Melanie Fiona's pivot from Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, to mental wellness and self-care mom, has been everything cultivated into what we love to see. She has evolved into the big sister in all of our heads, showing off her adorably-hilarious family, which consists of her fiance, Jared Cotter, and son, Cam.
At the top of the year, Jared and Melanie were scheduled to be married, which due to the pandemic, was rescheduled multiple times. But listen, true love...true love cannot be stopped, m'kay? The couple instead, decided to tie the knot anyway and they commemorated the occasion with the wedding announcement video that made our little, overjoyed hearts flicker for their lives.
Of the video, Fiona said:
"Anything is Possible...✨ If you're willing to adjust your perspective. We had to postpone our wedding three times this year. We had to accept that a full ceremony with our loved ones could not be possible until 2021. But we also knew we wanted to be married this year. So, we made it happen!!! We took what was in our control and saw it through. On 12-12-2020, I married my best friend, in the most perfectly possible way."
Melanie's caption continued:
"Remember, things might not look the way you envisioned, but if you're willing to surrender... to detach from your ideals and expectations, you can joyfully find your way back to the intention. The reason you started in the first place. What you feel, what you see, here, is a reflection of that intention."
Set to the tune of John Legend's "Who Do We Think We Are", the video opens with Cam busting his best celebratory moves and linking up with mom and dad for a stylish family photo shoot.
Melanie Fiona
The couple then enjoy a toast, and fixes the other up to get ready for their big day. As they get into the car, Jared puts into the GPS directions to LA Wedding Chapel, Same Day Marriage.
Melanie Fiona
They vibe and have a blast on the way, which they arrive to, fully masked. After a few shots and signing a little paperwork, the couple get married (and by this time, I'm screaming with tissues!)
Melanie Fiona
But wait, ya'll, it gets better! The newlyweds then head off to the first place in line (you know, because, priorities!)...to get a drank!
Melanie Fiona
"We will for sure have our full celebration/ceremony when we can, but like I said in yesterday's post, the right time to take the right action, is RIGHT NOW. Thank you for all your love and support. We are OVERJOYED."
Melanie Fiona
Join my obsession with alllllllll of this and watch the full video here. Congratulations to the Cotters!
Feature image courtesy of Instagram/Melanie Fiona
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Pair that with the curl-defining legacy she’s built as the CEO and Founder of Pattern Beauty, and it’s clear: she’s always been intentional about care—and invites us to be, too.
Her latest launch, Pattern Body, feels like a natural extension of that—a full line designed to make body care a ritual, not an afterthought. The collection includes the Moisture Rich Body Cream ($36), Nourishing Body Oil ($36), Hydrating Body Lotion ($32), Moisturizing Body Wash ($32), and Dry Exfoliating Scrub ($36), plus bundled sets.
Why I Wanted To Try Pattern Body
I’ve been using Pattern Beauty for years. Long before I could afford it I’d use my mom’s Ulta card to swipe and get what I needed, I’ve legitimately loved Pattern since day one. It’s what works best on my hair no matter the style, wash & go, slick back ponytail, braids, and blowouts. The Palo Santo ensemble is my new favorite after using their signature collection for years. That shampoo and conditioner, paired with the scalp serum and Pattern’s shower brush, whip my curls into shape like nothing I’ve ever used. I can go from a 'fro to defined coils in minutes with water, conditioner, and that brush.
Pattern is my daily go-to, so when Tracee expanded into body, I wanted to see if the same love affair I have with Pattern Beauty would carry over to Pattern Body.
The last body care launch that truly spoke to me was Taraji P. Henson’s Body by TPH, with its distinct daytime and nighttime routines—it pulled me into body care in a way I hadn’t felt in a while. Another product I’ve loved is OUI the People’s Clean Slate Lactic Acid Body Wash, a formula that exfoliates gently while leaving my skin soft.
Pattern Body feels similarly intentional but distinctly Tracee—rooted in the rituals we’ve seen her share for years. This launch feels like her way of ensuring that our bodies can finally get the same level of care she’s modeled all along.
Courtesy of Pattern Body
My Relationship With Body Care Rituals
Body care is where I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be when it comes to self-care. I dry brush daily, I’m particular about the body washes I use, and I’m intentional about organic feminine products. But when it comes to moisturizing, I’ll be honest: I usually just slap on whatever lotion is nearby or a body butter when I remember. What I want is to be more intentional—not just moisturize, but actually lean into rituals.
I want to use my bath salts more, soak with scrubs, and treat body care as something to luxuriate in, not rush through. Pattern Body felt like a call inward to take that next step.
Even the bold orange packaging felt joyful and unapologetic—a reminder that prioritizing yourself can be fun.
The Ingredients That Set Pattern Body Apart
Pattern Body isn’t just about the ritual—it’s about what’s inside the bottles. When I connected with someone from Pattern’s team, I asked how they envisioned the body line fitting into Tracee’s larger ritual. For them, it wasn’t just about moisture; it was about creating a layering experience that mirrors the way Tracee cares for herself daily—step by step, from exfoliation to oil to cream.
The line is built with nourishing ingredients that make sense for long-term care, like:
- Dead Sea Salt — natural exfoliation and mineral-rich polish
- Aloe Vera — hydration and soothing
- Baobab and Sunflower Oils — deep moisture and skin barrier support
- Cedarwood, Musk, and Midnight Amber — warm, grounding fragrance notes
- Shea Butter & Hyaluronic Acid — for softness, bounce, and lasting hydration
And according to a third-party study shared by Pattern, 100% of users experienced an immediate boost in hydration, luminosity, and the silkiness of their skin texture. As someone who always asks questions before folding new products into my routine, seeing both the story and the science behind the line mattered to me.
Courtesy of Pattern Body
My Honest Thoughts After Testing Pattern Body
How I Used Pattern Body
I followed Tracee’s recommended Pattern Body ritual:
- Prepare Dry Exfoliating Body Scrub (pre-shower to buff away dullness, unclog pores, and smooth skin)
- Cleanse Moisturizing Body Wash (a gentle lather that cleans without stripping, leaving skin refreshed)
- Protect Nourishing Body Oil (applied on damp skin to lock in moisture and add a silky finish)
- Hydrate Hydrating Body Lotion (lightweight hydration layered on top of oil for all-over softness)
- Nourish Moisture Rich Body Cream (thick, buttery cream for elbows, knees, and areas needing extra TLC)
The Products I’d Actually Repurchase
I tried the full line, but these are the three I’d keep stocked and repurchase:
- Dry Exfoliating Scrub — I’ve been looking for an exfoliant that’s effective without being harsh; I could see the scrub being a regular for me.
- Nourishing Body Oil — I love how it sealed the moisture in post-shower. It’s lightweight, smells heavenly, and I’ll keep this one in the rotation for sure.
- Moisture Rich Body Cream — I prefer a thicker moisturizer over lotion; this one delivers deep, buttery hydration that actually sinks in.
Pattern Body is consistent with Tracee’s legacy of care: bold, joyful, intentional. And while I won’t reach for every product daily, the ones I do remind me that tending to my body isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Because if Tracee Ellis Ross looks this good at 50 and says something is good for your body? I’m taking notes.
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Featured image courtesy of Pattern Body