US versus UK Magazine Covers: December 2011

I've stooped to a new low, not getting this December post out until January. And you all have probably seen all of the January covers if you love magazines/fashion like me. So epic fail for me. I'm home now for winter break, away from my lovely college town. It hasn't been too terrible, but the lack of internet service has certainly dampened my spirits. (One of my pathetic excuses as to why this is so late). So here I am at the library using their free wifi. 

Anyway, hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year's! I started this blog exactly one year ago yesterday-- and it's been a great year with Eloise. I've made many amazing blog friends and have become so inspired by what I've seen and read from the blog world. Don't forget to leave feedback or contact me if there is something you'd love for me to blog about or anything at all. I'm always looking for more ideas!

Love, Raquel.

1. VOGUE

Vogue US: This cover reminds me of the end of The Little Mermaid, when Ariel emerges from the water all slow-like. I love how fresh this cover is, and Charlize Theron looks sexy and beautiful. Perfect hair- all over one shoulder, dress and look. 

Vogue UK: Interesting outfit with the rainbow pants and balloons. I'm not sure what to think about the font chosen for "Celebrate!" but I like the overall concept here. Gisele is a bombshell, as usual, and a good model to use for any kind of celebration cover.

WINNER: Vogue US for me. Though both are very nice.

2. COSMOPOLITAN

Cosmo US: Apparently this is the first women’s (non-music) magazine that Adele has graced the cover of where her body is actually shown and accentuated. Usually it’s just her face and hair, a profile of her face, or other things of that nature. And Adele looks great—a proper red-headed bombshell. I’m a huge fan of hers—and I saw her in a video interview without the teased hair and eye makeup, and she is seriously gorgeous, naturally. Besides the hot pink, which makes me want to die, it’s a good, standard Cosmo cover.

Cosmo UK: Such a cute pose from Jessie J, killer outfit, and I much prefer the white background. I’m really taken with the “sexy hair” leadline font too. I can’t get over her adorable wardrobe. The polka dot top and gold pants would be so cute for a party, even with the gold ears, why not? Jessie J’s body is rocking in it too. The one thing I don’t love the shimmering “1” in the “men’s no. 1 sex fear.” It kind of cheapens the cover to me a little.

WINNER: I am so taken with Jessie J with the white background, I’m going to have to go with Cosmo UK. But talk about domination of British female music artists.

3. GQ

GQ US: This month I believe GQ did a couple different covers: Jay-Z, Jimmy Fallon/Justin Timberlake, Michael Fassbender and Mila Kunis (who is a girl, so I'm not sure why she was included in the Men of the Year issue). With the subscription I got the humorous cover with Jimmy/Justin, and I really enjoyed it! I love how simple GQ's covers are, this one is no exception. Jay-Z looks incredibly sharp-- dressed to the T in true GQ style. The tie clip? So GQ. Even though there are quite a few lead lines on the cover, the sizes are varied, and have alternating colors and fonts. Beautiful.

GQ UK: Mess less attracted to this cover than the US. There is something old, almost 90s about this cover. There is too much boldness happening on the right side and bottom, and having only Johnny Depp's face (looking totally normal, no cool hair or glasses), is a little bit boring.

WINNER: GQ US.

4. GLAMOUR

Glamour US: Very nice, very nice. I've gotten much more fond of Glamour over this holiday season. Not for any reason in particular-- but after spending some time digging through my old magazines, I've realized Glamour is great just as a fun read on all things women. Fashion, beauty, celebs- all the women's magazine cliches you can think of. But at the same time it makes me feel good and upbeat about myself, unlike Cosmo, who just make me feel like I need to find a boyfriend NOW, and find all kinds of ways to please him... no. 

Glamour UK: I know Kristen Stewart must be photoshopped beyond belief right now, (it just looks too smooth and perfect), but it isn't really a bad job. She looks really sultry and stunning here. I don't know why her other hand is on her crotch, but it doesn't really matter much.

WINNER: I really like both covers here. But I can't kid myself, Glamour US just slightly pulls ahead with the little details: the cute "Going Out?" font, the border under Jennifer's name, etc. 

