Top 10 Lifestyle Magazines for Women in 2025: UK Comparison
Looking for your next favourite read—whether print, digital, or both? Here are ten top‑lifestyle magazines for women in the UK, what they do well, who they’re ideal for, plus a few real‑life tips to help you pick the ones that suit you best. I’ve added a bit of my own take and stories so it’s not just a list you’ve seen elsewhere.
How I chose these
I looked for magazines that:
- target women in the UK, ideally covering lifestyle (fashion, beauty, health, home, travel)
- have good reputations or recent data (print or digital)
- offer something a little different in tone, age‑group or speciality
- are still relevant in 2025
I’ve grouped them broadly by focus so you can see which might match you.
1. Good Housekeeping UK
Why it stands out:
- A classic lifestyle magazine: According to YouGov data it’s the most‑popular lifestyle & fashion magazine in the UK (83% “positive opinion”). (YouGov)
- Covers home, food, health, beauty—very broad.
- Trusted brand: They emphasise “tested” products and real‑life home advice. (Hearst)
Who it’s for: If you like practical inspiration (recipes, home updates, health tips) rather than only fashion, this is a good fit.
My take: I recently grabbed an issue for the first time in years and found myself trying a recipe from it the next week—it felt refreshingly reliable.
Quick tip: Use it when you want a magazine that doesn’t just look pretty but gives honest tips you can use.
2. Cosmopolitan UK
Why it stands out:
- A long‑standing brand for younger (or young‑at‑heart) women: fashion, beauty, relationships, careers. (magazine.co.uk)
- Frequent digital access and subscription options; good for staying current.
Who it’s for: If you’re in your 20s or 30s (or just love the energy of that age group) and want trend‑driven, bold content.
My take: I’ve borrowed a friend’s issue and loved the interview section—it made me feel less alone in career‑stress as a woman navigating change.
Quick tip: If you read it digitally, you’ll catch daily updates and not just the monthly print—worth checking whether your subscription includes both.
3. Vogue UK
Why it stands out:
- The premium end of magazines: fashion, luxury, high‑end beauty and culture.
- According to YouGov, it has very high “fame” though the “positive opinion” slightly less than some others. (YouGov)
Who it’s for: If you love luxury fashion, travel, interviews with major figures and beautiful photography.
My take: I was given one as a gift and found myself keeping it for the images and inspiration even though I don’t shop luxury often.
Quick tip: Use it more for inspiration than practical everyday advice (though it does have that too)—think of it like a monthly treat.
4. Woman & Home
Why it stands out:
- Targeted a bit differently: the brand says it’s for women over 40 (though anyone can enjoy it). (Wikipedia)
- Covers home, health, beauty but with a tone of real‑life living (not just runway or glam).
Who it’s for: If you’re in your 40s, 50s or beyond, or just prefer calmer, more thoughtful content.
My take: I found myself reading the “rediscovering passions” piece in one issue and nodded a lot—yes, I know that feeling of wanting more than just the same routine.
Quick tip: If you like magazines that feel friendly and accessible (rather than ultra‑glamorous), this might feel more like a companion than a glossy.
5. Elle UK
Why it stands out:
- A mix of fashion, beauty, culture and lifestyle.
- According to YouGov in 2025 it holds a decent popularity ranking among UK women’s magazines. (YouGov)
Who it’s for: If you want something stylish but not completely unreachable—fashion‑forward yet still relevant.
My take: I flipped through an issue in a café and liked the mix of big coverage (designer feature) and smaller pieces (budget‑beauty tips).
Quick tip: If you subscribe digitally, check how often they drop “extras” (videos, online features) to get full value.
6. Marie Claire UK
Why it stands out:
- Strong editorial credibility: covers not just style/beauty but also careers, social issues, empowerment. (Marie Claire UK)
Who it’s for: If you want more than beauty tips—if you care about big issues (work, equality, sustainability) and want a magazine that reflects that.
My take: I enjoyed an article they ran on women changing careers in their 30s—which spoke to me and friends who’ve done that.
Quick tip: Keep an eye out for features that go beyond the “cover looks” and dive into stories you won’t find in every magazine.
7. Women’s Health UK
Why it stands out:
- Focused on health, fitness, wellness, alongside beauty and lifestyle. (zinio.com)
Who it’s for: If you’re keen on movement, nutrition, self‑care and a lifestyle magazine that leans into wellness.
My take: I read a piece about “quiet fitness”—less about gym culture, more about integrating movement into everyday life—and that appealed a lot.
