I'll admit, I've always approached Cosmo magazines with a healthy dose of skepticism.
I bought them to have something to flip through in the evenings, to unwind and enjoy the colorful photos.
Unretouched starsBut I didn't experience that same love I had for Burda Moden.
COSMOPOLITAN magazine reviewCosmo was like a Kinder Surprise for me - you buy it expecting something exciting, but you get a beautifully designed empty shell.
Unretouched starsI read it, but I wasn't impressed. Although the articles are written in an engaging and easy-to-read style, and the topics are interesting, I found myself reading and forgetting - nothing stuck with me.
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Recently, I had to get rid of some of my books. In my attic storage, I found about 7 of these Cosmo magazines. I thought to myself, 'I'll definitely get rid of these without any regrets.'
My Cosmo magazines, the ones with the coversAnd... I was wrong.
The real value of these old magazines is in the glamorous finds I've already gotten from them - they've been worth it, and I hope they'll continue to be.
I've got to say, the content in Cosmopolitan is pretty standard for a women's glossy.
There are five main topics that caught my eye in this issue:
Style - clothesCosmopolitan Magazine reviewBeauty - hairCosmopolitan Magazine reviewMakeup - bags, jewelryCosmopolitan Magazine reviewPerfumeCosmopolitan Magazine reviewSelf-care and fitness - sports, various treatments, cosmetics, and even some home remediesCelebrities - interviews and biographiesCosmopolitan Magazine reviewCosmopolitan Magazine reviewCosmopolitan Magazine reviewCosmopolitan Magazine ReviewRelationship Psychology with colleagues, partners, spouses, friends, parents, and so on.Money - business, stories of successful success.I have to say, the oldest issues are the ones I wouldn't part with. There's something special about the energy of old things.
I especially loved reading about business. Successful people shared their stories, offered advice, and recommendations. I thought maybe it would spark some entrepreneurial or career-driven instincts in me, but nope, it didn't.
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I do have to give credit to the magazine - the quality is top-notch.
The layout, printing, and overall design are all on a high level. It's a pleasure to hold it in your hands and flip through the pages. The visual aspect was a delight.
Some projects really stood out to me.
For example, dating stories:
Flipping through the pages and seeing all the guys was a confidence booster. I'd pick one, imagine a scenario, and think, 'If these successful, gorgeous men are single, what chance do I have?'xa0
There were some real job listings:
But honestly, I just read it, sighed, and headed off to work.
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I'm a huge fan of the 'No Makeup' celebrity series.
As someone who's been part of this project for years, I find it fascinating to see how famous people look without makeup.
However, their photos seem Photoshopped. Or maybe they're just young...
I came across some articles that were relevant, interesting, but ultimately useless. I'd read it, process the information, and think, 'So what's the point?'
I have to admit, flipping through Cosmopolitan does give me a glimpse into the latest trends. But let's be real, who needs to stay on top of the latest fashion and travel trends when you're on a tight budget?
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One major plus is the free samples. It's not every day I get to try out high-end perfumes or creams without breaking the bank.
What's even more surprising is that one of the samples I received remained unopened, and I still get to enjoy the luxurious scent years later.
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On the other hand...
The books I can re-read a hundred times, but magazines just aren't my thing. Take the cover of one issue, for example: 'I'd kill for these shoes.'
I just don't get the philosophy behind it. I mean, who gets that excited about buying expensive shoes?Books inspire us to reach for something more, but messages like these just seem to bring us down, reducing us to mere consumers of material goods.
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Many people complain about the amount of advertising in Cosmopolitan, but I actually enjoyed it. The style and creativity behind the ads were top-notch.
The ads were designed by leading marketers and photographers, and the images ended up being super helpful for me later on.
I have to say, the magazines brought in a bit of cash for me.
Authors recommend buying cameras, but I already have them ready to go.
The lipstick - the one I mentioned in the review, endorsed by top models in the magazine - got an insane amount of views.
And it's all because in Google, my not-so-interesting face was replaced with a more attractive one:
Of course, not all pretty faces make a difference in Google - many reviews just sit idle in my Airek account.
I actually love taking photos in dandelions, but in the winter, Cosmo comes in handy.
Take, for example, the turmeric mask from Fix Price:
I wasn't a fan of Cosmopolitan magazines, but I'd sometimes buy them.
There was no internet back then, and I wanted to learn something new from the fashion world.
The magazine's photos are all about creativity, and the articles are light and optimistic.
For a long time, I'd forgotten about Cosmo, and when I found them on my attic, I thought about throwing them away.
But then I realized - these are actually amazing photo props:
I've got to say, the best photographers in the world have already taken care of making my reviews look appealing to readers.
But if there's a photo, I instantly get inspired and the review writes itself faster.
Taking a break from makeup for life
Nostalgia for Burda Moden journals
The scandalous Health and Wellness Journal
Fix Price's luxurious pens and makeup
The Unattainable CHANEL