Look! (yeah, look somewhere else!) (Look Magazine)

Member Name: I-tried-this

Product:	Look Magazine
Date:	06/08/08 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: erm, large-ish pages? good for collages?

Disadvantages: nothing worth reading, fashion is dull and products advertised are very expensive.

OK, so I didn't have to pay for this, and I am very pleased I did not. I did however, get caught up on a train and have nothing else to read. So I decided to open what was actually a 'goodie bag' and take a flick through what appeared to be, yet another celebrity magazine.

I was not surprised or taken a back by the articles, not that they were not our of order or hypocritical or stereotypical- they were. But because, just like all the other magazines in the same category: Heat, Now, Star... they all have the same pictures and the same stories.

My best laugh though, was finding this same magazine on a coffee table in a doctors waiting room, I again, flicked through a copy of it, very fast, caught glimmers of Kylie Minogue looking worse for wear, and the magazine taking her side. Only to take a flick through heat 30 seconds skater to see the same- yes 100% the same photo of Kylie, but with a separate more bitchy caption, her top instead of being a green jumper, was now a red jumper, and her cheeks were a slightly different shade- bronzer, her eyes bluer and her hair shinier. But the facial expression, the hair strands and the actual jumper -aside from the colour, were the same. Literally identical. It appears they even 'correct' the pictures that don appear to be altered. Makes you wonder just how many of them are actually real- if any are at all that is.

The magazine is nothing special, I was that bored on the train- my ipod battery had stopped itself, that I had nothing to do so I slowed my pace, but this was a seriously dull task- I really couldn't finish it. I really couldn't! It was so dull, and though I tend not to keep tabs on 'celebrity life' even I was aware of the news that they mentioned. Nothing was new nothing was different, it had all been said and done before.

Then comes the fashion pages. Skinny models, as you would expect, advertising clothes that would only look good on actual skinny models. There seems to be a lot of the following brands in the mag in general: Dorothy Perkins, River Island, Zara and New Look, with the Occasional Miss Selfridge and Topshop, so you can see the age group this mag is really aimed at, the 13 to 19 age range.

So what then makes it disturbing for me- and I have to say I don't think this magazine is alone in this. Is the back to front messages it spcheels on about: stick thin stars who have a slight curve to their stomach- probably because they drank some water, are either accused of gaining a few pounds- like its a major crime, or they are pregnant. It never seems to be OK to gain weight, and this as a message to a growing teenager who will need to gain weight and at that time in their lives, actually not for growth in terms of height, but actually for flesh, hips, breasts, men also for areas of their body, having messages like the ones spelled out very graphicly. Just the thing to promote a healthy body image, right?

And then there are the problem pages- one of these made me laugh: one writer apparently writes in that she is craveing a sweet snack which is low in calories. And suprize suprize what is suggested? Fruit! Wow- wish I could get paid a proper salary for giving info like that! It does also have a cosmetic surgeon who writes answers to many questions, people do submit their ages, but I very much doubt these magazines are solely read by the apparently 27, 28 year old, its a youthful mag with youthful fashion (there's no way most of it will pass of as office attire!) and all be it write about cosmetic surgery but not because someone writes in feeling their thighs are too large- who doesn't when they are 15? and posted with a picture attached of a happy smiling bikini model will also add to the messages that weight loss and being overly skinny is the answer to happiness. We all know deep down there is more to life then that- its not the route to ultimate happiness, but a growing teenager wont always be able to tell the difference. Not all of them anyway.

There are also vague horoscopes which mention planets and stars to fill up space but then never really explain what "Saturn in your sign this weekend" really means. Just as well, they may find themselves under some type of law suit for falsifying information. They do give a short statement after the vagueness of the report, sort quips like: A night out with the girls reveals some great gossip- well that's a shock, I didn't know us girls spoke and 'gossiped' on a girls night out! Or another one saying 'New make-up gives you a confidence boost', well, generally that's what its supposed to do. Its so basic, its like suggesting you will get a letter in the post this week, which generally everyone will do, even if its junk mail. They are covering their bases, Its pathetic. If you cant do a horoscope properly, just don't do it at all.

There is no TV guide in this, its mainly full of the articles about celebrities that you had already heard before, store fashion for clothes that generally look very dull, or just don't match or advertisements for L'Oreal, Rimmel and other middle high street brands.

There is the odd random interview with celebrities, but it wont tell you anything new, its all very strained and basic, nothing out standing, no matter which caption catches your eye, if you read the interview properly, you will soon find its just a load of hot air, the real story is not anything to amaze you, in fact you almost want to slap yourself for being sucked in by any hype. There are some article spreads on 'real' people telling their stories, but to be honest, I am not sure how much of it I believe going on the sheer volume of pictures of celebrities trying to duck the camera- i.e., not an interesting photo, so I wouldn't put it past them to add a few details and jazz up a story somewhat.

The mag also has product pages where they speak very briefly about products that they rate, but they dont really say whats good and bad about them, its more "buy this product", good if your looking for something similar, but not really convinceing, its abit like getting junk mail, if you dont need home insurance, your not going to take notice in the letters or emails by direct line Home insurance. Likewise, if you dont need bright orange eye shadow, unless you have more money then sense, your not going to spend £25 upwards on purchasing the one thats advertised. Most of the products advertised are atleast £10, most around the £15 to £30 mark. Its strange as the garment range is in relation to this, far cheaper brands aiming at a different market of people. Confusing, or is the magazine just that desperate to get anyone to read it?!

Around 75% of the magazine is about celebrities and their lives and speculations about them, and the rest is all advertising and a few things written or about viewers. Dull dull dull! (and just to add people, I am not so square that it bores me, I studied textile design/fashion at Degree level at a top London College and my usual favourite magazine is Vogue Though there isn't as much to read, the ads are more inspiring and the fashion is actually different to look at. Not what everyone wears to look like a celebrity wannabe.)

Its not very interesting, the celebrity stories are all yesterdays news and the stars they take pictures of are not that interesting as they generally are shying away from the camera as much as possible, with the odd one (Jordan, Victoria Beckham, ex-big brother, things...) all trying to get in front of the camera and some how being allowed a quarter of a page for captions sake.

I am glad I didn't buy this magazine, I am glad it was given to me for free and I am glad I was able to take a read on the train. Not only did it prepare me for my bed, but it meant I could donate it to the train seat and not have to lug the thing home!

The magazine is sold in most newsagents and supermarkets and will set you back a grand total of £1.40.

Summary: Rubbish boaring and last weeks news. I am so glad I didnt have to pay for this!