There isn’t much that Ruby Hammer MBE doesn’t know about beauty. Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, she is one of the most influential and respected make up artists in the world. Her work has featured in leading magazines including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire, and she’s worked with key beauty brands including Estee Lauder, Clarins and Clinique.
Ruby’s TV credits include The Clothes Show, Britain’s Next Top Model, This Morning and Channel 4’s 10 Years Younger, where she was the resident makeup artist.
In 1998, Ruby joined forces with Millie Kendal to launch the Ruby & Millie makeup range. Sadly now discontinued, we still miss the blusher sticks. Ruby’s back in business with her own range of beauty basics. First up, a magnetic brush set.
We asked Ruby to tell us her Beauty Story, the five products and treatments that she swears by in midlife. It’s an inspiring list.
The Belgravia Centre, Hair Vitalics, £18.75
My hair has become my main area of concern. As I’ve got older, I’ve been able to manage most changes reasonably well, but my hair thinning totally caught me off guard.
I’ve tried lots of things to help including different shampoos, supplements and styling sprays but ageing, paired with the effects of the menopause, meant my hair health has deteriorated. My hair has become much thinner.
I recently started taking Hair Vitalics for Women supplements, which were developed by The Belgravia Centre. They help with general hair health and growth.
I also invested in a CELLRETURN Hair Alpha-Ray, an LED treatment that can be used at home. It fits on your head like a bicycle helmet and you use it for 20 minutes every day (if possible) to boost the density of the hair follicles and the thickness of the hair.
READ MORE: These are the 10 best products for menopause hair loss.
Ruby Hammer Magnetic Brush Set, £28
I could not be without this. With six interchangeable heads, they mix-and-match together and offer me everything I need all in one place. There’s no fussing with lots of different things, and it means I don’t have multiple different tools which could easily be misplaced.
When I’m out and about, it fits easily into any bag so I can top-up on the go. At home, it sits on my dresser. The different heads are so versatile and can be used for different textures, so I know whatever look I’m going for that day or whichever products I choose to use, my magnetic brush set will always come up trumps.
Lumity Morning & Night Female Supplement, £65 per month
It may not seem an obvious choice, but supplements are a key part of my beauty routine. I truly believe that beauty comes from within. You can’t neglect what’s on the inside and not expect it to show on the outside via your skin, hair, nails or even your teeth.
I’ve been taking Lumity Life as part of my daily routine for a while now and they’re a great all-rounder for giving me everything I need to keep my skin, hair and nails hydrated. They also balance my stress, anxiety and help with a restful sleep. I take three tablets in the morning and three in the evening and they work in harmony together to make sure everything is covered.
READ MORE: The best powder supplements to help menopause symptoms.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, £44
As I’ve got older, I’ve realised the power of a blush. Applied correctly, a blusher can boost your radiance, glow and lift the face in a way other products can’t.
My blusher of choice, for ease of application, is a cream blush. You can apply it with your fingers and blend out when you’re in a rush. Or, if you have more time and you want to build more colour, you can apply with a stipple brush. They are super easy to apply, you can play around and find what works for you. It’s hard to go wrong.
Honest Beauty and Glossier do affordable options but you can’t beat the Westman Atelier Sticks or Hourglass if you have more budget.
READ MORE: We’ve found the best makeup for midlife.
Yvonne Martin facial, prices vary
I pride myself on having a strict homecare routine, but there are things in a facial, massage, LED lights or laser, that you just can’t achieve at home.
I’ve been lucky enough in my life to have tried lots of different facials from wonderful facialists such as Vaishaly, Nichola Joss, Dija Ayodele and Yvonne Martin. The boost from seeing an expert and the skills they offer are second-to-none.
An expert will spot things in your skin that might go under the radar for you and they just give you a super-turbo charge – nothing beats it. From extraction to calming facials – I try to book something every six weeks, depending on what I think my skin needs, and how my diary looks. However often you can afford in time or budget I would recommend investing in some me-time and booking a facial.
READ MORE: Would you have a ‘tweakment’?
