True Beauty Starts from Within

By Dana Hill

I’m proud to say I turned 48 years old several months ago—and mouths drop in disbelief when I reveal my age. I get the inevitable questions: “What do you do? What do you eat? What products do you use?” Younger women, and even teenaged girls, are curious because they want to start putting into practice my regimens to help maintain their youth; and women my age want to turn back the clock. One of the reasons I started COCOTIQUE is because I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty products and help women to live more beautiful lives inside and out. With this column, which we’re calling ‘Essentially Dana’, I will share my personal beauty, health and wellness tips and give you an inside look into my life.

I believe that true beauty is not just about what you put on the outside. It emanates from your soul when you live your life with love, being kind and showing compassion to others. There may be times when someone tests your ability to live your life by these principles, but it's in these moments, when you ignore the darkness, that your true beauty and light will shine. Don't let anyone or anything dim your light. Your strength and beauty lie in your ability to remain in your truth no matter what people, circumstances or negative energy try to steer you in another direction.

Embracing and uplifting other women are the cornerstones to being a beautiful woman. Be a source of inspiration and empowerment--we are all a part of an awesome sisterhood. The more we support each other, the better we all will be. I get emotional writing this, because there have been times in my life and career when I was not supported by other women. It always saddens me that some have yet to understand the real power of sisterhood. We are one--by being a part of a greater whole, we all succeed.

It will be my honor and pleasure to expound on these ideas, and to share more of the lessons I’ve learned over the years about beauty, health, wellness and empowerment. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about what’s Essentially Dana.

xo,
Dana

Dana Hill - Founder & CEO, COCOTIQUE
A consummate beauty product and health/wellness junkie, Dana’s obsessed with discovering the best beauty products for women of color that not only suit their specific needs, but also have healthy ingredients. Although she created COCOTIQUE as an affordable way for women to treat themselves to a monthly beauty indulgence, she believes that true beauty comes from living a healthy lifestyle and focusing on the importance of beauty from the inside out. COCOTIQUE is the culmination of her love of beauty, and 20 years of experience in the fashion and entertainment industry with stints at Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Phat Fashions, Rocawear, Fetish and Arista Records.


Follow Dana on Twitter and Instagram.