50-51 crafting...?

[Stelaria]

So, I just hit level 50 in all of the crafting classes. Up to this point, everything's been fairly manageable, if not easy, but now I'm barely able to even create level 50+ recipes, requiring up to eight synthesis actions to even complete NQ progress.

What's more, it seems like some of the bottom-tier collectable items actually require 1-star level 50 materials. I don't understand how to proceed from this point, since I don't want to expend large quantities of materia at this stage or go through the ARR endgame grinds for gear I'll soon discard, but the XP totals required to level via sheer grinding seem completely insurmountable. Right now, my craftsmanship, control and CP on most classes are all around ~300, but it seems as if I need them at 350-400 to even stand a chance.

Since I'm completely out of leve allowances, the most efficient option would seem to be crafting collectables using only HQ materials... but this can't be intentional, can it?

Edit: on further inspection, it seems like Heavensward crafts suddenly become massively easier on hitting 51? Is there some kind of crafter level/recipe level mechanic that's dramatically reducing the efficacy of actions if you're 50- and the recipe is 51+?