Quick tip: Use it as motivation when you’re ready to refresh your wellness routine, not just as light reading.
8. Glamour UK
Why it stands out:
- Built around fashion/beauty but with a modern twist: empowerment, culture, digital‑first mindset. (Glamour UK)
Who it’s for: If you enjoy a magazine that feels current, social‑media aware, and trend‑driven but still grounded.
My take: I liked how one issue had a piece on “what midlife means now”—nice to see older age groups included.
Quick tip: If you’re digital‑native, check how often they publish online content (articles, video) outside the print edition.
9. Prima UK
Why it stands out:
- More relaxed, accessible magazine; focuses on home, crafts, simple lifestyle tips—not so much high fashion.
- Shows up in lists of women’s‑lifestyle titles in the UK. (magazine.co.uk)
Who it’s for: If you want something cosy, practical, for everyday life rather than trend‑led fashion.
My take: I remember flipping through a friend’s issue and coming away with a “ten minute craft” idea that actually got done.
Quick tip: Great when you want a magazine you’ll pick up regularly and read bits of rather than one you’ll treat as occasional luxury.
10. Woman UK
Why it stands out:
- A weekly magazine (unlike many monthly ones) with a mix of celebrity, lifestyle, home, food, advice. (Wikipedia)
Who it’s for: If you like frequent updates and a magazine you can pick up often—not just monthly.
My take: I like a weekly read when I’m relaxing on a Sunday afternoon—less pressure to “make it last” like a monthly.
Quick tip: Since it’s weekly, it may feel more “current news & celeb” so if you want evergreen content (home, slow living) maybe pair it with one of the monthly titles above.
Comparison Table: Quick View
| Magazine | Frequency | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Housekeeping UK | Monthly | Home, food, practical lifestyle | Everyday inspiration & tips |
| Cosmopolitan UK | Bi‑monthly | Fashion, beauty, relationships | Trend‑driven young lifestyle |
| Vogue UK | Monthly | Luxury, high fashion, culture | Style/aspiration/fashion lovers |
| Woman & Home | Monthly | Real‑life, home, health, over 40s | Mid‑life lifestyle |
| Elle UK | Monthly | Fashion + lifestyle | Stylish yet attainable content |
| Marie Claire UK | Monthly | Fashion + big issues | Women who want substance + style |
| Women’s Health UK | Monthly/Bi‑monthly | Health, wellness, fitness | Active lifestyle & wellness |
| Glamour UK | Monthly (digital plus) | Trend fashion, empowerment | Digital‑savvy, modern readers |
| Prima UK | Monthly | Home, crafts, practical lifestyle | Cozy, DIY, slow reading |
| Woman UK | Weekly | Celebrity, lifestyle, advice | Regular magazine habit |
My personal top‑3 picks (based on what I’d read)
If I were choosing only three to keep on the coffee table / subscribe to, I’d pick:
- Good Housekeeping UK – because I love something that gives me actionable ideas.
- Marie Claire UK – for the deeper reads and issues that matter.
- Glamour UK – to keep the “what’s happening now” vibe and stay digitally engaged.
How to pick the right one for YOU
Here’s a little checklist:
- What’s your priority? If it’s fashion + trends → Vogue/Elle; if it’s home + food → Good Housekeeping/Prima; if it’s wellness → Women’s Health.
- How often do you read? Weekly or monthly? Weekly gives more “now” but might feel more lightweight; monthly gives more time to savour.
- Paper vs digital vs both? If you commute on a tablet, digital might be great.
- Budget vs value. Some premium titles cost more; consider how much you’ll actually read it.
- Age / life stage match. Some mags skew younger, others are more middle‑age friendly (Woman & Home) though you’ll most likely find something regardless of your exact age.
- Keep an eye out for specials. Some issues include extra guides, freebies, digital extras—worth checking if you like bonus value.
Real‑life reader story
I have a friend, let’s call her Sarah, who subscribed to Prima for a year after a big move house. She said:
“I was in the thick of changing flat, new furniture, organising my life. Prima had these little craft ideas and home‑hacks every issue—it made the move feel less overwhelming and more fun.”
That kind of story shows how a “lifestyle magazine” can become part of your routine—not just something you flick through occasionally, but something that sparks a little change or moment of joy.
Final thoughts
The world of magazines has changed: print and digital blur, many titles offer apps or extra online content, and what “lifestyle” means is broader than ever (health, wellness, home, career, culture). The ten magazines above cover a good range for UK women in 2025, across ages, interests and rhythms.
