Dana Jackson, founder of Beneath Your Mask, shares her favorite natural beauty products and skincare routine plus what she’s loving lately. Click here for more Girl Talk interviews!

I am really excited to bring you an inside peek into Dana Jackson’s everyday. Her brand story is unique and touching and personally, I was excited to get to know her a bit more. But before we dive in, here is a little bit about how Beneath Your Mask came to be.

Just after her 30th birthday, Dana was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). A few months after her diagnosis, most of her hair had fallen out, her joints had locked up, she had a severe rash all over her body, her eyes were swollen shut and she had gained over 100 pounds in water-weight. You can read more about her journey here.

Through her healing she decided to create the highest quality, most potent, nontoxic, all natural, organic, vegan skin and haircare line that actually works to hydrate the skin as well as feel and smell incredible…and she did.

Beneath Your Mask is a tight skincare edit designed to nourish, revitalize and transform. Everything in this line is straight up extra. Extra conditioning, extra decadent, extra nourishing, extra chic.

Dana encourages all of us to not let others define us but to seek what’s beneath our own mask and honor that; our true selves.

I have so many faves here but if I had to pick one thing, it would be her Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm. This formula is super hardy, reparative, conditioning (think old school Vaseline on roids which is not a very chic description but it’s spot on). And it comes in a wicked chic, no-leak, aluminum tube which is so fun to use.

The star ingredient here is skin-protecting ximenia, an African plum oil (hello plum oil benefits!) that is as rich as it is rare. Smells faintly of lavender. More of my fave organic lip balms (including Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm!) here.

Okay, come hang with me and Dana!

What’re your first 30 minutes like every morning?

My morning ritual starts with me reading a page from Jesus Calling, then I scroll through my emails on my phone to see if anything is urgent.  When I get out of bed, I take my probiotic before showering and starting my day.

What’s your morning skincare routine?

I cleanse my face with Ranavat Luminous Ceremony, then I spray an essence I’m testing, followed by Beneath Your Mask Nourish Skin & Hair Serum massaged on my face and throughout my edges.

Do you wear makeup? What’s your #1 go-to makeup product? Or your favorite makeup brand?

I only wear makeup for events, but with COVID, I pretty much never wear makeup anymore. I don’t have a favorite makeup brand, but one product I can’t live without when wearing makeup is Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s so sheer, and no, it’s not clean.

What’s your typical breakfast?

A protein shake with wild blueberries, strawberry, dates, collagen, protein, coconut water. I can get my protein, collagen, fruit, veggies, and adaptogens all in one meal. Plus it doesn’t take too much time for me.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker?

Matcha Lattes are my favorite. I love coffee, but it makes me feel awful and gives me migraines when I stop drinking it, so I have to stay away from it.

What’s your exercise routine?

I’m a Pilates Reformer girl, it’s the only workout I’ll drive to! And I love taking walks. As I’ve gotten older, I stay away from the high intensity workouts.

Can you share your playlist?

I don’t have one to be honest. I will listen to the same song or album a zillion times until I’m tired of it and then I move on.

What natural deodorant works for you?

Agent Nateur Holi (man) NO 5. Deodorant Unisex

Favorite podcast?

I’m not big on podcasts. I like to be in silence a lot.

What’s a book that’s rocked your world?

Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

Favorite health resource?

Chelsea Williams on Instagram: @thatschelsea

Favorite or go-to healthy dinner recipe?

Sautéed maitake mushrooms in coconut oil, sautéed spinach and ½ avocado. Quick, easy and so healthy!

What’s one product that everyone needs to try?

Beneath Your Mask Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm. I’m biased, but it literally is the longest-lasting lip balm I’ve ever tried.

What’s on your nightstand?

A lamp, a ton of books, Beneath Your Mask Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm and a glass of water even though I rarely drink it at night, I just feel like I have to have it.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Ordering take-out from 5-star restaurants, even before COVID. I don’t eat fast food, but I love ordering to-go from my favorite restaurants.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten or given?

When I got diagnosed with lupus, I was in denial and really bitter. A friend said to me that most people wouldn’t get to experience the things I’d already experienced in my life at that time. It really put things in perspective for me. I was complaining about a life I would no longer have instead of being grateful for the life I already had.

What’s something no one knows about you?

I’m really funny, I roast and crack a lot of jokes.

How has 2020 treated Beneath Your Mask?

2020 has been amazing for Beneath Your Mask. When COVID hit, I didn’t know what that would mean or how we would have to pivot due to a lot of our retailers closing. We’ve experienced so much growth, and are literally trying to keep up with the demand.