Jenni Falconer has come a long way since she made her TV debut on Cilla Black’s Blind Date. Now a highly accomplished presenter in her own right, Jenni was the perfect host for this year’s Beauty Awards. Lesley Neil caught up with her afterwards to find out more about Jenni’s genuine passion for beauty and how she juggles her incredibly busy life

At the Beauty Awards, you made the audience giggle with your stories of beauty “Don’ts”. Can you share some of these with readers?

These are all lessons I’ve learned through personal experience. They include “Don’t tell a make-up artist who you don’t know that you’re fine with “anything” – they may take that literally”. Once when I made this mistake, it led to a look I hadn’t been planning on styling out on live television – bright blue eyeshadow to match my bright blue top. When it comes to make-up, I truly believe that less is more.

Another lesson I’ve learned is “Don’t ever let anyone use straighteners on your wet hair, even if they’re trained in hair and make-up”. You will hear your hair sizzle. You will smell it burn. You will also see it appear destroyed. Not a great look.

What does your beauty routine involve?

Every morning I cleanse with Elemis Pro- Collagen Cleansing Balm. Then I might exfoliate with Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm. I tone with Cowshed Toner.

Then I apply some SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic along with SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel and then some Oskia Bedtime Beauty Boost as a rich moisturiser. I might vary that with Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizing balm, which gives a gorgeous, dewy look. A touch of Charlotte Tilbury highlighter to minimise bags under my eyes, some Chanel or Charlotte Tilbury bronzing base on my cheekbones and then some Bobbi Brown blusher and Benefit mascara, topped off with NYX lip gloss.

My hair I shampoo and condition every day, varying my shampoo every now and again. I’m currently in love with Andrew Barton’s haircare range, and I use a spray before I blow dry to protect and add volume. I also apply vast amounts of body moisturiser – Vaseline Intensive Care cocoa butter or Body Shop Satsuma body butter are my faves.

If you could choose the products for your dream make-up bag, what would they be?

Charlotte Tilbury Rock Chick Eye Palette; Benefit mascara; Chanel Vitalumiere base and Chanel blusher; Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation; Bobbi Brown concealer; Laura Mercier lip gloss and lipstick palettes; a full, gorgeous brush collection, and nude lip liner. Most of these are in my actual make-up bag!

And what about skincare – do you have a favourite brand?

I have a few fave brands. For more affordable products, I like The Body Shop. Their cleansing oil is amazing. But Elemis, Oskia and Skinceuticals are particular favourites of mine. They do cost a bit more, but your face is on show ever day. Some people splash out on shoes but scrimp on beauty products – where’s the logic?

How do you cope with getting up at 2.30am for your early morning show on Heart FM?

The getting up is easy – it’s the staying awake that’s tricky at the other end of the day. But I do a lot of exercise as I feel that helps hugely. It energises me, which is ironic because it also feels like it’s physically exhausting me. I often run home after my radio show or go to a bootcamp class. I also try to avoid too many stodgy foods during the day and have lighter meals if I want to stay awake. I don’t get much sleep – five hours a night on average, which isn’t ideal, but I certainly catch up at weekends.

How do you juggle being mum of a lively four-year-old with your busy work schedule? Are you very organised or do things just fall into place?

I am a schedule queen. I make schedules every single day and no day is the same. We have no help other than getting my mum to visit for prolonged periods of time, so when my husband James and I are on our own, it’s one big ig juggle. We seem to cope on the whole though.

Our daughter Ella goes to nursery until 3pm a few days a week, so generally we can tailor our days around this. My work day starts when my alarm goes at 2.30am, so generally I’m done in time to pick Ella up. If not, then we have to find a solution – and it’s different every time! You have your own sportswear line at Debenhams.

Would you consider launching your own beauty products one day? If so, what kind of products would they be?

I would LOVE my own beauty range. I discussed it a few years ago and have a good idea of what I’d like to develop. It’s just a case of finding the right team to develop it with. Liz Earle has done incredibly well and brought some stunning products onto the market. I admire her success and would love to do something like that myself.

You’ve had some to-die-for jobs in your career, including presenting Fantasy Homes by the Sea, hosting travel shows and reporting on I’m A Celebrity from Australia. Of all of your jobs, including your current radio and GMTV work, which have been your favourites and why?

I love each job in a different way. The travelling I’ve done for ITV’s How to Holiday, BBC’s Holiday, GMTV, and Fantasy Homes was incredible. I’ve acquired a lovely amount of air miles and been able to do a big recce to see where I’d like to return to with my own family. I think these jobs have been personal favourites.

Seeing the world for work was a privilege that I cherished and it’s a shame that it happens much less frequently these days, but then again, I’m a mum now and travelling away, leaving my daughter at home on a regular week on/week off basis is hard. I did that for a large part of the first year of her life and I missed her terribly, but then that’s the reality of being a freelance presenter. Jobs all have a few pros and cons.

You’ve been a presenter on the National Lottery Live for ten years now. What would you do if you actually won?

If I won the lottery, I would be very happy! I’d sort my family out and make sure my daughter was secure for the future. I’d probably give a chunk to the charities I work with and then I would go on holiday. A lot.

I would LOVE my own beauty range