Best: Sarah Jessica Parker, "Harper's Bazaar," March 2009
A spring fashion issue with SJP on the cover -- instant win! What could be more fun than running on an empty Brooklyn bridge in a fabulous dress and stilettos with the wind whipping through your hair? It sounds like a dream, right? One that Parker was lucky enough to live out, and we were lucky enough to see on the newsstands.
Photo 6/13
Best: Jennifer Aniston, "Elle," September 2009
This cover proves that at 40 Aniston has never looked better! The fierce leather dress paired with sexy tousled waves (copy her style with help from this how-to video) helps Aniston look like the strong, independent woman she is.
Photo 7/13
Best: Alicia Keys, "Jet," December 2009
Keys stated this year that she plans to expand into the "business of inspiration," which we think she clearly proves in this shot. Her funky nails and flirty feathers are so unique we can't help but envy them! And those thick, luxurious lashes are the perfect touch to her inspiring, gorgeous look.
Photo 8/13
Best: Taylor Swift, "Allure," April 2009
She knows it, we know it. Swift has become a role model for young girls and women everywhere. And 2009 was truly her year. This obviously wasn't the only cover she graced, but Swift's dramatic red lips, flawless skin and signature blonde curls definitely had us loving this photo of her over some of the other covers we saw.
Photo 9/13
Best: Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page, "Marie Claire," October 2009
This cover's yellow theme isn't the only thing that makes this cover bright and fun. Barrymore and Page, both rocking textured, tousled waves and sultry eye makeup look like they're having a blast together.
Because we're obviously list obsessed, we decided to end the year by sharing another best/worst story dedicated to a fun and juicy topic: magazine covers. You may not realize it, but you probably walk past hundreds of magazines each year without really seeing them. We're often guilty of this too, but the magazines mentioned in this list definitely jumped out at us. Some of them were so gorgeous they stopped us dead in our tracks, but others caught our eye and left us wondering, "What were they thinking?"
From Beyonce's elegant shot on the cover of "Vogue" to Victoria Beckham looking slightly freakish on the cover of "Elle," these glossies have stirred up talk, buzz and even controversy among readers and editors alike. Check them out, and if any of your fave or least fave covers didn't make the list, please share by commenting on this story.
