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#1 Ciara’s slicked back ponytail
In one picture, the singer wears a fringed leather halter top, complete with a gold chain neckline and matching stud detailing. But Ciara’s glittering T-zone and teased tresses almost completely distracted from the controversial top. Her hair was gelled into a ponytail that fell voluminously down her body. Sparkles aside, her glam was kept pretty simple save for some perfectly arched brows and smudged eyeliner.
#2 Ciara’s high top cut
On the actual cover, Ciara wore a pink Versace top and gloves, which was reflected in the shimmery highlight along her cheekbones and browbones. She wore gold round earrings and her hair was styled in an exaggerated high top.
#3 Ciara’s floor length braids
In another shot, the artist wore a red and white corset top and skirt by Adidas with floor length pigtails, chunky gold earrings and bright red draping.
In the story, Ciara explained how her Atlanta community influenced her music, fashion sense and beauty choices. “There’s something in the water, as you would say. Even as a cheerleader growing up in the South,” she said of her Southern roots. “There’s so much sauce, so much character. The human. How we all talk. Sometimes when I go home it’s like I’m speaking a different language because of our southern accent. It is different. You don’t really know until you see it. It’s an energy.”
All of this eventually led them to create their own brands. But in the story, she got honest about the ever-growing beauty industry, saturated with celebrity founders.
“You look around and gradually you see more women building their beauty brands,” she said. “I think that’s pretty amazing because it shows the power of how you can really build something if you want it and it also shows you the power of your platform. It’s been amazing to see women take charge and change the way we thought we always had to get through someone to do anything. No, you can do that yourself.”