Britain's No 1 Women's Magazine, apparently (Glamour)

Member Name: poddle911

Product:	Glamour
Date:	14/02/09 (209 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, fun and handbag-sized

Disadvantages: Full of adverts

I'm not a big fan of glossy magazines and I don't read Glamour regularly, but I forgot my ipod on a train journey and picked it up at the station because it was a) small and b) relatively cheap

The monthly price is £2, which, according the front cover, is the price of a weekly magazine. I thought this was quite reasonable for 300 pages.

Initial observations:
* There are several leaflets inside, including those 'free scratchcard' things (I usually leave these on the shelf in the shop - is that wrong?!)
* The paper is quite thin and low quality, but I guess this is what makes it cheap (and light!) and the print quality doesn't suffer because of it.
* There are loads of adverts! Not just the full- and double page fashion ads throughout, but 20ish pages of (mostly) plastic surgery adverts at the back - way to make young women feel good about themselves, Glamour!

I hope I haven't been too negative so far, as I found Glamour a nice enough way to fill 45 minutes. The contents are split into:
On the Cover
Features
Entertainment
Fashion & Beauty
YouYouYou
Living Glamour

It takes the same format as most other magazines, with loads of regular features, including Mailbag, Do's and Don'ts, big name interviews (Mel B & Lily Allen this issue), real-life story, a 'serious' report, health and relationship advice, a bit of celebrity gossip and news, and lots of fashion stuff.

The good:

It packs lots of stuff in, the clothes on the fashion pages are a mixture of reasonable-priced high street brands and big budget designers (most of whom I've never heard of), it's easy to dip into, there are some good fashion and makeup tips, free samples and offers (this issue includes Dior foundation and 20% off Warehouse). I especially like the lists and stats in G RelationTips and the Glamour List on the last page too (22 things life is just too short for). If you do want to subscribe there always seems to be an offer on - 6 issues for £6 plus free OPI manicure/pedicure set at the moment.

The bad:

Glamour seems to assume that all its readers live in London, work in PR and are obsessed with shoes and handbags, which makes the appeal quite limited (and they only review chicklit). In addition to ALL the adverts, there are lots of promotions masquerading as articles eg. I was reading a piece about lactose intolerance which turned out to be an advert for Lactofree products. Did I mention there were loads of adverts?!

Overall, it's an entertaining and fun glossy magazine and I'd probably buy it again, if only for the fact that it fits in your handbag (designer or not!).

Summary: A £2 glossy magazine for girlie girls who love shopping