SHOP MY BAG: ELIZABETH GRACE HAND
What’s in a name? For the aesthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand, christening her practice came down to a sentimental feeling. “Ställe is short for the word smultronställe,” says Hand, who is married to a Swede and part Swedish herself. “The figurative meaning is a special, hidden place where you go to relax—your little sanctuary.” The literal definition is charming, too: a wild strawberry patch.
When Hand first launched Ställe Studios, in 2020, she tended to clients from her one-bedroom apartment before moving to a roomier space. This year, the practice has settled into a Soho loft, a marquee spot retaining a touch of domesticity. “I want it to feel like you’re at your coolest friend’s apartment with the best skin care products,” she says. Hand has a celebrated way with skin, customizing facials with sculpting techniques and buccal massage, along with a discerning eye for formulations—all of which has earned her a place on VG’s Committee. “Growing up, the first thing I got into was glitter makeup,” she recalls. “I still feel like I have that in me, but it’s now about glow.” That much she can deliver, but she remains just as committed to that quality of refuge. “We’re one block from Canal, and it’s busy,” she says of the street-level churn five floors below. She keeps a Costa Brazil candle—with white and black Breu resin, smultronställe by way of Brazil—perpetually aflame. “Breu is like actual magic,” she says. “It attracts all the good people, the good vibes. I swear everyone’s a lot calmer.” Find it, and much more, in her expertly edited BAG.
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I light this candle year-round, but especially in the fall as the temperatures dip. It’s warm and woodsy, perfect for a cozy night in after a long day out.
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Even on light makeup days, I never skip this brow gel. I can brush it through my brows a few times without going overboard with the color or getting any of those dreaded flakes.
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This fall, I’m all about bouncy, glamorous waves, and while I’ve never been great with hot tools, I can always achieve the look with this brush. I travel a lot, and it comes with me everywhere.
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I love to elevate a simple bath with this luxe bath oil, but the dwarf mountain pine also helps soothe sore muscles after a hard workout. And, of course, it smells amazing.
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This serum is packed with ceramides to soothe irritated skin. I break it out of my cabinet whenever my skin feels slightly irritated. You can also use it to prime your skin for makeup. It’s a win-win.
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You only need to wear this mask for 10 minutes to see a difference, but I wear it overnight when I’m too lazy to do my entire skin care routine. When I wake up, my skin is always hydrated and dewier.
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I like that this concealer has caffeine to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Plus, it’s buildable, so you can wear as much—or as little—as you need without it looking cakey.
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