Pros: Workouts, nutrition/beauty advice, anti-smoking & other health information, relationships & self-improvement articles, inexpensive
Cons: Alcohol ads, few mental health articles, rip-out sections should be perforated on heavier paper
The Bottom Line: I recommend Self magazine to young women living active, healthy lifestyles. Editorials are well-written and informative; health/nutrition information is up-to-date; beauty/style advice is trendy/affordable; fitness routines really work!
Self magazine is popular women's monthly publication devoted to beauty, style and wellness. The articles inspire and motivate women to exercise and eat a healthy diet. Articles on relationships, finance, careers and self-improvement round out issues. Although the magazine is aimed at female readers younger than myself, I find many of the articles interesting, (like the June article this review title refers to) especially those on health and nutrition. My thirty-something year old daughter has been a subscriber for a couple of years and she saves all her back issues for me. A few months ago, our reception room began receiving a complementary subscription, so now I can read issues while they're still current.
General Content
Self magazine's focus is on the reader. Inside pages readers receive the latest techniques, trends, hints and tips to keep them looking beautiful, trendy, healthy, in shape and happy in their relationships and careers. This is not a magazine filled with celebrity interviews and gossip. Famous personalities or models are are used in articles to inspire readers with their ideas; models/actresses are used on covers and in fashion shoots. When actresses and other well-known personalities do appear inside issues, they are there to share useful beauty and health secrets that Self readers can use in daily living. Often the female readers, themselves, fill the fashion, accessories and exercise pages. The magazine's content is strictly for females.
Covers, Organization, Layout
Covers are of young beautiful models or up-and-coming actresses wearing featured fashions found in the Style section. Seven articles are highlighted on covers - some in very large bold lettering that grab readers' attention. Many are about getting slim, beauty secrets and fitness routines. Other articles are on health, happiness and makeovers.
The two Table of Contents pages start on page 8 after 7-pages of ads and are separated by two additional ad pages. The magazine is organized into On the Cover features, Beauty, Fitness, Health & Happiness, Nutrition and Style. In Every Issue has the Editor's Letter, Your Letters, Self Calendar, Self Starscope (Horoscope), Go Shopping Guide (source information - prices) & Self Portrait departments. Most issues run about 150 pages.
Most articles are completed on succeeding pages but some longer features continue in the back. Pages of ads interrupt other articles as well. Articles are creatively laid out and brightly colored borders separate side pieces from main articles. The look of the magazine is modern, energetic and youthful with bright colors and multiple illustrations and/or photographs in every section. It is very reader-friendly with lots of illustrations, short paragraphs and an easy reading style.
Departments
The Editor's Letter opens the editorial content of Self and introduces each issue. In the Aug '02 issue she explains why this is the Hollywood Gets Healthy issue with over 100 beauty and health secrets from the stars. Sometimes the letter is on a more personal note like last month's letter about highlighting her hair. Your Letters are brief notes from readers that are always complementary about the magazine's positive impact on their lives. The monthly Self-Calendar is a fun page of seasonal activities, events and healthy tips in a calendar format. In summer issues, the calendar offers tips on staying cool and suggests seasonal activities like picnics, beach volleyball, making real lemonade and bike rides. I did several of the summer suggestions such as snipping some of my geranium flowers 4" down the stems and planting them in small pots filled with sandy soil mix for indoor color hopefully getting new blooms throughout the winter.
Self-Expression has articles about personal feelings and thoughts about being a woman. The Aug '02 issue, instead, has Ethics Check - a good advice column on interpersonal problems, ethical questions or job concerns. Readers usually agree with answers. The short questions are all interesting. In addition, the Aug '02 issue has an inspirational quit smoking Cover Story about the cover model's successful attempts to correct unhealthy habits. Self-Portrait ends issues on a thoughtful note. It's usually an interesting, uplifting piece about a well-known personality and reveals her positive personal attributes such as self-discipline and self-respect.
Features
The Features are usually about the same topics that fill the rest of the magazine - fitness, health, beauty, self-improvement and diets. The well-written informative articles contain lots of good information that female readers can use in their every day life; I learn a lot from them. Sometimes they are on timesaving tips that help readers get organized, other times they are about how to get energized and increase stamina. I especially enjoy the ones on health like the Aug '02 issue on Stress, "Say Yes to Stress"; and Nutrition, "Why the Healthiest Food Isn"t Always Good for you." Since I don't exercise in gyms, I really enjoyed the "Never Set Foot in the Gym Again" feature (Aug '02) about outdoor exercising.
