diff --git a/modules/NotifCenter.qml b/modules/NotifCenter.qml
index 0ba2372..a8f72aa 100644
--- a/modules/NotifCenter.qml
+++ b/modules/NotifCenter.qml
@@ -410,10 +410,24 @@ M.HoverPanel {
             }
 
             // ---- Individual notification ----
+
+            // Vertical connector line — visually ties notifs to their group header
+            Rectangle {
+                visible: notifDelegate._type === "notif"
+                anchors.left: parent.left
+                anchors.leftMargin: 3
+                anchors.top: parent.top
+                anchors.bottom: parent.bottom
+                width: 2
+                color: M.Theme.base02
+                radius: 1
+            }
+
             M.NotifCard {
                 id: _notifCard
                 visible: notifDelegate._type === "notif"
                 anchors.fill: parent
+                anchors.leftMargin: 8
                 notif: notifDelegate._notif
                 showAppName: false
                 iconSize: 24
diff --git a/modules/NotifPopup.qml b/modules/NotifPopup.qml
index c811ad5..425a962 100644
--- a/modules/NotifPopup.qml
+++ b/modules/NotifPopup.qml
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import QtQuick
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Wayland
 import Quickshell.Services.Notifications
@@ -50,16 +49,6 @@ PanelWindow {
                 readonly property real _targetHeight: _card.implicitHeight
                 property real _heightScale: 0
 
-                // Glow on critical — layer effect composites everything including NotifCard
-                layer.enabled: popupItem.modelData.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical
-                layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                    shadowEnabled: true
-                    shadowColor: M.Theme.base08
-                    shadowBlur: 0.6
-                    shadowVerticalOffset: 0
-                    shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                }
-
                 M.NotifCard {
                     id: _card
                     anchors.fill: parent