What's In Her Bag? A 52-year-old banker who uses a $39 'bee venom' serum every night.

Mamamia’s What’s In Her Bag series asks Aussie women to give us a look at their everyday beauty routines. Kind of like a sex diary but with beauty. So… not like a sex diary at all. We discover what women are putting on their faces, how much of their hard-earned cash goes towards beauty, and what works for their busy lives. There’s no right or wrong, just real beauty from real women. This week, a 52-year-old banker shows us what’s in her bag.

Side note – here’s 7 easy ways to improve your skin while you sleep. Post continues after video.

Name: Evelyn.

Age: 52.

Job: Banker.

Skin type: Normal. (You can learn more about different skin types here.)

Biggest skin concern: Pigmentation around the eyes and cheekbones, and lines around my eyes and lips.

AM skincare routine.

My morning routine is very quick and simple, and gets me out the door fast. I use my Simple cleanser in the shower every morning as I feel the product sinks into my skin easier when it’s a little damp. I don’t use any toners or exfoliators because, as I’m getting older, it feels like my skin texture is changing and I don’t want to overload on too many extras.

I have two day moisturisers that I rotate. One is my Spendy (more on that later) that I only use when I’m going out, have an important client meeting or presentation. Otherwise, I use the Go-To Very Useful Face Cream as my everyday moisturiser. I then wait around 15 minutes before applying my sunscreen and makeup. I don’t really veer off this daily skincare routine, and on the weekends if I’m staying at home or working in the garden, I just slap on some sunscreen and I’m good to go! It’s the one thing I’m religious about.

Simple Moisturising Facial Wash, $9.99.

Go-To Very Useful Face Cream, 100ml for $72.

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 30+, $38.

PM skincare routine.

I’m ashamed to say... it’s very rare for me to properly cleanse my face before bed. Usually, I just use a makeup wipe, serum, night moisturiser and then I’m done. If I’ve had a long day with a full face of makeup on, I will cleanse with my Simple cleanser.

My skin does get sensitive and sometimes goes quite red after cleansing and removing makeup. To avoid this, I use the Evolve Skincare Laser Soothe product that was recommended to me by my hair specialist. It’s a hyaluronic gel with aloe and it cools my skin right down. I also use this quite religiously in the summer after spending time outdoors.

I love using the Wild Fern's Bee Venom Serum because it's a natural product and very soothing with the Manuka honey. I then pop my Clinique Moisture Surge over the top, and that's it. My daughters are constantly telling me that I need to invest in an eye cream but I haven’t yet found one that I am happy with.

Simple Moisturising Facial Wash, $9.99.

Evolve Skincare Laser Soothe Cooling and Calming Hyaluronic Gel, buy in clinic.

Wild Fern's Bee Venom Serum, $38.70.

Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-replenishing Hydrator, 75ml for $85.

Everyday makeup routine.

Like my skincare routine, I use makeup depending on what events I have on. On days I’m just going from home to the office and back, or on weekends, I don’t wear any makeup besides some eyeliner and a lip colour. I have only recently started using primer (I had no idea what primer even was until a few months ago) and I love it! It makes my skin feel so smooth and my makeup look better.

I use a MAC foundation, but only a few drops as the coverage is intense. I wear this with a Maybelline concealer under my under eyes for dark circle coverage. I used to like wearing tinted BB creams, but I would find in different lighting they didn't properly match my South Asian skin tone. As I’m getting older, my skin is lightening but the undertone is still different to a lot of the base products available here in Australia.

I am Clinique’s biggest fan and I find all their products work great with my skin. On days when I’m going out, I use their eyeliner and mascara... although I haven’t quite figured out how to apply mascara without getting it everywhere, it’s a learning process. My daughters recently introduced me to matte lipsticks and they’re amazing! Finally, a lipstick that looks good and won’t rub off on my entire face/coffee mug.

Bobbi Brown do the best bronzers for my skin tone, I’ve been using them for years and they never fail to impress me. I also use their bronzer as an eyeshadow for the evenings. I don’t really use a setting spray or powder but... if I have a long day ahead of me, I sneak into my daughter’s room and use hers.

Mecca Max First Base Primer with SPF 30, $20.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation, $54.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer, $19.95.

Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick, $78.

Revlon Sculpt and Highlight Contour Kit, $24.95.

Clinique High Impact Mascara, $39.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes, $36.

BareMinerals GEN NUDE Matte Liquid Lipcolour, $29.

Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder, $60.

Hair care, body and fragrance.

I really try to take care of my hair. I've found it needs more help as I'm getting older, so I use a shampoo for dry hair and put an argan oil through the ends after I've washed it. I also use the Viviscal growth product to help with my hair texture.

My body care is quite basic - I use a Natio body lotion after showering at night. As for fragrance, I like to reapply throughout the day. I spritz on Calvin Klein Women in the mornings, but will always have a Tory Burch rollerball fragrance in my handbag for touch ups. If I'm going out, I'll wear a Versace perfume.

Sukin Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry and Damaged Hair, $14.99 each.

Natio Argan Oil Treatment, $24.95.

Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Elixir, $34.99.

Natio Wellness Body Lotion, $13.95.

Calvin Klein Women EDP, 50ml for $100.

Tory Burch Signature EDP Rollerball, US$30.

Versace Pour Femme EDP, 100ml for $220.

Evelyn's Spendy (expensive buy): Ella Bachè Spirulines Firming Day Cream.

I have recently (through the persuasion of my daughters) invested in the Ella Bachè Firming Day Cream and as someone who tries not to spend more than $30 on their face, this has been one of my favourite purchases. The moisturiser sinks in quickly and lasts the whole day. It does tone the skin up, but I don’t use this every day because I don’t want to waste it!

Ella Bachè Spirulines Firming Day Cream, $125.

Evelyn's Savey (budget buy): Chambor Orosa Eyeliner.

My Chambor Orosa eyeliner is the best and so cheap! Sadly, it's not available in Australia but I definitely recommend it to anyone who plans on travelling to India. It's an Indian brand and the best eyeliner I have ever discovered. It’s thick, dark and smudge-proof. It also lasts the whole day but comes off easily with a makeup wipe.

Chambor Orosa Eyeliner, not available in Aus.

Mamamia's What's In Her Bag series drops every Wednesday. Want to share your beauty routine? Easy, just send us your What's In Her Bag story to submissions@mamamia.com.au.

You can perve through more What's In Her Bag stories here:

• What's In Her Bag? An ICU nurse who works 12-hour shifts and uses a $10 Aldi serum.
• What's In Her Bag? A 31-year-old dance teacher who uses a $228 tool for dark under eye circles.
• What's In Her Bag? A 53-year-old midwife who uses a $1,653 skincare routine.
• What's In Her Bag? A 29-year-old designer with a 9-step evening skincare routine.

Want to chat more about beauty? We've got a podcast for that. For helpful advice, interviews and great exxy and budget beauty recommendations, get the You Beauty podcast in your ears below.