Allure Magazine Review

     Allure is a magazine that works.  It works because it takes its reader on a flight of fantasy and glamour. 

     For many years, I noticed the seductive and dramatic covers of Allure magazine looking out from magazine racks.  Yet, I rarely chose to pick up a copy.  I always expected it to be shallow and perhaps even a little bit obscene.  When I finally decided to pick up a copy, I was surprised to find I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Allure is edgy, without falling off the edge.  Its photography is creative and a bit surreal.  And the choice of features is sometimes unique, sometimes informative, and often a bit absurd and amusing.

     Mostly though, it is the 'nuts and bolts' of good magazine production that pulls it all together.  First of all, the writing is simple and creative.  The following sentence from the December of 2008's issue is an example of this:  "Our new Stakeout Style blog gathers the fashion secrets of real women on the streets of New York and beyond."  This one sentence has rhythm, alliteration, and a forward-looking ending.  I found the same care in word usage when I looked back at earlier issues.  In the March issue the teaser titles "Au jus,"  "Straight Dope'" and "White Nails" made me curious to look at articles about fragrance, hairstyles, and nail polish.  Throughout the magazine, the writing is crisp, interesting, and well done. 

     The story choices also make the magazine work.  They are interesting and timely.  This month's article about gift giving is well written, appropriate, and offers realistic and practical tips.  And there are the expected articles on beauty and health.  But, it is the unique articles and photo features that truly hold the attention of the reader.  The 'Fashion Stakeout,'   for instance, showcases both fantastic and truly absurd outfits.  In addition, there are articles like 'Attraction Confusion" in the December 2008  issue that details a study about oral contraceptives, natural body scents, and mate compatibility.  This is something a little different for the reader.  

   The photography is captivating as well.  It combines excellent techniques with sheer art.  In the June 2008 issue, photographer Marilyn Minker captured the image of a freckled-faced model as a beautiful young woman and also as one of many images that, together, had the movement and colors of the undersea world.  It's common practice for pictures in this magazine to use light and color to present a larger and more ethereal impression.  In addition, the occasional use of black-and-white photography, and a balanced and varied layout, makes the magazine fun to look at. 

     Still. the magazine is not perfect.  Most significantly, the medical articles often are based on incomplete medical information.  Sometimes a limited numbers of studies are used.  In the article 'Best Face Forward' (December 2008), the study cited looked at alpha lipoic acid use in only 33 women.  This is not a large enough sample to give an accurate picture.  While Allure does qualify that the results of this article are not definitive, the overall optimism of the article far exceeds the science presented. 

     Another problematic area for the magazine is the overuse of advertisements, especially in the beginning of the magazine.  More articles could easily be moved to the front of the magazine.

      Despite these shortcomings,  I'm glad I decided to give Allure a closer look.  Now I am hooked, and plan to purchase and enjoy it again and again.  It is well written.  It is crisp.  It  is about glamour and beauty.  Allure is not really about my life, but for an hour or so it is fun to imagine myself in Allure's world.