A hit list of nourishment.
Plus soul magic, Good Weather Skin, mud masks, buccaneers, and tending the garden.
This week I was delighted to sneak in a coffee catch up with my friend Nkechi and it sparked a few things. First, could this be the season of less overthinking? And, when life deals you blows, the act of creating really makes a day better.
Ironically, these two things are related. Creativity is the antidote to overthinking.
Creating is about doing, not thinking. Kindling to the creative flame is storytelling. What I love about creativity is it can translate or reveal—you start with a story OR a story emerges.
There are a few modes to creativity—to finding flow. Creativity is the tool for translating an idea and communicating it through a craft. Translating a story often comes with guardrails like outlines, briefs, or production deadlines. It’s still very much creative, but there is a destination and the train runs on a schedule.
Other times, you create just to practice—open the blank page or canvas, get out the paints, and see what comes out. This mode is not “better” but there is more mystery.
There’s some kind of soul magic involved.
My primary craft is writing. Physical and digital notebooks hide in every tote, on the floor by my bed, or blink open on my phone. Never more than an arms-length away, I often reach for one and am astonished by what pours out, like this note from a few weeks ago. When I write without a prompt, I am always surprised by what it reveals.
Finding your form of canvas to see what pours out—that’s pure magic. And, it heals.
Personally, I had a tough couple of days. If there is a lesson for me this year, it is grief and letting go. I’m in the dog days of our fertility journey and it’s breaking my heart over and over. I am not alone. I am lucky to have so many people walking beside me, but this process is really hard and that’s okay.
When a bucket of emotion starts brimming, as it often has this week, I pull out a canvas and let it pour out. I feel better. I don’t have a story in mind; instead, one emerges, and it’s almost never what I expect.
In this practice, you witness the many layers of what lies beneath. You greet a new side of yourself and, with that, see a new piece of your heart.
Despite what the world tells us, we do not need to analyze all the feels. We don’t need to overanalyze our hearts. Understanding yourself—healing yourself—can be as simple as finding an outlet for feelings to flow. Through creativity, we find new texture in our emotions, not for the sake of productivity, but as a practice of alchemizing and releasing.
Creativity is a way of making contact with the unseen parts of ourselves. It’s a way of dipping into our bottomless well of soul magic and hauling it up to the surface. What emerges may be sparkling with light or roiling with darkness. Regardless, how astonishing that we each hold all of that magic. What else is down there?
I wholeheartedly believe the world would be a better place if we all learned a creative practice. What would our deeper selves reveal if we gave them space to emerge?
Note to self: If you’re overthinking…if you’re craving some way to feel better—instead of scrolling and numbing, find your craft. Put down your phone. Start practicing.
Some tools for soul magic:
Laura Rubin of Allswell. She has a digital workshop coming up, signup here. She also writes
on Substack.Moonlists—unlike any notebook I’ve used before, can’t explain why, just check it out. Sold out on their site, available here. Also now on Substack at
Phil Stutz’s True and False Magic—a workbook co-created with Elise Loehnen of Pulling the Thread. I just picked it up, can’t wait to dive in.
ON OUR RADAR
This week is about things to put on your skin. I am not a beauty fiend, but I love discovering skincare brands. The beauty space is explosive—competitive, fast, confusing, filled with celebs. People are passionate. There are a lot of opinions.
Overall, I used to be highly skeptical of beauty brands. Now I care less and have way more fun. My wrinkles will not be lotion-ed away with salmon sperm or ginseng DNA, I’m sure of that. Once I got over the anti-aging-everything, beauty became fun again.
My first draft was too long (for real), so I cut this to focus on:
All things suncare
A hit list of nourishment - masks, serums, etc.
I have far too many skincare x makeup brands on my radar, perhaps a part 2 is coming. Until then, let’s dive in.
FACE SPF
SPF is essential all year but especially in summer. Two trends I’m loving: SPF with skincare benefits & mineral sunscreens are getting so much better (yay).
