WENN
If you’ve ever looked at Ciara and thought, “Body goals!” you may be shocked to find the long, lean beauty wasn’t always confident in that dancer’s figure of hers so many of us envy.
Glamour recently caught up with the singer who was named Revlon’s newest ambassador this past fall to talk all things beauty, and she shared these thoughts on her beauty icon, biggest beauty regret, and her outlook on beauty as a grown woman.
Her beauty icon
I’m kind of a tomboy when it comes to beauty, but my grandmother will always be my beauty icon. She was always dressed to the nines. Every detail, from her rings to her accessories to her nails. She always pampered herself. She was definitely more girly than I am—I’m pretty low-maintenance—but since I’ve gotten older I always think of how she took care of herself. My thing now is that I always makes sure my nails are done, especially if I have a work thing. My grandmother was a big inspiration to me. She was beautiful on the outside, but she was also so strong on the inside. I think that your strength is part of what makes you beautiful.
Biggest beauty regret
When I was younger, I definitely had some questionable beauty moments. I used to wear these super long spider eyelashes, then I would apply my eye shadow all the way to the brow bone. Like, what was that, you know? I think I learned that not everything works on me. That was pretty cringe-worthy.
Her outlook on beauty as a woman
I really feel that we are in this time of realness. Flaws are embraced rather than frowned upon. Sometimes it gets too real too. [Laughs.] I do think we are living in a more diverse and expressive world. Growing up, I wasn’t the most secure about my body: My legs were too muscular, I was kind of skinny, and I was taller, so I used to walk with my back hunched over. I definitely felt like I stood out. As I got older, I learned to embrace those unique things. The insecurities don’t go away, you know, when you’re a young woman you’re still discovering your body and yourself and the world. And I didn’t used to be as expressive because I worried what people would say. Now I’m like you know what, I am who I am, take it or leave it, but I’m good with me. It’s definitely been a process over the years, but I think showing your individuality is very important.
