Magazines for Older Teens: Justine, MISSBEHAVE, and BUST

If I had to pick a favorite, which I don't often like to do, I'd have to say my favorite magazine of all time is BUST. Not only is it super-sweet that it grew from a baby 'zine that was stapled, doodled, cut and pasted together to the glossy-cover masterpiece that it is today, but BUST covers all aspects of my life. It's full of refreshing, smart articles about real-life issues (which many mags claim to do but miserably fail), how to articles on ways to make lots of neat stuff, profiles of women who are doing amazing things from all walks of life and most importantly, it still includes a few pages of cheap-yet-chic fashion spreads (including things I would actually wear!). I mean, really, what 20 something wouldn't love this mag?

As much as I adore BUST, though, my admiration for it doesn't stop me from scoping out all the other mags on the shelves (Sorry, I've got a wandering eye -- what can I say?!). Today I picked up two beauties that I instantly fell in lust with, Justine and MISSBEHAVE. Even though both of these 'zines come from opposite directions and are aimed towards totally different audiences, I can't help but connect with both of them.

Justine is definitely a teen 'zine, but it's simple layout is what really drew me in. Yes, you can easily tell it's a new magazine with it's lack of super-slick layouts, but that's what makes it so unique and cutes-y and worth my last five dollars. The focus here really is on the words, not the images, presented in each issue. Justine covers teen pop culture in a way most magazines geared toward this age group don't. The articles interview lots of -shock!- real girls and even the cover is adorned with an actual reader of Justine, not a stick-thin celebrity or chic supermodel. I also read inside that they had held a Guest Editor Contest -- something I don't see going on over at Seventeen, at least not without help from MTV. I especially loved the article in this issue (Jan '07) about "Trendsetters" showcasing three different girls who have made something of themselves while writing. But hey, I could be biased!