THIS IS WHAT 51 LOOKS LIKE

Nicola Sexton is single and lives in Suffolk with her two daughters, alex, 24, and charlie, 22. She is a shoe designer and runs her own eponymous footwear brand.

ITALIAN SKINCARE

I DON’T do Botox or fillers, although I’m sure my time will come. I stick to a daily skincare regime. I use Garnier Micellar Water (£5.99, boots.com) to remove my make-up, followed by Strictly Professional’s Cleanser (£6.10,

justmylook.com). Then, I use Kiko Sublime Youth Day and Night cream (both £24.99, kikocosmetics.com). Plus, its Hydra Pro Eyes serum (£19.99).

FAMILY WORKOUTS

I’VE always been a size eight, but it is harder to keep the pounds off since I turned 50. One thing that works is exercising with my daughters. Usually, we go to the gym together after work. Instead, we’ve taken up cycling and a virtual Pilates class; plus plenty of long walks.

LOCKDOWN DIY DYE

I’VE been having my hair cut and highlighted, every six weeks, with the same colourist for more than 20 years — she’s now at a salon called Four, in London, whose clients include Nigella Lawson and Yasmin Le Bon (£270,

fourlondon.com). During lockdown, the salon has been sending me a DIY kit of salon dye (from £75), that I can use to top up my roots at home.

ALWAYS WEAR MAKE-UP

I WOULD never go without make-up, I wouldn’t do that to people! Even during lockdown. For a long-lasting base, I layer L’Oreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer Base (£8.99, boots.

com) with NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop 24 Hour Foundation (£15) and Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (£32, both lookfantastic.com).

MIDLIFE CAREER CHANGE

I’VE always been a high heels girl. I used to work in property. Then, ten years ago, I bought a pair of tan boots with crystal detail, by a designer in Monaco. I got so many compliments I opened my own boutique, selling brands you couldn’t buy in the UK; before going on to design my own. I’m so much more fulfilled. It’s given me a new lease of life.