Share: do you buy beauty books & magazines?
Before the days of the Internet, I used to set aside a small sum each month to purchase hard copy magazines. Some of them are female-centric content, while others are on home improvement or entertainment. But since I-don’t-know-when, I’ve stopped purchasing them altogether. The only magazines I still read are those at the hair salons and in a way, I’m glad for this change because I no longer have to deal with the sentimental issue of magazine disposals.
Buy or borrow?
Now books are a different story. They have a special place and I still enjoy reading them. In fact, you’ll probably find me spending more time in the bookstores and libraries than shopping. It’s not always beauty-related books but I do enjoy reading such books as they serve as good reference materials for blogging too. And I used to buy my books until someone suggested that I should look into the option of borrowing and so that’s what I’ve been doing mostly now. Like yesterday, I was so excited to find a new book on natural remedies at the library only to discover I did not have my borrowing card. Well, let’s hope nobody wants it since it’s the Chinese New Year and books are considered a taboo during this period.
Online or offline?
I guess the reason I prefer hard copy books over magazines is because books are obviously, far more indepth and useful. On the other hand, what is available in a hard copy magazine may be found in an online ezine or even blog. Hence, I no longer see a need for them and I’ll rather save the money for something else. So if I were to read them, they would most probably be free copies.
Your say?
What about you? Do you like reading beauty-related books and magazines? Do you buy them or do you borrow them? If beauty books and magazines are not your thing, what other genre do you indulge in?
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I buy tons of beauty magazines in English, Chinese, and Japanese. There is just something about looking at the glossy pages that is old school, but good to break from the internet at times.
I used to buy magazines all the time, but now the price has gone up and I’m less willing to pay $5+ for something I’ll toss after a full read-through than I was when they were around $3 /: I do check out a bunch of beauty books from the library, though
I’m reading Natural Health magazine, a relatively new magazine. As for beauty books have several i purchased a few years back.. one is about Waterfall Diet (eliminating cellulite) by Linda Lazarides, one is about wholebody detox and another one is about cellulite fighting.. that’s all
Yes, I agree…good to take a break from the Internet. Some of these magazines aren’t cheap though. ?
Agree! They’re so expensive now and it’s so difficult to justify buying them now. I’ll rather buy books if I have to choose.
Oh sounds like a good magazine to check out. I like books on natural remedies…always hook on those. ?
There was a period of time I like to buy magazines. I will cut out the information that I need, or tear off the pages. But I still end up with one small stack of magazines that I find too good to tear pages and throw out.
I don’t really buy beauty books (but I buy A LOT of other books). Off hand, I can only remember The Perricone Prescription and Kevin Beauty Makeup Book. Both of which, I bought after very thorough browsing and I really believe I would reuse the information.
I don’t buy magazines anymore unless they are compiled like books, like bookzines. Got one which was very informative a couple of months ago. It sold for 10 dollars. But I buy beauty books every once in a while ’cause I can’t go to the library to browse through and decide which ones to borrow. I’m somehow allergic to the smell of old books, it gives me a tummy-ache… LOL, I know it’s weird, right?
I do have a subcription of a couple of magazines but they aren’t very beauty related. I do buy a lot, LOT, of fiction books. My favorite genre is Fantasy. And I am currently together with everyone with the new Hunge Games fever. Although I do have a favorite writer, Sophie Kinsella. I adore all of her books. She isn’t a fantasy writer. It’s more of real life meets comedy. I especially recommend her stand-alone novels.
I used to buy a lot of magazines & books. But after having to move house a few times, it’s been a challenge to move n store…I have stopped buying ?
The only women’s mag that I read is SimplyHer. I’ve gone through the regular Her World, Cosmopolitan, Style … etc … but SimplyHer has the best presented information and practical recommendations. I really like the investigative research they put into their makeup section ?
I used to read SimplyHer too! I like it cos it’s rather comprehensive in coverage.
Yes, I know what you mean…the storage is an issue cos of they’re bulky and it’s a pity to throw them out. And not easy to give away.
I’ve never come across those authors…I used to like Japanese authors (in English). Now, I read more Christian books so have no time tor read others apart from beauty and health titles.
Smell of old books give you tummy ache? Haha…that’s a first! But the smell isn’t all that pleasant I have to say.
Too good to tear and too good to throw…totally understand. I’m glancing at some of them at the bottom of one of my bookshelves while typing this. I borrowed Perricone Prescription and then took a quick browsing of Kevin’s book at the bookstore cos someone unwrapped it. ?
I do! Both books and magazines, though I only read the Malaysian CLEO and Woman’s Weekly for magazines as I found most magazines a little “flaky”, and I can’t read other languages but English ? I still prefer books ? I’ve lost count how many beauty-related books I have haha!
Books are my first love, really, and I read almost everything except autobiographies and biographies ?
I stopped buying and reading magazines years ago as I found that many of the recommendations weren’t always that attractive, suitable or value for money. Also, I found many of those columns and articles increasingly boring as I grew older and became disenchanted with their content. I used to read Her World, Vogue, OG and others. Plus, yeah, there’s the big problem of disposing them as I was somewhat attached to many of the issues: the photography, the design, the layout, etc.
I don’t really read books about beauty or skincare though, as I prefer to rely on the internet. I find that some of the information gets really outdated after a while. Though I guess, perhaps a good chunk of it is still useful after all.
Also, a very unrelated question: is it true that DMAE has been linked to cell death?
Yes, I remember reading that you love to read books. ?
Yeah, sure thoughts here about magazines and I find the prices a bit ridiculous these days too. In terms of books, I rather like the Chinese ones.
I haven’t done research on that but a quick read here might help:
http://www.truthinskincare.com/2008/01/pay-attention-truth-behind-trends-dmae_31.html
Tell me about it! Of course, quality paper can be pricey and typography is hardly cheap but judging by the often trashy content found in some of the mags, I think I’ll pass. Plus, some of the “advice” is quite hit and miss and sometimes, the products suggested are more for the “glam pricetag” than effectiveness. Sorry for being harsh. ?
Ah too bad, my Chinese is really bad or I’d be asking you for recommendations. =]
I don’t know how you found that link but wow… that’s a relief it isn’t far more serious. I guess I should quickly use up my face mask that has DMAE in it.
The magazine industry has faded so much here in the US that I have gotten many subscriptions for free. Allure and Lucky are two I look at for new products. But for serious reviews I go to forums online and talk to other consumers.
I usually don’t look at products from the health angle…more from beauty angle like if it’ll cause allergies, sensitivity etc. Find that there are just too much contradicting info on the health hazards of ingredients. But if that’s your concern, then perhaps just finish up this face mask and then get new ones without the ingredient. Afterall, you’ve got many choices in the market. ?
Interesting…seems more people feel that online materials are more “serious” and “credible” these days.
I love keeping beauty magazines I have a huge basket full of them I like to take a look at them once in a while to get makeup ideas or hairstyles. About books I have a small collection of beauty books both in English and Spanish, in a small shelf, I like more flipping thru the pages of a book than staying infront of the computer reading beauty related books as my eyes can feel sore after a while .
Magazines can stack up quite a bit because they’re more frequent. I used to have issues disposing them…but I couldn’t retain most of them due to storage issues.