Dieters will enjoy the "More Fun, Less Fat" (July '02) article where American cuisine is turned into healthy eats by subtracting fats and calories while still maintaining flavor. I tried the New England Clam Chowder recipe that uses fat free half-and-half, less butter and Canadian bacon. Although it was pretty good, I still prefer the higher calorie Legal Seafood New England Clam Chowder. The calorie and fat savings are considerable and the recipes are easy to follow.
Issues contain special 4-page monthly rip-out sections Self's Body Bonus that are features on exercise located in the back of issues. Self's Body Bonus - July has expert exercise advice from a master trainer focusing on correct breathing, good form and finding the right rhythm. Self's Body Bonus-August has advice from another trainer who uses the pilates-based exercise program. Self's Body Bonus-May, "My Swimsuit Confidence Secret is..." highlights 30+ year old women readers with fabulously fit bodies. Self's Body Bonuses are great because they help motivate readers with photos of other ordinary readers and the results they have achieved using these exercises.
Sections
The Beauty section is stylish and trendy. It consists of Beauty Book, which covers the latest beauty advice for your face and body and some beauty tips and secrets, as well. I particularly like the current piece on how to shape your brow depending on your age. I was less interested in last month's piece on the latest trend in spa treatments. Most of the beauty products highlighted are readily available and inexpensive - most under $25. Beauty advisors give smart answers to good readers' questions and makeup artists tell readers about trendy makeup products and new colors and how to use them. Sometimes I buy products highlighted here. Beauty Best, covers one category of beauty products (with varying price tags) such as perfumes, hair or skin care items or makeup. Photographs, source information and prices are always given.
Beauty Intelligence covers a variety of helpful beauty topics. Aug '02 issue has a timely, important article, "Sun + Moles = Cancer" about skin cancer awareness. There are a couple of photographs of cancerous moles but I wish there were more of them. The A-B-C-E Guide is quite descriptive about suspicious signs to check. Last month there was a makeover piece on soccer players with easy-on-the-go, sports-friendly hair and make-up secrets - perfect for the hot summer months. May's issue has a nice makeover of females in the military while June discusses Botox treatments.
I always enjoy Beauty Flash and get lots of great ideas here. Through quick short bites gleamed from beauticians/beauty experts, beauty salons/companies reps and medical authorities, readers pick up information about the latest beauty news, trends, treatments, tips and new products including books and videos. This month I liked the recipe for clean shiny hair since I swim often and my hair gets especially parched. Be careful using home beauty remedies; not all work so well. Read June's Beauty Bloopers "You, Only Better" and read what can go wrong. Last month there was a fun and timely piece with instructions for creating patriotic nail designs. I appreciate the information about companies that are Eco-friendly or give to charitable causes.
The Fitness section contains Fitness Exerfile that covers specific easy moves, routines or workouts that promise to define your muscles and increase your stamina. Readers write in to say the workouts really get results. Although, I rarely use them, they are well illustrated and easy to follow if you are interested. Gurus also offer helpful advice on meditation and concentration. I do use the wonderful pre & post workout suggestions. There are terrific accompanying side articles on exercise wear/products; injury prevention, self-help tips and unbiased information on exercise classes that really work. Get Fit Getaways has excellent ideas for active or spa vacations. Aug '02 covers hiking, canoeing/kayaking and biking in Asheville, NC with great suggested activities, different price ranges of accommodations and contact information including prices. I save many of these ideas for future reference in vacation planning.
Fitness Insider has Moves of the Month for improving a particular part of the body with step-by-step instruction and photographs to help readers get started. I admit I don't do these exercises but I do like the answers to the exercise questions posed by readers, the tips and the product information. Fitness True Story isn't in every issue but it is a motivational story about a real woman, not a celebrity, who overcomes adversity to achieve a sports/fitness goal. The Aug. '02 issue has a piece on a 33-year old asthma sufferer who manages to complete the NYC marathon and,in the process, improves her health. The stories inspire readers to accomplish their own goals. Fitness Flash is similar in layout to Beauty Flash only the short bites are about the latest exciting fitness news and trends in thinking. Did you know that 32% of women have sexual fantasies while working out? ("The Whoopee Factor" - June '02.
