Glow by Lady E

I ’ve been reaching for cream makeup more often lately. My skin is very dry, so cream formulas have become particularly appealing to me. I generally find them more comfortable to work with, especially when I want makeup that doesn’t emphasize dryness. That’s why a recent eyeshadow purchase surprised me. I tried the BYS Mallow Touch Bouncy Clay Eyeshadow palette, expecting something closer to the cream eyeshadows I’ve enjoyed using. The colors are lovely, and the palette certainly looks promising. But the application wasn’t quite what I expected. Instead of looking smooth on my eyelids, the eyeshadow appeared noticeably dry. It was also difficult to blend, which made the application less enjoyable than I’m accustomed to with cream formulas. What surprised me most was that this isn’t usually how cream eyeshadows behave on my lids. Or was I just having an extra dry day? 😆 Of course, not every cream formula is the same. Some have a softer, more emollient texture, while others fee...

I skipped these palettes. They’re very pretty, but won’t work on me There are colors I find absolutely beautiful but rarely wear. An eyeshadow palette might have the loveliest arrangement of shades. A lipstick might look irresistible in its packaging. A blouse might catch my attention simply because the color is gorgeous. But I’ve learned that admiring a color and actually using it are two very different things. Some shades look wonderful in the pan but don’t translate quite the same way on my skin. I was told coral would look lovely on my skin, but it just turns into a gaudy orange! 🙄 Others look beautiful on someone else but don’t flatter me in quite the same way. And sometimes, a color suits me perfectly but doesn’t work with anything else in my wardrobe. That’s the difference between a pretty color and a useful one. A useful color doesn’t necessarily have to be neutral or practical in the conventional sense. It can be bright, unusual, or wonderfully dramatic. It simply has to...

This is my experience with watercolor tubes and pans.  When I first started exploring watercolor painting, I discovered that choosing between tubes and pans wasn’t simply a matter of which one was better. They each offered a different painting experience. Watercolor pans are wonderfully convenient. The paint is already dry and arranged in individual compartments. A little water activates the pigment, making pans particularly useful for quick sketches, small illustrations, and painting away from a dedicated workspace. I also appreciate how easy they are to put away. There’s no need to squeeze out fresh paint, and a compact palette doesn’t take up much room. Watercolor tubes , on the other hand, give me the option of working with freshly squeezed paint. I can prepare larger amounts of a particular color, adjust the consistency, and mix shades directly on my palette. One thing worth knowing is that tube paint doesn’t necessarily have to be used immediately. Many watercolor paints...

Some stories need a little more room. When I began writing Gentle Healing , I wanted to explore the quieter parts of life: the thoughts we carry, the expectations we place on ourselves, and the small ways we learn to treat ourselves with greater kindness. As the series unfolded, I found myself wanting to continue the conversation beyond the pages of Glow. And so, Gentle Healing Extended was born. I’m creating a complimentary digital editorial edition featuring five new, personal essays about finding our way toward a softer, more intentional life. Alongside the magazine, I’ll also be sharing Soul Notes: Before the Day Begins , a printable morning journaling companion. A little space to gather your thoughts before the day begins asking things of you. I’d love to send you a copy. Early access registration is now open. Simply leave your first name and email address through the form below, and I’ll send the magazine and its journaling companion to your inbox when they’re released. ...

I collaged this mini notebook. This is part of my City Cats Collection. One client bought the full collection. This was my favorite I have a weakness for beautiful notebooks. Give me a lovely cover, good paper, and a design that catches my eye, and I’ll probably stop to admire it. The trouble begins when I bring one home. I like buying notebooks from popular Japanese brands, but lately, I’ve been making a lot of my own, with my own designs for the covers. Sometimes, a notebook is so pretty that I hesitate to write in it. I start wondering what deserves those pages. Should I use it for important plans? Creative ideas? A journal? Something worth keeping? And before I know it, the notebook is sitting on a shelf, waiting for a purpose grand enough to justify opening it. And you know what’s worse than that? Discovering them a few years later and they’re already yellow or moldy. That sucks. But I’ve learned that a notebook doesn’t need an important assignment to be useful. It can hold...

I got the brush roll and the pouch for free! I ’ve used different art materials over the years, but trying Tombow brush pens for the first time was a pleasant surprise. Just a background. I’ve always wanted to use brush pens, but I feel that they are too stiff compared to, say, watercolor brushes..or even acrylic brushes.  I found this particular set at a local crafting event by Googly Gooeys and The Happy Station at Sheraton hotel.  I couldn’t resist the pastel shades. I’m a deep autumn gal, but I really liked these. I told myself that I’d give it another try. I’ve only started painting in late May and my fingers are not that flexible yet, so I was a little afraid to use brush pens.  The first thing I noticed was how much control I had over the strokes. The flexible brush tip allowed me to create both delicate lines and broader shapes simply by changing the pressure. It took a little getting used to, but I enjoyed how naturally the colors flowed onto the paper. I cannot...