Yara Shahidi Covers Essence Magazine April 2018 Issue

For the second time since 2016, actor Yara Shahidi is gracing the cover of Essence, this time serving up some serious hair inspo in the process. The Grown-ish actor was photographed by Sophy Holland wearing her signature natural curls, and we're more than a little obsessed with the look.

Hairstylist Nai-vasha Johnson helped coax Yara's hair into full and bouncy curls, with a smattering of silver hoops on the right side of her head accessorizing tiny braids. The effect almost looks as if she's pierced her braids (ouch), but was most likely achieved by looping the rings around the base of each twist — slightly less committal than going in with a needle.

Yara Instagrammed the cover on Tuesday night, captioning her post by thanking the magazine for the opportunity to front its April issue. “Thank you for seeing me and thank you for letting me be me and highlighting the beauty of authenticity,” she wrote. "My first feature was at 9-ish, talking about the importance of @anikaaroundtheworld [Anika Noni Rose] in [The] Princess and The Frog. Always celebrating every aspect of our community and our heritage in a way that we deserve to be celebrated."

From a glittery purple bun to impossibly long braids, Yara consistently impresses us with her many creative hairstyles. “I think it’s important to always accept your natural hair like the way it is when you step out of the shower, but it’s OK to change it up," she has told Teen Vogue. "It’s really about embracing who I am…curls are part of who I am."

Related:Every Single Time Yara Shahidi Made Me Reconsider My Highlight Application

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