Beauty: Age appropriate

It's not only our bodies that can become fragile with age, hair becomes brittle and skin thins as the rate of cell renewal slows with time. It's impossible to regain the first flush of youth when hair shines and skin glows with enviable freshness, but much can be done to maintain condition with good care routines combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Promises of "youth in a jar" are just that, but increasingly what is being bottled are so-called "youth agents", ingredients designed to rev-up natural processes. If you're a mature woman faithfully using conditioner and moisturiser it can't hurt to try ones aimed at the special needs of your hair and skin.

The days when older women were sent home with a purple rinse and prescribed thick, heavy creams are long gone. Women in their 50s were once considered grannies, now they're running marathons, They grew up with Zambesi and they're still wearing it.

And they expect to spend the next several decades aging gracefully. That is if they don't throw in the towel appearance-wise during the often stressful menopausal time when it all gets a bit hard. As well as big life changes, hair can become brittle and skin might get spotty or develop open pores. How unfair is that in advanced adulthood?

Perhaps it's a signal to take stock, to take time out for yourself and reappraise your beauty routines so you remain fresh-faced and ready to tackle the next stage of life. Seek expert advice and don't give up on yourself - or the uplifting effect of the regular use of a little carefully applied makeup.

The baby boomer generation is now well catered for in the skincare sector and there's a growing range of targeted haircare coming out. Product textures and treatments have changed markedly in recent years and are about adding moisture and radiance without leaving a weighted down feel and heavily done look. Check out what's on offer.

Into the 60s, 70s and beyond women are generally creatures of habit - the trick is to ensure the habits are good ones and you become one of those admired older women who are a picture of elegant self-possession.

1 Q10 Plus Bonacure Time Restore Treatment $29.90
This mask is for mature fragile hair from Schwarzkopf's relaunched Q10 range which has higher levels of the co-enzyme also used in skincare products. Q10 stimulates hair to produce keratin, a vital substance akin to collagen in skin. Production of both slows with ageing. Masks are like super conditioners, replacing conditioning as required to give an added moisture boost to hair.

Like most of the featured hair care this is part of a range including shampoo, conditioning and spray styling products.

2 Wella System Professional Silver Saver Shampoo $31
This shampoo gently cleanses hair, improving structure and adding shine, but most helpfully it deters unwanted brassy tones. 5 8 6 7 9Designed to be used every second wash on both naturally silver and colour-treated hair.

3 Wella Bio Touch Resist Shampoo $26
To combat hair becoming limper, duller and more brittle, plant antioxidants from Rooibos (red bush) feature in the Bio Touch cleansing range. The shampoo also contains creatine and plant proteins in a formula designed to act like face base primer by first smoothing the shaft to better shield hair and add shine. A single-dose treatment serum ($11) delivers an intense treatment.

4 Kerastase Paris Age Premium Laque Substantive Finishing Spray $38
This strong-hold spray with antioxidants derived from the pomegranate comes out in a fine mist, sits lightly on the hair and can be reapplied to prolong your style. In developing the Age Premium range for women 55+, Kerastase identified three main hair concerns: fragility, loss of density and dry scalp issues and set about supplementing a complex to help. This contains calcium and vitamin derivatives, ceramides for smoothness, a UV filter and moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid. Age Premium is also available in concentrated form as a salon ritual.

5 Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Radiance Lifting Makeup $82
This light-reflecting foundation with SPF15 firms as well as covers. It needs a little working into the skin, but it's worth it for the flawless finish.

6 L'Oreal Color Riche Anti-Age Serum Lip Colour in Bright Burgundy $22.99
Serums aren't just for skin these days, they're putting them into lipsticks and even mascaras. This slick little number is designed to improve lip definition, fill surface lines and create fuller looking lips with a bunch of moisturising and revitalising ingredients good enough to eat.

7 Nivea Visage Vital Triple Action Intensive Serum $29.99
From a range designed for 60+ skin to firm and reduce wrinkles, this light gel-cream serum absorbs easily on the face, neck and decollete. It's enriched with soy protein and hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture. (Stockists 0800 008 081.)

8 Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant $109
This hero of the AgeSmart range combines physical and chemical exfoliants to refine skin texture and enhance absorption. Microgranules gently polish away dull skin cells, while lactic acid and prickly pear extract speeds the process. A power pack of vitamins brightens skin and provides antioxidant defence. (Dermalogica, Westfield Albany and salons ph 0800 433 762.)

9 L'Oreal Age Re-Perfect Re-Plumping Foundation $49.99
Hydrating, lasting formula glides across rather than glugs up wrinkles. Designed for dry mature to very mature skin, this gives a thorough coverage with a natural look. I'm several decades off the target market, but this is one of the best mid-range foundations I've trialled.

With SPF12 and well worth a go. The Age Re-Perfect range also includes a combo eye and lip cream for $39.99.

Stockists: Haircare from selected salons. Wella ph 0800 800 128, Kerastase 0800 657 666 and Schwarzkopf 0800 500 515.