I'll admit it - my love for glossy magazines has fizzled out over time. Now, I only buy them if they come with some cool freebies.
Back in the day, I used to love these kinds of publications almost as much as I love books.
I remember the pre-internet era when magazines used to set trends. The pics would inspire me, and some articles were actually interesting. Magazines were a great way to find out what's new in cosmetics and perfumes.
But, just like any other emotional high, it would soon wear off, leaving me feeling empty. I think my love for glossy magazines was a bit like a shopping addiction. You know, that kind of disorder where you're driven by desire rather than need. And when you satisfy your passion, you feel empty rather than fulfilled.
Okay, sorry, got a bit carried away there.
So, back to the October issue of Marie Claire.
I bought it for the inserts. Let's start with what was hidden inside.
I haven't opened these freebies yet.
You can see a full-size mascara (10 ml) from Faberlic.
This mascara, which costs more than twice the price of the magazine, has actually justified my purchase in my eyes.
But, I have to say, I did get to read some articles and learn about the theme of the magazine.
So, the moral of the story is the theme of the October issue.
I was curious to see how the editors and authors would develop this theme.
Marie Claire had my back when I was clueless about Kant's philosophy.
Don't worry, it's just a women's magazine - no one's going to expect me to become a philosophy buff overnight.
The endless ads are broken up by short posts about media personalities.
Some of the quotes resonated with me.
I was surprised by the variety of topics on this page.
Now, I'm done browsing - I'll buy some boots from that brand, wear the top, stock up on Clarins, find the perfect foundation...and write a review.
Out of all the options, I might've considered attending the exhibition at the Pushkin Museum, but I won't be going due to various reasons.
A large article about 'Fathers and Children' left me unimpressed, but maybe it'll interest others who care about dads on parental leave.
I always enjoy flipping through the latest fashion and beauty trends, whether it's a print or online magazine. (I won't post the photos, in case you decide to buy the issue).
The magazine polled some actors and young ballet dancers on the topic.
A large article called 'Simple Movements' is dedicated to professional TikTok creators.
I'm not really bothered by how people make a living off of this.
I'm curious - who's watching all this and why?
I'm either getting old or reading too much Kafka and Nabokov, but I just don't get the point of this social media platform or all the pages in the magazine.
This spread brought me back to reality, though.
I decided to take my mini-Provence for a spin, plucked some lavender from my one and only bush, and sprinkled it with salt. Let's see what happens next.
The theme of preserving youth and anti-aging is always relevant.
But, again, other platforms allow you to delve deeper into this topic if you're interested.
The one thing that's undeniable is that photos in 'глянце' are always stunning.
When I flip through the pages, I'm like, 'I want that!' Too bad I can't really inspect the fabric properly.
Sometimes I'm browsing, and I see a cute dress, only to find out it's a top or even pants...
I was pleasantly surprised by the back page with an ad for a well-known brand.
It's funny how the blazer-bluza reminds me of traditional Ukrainian embroidery.
To sum it up, some of my favorite websites have replaced my women's magazines. There, I find trends, directions, and new ideas. I can even consider the details.
As much as I love reading physical copies, I mostly read books the old-fashioned way. There's just something more satisfying about it, and 'глянце' always disappoints me.
Too much advertising, superficial articles, not enough fresh content... And, of course, the price.
However, I'd still recommend buying Marie Claire or another magazine with a practical goal in mind – for try-ons and, in case you're hit with a specific kind of female depression, as a relatively inexpensive way to lift your mood for a bit.