Boots Health & Beauty Magazine

I love magazines and I also love a good bargain. So whenever I am in Boots and I see a new issue of their 'Health & Beauty' magazine, I always make sure I grab a copy, as being a Boots Advantage Card Holder means that I get this magazine for free! :)

The first thing you obviously notice is the cover. This month I am reviewing the July/August 2011 issue, and I have to say that it is a very attractive cover which is bursting with colour and is very summery what with its bright colours and 'holiday/summer headings'.

I like this magazine because it is very girlie and there is something quite 'sussed' and 'sorted' about it. It is the kind of magazine that makes you feel that if you are a part of it (by being a reader), then you'll be ok and feel great.

As this is Boots' magazine, there is a lot of coverage of Boots products; so this magazine is definetely a way of promoting Boots products as well as being a magazine for Boots customers to enjoy reading. Whilst I like this magazine, I sometimes 'get enough' of the whole 'buy this' and 'buy that'.

I like the fact that there is a lot of focus on the readers / Boots customers. I find it interesting reading about real-life people rather than celebrities. There are intereviews in here with questions such as 'how do you earn your Boots points' and 'How do you spend your Boots points?' as well as their tips on certain things e.g 'holiday tips' as well as their stories on where they go and what they do to prepare for their holidays.

There was an article in this issue called 'My Insider Secrets' which was by Jean Ford (who is co-founder of the make-up company 'Benifit', which is one of my favourite brands.) I found this interesting seeing how the ideas for the products were found.

There was also an interesting article by one of my favourite authors; Belina Jones, telling us about why she loves getting ready to go on holiday. Things like this certainly put you in the holiday mood.

There are a lot of adverts in this magazine; mainly health and beauty products. I have counted the adverts, and it appears that there is an advert on every double page, so I am guessing this how the magazine is funded, through adverts.

It is interesting how the magazine uses its articles to promote its products. For example, in this issue there is a a small article which reads:

" Getting In The Holiday Mood - Buying a new swimming costume should do the trick. It's been voted the purchase which gets you most excited about your holiday..." It then goes on to say 'Try this swimming costume, £32 Boots'.

So if you can see what I mean from the above how they 'get your attention' by saying 'buying a swimming costume will put you in the mood for your holiday' - they're making you think, if I buy a swimming costume it will put me in the holiday mood....of there's one there....I'll buy that!', which is quite annoying.

There are also some discount vouchers at the back of the magazine; things such as '150 points when you buy...', although I have to say that they are usually for things I don't normally buy, although they are obviously hoping that getting the extra points will inspire you to buy the product even if you want it or not! Doesn't work with me!

There is also hair and make-up tips which are usually based around 'how to get the cover model's look' which is interesting if you are into that kind of thing.

I enjoyed the interview with Nicola from Girls Aloud; she came across as being really friendly as well as being quite funny! I have to say there was some things she said in the interview which made me laugh out loud!

I think that this magazine is excellent value for money! It is just £1 if you are a non-advantage card holder, but if you do have a Boots card, then you can get this magazine for free which I think is great.

Thanks for reading!
July 2011
xdonzx (also posted under xd-o-n-z-x on dooyoo)