Dear Face Time, We’re about the same age (I’m also in my early 50s) so I’m wondering: Which products do you actually buy yourself? Do you have any secret favorite products that you haven’t shared? Like what’s in your makeup bag? Inquiring minds want to know! — Nosy but Nice

Dear Nosy but Nice,

It’s funny you ask, because I was just the other day looking through my makeup bag and realizing that, maybe for the first time in my adult life, I’ve actually got my routine down to a tight edit of items that not only work (meaning, they’re effective) but also work particularly well for me.

I am a super-low-maintenance person, at least beautywise, especially considering what I do for a living. I prefer a natural, even messy look; you won’t ever see me with a sleek blowout or in a full face of foundation. I have never once in my whole life double cleansed. I need my makeup, hair and skin care to be as easy as possible or I won’t use it. I want products that feel good on my skin and make me look like I’ve put in just enough effort to seem “pulled together” without taking up a lot of my time. When I choose the items I use every day, it’s always because they’re effectively solving a problem for my 52-year-old face better than other products I’ve tried. My goal is always to keep things as affordable as possible, but I’ll pay up if something is just that good.

Here’s most of what I currently have in rotation, a real murderer’s row of best-in-class beauty, especially if you’re over a certain age.

What's the best makeup for wrinkles? Does retinol work? Ask Jennifer Romolini anything, as the kids say, and she'll answer with straightforward, expert-backed advice. Submit questions in the comments below, on social @yahoolife or email [email protected].