Health & Happiness is my favorite section. It is also a very strong section in the magazine where serious topics are discussed. The multiple articles are quite interesting and useful to young women wanting accurate health information. Issues cover health reports-some using personal stories. The August '02 issue has one on a woman who chose mastectomy without having cancer while May's issue has a sobering one "Pregnant on Chemo." The articles are also very informative like July's report on an important worthwhile sexual-assault program that is helping to convict rapists and May's report on "When Doctors Lie About Insurance Coverage."
Health Hotline covers plenty of short helpful bites of health information. The topics are frequently on pregnancy, Pap tests, mammograms, menstruation, venereal disease or contraceptives. Sometimes, topics are more general such as the importance of giving blood, different diseases, insomnia and product testings. Or, they are on timely safety topics like the July '02 issue that covers summer hazards and how to avoid them. Dr. Lisa always has a good answer to a reader's general health question that most readers will find interesting.
Health Flash is a quick read section with good information on health breakthroughs and keys to improving health. The section helps keep readers current about new ways to lower health risks and news about new treatments, supplements, health products or drugs. Most issues carry Health Intelligence which covers health topics or debates in the news. The Aug '02 issue discusses a possible connection between abortion and breast cancer; May '02 discusses the "New Breast Cancer Controversy."
The Happiness section covers general advice on coping skills and ways to make our lives more satisfying and meaningful. There are excellent relationship articles and stay-together couple articles. There are topics on personality, memory and ways to make our busy lives more organized. May '02 has an entertaining piece containing practical advice on "How to get the Life you Want." Happiness Handbook has advice about how to improve ourselves. Find out how to keep calm under pressure or become a better listener. Financial Happiness gives useful solutions to money concerns.
Nutrition covers the typical information on diets and healthy eating found in most women's magazines and it is presented in an entertaining way. Eat-Right Roadmap gives readers information abouut how nutrition affects weight loss and which foods are the most nutritious. April '02 has great ideas on how to "Start a Cooking Club" - I'm interested! Eat Right Flash has shorts on cutting calories, healthy cooking methods, nutrients in foods and info on the new "faux meat." Find out the latest research coming out of prestigious clinics and what it means for your health all delivered in an easy to absorb format.
I don't buy any of the Style fashions highlighted in the back of the magazine. The fashions are meant for the young, slim, fit readers who will find them somewhat affordable and certainly wearable and fairly stylish. The layouts have a theme. July highlights whites; prices can run anywhere from $18 for tops all the way up to $200 for a designer shirt. Pants/jeans run from $39-$115, while shorts run under $30. Long dress can run as high as $245. Just about every young reader can find something in her price range that looks stylish. The August fashions center on denim and blues that can be worn into the fall. There are stylish leather and denim boots, bags, hats & belts - even $19 sneaks to complete the look. I do look through the pages and occasionally find something even a grandma like me can wear. None of the fashions are too weird.
Style Planner is a 2-page section that highlights a particular category of apparel and also a collection of trendy accessory items. Get smart answers to style questions, new style finds and a great outfit idea from a savvy non-model reader. Reward Yourself is a fun page filled with colorful accessories or home products like Asian fusion treasures - $10-$350 (Aug) & colorful striped items $3-$175 (July.) Whatever the collection, there is always a very wide range of prices and styles. Some issues carry a collection of a particular clothing item. Check out July's 12 cool sundresses - $130-$297. The magazine devotes around 12-pages to the Style section, which is around 10% of the magazine's content but sometimes an additional feature covers the topic also.
Writers, Writing Style & Readers
The Editor-In -Chief, Lucy Danziger, took over the reins at Self in June '01. Danziger was the founding editor of Women's Sports and Fitness (formally called Conde Nast's Sports for Women.) The magazine ceased publication with the Sept '00 issue due to low readership. Originally Conde Nast kept both magazine separate. Women's Sports and Fitness magazine was mostly for women active in sports and covered mainly little known women athletes. It was less about viewing sports and more about doing sports. Self was more for women heavily interested in beauty and fitness. After Women's Sports and Fitness folded, Self magazine later incorporated it into their magazine. Contributing editors of Self magazine include award-winning internationally published free-lance writers and other professional journalists.
The Writing Style is straightforward with humor injected into some creative headings. The language is easy to read and understand. The magazine targets 20 to 30 something year old well-educated women who live active lifestyles.
Over one million five hundred thousand young women read Self magazine each month. The average age of readers is 33 and almost two thirds of Self readers are subscribers.
Ads & Photography
Ads comprise about 45% of magazine pages. They are mainly for beauty products, apparel, automobiles, health or snack foods and pharmaceuticals. Some ads contain coupons, which if used would pay for the newsstand cost of the issue. All ads target the young educated women that the magazine attracts and most ads, but not all, are directed solely at women. Be aware that some issues contain scent strips. I enjoy them but I know they may bother some readers with allergies.
