A part of growing up isn't just zits.
Written: Jun 09 '01
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Pros: a fresh look, not as cheesy as it used to be.
Cons: still a little cheesy.
The Bottom Line: A great magazine for girls in their early teen years.
But not for ones who are way past those years.
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| hellcat's Full Review: YM Magazine |
YM was the fashion and makeup bible back in junior high, and practically every girl I knew was toting it around, as if she couldn't live without it. Of course, that was the time when we started learning that boys didn't have a lot of cooties after all, and makeup and nail polish was something new. YM knew exactly how it was, and almost every page was dedicated to one or the other. But not to appear too superficial, an article would address real problems, such as rape, drugs, and teen pregnancies. There was also advice columns, dealing with everything from family to hygiene and the infamous Say Anything column - embarrassing moments a girl would hate to experience.
Now that I'm out of Junior High, but not quite old enough to completely stop looking at YM, I decided have a look at recent issues. The letters "YM" no longer stand for "Young & Modern", it is now "Your Magazine." A better fit, because YM speaks to you like one of your girlfriends. The pages are as colorful as ever, but there are no significant changes. Say Anything still exists and although the tales of woe sound a little familiar, it's still gross as ever. There are still quizzes to be taken, but I'd say none of them will tell you something you don't already know about yourself. Celebrities are still gracing the pages of YM, sharing equal space with fashion and beauty. The interviews are light and sometimes funny, but nothing probing or new. Still the same old YM, but...
One thing I notice hasn't changed at all is the tone of the magazine. The writers like to write in casual, everyday language. In other words, you need not look in here for your vocabulary lessons. It's one of its negative points, because it feels as if they're dumbing it down for the readers. I would recommend Seventeen for a girl who prefers a magazine that speaks in a more intelligent manner. Not so much more, just a little more.
Another thing I dislike about YM and most girls' magazines is the price tags on some of the clothes they feature. I certainly wouldn't pay two hundred dollars for a skirt and I don't know how young girl could afford to, either.
But those are just two of my complaints. Now for the list of things I love about YM....
Beauty Advice - all the tips and tricks of beauty I learned from YM. Although they can steer away from blue eyeshadow, they still have some great articles about creating different looks.
The Readers - YM likes to involve its readers, like featuring couples in their stories, getting their opinions on the latest looks and products, and doing makeovers.
The Cheesiness - Some things are over the top, but fortunately, it's intentional most of the time. Like, how would Hollywood couples fare in Survivor? Would Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar survive the challenge of hanging at opposite ends of the island... without cell phones?
The Style - YM's taste in fashion is always trendy and feminine, with just a little edge. There is nothing too weird to wear or skimpy enough to make you look like something else. For the clueless, they even tell you what is appropriate for when.
The Message - No other teen girls' magazine would tell you otherwise, but the message is always the same: Love yourself and do the right thing. It doesn't sound like anything new, but a positive influence can go a long way.
The Staff - I met a few of the faces behind YM when I was invited to do a feature, and they are some of the nicest people I've met. Very friendly!
Now, I realize a few of those can apply to any girls' magazine, but YM just holds a special place in my heart :)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
hellcat
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Reviews written: 2
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