“I’m strong. I’m beautiful. I am a Covergirl” Soulful R&B singer Janelle Monae took to Twitter earlier today to announce a coveted endorsement deal she just signed with CoverGirl cosmetics.

The 26-year-old songtress told Vogue Magazine that the opportunity holds personal significance:

“Growing up and trying to find myself as a woman and experimenting with makeup, I’d go buy magazines,” she says. “I’d see Tyra Banks [in the CoverGirl ads] and I’d think, Wow, she’s beautiful. It never looked like she had on too much makeup. There was just something clean and classic about her face.”

Clean and classic are exactly the words someone would use to describe Janelle’s look. A natural beauty, some would say her style is androgynous, but really she took a gentleman’s look (tuxedo, Oxfords, bowties) and made it feminine. Often sporting black and white, and a high pompadour, Janelle comes off eclectic yet subdued.

About her clothes and makeup, Janelle says:

“I take a minimalist approach to my wardrobe and I do the same with my makeup. I don’t look at [it] as a mask. I don’t overdo it. A bold [shade] of red or pink—something that pops—brings the whole look together.”

She reportedly does her own makeup for her performances, but Vogue says she has been experimenting with CoverGirl’s Lash Blast mascara.

“I keep my eyes pretty simple but I like to make [my lashes] a little darker and thicker.”

Makeup artist and CoverGirl global creative design director Pat McGrath worked on Janelle’s first print campaign two months ago and gave the singer tips to keep her lipstick on instead of swiping it off on the microphone during performances.

“She told me to do the whole lip liner thing first so that it stains my mouth and makes the color last. Thank you, Pat!”

On the opportunity overall, Janelle says she looks forward to inspiring young women.

“I believe in the idea of every woman finding their own beauty superpowers. I want to help redefine what it means to be a strong woman in the music and fashion worlds.”

In 1992, CoverGirl became the first cosmetic company to sign a black model to an exclusive contract. Ten years later, Janelle joins a exclusive list of black celebrities that have represented CoverGirl. This list includes Lana Ogilvie, Tyra Banks, Brandy, Queen Latifah, Rihanna, Paula Patton and America’s Next Top Model Winners: Krista White, Saleisha Stowers, Teyona Anderson and Eva Marcille.

Congratulations Janelle Monae!

What do you think of Janelle’s new endorsement deal?





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