The 13 make-up products every woman over 50 should ditch - and the ones to use instead, according to make-up artist RUBY HAMMER

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreWhen it comes to make-up, it's easy to get stuck in a routine. We find a foundation we love, settle on a favourite eyeshadow palette and stick to the same techniques for years. But as our skin changes, so too can our make-up needs. And according to make-up artist Ruby Hammer, one of the biggest mistakes women over 50 can make is sticking rigidly to the products and routines they've used for decades.‘Be open to evolving your routine, have fun and experiment. What looked flattering decades ago can be harsh or dated today,’ she explains.That doesn't mean throwing away your entire make-up bag. Rather, it's about choosing formulas that work with your skin, rather than against it. ‘Foundation isn't there to mask your face, let your skin show through,’ says Hammer, who also warns against over-powdering, as heavy formulas can strip the skin of its natural luminosity. According to make-up artist Ruby Hammer, one of the biggest mistakes women over 50 can make is sticking rigidly to the products and routines they've used for decades.So, what should you be using instead? From complexion heroes to the finishing touches, these are the 14 make-up essentials Hammer recommends.1. Out: An overly matte primerIn: A hydrating primerPrimer is still an important step, but choosing the right formula is key. ‘Age is not a skin type,’ says Hammer, who recommends selecting one according to your individual skin concerns. Hydrating and radiance-boosting formulas are often particularly flattering, while overly matte bases can settle into fine lines.‘Primers are designed to give the perfect canvas for the subsequent products, improving longevity, addressing skin concerns or texture.’Apply a pea-sized amount with your fingertips, allowing skincare to settle first and concentrating on areas where make-up tends to migrate or separate.Ruby’s recommendations:2. Out: Heavy, full-coverage foundationIn: A luminous baseThe aim is to let your natural complexion show through, rather than masking it with layers of foundation. Hammer recommends skin tints and luminous formulas that offer buildable coverage without looking heavy.‘The biggest mistake is application, you don't want to coat the entire face in a thick blanket that robs the colour and movement from your face.’Instead, start at the centre of your face and blend outwards towards the hairline using a soft buffing brush or damp beauty blender.Ruby’s recommendations:3. Out: Thick, cakey concealerIn: A lightweight formulaRather than using one concealer for everything, Hammer suggests having a heavier cream formula for blemishes and a lightweight, fluid option for under the eyes.‘The formula needs to move with your expressions rather than setting like concrete.’She recommends strategically targeting imperfections with a precision brush, then tapping with your fingertips to blend seamlessly. ‘Less is more to avoid concealer caking and settling in fine lines.’Ruby’s recommendations:4. Out: Flesh-toned concealer alone on dark circlesIn: A colour correctorAs skin naturally thins with age, blue and purple vessels beneath the eyes can become more visible, alongside age spots and hyperpigmentation. A colour corrector helps neutralise discolouration before concealer is applied.‘If you layer standard flesh tones straight over dark circles it can go ashy, whereas a colour corrector will neutralise the blue/purple so you need less concealer on top,’ explains Hammer.Peach and apricot tones work well on fair skin, while terracotta is a good option for deeper skin tones.Ruby’s recommendations:5. Out: Heavy powder blushIn: A cream blushBlush is a non-negotiable for Hammer, as it instantly enlivens a tired or dull complexion. Cream and liquid formulas are particularly flattering, melting into the skin to add a natural-looking flush.‘Peachy pinks, soft tawny roses and warm corals are universally uplifting,’ she says. Apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards and outwards for a lifted effect.Ruby’s recommendations:6. Out: Shimmery, grey-toned bronzerIn: A golden, natural-looking bronzerThe aim of bronzer is to add warmth, not completely change your skin tone. ‘Bronzer should look like you've been kissed by the sun rather than change your skin tone,’ says Hammer.Apply lightly around the forehead, over the bridge of the nose and across the cheekbones. She recommends velvety cream bronzers or satin-finish powders in golden honey hues.Ruby’s recommendations: Benefit Hoola Wave £27.20 ‘A gorgeous matte bronzing balm, available in a great range of shades to suit light to deep skin tones.’ Was £34 Shop7. Out: Glittery highlighterIn: A creamy illuminatorFor a healthy-looking glow, opt for creamy illuminators rather than chunky glitter. ‘Creamy illuminators mimic the natural reflection of hydrated skin, whereas glitter can settle into fine lines,’ explains Hammer.Ruby’s recommendations:8. Out: Harsh, dark eyeshadowIn: Soft matte and satin shadesHammer recommends soft mattes, satin finishes and light shimmers in earthy neutrals, taupes, warm slates, muted plums and soft caramels.‘Long wear cream eyeshadows and liquid shadows are great for gliding on without tugging and don't migrate into folds.’For hooded eyes, look straight ahead into a mirror and blend a mid-tone shade slightly above your natural crease, sweeping upwards and outwards to create the illusion of a higher crease.Ruby’s recommendations:9. Out: Thick black eyeliner all around the eyesIn: A soft pencilIf black eyeliner makes your eyes appear smaller, try softer shades of grey, brown, blue or mulberry. Hammer also recommends tightlining rather than drawing a thick line around the entire eye.‘Using a soft micro pencil push the pencil right into the root of the lashes from underneath. This frames the iris without impacting the waterline or taking up precious lid space.’Ruby’s recommendations: Ruby Hammer Precision Eyeliner £14.40 ‘Available in black and brown, this is the perfect precision pencil for tightlining. The tip gets right into the lash roots without dragging or skipping.’ Was £18 Shop10. Out: Heavy, blocky browsIn: A fine-tipped brow pencilBrows naturally become thinner and sparser with age, but heavy definition isn't the answer. ‘You want soft feathery texture,’ says Hammer.Start by brushing hairs upwards with a spoolie, then use an ultra-fine pencil or soft brow powder to fill sparse areas with delicate, hair-like strokes. Finish with a clear brow gel to hold everything in place.Ruby’s recommendations:11. Out: Heavy, clumpy mascaraIn: A tubing formulaLashes can become thinner with age, while watery eyes and hooded lids can make mascara smudging more likely. Hammer recommends lifting, curling and tubing formulas over heavy, clumpy mascaras.Tubing formulas wrap individual lashes in water-resistant polymers, helping prevent smudging while making removal easier with warm water. Always curl your lashes before applying mascara for extra lift.Ruby’s recommendation:12. Out: Lipstick without definitionIn: A long-lasting lip linerAs lips lose volume and fine lines develop around the mouth, lipstick can become more prone to feathering. A good liner helps prevent this while adding definition.‘A good liner acts as a barrier and sculpts the lip line,’ explains Hammer. Trace the outer edge of your lips, focusing on the Cupid's bow, and choose a shade that matches your lipstick or is one shade deeper.Ruby’s recommendations:13. Out: Flat, matte liquid lipstickIn: A hydrating lip colour‘Stay away from flat, matte liquid lipsticks – they drain moisture and make fine vertical lip lines look deep and dry,’ says Hammer.Instead, look for hydrating lip serum balms, creamy satins and glossy tints that restore cushion and dimension. Warm rose, soft berries, peachy nudes and sheer poppy reds are all flattering options.Ruby’s recommendations: