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"I'm dealing with my insecurity. There was a time when I used to pile a bunch of jewellery and clothes and furs on top of my insecurity, and then that's all I was - jewellery and clothes and furs."
Recent press shots and the Breakthrough album cover show Mary's face, open and natural. Her debut album and follow ups had her hiding beneath hats or heavy styling - What's The 411 used a trilby ('92) and My Life, a leather baker boy cap ('94) to literally hide her eyes.
These two albums, and Love & Life were styled by P Diddy. Mary pulled away from that for Share My World which she styled herself. She wears white fur-trimmed coats, a Russian fur hat, white Fendi glasses, even the casual shots featured a glittery tracksuit. She'd developed a super-sophisticated look.
Mary is often considered the most important soul diva of recent years and her grown-up style reflects that. Gone is the uncertainty, the hip hop traces of headscarves, denim, tracksuits and even the ghetto fabulousness - it seems as Mary has dealt with her life and come to terms with it she's clarified her style.
Hairstyles have been wide-ranging and innovative - from the natural long dark, almost Native American vibes of the album Mary to blonde plaits to spikey red hair - she's tried it all.

Mary talks to Ronnie Herel about leaving Puffy and her style


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