While people have been bemoaning for years that the September issues — and print magazines, in general — are becoming increasingly less influential, there’s still a thrill in seeing who makes the perennially covetable covers. (Plus, as a reader, it’s kind of awesome that magazines aren’t as ad-heavy as they once were, though fashion ads provide their own kind of entertainment/inspiration.) You probably know about Beyoncé’s Vogue cover, but there are actually a number of more impressive shots this month (along with a few dismal ones). Even more noteworthy is the fact that September brought serious diversity. Nicki Minaj, Ruth Negga, Aja Naomi King, Yara Shahidi, Constance Wu, Issa Rae and more got covers this month. It was also a good month for original supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford.
See all this and more in our roundup of the best and worst September 2018 magazine covers.
[ Next: Over Half of American Fashion Magazines Featured People of Color on the Cover This September ]
All the September 2018 Magazine Covers We Loved and Hated
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Vogue UK
Not only is this a great shot of Rihanna, but the superstar makes history as the first black woman to front the magazine's September issue.
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Marie Claire Australia
Plaid and stripes aren't the easiest prints to combine, but the blue colorway works beautifully to bring out Amy Adams' eyes.
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Harper's Bazaar Australia
Cate Blanchett looking like the glam Oscar-winning actress she is in Giorgio Armani.
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Porter
If only we could all look as good as Lupita Nyong'o lounging in the grass!
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Fashion
Here's to us seeing more of the stunning Constance Wu, decked out here in enviable jewels and a Christian Dior Fall 2018 look.
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Marie Claire UK
Ruth Negga looks as though she took a sleeping pill before the shoot...
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Vogue
The most buzzed-about cover lives up to the hype.
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Allure
Bella Hadid usually has a hard edge to her, but this is a refreshingly soft image and a perfect one for a beauty-focused glossy.
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ELLE
It would have been nice to see more of Emma Stone's outfit and less of her arms and hands.
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Ebony
How adorable is this shot of Issa Rae? It's at once funny and glamorous. Hopefully we'll be seeing her in more red carpet looks!
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Vogue Arabia
Nicki Minaj looking powerful and regal in Christian Siriano. The uniqueness of the black on black will certainly stand out on newsstands.
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ELLE Canada
This isn't the most flattering shot of Tracee Ellis Ross, but it's a fun one (if you can avoid being distracted by the artificial-looking nails).
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Vogue Paris
Vogue Paris has three cover stars: Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. It's always nice to see original supers, but none of these covers are memorable or unique. Arguably the worst is Moss as a Marilyn Monroe doppelgänger.
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Essence
Love it or hate it, at least there's a fun fashion element here with Naomi Campbell rocking Cushnie et Ochs and some seriously bold gold accessories.
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Shape
You don't see much of Aja Naomi King's shape here and the mouth-open snap makes for an unfortunately cheesy shot.
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Tatler
It's hard to believe that this stiff shot was the best the mag could get out of Cindy Crawford.
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Town & Country
Catherine Zeta-Jones and her daughter Carys Zeta Douglas are this month's cover stars...you'd think they'd look more excited! Zeta-Jones looks awkwardly uncomfortable, while her daughter looks a bit too young for that pseudo sexy glare. That's ignoring the obvious question about why they're even on the cover...
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The Hollywood Reporter
Yara Shahidi kills it with this vibrant cover.
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Harper's Bazaar UK
Cameron Russell looks like she used the drapes and sheets to make her dress.
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ELLE UK
This shot of Slick Woods is amazing! Fun, carefree and a beautiful celebration of her pregnant figure.
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Harper's Bazaar
An odd choice for any fashion cover, especially the all-important September issue, Bruce Springsteen and his daughter look just as dumbfounded as we are.
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Marie Claire
Zendaya kills it with hair, makeup and that leopard Max Mara number.
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Glamour
Tiffany Haddish's beauty look is on point, but her outfit looks as though it was chosen by a 12-year-old.
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InStyle
Doesn't every shot of Jennifer Aniston make you wish you were friends with her? She seems so effortlessly adorable and charming.
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WSJ.
Looking like they just stepped out of a vintage Revlon ad, 10 models, including Anna Ewers, Andreea Diaconu, Imaan Hammam, Carolyn Murphy, Karlie Kloss and Doutzen Kroes, appear on five covers this month and we can't get enough.
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Cosmopolitan
A disappointingly disjointed and overly Photoshopped cover shot of Vanessa Hudgens and Nina Dobrev.
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Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair's covers continue to disappoint since Graydon Carter's departure. Even Michelle Williams looks horrified!
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Vogue Australia
Given the Kardashian-Jenner domination, it's hard to believe this is Kylie Jenner's first Vogue cover.
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Vogue Japan
Could this shot of Hailey Baldwin be any more tasteless and artificial?
