Mikki Taylor, Essence's legendary beauty and cover director, is retiring after 30 years with the magazine. She's expected to hand over the day-to-day tasks of overseeing the publication's beauty pages and cover direction in favor of a freelance position as Editor-at-Large where she'll still have a hand in producing cover images and working with celebs, reports a press release from the company. More than an editor, Mikki was a beauty and fashion personality who's recent career included appearing on TV One's 'Makeover Manor' and VH1's 'Charm School' in addition to regularly gracing the mag's pages herself in a regular column and appearing in online video segments.

"I am thrilled to continue to serve women of color in my new role as editor-at- large, with innovative platforms that showcase our beauty" she said. "Without a doubt, this is the most exciting period in the history of Black women ever and I look forward to this new threshold in my career that will allow me to inspire and be inspired by women around the world."

Taylor became Essence's beauty editor in the early 1980's before lobbying and garnering the added responsibility of cover director in 1986. She helped the magazine transition from model covers to celebrity covers and has worked with every cover star since, including Oscar winners Halle Berry and Mo'Nique, and superstars like Oprah and Beyonc�.

"Mikki is truly an icon at Essence, and we celebrate her accomplishments and thank her for her tremendous contributions," said Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray. "As an editor and personality in her own right, she has successfully expanded the boundaries of storytelling to honor the unique beauty of African-American women, and shared her knowledge in order to be of service and inspiration."

Mikki is also the author Self-Seduction Your Ultimate Plan to Inner and Outer Beauty, a guide to physical and spiritual health and beauty, and served as an instructor at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Her retirement will take effect on March 31.