5. INSTYLE

InStyle US: Amy Adams EYES. So pretty. Really nice, signature simple cover by InStyle. There are a lot of bold, all caps type happening here, but it's not too horrible.

InStyle UK: Lots of murky gold on this cover. I'm sure it's supposed to be corresponding with Cheryl Cole's hair color, but to be honest, her hair color isn't that great. It's close to her skin tone so the gold font color blends in with her skin, I can barely read it. I do like the sparse lead lines though.

WINNER: InStyle US.

6. ELLE

Elle US: A little bit picky, but the headline: Elle is a little too close to the other lead lines “Holiday Style” and “Jessica Biel”... too close for comfort. Not to mention Jessica just looks awkward. What is she even promoting being in this magazine, does she have a movie coming out? Her hair and make up looks good though. Spot-on job beauty crew.

Elle UK: Michelle Williams. Is. Adorable. She seems so dainty and quaint I can’t even imagine her being Marilyn Monroe in her new movie, but apparently she is already nominated for something? I really need to see it. Elle UK is amazing, and this minimalist, slightly over-exposed cover is cool and artistic while still working for a large demographic.

WINNER: Elle UK.

7. ESQUIRE

Esquire US: A very serious cover for Esquire this month, and using a non-celebrity too, just is pretty gutsy (when you consider newsstand sells, where the celebrity is usually what catches the eye of people who pass by.) But I like it. It's refreshing, meaningful while still keeping the integrity of who Esquire is. It's classy, still has their signature "wall of words" EIC David Granger spoke about at my campus a few months ago, and the lighting keeps it edgy.

Esquire UK: I did it again. I freaking did it again. Used the wrong cover for the wrong month because I keep getting behind on these posts. Yes, this is the November cover, I'm very sorry. Anyway, here is Daisy Lowe looking pretty scandalous. Scandalous enough that I cannot work on this post during a lecture or else people behind me will be pretty startled to say the least. I do really like the vintage quality this cover has with the exposure lighting. The colors are great too-- I love that about their redesign. But I don't know, it's just too porno for me. Maybe I'm too conservative, growing up in the Midwest, but the bicycle prop, the shirt that's not even a shirt, and Daisy's expression... I love Daisy Lowe too, but the hair and lipstick is just not working for me. Maybe I don't know what's sexy anymore, who knows. Maybe it's because I'm not a dude. 

WINNER: Esquire US. Going the conservative route today.

8. HARPER'S BAZAAR

Harper's Bazaar US: Really cool cover. Madonna looks 7 feet tall, and the all-black with the tilted hat is just too cool. I'm not sure who the other girl is (her daughter?), but I just love the concept here. The light streaming in and the lack of lead lines is perfect.

Harper's Bazaar UK: A supermodel reunion. Yes, they've proved they all still have killer legs, etc, but otherwise the cover is nothing too special. However, it does seem like red, white and black is the popular color combination this month.

WINNER: Harper's Bazaar US. It's just too dynamic to pass up.

9. MARIE CLAIRE

Maire Claire US: Oh, I just can't get enough of the Kardashians... (I can.) But Kim's hair on this cover is EXACTLY what I would love my hair to look like every day. The inside of the magazine assures me it can happen in 7 minutes, just with a blowdryer and volumizing mousse. It's such a lie. Despite my bitterness, this is a beautiful cover with the cascading hair and ominous ring around her finger. I love the white with dark blue- a really nice color combo for winter.

Marie Claire UK: I know this is a subscriber's cover (which is usually a lot cooler than the newsstand cover), but the internet failed me again! Couldn't find a good quality UK version photo to use. So I'm slightly cheating for the UK, but hey, I'm an anglophile. I'm loving all the empty space, with SJParker all shifted to one side of the cover. Exactly the kind of design I really love.

WINNER: Marie Claire UK. Hehe, I cheat.    

FINAL:

US: 6

UK: 3

Good job America! Freedom! Hot dogs! Etc.

Here is my favorite this month. I wasn't sure between this one and Harper's Bazaar US, but just check out the shoot by photographer Annie Leibovitz. Wow. Absolutely stunning photos. Charlize looks like a nymph or sea goddess.