we head to the Cotswolds, renting cosy cottages with wood-burning stoves and no Wi-Fi. Closer to home, we’re obsessed with Hampstead Heath’s mixed bathing ponds—a bracing, year-round ritual that shocks the system back to life. There’s nothing quite like a freezing dip followed by a hot tea to remind you that you’re alive.

Wellness & Personal Musings

We’re moving beyond the superficial, peeling back the filters to talk about the stuff that really matters. This is where we share our team’s honest conversations about burnout, the suffocating pressure of Instagram perfection, and the pursuit of joy in small, analog rituals. We’re swapping highlight reels for reality checks, discussing mental health with the same candour we use for lipstick reviews. Because without a solid foundation on the inside, no amount of Charlotte Tilbury can make you glow on the outside.

Navigating Social Media as a Millennial

We’re part of the generation that remembers dial-up internet but now lives life through a lens. Navigating social media as a millennial is a mind-bending experience, straddling the line between digital native and analogue nostalgia. Our team often discusses the “comparison trap”—the sinking feeling that hits when scrolling through perfectly curated homes and seemingly effortless holidays. We’re actively trying to unfollow accounts that trigger inadequacy and curate a feed that inspires rather than drains. It’s about remembering that a grid post is a staged photograph, not a documentary, and that real life is happening in the messy, unposted moments.

Our Team’s Mental Health Toolkit

When the Black Dog visits, our team has a collective toolkit we lean on. It’s a varied mix of professional therapy, rigorous boundary-setting, and very British comfort mechanisms. For us, finding joy in small rituals is paramount—and nothing resets a frantic afternoon like a proper Yorkshire Tea brew. The ritual of the perfect steep, the specific shade of beige-brown, and the warmth of the mug is our collective grounding technique. We also swear by “no-phone walks” in the local park, where we’re forced to notice the seasons changing rather than the follower count fluctuating. We’re sharing these tools not as a prescription, but as a starting point for conversations that destigmatise the wobbles we all face.

Fitness That Doesn’t Feel Like a Chore

We’ve officially broken up with punishing gym sessions that we dread. Our team is embracing intuitive movement—fitness that bends to our mood rather than a rigid schedule. This looks like long, meandering weekend cycles along the canal, turning the music up loud for a kitchen disco, or a gentle yoga flow in the living room. We’re reframing exercise as a celebration of what our bodies can do, not a punishment for what we ate. Trampoline parks, long walks in Hampstead Heath, and even vigorous house cleaning sessions count. If it gets the blood pumping and the endorphins flowing without feeling like a military drill, we’re in.

At its heart, Jenn Chan Glam is a judgment-free, evolving community where real style meets real talk. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we promise to always be honest about the journey. We’re building a space where you can geek out over the perfect cashmere blend one minute and discuss the realities of millennial burnout the next. We’d absolutely love for you to join the conversation—whether that’s sharing your own dupe discoveries in the comments below, or sliding into our DMs over on Instagram. Let’s navigate this beautifully messy life together.

FAQ

What is the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk franchise?

It’s an iconic, universally-flattering collection of nude-pink makeup by British brand Charlotte Tilbury. The franchise started with a lipstick and has expanded to include lip liners, eyeshadow palettes, blush, and highlighters, all designed to mimic the soft, dreamy tones of a perfect pillow. Our team finds it’s a failsafe choice for a polished, effortless look.

How do I style a Barbour waxed jacket for the city?

We love contrasting the jacket’s rugged, country heritage with sleek city staples. Try throwing an oversized Barbour over a floral midi dress and chunky trainers, or pair it with leather trousers, a fine-knit cashmere jumper, and ankle boots. The key is to avoid head-to-toe heritage and mix in modern, feminine, or edgy pieces.

Is the Boots Advantage Card really worth it?

Absolutely, yes. The Boots Advantage Card loyalty scheme allows you to collect points on nearly every purchase, which translate directly into money to spend in store or online. Our team saves up points on everyday essentials like shampoo and skincare, then treats ourselves to a new premium lipstick or fragrance without the guilt.

Can you swim in Hampstead Heath’s ponds?

Yes, Hampstead Heath features several historic mixed bathing ponds where you can swim year-round. There are single-sex and mixed options, and the water is tested regularly. It’s a bracing, invigorating experience that our team loves, but do note that advance booking is often required during peak summer months.

What makes Liberty London fabrics so special?

Liberty London is famous for its iconic floral print fabrics, particularly the Tana Lawn cotton. This ultra-fine, yet durable, material holds intricate, detail-rich prints brilliantly. The designs often draw from the brand’s extensive archive of Arts and Crafts motifs, making each piece feel like a wearable work of art with a distinct British heritage.