GOOD WEATHER SKIN
Mineral sunscreens have historically been globby, zinc-based, and white-casting—not a great experience. Despite that, they have always been my personal choice over chemical options, especially if I’m active outside (surfing, running).
That’s changing now. SPF and skincare are merging, producing more everyday mineral sunscreen x skincare products. I’m obsessed, especially with newcomer Good Weather Skin.
GWS introduces themselves as, “mineral sunscreen that feels and performs like luxury skincare”. I can confirm that is exactly what it is. Dream team Alexandra + Franchesca launched the brand within the last year (read about it) and I immediately ordered their first hero product: The One Daily Suncream.
GWS is not only solving the look and feel of mineral SPF, but supercharging it with active ingredients to nourish skin. I personally used and LOVE this product, wearing daily under makeup, it quenches my skin while protecting it. At first I questioned the price, but after a month of using it, GWS is way less than most luxury moisturizers AND it’s the highest rated SPF you can buy. Feels like a win-win—I’ll be repurchasing.
PS GWS is currently on sale at Nordstrom for anniversary sale, I’m buying two :)
YSE BEAUTY
Molly Sims launched a skincare brand, YSE Beauty, and the Skin Glow SPF 30 primer tops the list of things I love. Designed to hydrate, prime, and protect, I sometimes only wear this and feel great walking out the door.
It is not a mineral sunscreen, but layers well under makeup and packs a punch on nourishment. When I travel, I pack both YSE and GWS, switching between them depending on my mood.
Not SPF, but have to mention—my lips feel juicy and hydrated after using YSE Like a Gloss 3-in-1 Lip Treatment. Wowowow, must carry especially for trips on airplanes, to the mountains, or by the sea.
ALSO ON MY LIST:
Marie Veronique - MV is legendary, I’ve tried her tinted sunscreen (didn’t love) but the COLORFREE ZINC is next on the list.
Vacation Shake Shake - They’re encroaching on the beauty space by launching a Mineral Milk Face Sunscreen. Call me intrigued.
July Sky C-Shells- I see this SPF 30 in acupuncture & skincare spas all the time. They’re onto something :)
While we’re here, Body + Bronzing SPF
VACATION- This brand takes the look and smell of cult products from the 70s-80s, then repackages them in effective, clean(er), amazing-smelling products, that are Hawaii reef compliant meaning they won’t kill the ocean. Plus, it’s such a fun brand. On my list: Instant Vacation + Studio Tone SPF 50, plus any of their other lotions and oils.
DUNE SUNCARE- first hit my radar thanks to major buzz for their gel sunscreen—a category defining item. Women-led and launched a few years back, they’re now “10x Award-Winning. Clinically-Proven. Derm-recommended.” I want to try their ultra-hydrating SPF 30 Golden Guard which looks like a delicious tan in a bottle with some major skin benefits and is also Hawaii reef compliant.
SALTY FACE - the whole internet exploded with this product a couple years ago. I haven’t tried it but I love a non-stop bronzed glow and that is what the plant-based Tanning Water by Salty Face delivers.
WESTMAN ATELIER - When I can splurge, I love all things Westman. Their Sun Tone Bronzing Drops are on my list for a just-got-back-from-the-beach look that you cannot accomplish in San Francisco summer. Currently sold out on their site, but available at Nordstrom here.
SKINCARE, SKINLOVE
This is not a routine, it’s hit list—serums, masks, nourishing things I crave, especially when my skin needs some love. I look for cleaner formulations and lean toward plant-powered brands, especially when my skin is dull, dry, and more sensitive, aka all summer.
ROWSE
Women-led Spanish beauty brand ROWSE is rooted in plant-based, science-backed formulations. I’ve been following them for years and recently tried a few bestsellers.
The standout is the Regenerate Night Serum with Bakuchiol.
