Dianna Cohen swears by this treatment for "clear and glowy" skin
Plus, the breakout-proof moisturiser she buys on repeat
Welcome back to The Vanity’s On Reflection series, where we delve into the beauty routines and daily rhythms of cool, stylish people. For this instalment, we’re joined by Dianna Cohen, founder of cult hair line Crown Affair and author of the Take Your Time Substack.
Working in both beauty media and as a brand consultant, I was across Crown Affair long before it launched at MECCA last year. I’d seen the products on TikTok and Instagram, where many credited the chic, intuitive formulas with allowing them to enjoy haircare for the first time. In my consulting work, I’d also clocked Crown Affair’s vibey campaign imagery on several client mood boards.
It wasn’t until I joined Substack, however, that I met the mind behind the innovative hair line and its relaxed yet timeless aesthetic. Dianna’s newsletter focuses on creativity and the art of becoming who you are, with a dose of founder insights, design, style and beauty. It’s quickly become an essential read for me, and I recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper connection to their inner creative.
Given that she leads a brand that’s been dubbed ‘no-makeup-makeup’ haircare, it’s only natural that Dianna would be a veritable trove of well-honed beauty intel. Here she shares the secret to true transformation, her haircare ritual and the beauty treatment that’s had the single biggest impact on her skin.
Enjoy!
KL x
The Vanity On Reflection Questionnaire: Dianna Cohen
My name is…
Dianna Cohen
I live in…
Miami, Florida
I work in…
Beauty, Haircare
As a…
Founder of Crown Affair
Which means my days look like…
No two days are creatively the same, but when I’m home and not traveling, my mornings follow a rhythm. I usually wake up around 7:30 AM and ease into the day with my morning routine – writing my morning pages, meditating, stretching and my gua sha ritual, followed by skincare. Then it’s coffee, a little protein, and diving into work.
Some days are packed with meetings; others are focused on big-picture vision and product development, with content creation woven in between. I typically wrap up around 7 PM, then my husband and I cook dinner together before winding down for the night. We love seeing friends for dinner or catching live music, but when we’re home, we fully embrace a cozy night in.
The best thing about my job is…
Transforming the way people care for their hair, and themselves, in the process.
Growing up, I felt beauty was…
About doing the things that make you feel most like you.
Now my beauty philosophy is…
When it comes to beauty, I’m all about consistency and using high-quality, effective formulas and tools. True transformation isn’t about quick fixes – it’s the intentional, daily rituals that make the difference. Whether it’s a skincare routine that truly works, my daily gua sha practice, or the bedtime rituals I follow for my hair, these small moments of care add up to something bigger over time.
I also believe beauty starts from within – sleep hygiene, hydration, and nourishing meals all play a huge role in overall health and wellness. It’s all connected.
My daily non-negotiable for creating a positive headspace is…
Completing my daily journaling of morning pages. A great morning stretch.
I like to start the day by…
Making time for myself and getting my creative ideas to paper.
My movement or workout of choice is…
Pilates or walking.
The most impactful daily action I’ve taken to cultivate a positive mindset is…
Trying to not spend time on social media until later in the day.
On days where I’m feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just generally sh*t, I feel better by…
Seeing my family and friends or calling a loved one.
My current AM skincare routine is…
SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser — It’s simple and cleanses without over-stripping.
Dieux Deliverance Serum — This helps with redness and it’s really soothing.
Lenox and Sixteenth Laser Serum — A new serum from Amy Peterson’s brand that has transformed my skin and scarring.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream — A reliable go-to, it never makes me breakout and is hydrating without being greasy.
U Beauty Eye Cream — This eye cream is such a nice texture and I notice a difference in my brightness.
My relationship with my skin is…
Complicated. It’s taken me years to heal my acne from the inside out.
My typical everyday makeup routine includes…
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation — It makes my skin luminous and glowy.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer — It looks totally seamless.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush — Such an easy blush.
Tower 28 Sculptino Soft Cream Contour — I love this bronzer to contour.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder — It blurs in the best way.
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil— The color is so nice and it lasts.
Westman Atelier Mascara — It lifts the lash in such a nice way.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk —A fool proof lip.
Saie Glossy Bounce — My favorite lip to keep in bag.
But if I’m going out, it’s more like…
I do the same base but I add the Patrick Ta Major Headlines Blush in Not Too Much on top, I set my eye with the Givenchy Prism Libre Loose Powder, I use the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette and I set my face with the One/Size On Til Dawn Setting Spray.
My signature scent is…
Crown Affair’s The Signature Scent with D.S. & Durga’s I Don’t Know What.
The fragrance that always gets me compliments is…
Crown Affair’s The Signature Scent.
My body care routine involves…
Dry brushing and hydrating my skin with Soft Services Cararra Cream.
My weekly hair routine looks like…
I wash my hair twice a week and follow up with the Crown Affair The Towel, Leave-In Conditioner, Texturizing Air Dry Mousse, and Oil before using my twist-and-clip method for effortless, heatless waves. Every night, I make sure to brush my hair before bed and apply a bit of dry shampoo.
Almost daily, I refresh my hair with Leave-In Conditioner to keep it nourished. The night before wash day, I massage Crown Affair The Oil into my scalp for extra hydration and care.
When I go to the salon, I ask for…
A dry haircut by Teddi (my stylist in New York) at White Rose Collective.
My biggest beauty regret is…
Wearing black liquid eyeliner for way too long — it was too visually heavy on my lids!
A beauty product I buy on repeat is…
The Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream.
My most controversial beauty opinion is…
Sleep and water are the first two steps to a great beauty routine.
I wind down at the end of the day by…
Lighting a candle and watching a show or movie with my husband.
My current PM skincare routine is…
The same as my AM one, plus Biologique Recherche Liposmose eye product.
My pre-sleep routine looks like…
I start with my gua sha ritual, followed by my skincare routine. On a relaxed evening at home, I might indulge in a face mask. Once my skincare is done, it’s time for my haircare rituals. Every night, I take a few minutes to brush my hair with The Brush No. 001, stimulating my scalp and distributing natural oils.
Then, I apply The Dry Shampoo at my roots – it absorbs oil overnight, so I wake up with the perfect volume at my crown. Lately, I’ve been testing a new formula that I’m completely in love with – it leaves my hair looking and feeling better than ever by morning.
My biggest beauty investment is worth it because…
I see Amy Peterson in Miami twice a year for laser. It’s hands down the highest impact but low downtime treatment to make my skin clear and glowy.
I scent my space with…
I switch between this candle from The Standard Spa, this D.S. & Durga candle, and the Nette x Crown Affair candle.
And finally, my favourite thing about my reflection is…
I feel like myself when I look it at :)
Subscribe to Dianna’s Substack Take Your Time, follow her on Instagram and shop Crown Affair in Australia exclusively at MECCA.
Thank you for having me!! Loved this.