Nia Long Cover Shoot

December 3, 2006: Our cover team headed west to Venice Beach, California, and the surfside studio of celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston to prepare for the arrival of our six-time cover girl Nia Long. She slipped in wearing skinny cropped jeans, a cozy sweater and hot leopard stilettos. Our Glam Squad decided on a romantic look for the beloved star. Makeup artist Eric Ferrell crafted a pretty palette of violet and chocolate hues to bring out Nia’s gorgeous eyes and lips, while stylist Neeko created a bedroom do of soft falling waves. Manicurist Von Christmas delivered the final flourish: luscious nail enamel in Caramel painted on Nia’s short, modern nails. Our cover girl loved the clothes too, which she described as “very romantic, dreamy pieces—I basically feel like a queen.” And that’s exactly how she carried on in front of the camera, raising a brow, tilting her chin, working a shoulder here and there as Kwaku captured it all on film. “These are the best times of my life,” Nia said.
—MIKKI TAYLOR, Beauty Director and Cover Editor www.essence.com