Background
Hammer was born to Bangladeshi parents in Nigeria where her father was a doctor.
Hammer was born to Bangladeshi parents in Nigeria where her father was a doctor.
In 1984, Hammer graduated with a Bachelor (Honours) in Economics from City University London.
She emigrated with her family to Britain at the age of 13. In 1986, whilst pregnant, she modelled in the 1987 Mothercare catalogue. In 1998, Hammer teamed up with beauty publicist Millie Kendall to create the Ruby & Millie cosmetics brand, sold exclusively in Boots pharmacies nationwide.
lieutenant became one of the most innovative brands to be launched in the international beauty industry in decades and was the first major United Kingdom cosmetics brand to launch in 30 years.
In August 1998, the first Ruby & Millie site was opened in Harvey Nichols in Leeds and London. Hammer has created looks for photographers, runways for designers, including John Galliano and Jasper Conran, and has worked on photo shoots for fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, Red, Harpers and Queen, Bazaar and Marie Claire.
She is regularly quoted on trends, beauty tips and advice. Hammer worked on advertising campaigns and televisions commercials for international brands such as Oil of Olay, Pantene and Head & Shoulders.
She has been asked to launch products, advise on new looks and train personnel for Estee Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Aveda and Revlon.
Her television credits includes The Clothes Show, British Broadcasting Corporation Style Challenge, Britain"s Next Top Model, GMTV, This Morning, and 10 Years Younger, where she was the resident makeup artist for 3 series. In December 2009, Ruby & Millie launched teen cosmetics range Scarlett and Crimson. In September 2011, Hammer launched launch the cosmetics beauty gifting range "Ruby Hammer Recommends" exclusive to Debenhams.
Since March 2012, Hammer has been a beauty columnist for Easy Living magazine.
Editorial Hammer, Ruby; Kendall, Millie. (2000). Face Up: The Essential Make-up Handbook.
Ebury Publishing. 978-0091874759.
In 2007, Hammer was appointed Member of the British Empire (Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2007 New Year Honours for her contribution to the cosmetics industry.