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Home · News

40th Anniversary: ESSENCE's 40 Most Beautiful Covers

ESSENCE Covers
By · November 10, 2010October 29, 2020
01
May 1970
Barbara Cheeseborough
ESSENCE, May 1970
02
May 1971

What a sweet smile!

03
November 1972

Intricate cornrows, rich mocha skin — this woman is a goddess.

04
July 1973

Green eyeshadow and fuschia lipstick is unexpectedly gorgeous here. And how about that flip?

05
October 1974

Agent extraordinaire Bethanne Hardison in an early modeling shot. So chic!

06
July 1975

We love how the shimmery chartreuse shadow picks up the print on the model’s bandana. This is simply a stunning shot!

07
May 1980

The cover model looks exquisite in her beaded cornrows.

08
March 1981

The 1980s covers were all about capturing the energy and vitality of the modern working woman.

09
June 1982

So sweet! Here, Iman, her former husband, basketball star Spencer Haywood, and their daughter Zulehka pose for a gorgeous family portrait.

10
October 1982

Almond-shaped eyes, glossy red lips and an architectural hat? Fierce.

11
April 1983

One of the loveliest faces we’ve ever seen on an ESSENCE cover. Makes you want to rethink tweezing your brows to death, doesn’t it?

12
September 1984

A young Vanessa Williams, fresh off her historic Miss America win.

13
June 1985

Grace Jones works it in ultraviolet shadow, hot pink blush and geometric bracelets. Dare to be you, indeed!

14
June 1986

Here, ESSENCE capitalized off the 1980s fitness craze by outfitting Beverly Johnson in chic workout gear.

15
April 1987

A fresh-faced Lisa Bonet flaunts her beauty in violet lipstick and little else.

16
June 1988

In 1988, Robin Givens was one of the most beautiful — and controversial — women in entertainment.

17
April 1989

Supermodel Karen Alexander was one of the most ravishing beauties of the era.

18
March 1990

When Janet Jackson dropped her “Rhythm Nation 1814” album, ESSENCE was one of the first magazines to score an exclusive interview with the shy star. And the cover is simply gorgeous.

19
February 1991

“A Different World’s” Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert were one of TV’s hottest couples, so who better than Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy to pose for the 1991 “Love” issue?

20
April 1991

Young, impossibly beautiful, and wildly in-demand, supermodel Naomi Campbell was a stunning cover girl.

21
April 1992

This vibrant cover makes us want to take a Jamaican vacay, pronto.

22
August 1992

Hottie Gary Dourdan poses with a gorgeous model (doesn’t she look like Lauryn Hill?) for one of our steamiest covers ever.

23
June 1993

A fresh-faced Tyra Banks flaunts one of the most graceful necks we’ve seen this side of Iman.

24
October 1993

Queen Latifah lives up to her regal name with this beyond-elegant shot.

25
June 1994

Tan, glowing and gorgeous, Halle Berry proves why she’s regarded as one of Hollywood’s hottest women.

26
Feburary 1995

Sigh…Tyson Beckford’s chest never fails to get us all worked up.

27
May 1996

At the height of her success, few women were as glamorous and sexy as Toni Braxton.

28
August 1997

A sultry Erykah Badu gazes at us with long lashes and a berry-stained pout.

29
September 1998

Who knew purple makeup and a net headpiece could be this adorable?

30
May 1999

A beautiful, inspiring portrait of true sisterhood.

31
September 1999

We love this clever shot of Halle Berry! The marine-blue eyeshadow and hooded catsuit are hot, hot, hot.

32
September 2000

Nobody rocks white like Alek Wek. This cover is simply iconic.

33
May 2001

Slippery when wet!

34
August 2002

Before she was a star on “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” supermodel Cynthia Bailey steamed up ESSENCE’s August 2002 cover.

35
January 2003

Angela Basset is the very definition of “ageless beauty.”

36
July 2005

On her July 2005 cover, Eva Marcille (then Pigford) showed America why she won “America’s Next Top Model.”

37
September 2006

The consummate glamour girl, Beyonce serves up sex appeal, elegance, and style in this iconic cover.

38
June 2007

We may be biased, but we think this shot of Mary J. Blige is one of the prettiest she’s ever taken.

39
December 2008

The first couple of Hollywood, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are also one of the most photogenic couples we’ve ever laid eyes on.

40
December 2010

In honor of Tyler Perry’s blockbuster film “For Colored Girls,” ESSENCE assembled the movie’s entire female cast for the December 2010 cover. Black girls rock!

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