The Simple Allure of Allure

I was first given a subscription to Allure as an 18th birthday gift. I was a big consumer of magazines such as Cosmopolitain and Glamour, both of which have fallen to the wayside since my subscription to Allure. Allure has a simple formula. They talk about beauty. That's it. The articles cover makeup, hair, skincare, health and fitness, and clothes. They do not have articles about how to please your man, or how kitchen products can double as love life enhancements. How refreshing to have a women's magazine that isn't trashy.

This is a beautiful magazine. It is in full color, with incredible photography and layout that add to the overall effect of this magazine. The cover is always great - for about the past year now, they have been featuring actresses on the cover, instead of models. The actress on the cover always has an article in the issue.

There are a lot of ads, but they are not overwhelming, and they do not fill up numerous pages at the back like in other magazines. As an added bonus, many of the full page ads have valuable coupons for cosmetics.

Allure is divided into the following departments:
Allure A to Z - This department always includes the Editors' favorite beauty products, a section called "Tricks of the Trade," and a profile of "Allure's Face," a profile of a young beauty, usually an actress.

Allure's A-list - In my opinion, two things make this a wonderful department: "Kevyn's Notebook," which is makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin's own section with tips and product suggestions; and the Fashion Stakeout, which features ten photos of an actress in different outfits at different events.

Health - This section has information on all aspects of health, including skin care, moods and psychology, even plastic surgery. The philosophy of this magazine is that there is no point getting all done up with makeup and great clothes if your health isn't up to par.

Ask Allure - This department features question and answer sessions from readers with professional makeup artists and dermatologists and a great section that features instructions on how to do certain things, like apply makeup, self-tanner, or do a pedicure. Each month has a different 101, and they are printed on handy pull out cards for future use.

Features - this is the meat of the magazine. This is where the article on the cover model is located, as well as articles on other aspects of beauty. As an example, the July 2000 issue has articles such as "Hot Weather Hair," "57 Beauty Bargains," and the humorous "Fashion or Fashion Victim." What is noteworthy about all the articles in the Feature department are all very intelligently written. The interviews are insightful and never gossipy. What I like about the articles most is the conversational tone. This magazine has a very distinct voice that is smart and fashionable - and it takes matters of beauty very seriously.

Fashion - This department is where the fashion pictorials are. They are always gorgeous and fresh and the clothes are always cutting edge. Allure always gives brand names and prices, and while most are designer and ridiculously expensive, if you ever do go on a spending spree, Allure has all the info there to help you out.

Regulars - This department features all the usual magazine standards: the mail, the horoscopes and a great section called Private Eye, in which Allure staffers ask the rich and famous an unusual question such as "If you were a rock star, how would you dress?" Also in this section is the Editor's Letter which, in most magazines is passed over more quickly than the leading ads, but in this magazine is exemplary. Linda Wells, the editor is always bright and intimate in her letters, and readers feel connected with the magazine through her always entertaining and very human confessions.

In addition to these departments, the magazine occasionally includes samples of the season's newest makeup. This is the greatest thing since tinted moisturizer if you ask me, because some of the featured makeup is quite expensive, and it is a real blessing to be able to try before you buy.

Overall, this magazine is a rare find in the world of Women's beauty magazines. It is quite simply a magazine about women's beauty - and nothing more. It is classy and intelligently written, and it is beautiful to look at to boot. I look forward to receiving this magazine in the mail every month. I have been a longtime subscriber, and would recommend my closest female friends to become the same.