I spent the last three and a half years living in the United Kingdom and within that time, I read reams of glossy pages in search of ‘my’ magazine.

Between my housemates, workmates, hairdressers and friends I found myself flicking through the following list.

• Cosmopolitan – UK publication of the annoying monthly featuring airbrushed US celebs on the cover with “fun glamour” and “hot tips” on applying your makeup/spicing up your sex life/flirting/buying the right pair of jeans. All the important things in life…right?
• Glamour – Exactly the same as Cosmo, slightly lower budget
• Marie Claire – Not as terrible as Cosmo but only just. Slightly more environmentally and globally aware. Oh and you will never be able to afford any of the clothes advertised, unless you have a high paying job where you work so much that you don’t have time to read this magazine advertising these clothes. Sorry!
• Grazia – Similar to a weekly version of Marie Claire
• Look – Cheaper version of Grazia
• Heat – Gossip magazine revolving around the shameful lives of (mostly) local UK celebrities
• Closer – Exactly the same as Heat
• Hello – Thicker version of Heat or Closer, generally featuring anyone in or with connections to the Royal family. Lots of photo spreads featuring rich football players showing of their new homes/wives/children/cars.
• OK! – Exactly the same as Hello

If you can’t tell yet, none of these magazines made it onto my ‘list’. Here are my two UK faves.

Woman & Home

For a great treat every month, check out Woman & Home – the magazine with a brand new attitude for 35-plus women who don’t want to be pigeon holed. Every month, it’s full of ideas – all given the unique w&h spin. Why not read a copy and discover why it is such a brilliant read. We know you’ll love it!

The above is their own description of the publication and you know what? They are spot on! If you’ve been reading along, you’ll note that I’ve only just turned 23 and do not yet fit into the 35+ bracket yet. But I love this magazine. And if I’m being truely honest, they usually do a fashion spread for each age group (20’s, 30’s etc) and I generally prefer the clothes they pick for the women in their 40’s or 50’s. When reading this magazine I don’t feel like I’m lowering my IQ and I always come away with a great new idea or two.

Pro: Great clothes for real women of all shapes and sizes; amazing monthly features on inspitational female entrepreneurs from different business sectors; helpful health information which never includes fad diets

Con: Can sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss with their celebrity cover stories.

eg. Susan Sarandon: Intelligent, political activist, Hollywood legend – YES.

Penny Smith: Annoying, giggly news reader on GMTV – NO NO NO NO NO NO AND WHY?

Psychologies

Psychologies is the first women’s magazine that’s about what we’re like, not just what we look like. If you’re interested in the ways we think, behave and connect, then this is for you. Whether you want to develop your own potential, or become a better parent, partner or friend, we’ll bring you the ideas, insights and inspiration to help you do it.

Again, spot on. Their tagline is “Get what you want and and love what you’ve got.” I get a real kick out of this magazine and that line. This publication is all about helping you to appreciate what you already have. Instead of coaxing you into buying it, the writers let you know that you don’t need that super expensive handbag or D&G sandals. They help with budgets, better personal behaviour and physical health. So you might not NEED that handbag, but if it’s within the budget you have diligently made, if you’ve made a personal break-through (be it physical, mental or emotional) and you feel you deserve some positive reinforcement then go ahead! However Psychologies is much more into rewarding yourself with things like a quiet night with a book or a day out hiking, which suits me just fine anyway. But you get my point. (Sorry for the super-long analogy there.)

Pro: ‘Thinking’ celebrities; Dossier; The Five Senses; always has a great selection of new books (both mainstream and psychology-centred) and an intently followed book club.

Con: The only thing I don’t like about this publication is that they tend to have a test/quiz in most issues, usually located in the Dossier. This is just a personal thing as I can’t stand tests in magazines.

So there you go, not wildly in-depth but they’re just my opinions. If you’re in the UK and want a good, glossy read pick up a copy of w&h or Psychologies. If you’re anything like me, you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers.