ESSENCE magazine and black household coffee tables are as relative as Brandy is to braids, and Kelis is to curls. No other magazine frequented my home as much as ESSENCE; Sports Illustrated being a close second. It truly showcased black excellence in the same fashion as the Huxtables. As a child I had no idea how important this magazine was to the women of our community; profusely unaware of the magnitude of its trailblazing accolades. Unlearned yes, but there was always an ethos of "Wow, what a representation of majesty this is!"
There is an understated luxe of a dated ESSENCE mag preluded with a blushed brown beauty adorned in braids. It is a Dominique Deveraux kind of regality in a covergirl that charms and inspires me. My taste in magazine covers is quite synonymous to my taste in clothes. Oomph and character is what prompts me to pick it up. I want to be inspired to put on make up and change my hairdo when Im looking at a magazine. I also want to be inspired to pick up a body scrub and whip up a body butter.
Here are 4 breathtaking ESSENCE covers that accentuate hair, skin, face, and grace.
Issue: December 1977
This cover is single-handedly is the reason I have cornrows in my head right now. Single-handedly the reason I started wearing blush, and why I swoon over gold accessories. The intangible chill that I get when I see old Hollywood glam is exactly what I felt when I came across this cover on Instagram in 2017. The sway of each ribbon of hair framing the temples, sealed with posh gold leafs. Saturated cheekbones to live for. The glimmers of gold that catches the eye at various coordinates on the page. This is aspirational for me ; to exude this much elegance and poise. To be this buttery. To emulate the sultry essence of this holiday issue.
Issue: May 1980
Charged with a youthful flirty flare, this spread brings me back to my childhood beauty salon days. I remember going to get my hair done without a premeditated style in mind, and anxiously anticipating to look through all the black hair mags to pick the style I wanted for the week. A braid bob, which was once my go-to signature style, is one of my all time favorite hair silhouettes. A beaded braid bob is even more brilliant. Whenever I see a black woman with a braid bob, I somewhat imagine an alter ego named Cleopatra Jones surfacing. Let's not forget to get into this makeup. Deep brown eyes topped off with smoky shadows is muy chef's besos.
Issue: November 1972
This cover is as warm and sweet as a cup of hot cocoa with marshmellows and cool whip. The whimsical, upbeat braids are the stars of the show. They are perfectly complimentary to the lofty plush and plump fur. This take oozes "Baby It's Cold Outside" with the no makeup makeup look with blush as the focal point. This look is in good company with a chilly Novemeber issue. To be a teenaged fashion lover looking through magazines at a newsstand in 1972; a wanderlust of mine.
Issue: September 1980
What a presentation of soft life and femininity! This "rich and bold" makeup is a dream to look at. Im living for the continuity of the rosy hues in this face beat. The intricate braids have an edgy sophistication. I picture this being a style that Whitley Gilbert would choose if she ever decided to wear braids. The model has the look of confident assurance that she is IT!
As an old soul I gush over retro glamour shots. ESSENCE's repoitore of timeless beauty editorials still speak volumes decades later. I want to give ESSENCE it's flowers for consistently giving black women their merited vignettes. Thank you for taking control of our narrative. Thank you for inspiring young black girls like myself via coffee tables and beauty shops.
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