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This week, dear readers, I bring you an announcement: after four and a half years, Better Not Younger has reached its close. This is the last week you’ll find me writing a column at the back of Inspire, albeit next week, you might find me penning a feature at the front.

For beauty isn’t vanishing from Inspire’s pages – far from it. It’s just being reinvented as I have encouraged us all to reinvent. The key to growing older without feeling old hat is to keep evolving, while maintaining a strong sense of self.

The grooming industry itself has never been more flourishing. The British Beauty Council’s most recent report revealed that its contribution to the nation’s GDP is outpacing the wider economy, reaching £30.4bn in 2024. Last year saw an 8 per cent increase in consumer outlay, Britain’s beauty spend growing to £32.4 billion. The sector directly employed 496,000 workers. This is a larger workforce than, say, the sports, amusement, and recreation sector. Beauty is a force: economic, social and creative.

The 40-plus ‘silver pound’ is a colossal part of this spend, whether we chose to go silver or not. We live at a glorious time for powerfully beautiful older role models, hundreds of whom I have celebrated on this page. Like them, we can choose to tweak or not to tweak, get real or go faux – your face, your choice.

So what have I learnt in over 200 columns?

Certain elements have not altered. I still shop high/low. I spend my money where it matters (excellent SPF, incredible foundation, sublime scent), then economise where budget still means brilliant (cleanser, lip balm, body products).

Skincare-wise, I’m low-key. I cleanse religiously: micellar, then an oil, and finally a milk, until every last scrap of sunblock and slap has vanished. And I am obsessive with SPF, under which I layer face oil to lend suppleness and gleam. Yet to protect? Buy Hello Sunday The Everyday One SPF 50 (now £13.50, Boots.com) today. However, I’m not a Vitamin C sporter by day, nor a retinol addict by night. Before bed, I simply apply any decent serum that’s knocking about, whether that’s by purse-friendly The Ordinary or lavishly luxurious Sisley. Boots, Superdrug, L’Oréal, Q+A, Beauty Pie, French Pharmacy and Korean brands can be relied upon for budget winners.

I recently had a facial (rare) and the therapist was horrified to hear that – despite receiving products for free – I am so low-maintenance; very much not boasting the world’s most costly routine. But, the best things are not always the most expensive, as I trust this column has proved. You do not need a bankrupting 12-step routine to boast a perfect complexion. Indeed, this will probably sensitise it.

As for make-up, I may adore it, but as I head towards 55 next March, I wear less slap, more judiciously applied. I strive to make my complexion look glowing with foundation.

Then, I give my features some sort of frame: subtle brow lift, lip liner and cheek and jaw contour. Finally, I add some element of colour. Job done.

I always flatter my colouring. If you still haven’t established whether your undertone is cool, warm or neutral, use the old trick of looking at the underside of your wrists. If your veins appear blue, you are probably cool; if they look green, you are likely warm; and if there’s not much in it, you sit happily in the middle.

So what has changed in my years as your beauty correspondent? I may look fairly unchanged from four and a half years ago; older, of course, but broadly the same in terms of hair and make-up. However, within this, I’m constantly nano-tweaking.

I may be conservative in what I do to my complexion, but I am radical in what I will embrace on the cosmetic front, from black lip gloss to daffodil nails; or – my latest pash – scarlet lips and lilac eyeshadow. I’m not suggesting we fall hook, line and sinker for every passing vogue. Still, looking current is key to looking ageless. Gen Z trends have much to teach Gen Xers and Boomers, as Gen Alpha ones will in time.

At the same time, technology, textures and tricks are constantly updating. Regular readers will know that I’m forever switching up my base. I’m not ashamed of my foundation wardrobe. Resplendent-looking skin is the most spring chickenish and confidence-imparting gesture we can make. Tirtir’s Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation (from £12.50, sephora.co.uk) is my latest fix: four tiny swipes for outstandingly radiant, yet real-looking skin.

My skimpy Nineties and Noughties brows were ageing me so I’ve re-thatched them (and my lashes) with Revitalash (£69, revitalash.co.uk) and its cheaper imitators.

Hair-wise, there’s been no radical change of style. But, over-50, I throw more time, money and conditioning at it – and nourishing my scalp with nutrients and stimulators. And it’s straight to trichologist Anabel Kingsley if matters start to look wimpy. Again, don’t feel you have to splash out: Charles Worthington’s Menoplex range (from £6.60, Boots.com) nourishes 40-plus tresses.

I know I’ll only use body products if they smell amazing. This means Aromatherapy Associates, This Works, Kneipp, Akt, Messiah & Eve and Olverum will always find a place on my bathroom shelf.

And there are still new areas to explore. Before I officially hit my mid-50s, I’m going to get to grips with tools: face and hair. Between now and March, I’ll be lasering and airwrapping and reporting back.

We women of a certain age aren’t obliged to scrub up. We’re wonderful just as we are. Grooming isn’t a necessity, but it is a pure joy. Potions, powders and paint are a daily delight, helping us plough on through life’s less glamorous moments. Sisters, it has been a privilege to be your columnist, as it will be a privilege to be your feature writer. Come join me and let’s bring ever more beauty on!

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