The photography in the magazine is good but not outstanding. The photos are mainly used to illustrate articles or products and make the magazine more reader friendly. The subjects are always young women or products.
Website, Subscriptions & Publisher
Visit the Website at www.self.com and read about offers, events, and sweepstakes. Join the reader panel; sign up for a free newsletter; participate in forums on quitting smoking, dieting and fitness; view a workout slide show; and read articles that aren't in issues - the links didn't work for me.
Take the Self Challenge - a 3-month shape-up plan used successfully by over 175,000 readers and chart your own progress. Use the site's 34 easy-to-use calculators. I just printed out a coupon for a free energy bar. I liked the Did You Know? section. Did you know that the most common cancer in young women ages 25 to 29 is melanoma or that some types of stress can actually be good for you? The articles on the subjects are found in the current issue but not on the Website. The site was a little buggy for me and I was annoyed by a pop-up ad window. It really doesn't tell visitors much about issues except for a listing of current articles and the cover illustration.
Subscribe online or on the postcard inside issues - 12 issues for $12 (a saving of 66% off the cover price.) Or, save even more and receive 24 issues for $19.97. All subscribers will receive a Self's Better Body Book free with every order. The newsstand copies of Self cost only $2.99. Next month read the new issue to find out if you will gain weight and what your health future holds. Conde Nast publishes the monthly Self magazine.
My Impressions
I like this magazine for young women because it covers a wide variety of topics that interest them. The magazine moves along nicely with lots of shorts and some longer articles to slow down readers and give them food for thought. Nothing is too heavy or boring to read yet a lot of ground is covered and editorials are well written, well-researched and informative. Self is not all fluff or a hard sell for expensive products. There is always a wide range of prices and styles to appeal to most readers. There are many articles of substance especially in the Health and Nutrition sections. Young women can easily relate to the non-model readers pictured inside. My daughter says she likes Self because it covers her lifestyle interests.
I think Self is great because it makes young women aware that they too are vulnerable to health problems not just later in life but right now in their 20s and 30s. I like the emphasis on healthy habits, diets and activities. I think the focus on readers is great; I get tired of reading all the celebrity gossip columns/articles in other lifestyle magazines. You can still read about celebrities, but the emphasis is on what you can learn from their purchases, trainers and hair stylists. You won't read about their love lives, divorces and tragedies. I think the magazine is upbeat and helpful while also entertaining and reader friendly.
I also like Self's commitment to good health. This commitment follows through with ads in the magazine. Lung cancer, not breast cancer is the leading cause of deaths from cancer in women. Therefore what most disturbs me about other women's lifestyles magazines, which claim to be concerned about women's health issues is the inclusion of cigarette ads and the lack of anti-smoking or lung cancer articles. The worst offender in this regard is Vogue which carries photos of models or celebrities smoking thereby sending a message that smoking is glamorous. Of all the leading women's magazines including Glamour, Vogue, Cosmopolitan & Family Circle, Self does the best job in this area and it is to be commended. It has the least number of cigarette ads and the highest number of anti-smoking and lung cancer articles. Even on its Website, there are discussions and support for quitting smoking. Now if only Self would eliminate cigarette ads entirely along with alcohol ads, I'd be happier still. Cosmopolitan, by the way, does the poorest job - with the most cigarette ads and fewest anti-smoking articles.
I have very few negatives about Self. One is that I wish that Self's Bonus Body Sections were at least perforated and on heavier paper. The pages rip easily even if you put them in a binder. Use hole re-enforcers, if you punch out the hole marks. Our Reception Room copies arrive enclosed in polywrap to ensure issues arrive undamaged. My daughter's subscription issues do not have wrappers; sometimes her covers get mangled. The wrappers, though, can't be good for the environment. I also wish the Website had current and back magazine articles so you could read some of the articles I mentioned. Perhaps they will eventually. The magazine could use more health articles on mental health issues.
If you know a young woman who enjoys living an active healthy lifestyle, Self magazine would make a great gift for the holidays. Subscribe her now and she'll receive issues in time for the December holidays. Why not check out Self at your local bookstore or newsstand, maybe you'll enjoy it for yourself.
Self Magazine is edited for the personal needs of today's smart, confident working women. Self Magazine covers the current issues that affect women's...More at Magazineline
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