Infused with Bakuchiol, the natural, non-irritating alternative to retinol, and rich in Raspberry Oil, Primrose Oil and Rosehip Oil, this deeply regenerating blend works to boost hydration, elasticity, firmness and glow.
It feels good, smells good, and after using most nights for over a month my skin is smoother and firmer. I've used a bunch of similar products from other brands, I’m loving this one and I’m seeing noticeable results. Win-win.
Next on my list from ROWSE is their new “hybrid makeup”, specifically the Lip Cheek Balm. I’m curious to compare it to RMS, stay tuned!
BOTNIA
Botnia is doing something different. Founded by esthetician Justine Kahn, every product is handcrafted in their Sausalito lab. I’m thrilled to support a US brand operating this way.
I first experienced the Soothing Repair Mask at a facial and now I have a bottle stocked at all times. It smells like a dream, goes on like a juicy gel, and immediately soothes skin. I wear this mask almost weekly in the summer to help restore sun-soaked skin.
You too can get a customized Botnia facial at spas across the US—highly recommend.
Also on my list is the Rose Water Toner. When I use it consistently in my routine, my skin is more radiant and hydrated. Plus who doesn’t want to spray rose water on their face everyday?
So many things on my Botnia list:
Soothing Repair Mask [larger format than it looks!]
WONDER VALLEY
Known for their exceptional California olive oil, co-founders Alison and Jay also make skincare from their olives. I love this brand, I love this concept.
The Hinoki Body Wash is an experience. The consistency is richer than most body washes and given the ingredients, it soothes, cleanses, smells great, and doesn’t strip the skin, in fact it does the opposite. Plus the scent is more unisex, so everyone in the house loves it :)
On my list to try from Wonder Valley is their Olive Mud Mask, a super special limited production item they release each year after harvest. Read about why and get it before it’s gone.
ALSO ON MY LIST:
IRIS & ROMEO- The Reset hyaluronic serum mist, I’ve used in the past and loved. It also quenches skin when you’re looking for daily hydration that’s lighter than a lotion or oil.
TRUE BOTANICALS— This brand has a cult following for a reason. My skin skews dry, if that’s you, try a cleansing balm. I use the Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm by TB and it has changed my skin for the better. This balm lasts a while, but I love it so much, I always have a backup on hand.
WELDA—Skin Food Original is my ride-or-die, bring-everywhere moisturizer. If I’m in dry environments, I slather this on my face. Of all the quality brands on the shelf, it’s actually affordable and you can find it almost anywhere, from a midwest Target to a pharmacy in Europe.
ON MY WISHLIST
Nourishing products from brands I really want to try
KLUR - Women-led, esthetician developed KLUR is “botanical care for optimal skin health”. Made in California, I love this brand and want to try the Supreme Seed Mask or Powers of Ten serum.
Ere Perez - Hit my radar for plant-powered makeup, but also want to try the Fig All Beauty Jelly—a cleansing milk AND a mask.
ISAMAYA- Dangerously appealing, this brand may take my money. Built by makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench, the brand is not only on-point aesthetically but the products seem next level. Beyond makeup, the Core collection includes Face Glaze and Microbial Gel on my list.
FOLIE - Another clean brand from Australia with bioactive, plant-based ingredients. Their eye-catching packaging design, which is refillable, got me first, then I read more and need to try the Daily Jelly Moisturizer.
DISCOVERY
Like always, we love ending our notes with inspiration so here are some of the people, places, messages, and musings that are inspiring us lately.
A.I. can’t generate sand between your toes—brilliant.
“How can I help spiritual people be the ones who hold the majority of the wealth?”
Buccaneers is my guilty pleasure, but this playlist makes me proud
Tending the Garden is STUNNING
Thanks for being here! See you next week!
xx, Fenny
Amen! Creativity is nourishment. It teaches us how to give ourselves permission to try things, to innovate and discover. Without it, burnout. With it, fuel. Thank you for championing this topic, for including AllSwell and my upcoming mindful writing sessions. You’re a star!