Why I chose this magazine
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One of the perks of signing up for my phone contract was that I qualified for a free 6 month subscription to a women's magazine (dont ask me how this was relevant to my contract, I think it was something to do with the phone being pink). I had a choice of Heat, Grazia or Closer and to be honest I just picked Closer through a process of elimination. My subscription started in January and I received the magazine once a week. Incidentally, I had no problems with my subscription and it always turned up on time, despite the fact that I wasn't technically paying for it.

The technical stuff
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Although I wasn't paying for it, closer is priced at £1.30 per issue. If you do decide to subscribe a 6 month subscription costs around £28 so if you definitely want to buy each weekly issue and want it delivered straight to your door you can save around £5 by subscribing. It's not that much really, but I suppose it's worth it if you're buying the mag religiously. As I have already mentioned you can buy closer every week, its usually out on a Tuesday and they also have a website, www.closeronline.co.uk.
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What's in Closer?

Although the content changes every week, the standard format is made up of the following sections:

Closer News: Does what it says on the tin.
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The most talked about news stories of the week are written about in detail in a series of articles.

Advantages: you get a detailed account of the who, what, when and where of the celeb world. The news issues are always current and relevant.

Disadvantages: The articles can be a bit too long. Do we really a three page spread on the life of the latest celebrity?

Closer Real Life
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Usually four or five articles on real life stories, from family dramas to political issues.

Advantages:One of my favourite sections as reading about the struggles that other people face often makes you feel grateful for your lot!

Disadvantages: Not for the eyes of your children! Some of the stories are pretty controversial to say the list. But then again, what's wrong with a bit of controversy?


'After Dark'
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A section all about the parties and events of the week in the celeb world.

Advantages: great for the dodgy drunk photos and latest gossip.

Disadvantages: if you don't care about celeb gossip you won't want to read this.

Mel B's Column
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The former spice girl provides her views on anything and everything.

Advantages: I'm a fan of Mel B's no nonsense attitude so enjoy reading her article.

Disadvantages: If you don't like, or don't particularly care about Mel B's views I'm sure that this section won't mean a great deal to you.

'Closer to you'
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As with most magazines this section allowd readers to express their views on anything that they want by writing to or emailing the mag.

Advantages: Readers are rewarded for their views, the star letter always recieves a good prize.

Disadvantages: Not alot really, possibly the fact taht sometimes the letters are based on previous issues of closer that you may not have read.


Body Talk
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A dating expert gives her views on photos of a particular celeb couple and analyses their body language to assess the quality of their relationship.

Advantages: Good if you want to learn a bit about body language

Disadvantages: Not so good if you don't give a damn whether certain couples are together or not.

Style Watch
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An analysis of the weeks best and worst dressed celebs.

Advantages: Great if you want to work out if you really can get away with that bright pink jumpsuit.

Disadvantages: Eyes may be damaged by the monstrous creations that some celebs feel are ok to wear out in public


'Snapshot'
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The section that i often miss out when reading the magazine, not necessarily because it's not very good but just because the small writing and dull colours of the page are not very eye catching. In this section celebrities talk about when, where and why a picture of them was taken.

Advantages: could be interesting if its a celebrity you like.

Disadvantages: Not very eye catching so easy to miss out.

The Big Interview
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An in depth interview with a celebrity
Advantages: interesting to find out about their lives

Disadavantages: Like with any of the articles, not great if you don't like the celeb.

The fashion section
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My favourite section, I think I would probably buy Closer just for this section!

Advantages: Showcases the latest trends and gives examples of affordable prices. Also usually has a celeb modelling the latest fashions and there I have had countless 'I must buy that!' moments. There are also great offers such as 10% off certain websites that are exclusive to readers.

Disadvantages: Nothing! I love this section!


'Beauty Insider'
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This section provides tips about how to apply makeup as well as the products that are the best value and the ones used by celebs.

Advantages: Great tips, the makeup featured is affordable

Disadvantages: Not long enough!


Diet Section
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This section is good if you are conscious of healthy eating and want to try new diets.

Advantages: features only tried and tested diets and focused on healthy eating rather than dangerous crash dieting. I also love the fridge raider section where they quiz a celebrity on what's in their fridge as you can assess your own diet based on their eating habits.

Disadvantages: Makes you feel guilty if you've had a day of eating junk!


Advice
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Closer also has a section where people can ask for advice on many different aspects of their lives including health and relationship issues.

Advantages: great advice from experts.

Disadvantages: A bit boring if none of the problems are relevant to you.


Puzzles
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There is also a large section made up of crosswords, sudokus and other mind puzzles.

Advantages: Great for the coffee break at work.

Disadvantages: The puzzles are sometimes really hard! but then again maybe that's my underworked brain!

'Hot Picks'
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A selection of the weeks best books, dvds and music.

Advantages: good if you want to quickly pick a dvd to rent.

Disadvantages: Not that many picks for each section, but then again this is a weekly magazine and there's only so much you can read/watch/listen to in a week!


Tv
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The magazine also provides and insight into the best tv shows to watch as well as an overview of what's happening in the soaps. There are also the tv lsitings for the week.

Advantages: No need to buy a TV magazine

Disadvantages: None


'My guilty pleasures'
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This is usually at the end of the magazine and involves a celeb talking about their personal hobbies and interests

Advantages: Interesting, can be funny when comedians are featured.

Disadvantages: Boring if you don't really care.


Overall
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Based on the fact that I have never paid for this magazine, I have had a lot of value for my money. I buy celebrity magazines anyway so would definitely buy this when my subscription ends. You won't like this mag if you prefer serious articles and are not interested in the celebrity world but for everyone else I would really recommend Closer as a great read!