I'm 48, and at this point I don't want a complicated makeup routine. I want my skin to look smoother and brighter, I want to look a little more polished and awake, and I want everything to stay put while I'm actually living my life.

That might mean working indoors and outside, running errands, dealing with rentals, taking my daughter somewhere, going to dinner or even going dancing later that night.

And I definitely don't want to spend the day touching up my makeup.

After trying plenty of foundations and BB creams over the years, I've found one that I keep reaching for: Erborian BB Cream with Ginseng SPF 20.

I've been using it for months, I'm already into another tube, and I recently bought two more.

So I'm sharing why I like it, exactly how I apply it, and the rest of my very simple everyday makeup routine.

The BB Cream That Replaced Foundation Most Days for Me

The star of this routine is the Erborian BB Cream with Ginseng.

I use the shade Doré.

What I like most isn't simply that it provides coverage. It's the way my skin looks after I apply it.

On me, it gives enough coverage to even things out without feeling like I'm wearing a heavy layer of foundation. I find that it visually softens some of my texture and gives my skin a smoother, almost blurred appearance.

And that matters to me much more now than simply covering every single spot.

Erborian describes the formula as a lightweight BB cream designed to even the appearance of skin tone, refine the look of texture and create a smoother-looking finish.

That's pretty close to what I experience when I wear it.

It doesn't make my actual skin perfect—and I don't expect makeup to do that—but I like the overall finish enough that I continually choose it over other foundations I own.

Why It Works for Me

There are a few things I'm specifically looking for in complexion makeup now:

• enough coverage to even my skin
• lightweight texture
• something that doesn't look cakey
• less emphasis on fine lines and texture
• a finish that isn't greasy
• wear that lasts through a real day

This checks those boxes for me.

I also like that I can use a very small amount rather than covering my face with a thick layer of foundation.

And for mature skin, I think how much product you use can matter almost as much as which product you choose.

A Quick Note About the SPF 20

The Erborian BB Cream contains SPF 20, which is a nice extra.

I would not consider that a reason to skip adequate daytime sun protection, though.

Think of the SPF in your makeup as an extra rather than your entire sun-protection plan.

How I Apply BB Cream Without Emphasizing Texture

My daytime skin prep is intentionally simple.

Because I use stronger skincare products at night, in the morning I generally use:

1. a gentle cleanser
2. a lightweight moisturizer
3. then my makeup

For the BB cream, I use a clean, damp Beautyblender.

I've tried applying foundation with brushes, but this continues to work best for me.

I use roughly a small dab for each side of my face and gently press and blend rather than trying to build a heavy layer everywhere.

I tend to concentrate more coverage across my cheeks and areas where I want more evening-out, then use less product around my nose and mouth.

That's one of my biggest everyday makeup lessons:

You don't necessarily need the same amount of foundation everywhere on your face.

If there's a specific dark spot that still bothers me, I can add a tiny amount of concealer there instead of adding another layer of foundation over my entire face.

The goal isn't to completely erase my skin.

I just want it to look like a better, more even version of itself.

Cream Blush Keeps the Look Fresh

For an easy daytime look, I usually reach for a cream blush.

I have several that I like, including the Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Stick and NARS The Multiple.

I concentrate the blush higher on my cheeks rather than dragging it very low.

For me, this gives a fresher effect without requiring contour, bronzer and several additional steps.

If I want a little more color or staying power, I'll lightly layer a powder blush over it.

But for everyday makeup, I don't think you need six different cheek products.

I Use Powder Strategically—Not Everywhere

Powder can be tricky as skin gets drier or more textured.

Rather than heavily powdering my entire face, I use it in specific areas.

I like a yellow-toned brightening powder underneath my eyes and occasionally around my nose — I use the Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder in Buttery, which is a sheer brightening yellow. It helps brighten that area without adding heaviness.

Then, near the end of my routine, I use IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores through areas such as my T-zone.

The idea isn't to make my entire face completely matte.

I'm using powder where I want a little more blur, setting or shine control.

That's an important distinction if you find that powder suddenly seems to make your skin look older:

Try using less of it and only where you actually need it.

My Everyday Eye Makeup Is Very Simple

I'm not doing an elaborate eye look every morning.

Most days, I use neutral brown shadows from a palette I already own.

I typically use:

• a medium neutral shade over the lid and slightly above the crease
• a lighter shade to even or brighten
• a little of the medium shade underneath the lower lash line
• a tiny amount of a lighter shade at the inner corners

Because my eyes are hooded, I bring some of the shadow slightly above the natural crease so it can actually be seen when my eyes are open.

You absolutely do not need the exact palette I use.

A good neutral palette with a few flattering browns and a light highlighting shade can accomplish the same thing.

And honestly, I'd rather use a palette I already own and like than continually buy new eyeshadow just because something new launches.

If I Wear Eyeliner, I Keep It Simple

I don't always use eyeliner, but when I do, I like the Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencils, particularly the brown and darker neutral shades.

I've also tried greens and purples.

At this stage, I'm less interested in creating a dramatic line and more interested in adding a little definition around my eyes.

You can also use your darker eyeshadow along the lash line instead of eyeliner if you prefer a softer effect.

Brows Make a Bigger Difference Than You Might Think

If I had to choose the steps that make the most noticeable difference on my face, brows would be near the top.

My brows are naturally fairly thin and sparse.

I've used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Soft Brown for many years because I can make very small strokes instead of drawing on one solid eyebrow.

Then I use the spoolie on the other end to blend everything together.

I don't want my brows to dominate my face.

I just want enough structure to frame it.

I've also used castor oil on my brows for years and personally noticed that my brows became fuller over time. I can't say with certainty that castor oil caused that growth, so I consider that my personal experience rather than a proven effect.

The Mascara I Keep Reaching For

I've bought a lot of mascara.

Expensive mascara. Drugstore mascara. Mascaras promising practically every lash miracle imaginable.

And one I continue reaching for is the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Tubing Mascara.

I like the length and definition it gives me without making my lashes feel extremely heavy or clumpy.

I normally curl my lashes first using my e.l.f. eyelash curler and then apply mascara to the upper lashes.

Sometimes I'll add it to my bottom lashes, sometimes I won't.

Not every step has to happen every day.

The Three Makeup Products I'd Choose If I Had to Simplify Even More

If you made me narrow this entire routine down to only three things, I'd probably choose:

1. BB Cream

To even and soften the overall appearance of my skin.

2. Brow Pencil

Because brows frame my face and make a surprisingly large difference.

3. Mascara

Because defined lashes immediately make my eyes look more finished.

That combination alone can take me from completely bare-faced to feeling much more put together without doing a full face of makeup.

My Last Step: A Little Powder Where I Need It

Once everything else is done, I'll use a little IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores.

I especially like pressing it around my T-zone where I want to reduce the appearance of shine and pores.

IT Cosmetics describes it as a natural-matte setting powder designed to blur the appearance of pores and control shine.

Sometimes I'll lightly sweep a larger brush over the rest of my face to set everything.

Sometimes I use setting spray.

Often I don't.

And that's essentially the entire routine.