Cosmopolitan is a magazine that usually stands out to me amongst others on a magazine shelf - perhaps because I have purchased every single monthly edition for as long as I can remember, or maybe due to its front cover which is always an attention grabber. While there are many other magazines available out there that are related to women in a similar sort of way, I have dipped my toe into them, but I always come back to Cosmopolitan in the end.

For me, Cosmopolitan offers something a little different to many other magazines, which focus primarily on celebrities and they flaws in an attempt to make 'ordinary' women feel better about themselves. Cosmopolitan has put a slightly different spin on it by showing and teaching women how to genuinely love themselves, while giving a great number of articles to read at the same time. Although celebrities and their latest antics are touched on within the magazine, usually with one larger article on a particular celebrity who will be on the front cover, it is not weighed down with every single celebrity and what they have been doing over the last month which I find quite refreshing.

You can expect quite a varied read from Cosmopolitan as they have articles each month which go from one end of the spectrum to the other. There are regular articles, such as 'Sex and the Single Girl', as well as a sex therapy page and a couple of pages which will be titled 'What goes through mens minds about...' and each month there will be a different topic, usually related to women, where the Cosmopolitan team have interviewed a group of men to get their opinion - I personally find this quite interesting and funny as I enjoy reading about how the male mind seems to work! Regularly there will be a real life story, usually something quite traumatic but they are always interesting and sometimes emotional but a good read all the same. Each edition should have one or two related to different topics. You can almost guarantee that each month there will be at least one article about sex whether it be positions or couples sex diaries!

I admire Cosmopolitan for articles that are usually avoided by other magazines. In the past I recall them touching on a number of sensitive and quite taboo issues such as rape and domestic abuse which while isn't particularly relevant to me, it is useful for me to be aware of and allows me to relate to those who have experienced such things. I feel it is important to recognise that Cosmopolitan are attempting to face these issues head on to raise awareness, instead of brushing them under the carpet. On the topic of raising awareness, for quite some time now they feature a different semi naked man (I would say naked, but he alway covers his 'you know what' so we can't see it... But in theory I suppose he really is naked!) each month to make people more switched on to testicular cancer. While this is a sensitive issue, on many occasions the male in question will have quite a nice body, giving us ladies something to look at in the mean time.

While Cosmopolitan does have regular articles for loyal readers to keep up with each month, there are always a variety of articles that vary and can depend on a number of factors such as season or weather for example this month they are featuring a bikini body article which is obviously relevant to the time of year (or at least we can hope that the weather will perk up/remain sunny!). More often than not the articles will always be in relation to beauty or fashion, with them frequently doing make up tutorials and the best hair styles for the season which I always find is a really great way to keep with the current trends. In terms of fashion, they will often show each body shape how to wear clothes to flatter their body shape which although it sounds like a Gok Wan television show (not that there is anything wrong with them by the way - I love Gok!), is quite authentic and gives some really great looks as well as where to find the clothes they are showing and how much they will cost you.

Usually, as an incentive to purchase the magazine, Cosmopolitan will offer some sort of promotion for example this month the magazine was £2. A discount is quite rare I find, and it will more frequently be a free gift such as a handbag or essential make up piece i.e lipgloss. Admittedly some are better than others as some are aren't that great, but I found a really useful one was a dieting book a few months back which was a diet diary of two women - particularly good for me as I was starting a diet at the time and it gave me some tips!

Each month that Cosmopolitan is published, it is a month in front for example the copy I have in front of me is July's edition, and at present it is June. I'm not sure why they do this but I just thought I should point it out to avoid confusion! The release date of each copy is usually around the 10th of each month but it does vary. There is an option to subscribe for 12 months which can be renewed year upon year and I always think I should do this in an attempt to save money but I am yet to get round to it. However if you have the time that is definitely worth the investment as they are delivered straight to your door so you will never miss an issue! Cosmopolitan can be found well stocked in most supermarkets, as well as smaller news agents and more independent stores, but I often purchase mine from Boots. The price should remain the same where ever you purchase it from as it retails at £3.50 which while it is a little pricey, it is the only magazine I buy regularly so I don't mind!

You will notice a full size magazine and a smaller, travel size version which I usually only buy when going on holiday but its a good idea if you don't have much room or you would prefer it to be more compact to keep in your bag if you are on the go a lot. You will not be disappointed with Cosmopolitan as the content in each edition is never repetitive and I always feel well informed after reading it. I think it is definitely better than all of its competition and I would say it is probably aimed mostly at young adult women, but I believe that even an older lady would enjoy reading it due to how broad the articles are as they are not just focus specifically around one point, person or topic i.e celebrities. I dread to think how much money I have spent on Cosmopolitan over the years, but it has been good reading and given me some great laughs so I will continue to purchase it for the for seeable future!