A Look Back at the Best 15 Teen Magazines of the 90s
The 90s were a golden era for teen magazines, with vibrant covers and catchy headlines gracing newsstands everywhere. These magazines were more than just paper—they were cultural icons that shaped fashion, music tastes, and teenage dreams. Let’s take a nostalgic look back at the best 15 teen magazines of the 90s that captured the hearts and minds of a generation.
1. Seventeen
Seventeen was the go-to magazine for teenage girls, offering a blend of fashion, beauty tips, relationship advice, and celebrity gossip. Known for its iconic covers featuring the hottest stars, Seventeen set the standard for teen magazines and became a trusted source for navigating adolescence.
2. YM (Young & Modern)
YM, or Young & Modern, was another staple for teenage girls. Known for its candid and sometimes edgy content, YM featured everything from beauty advice to embarrassing moments, making it a relatable read for its audience. The magazine’s “Say Anything” column became a cultural touchstone for its humorous and sometimes cringe-worthy reader-submitted stories.
3. Teen
Teen magazine offered a mix of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content with a focus on the latest trends and celebrity news. It was known for its approachable tone and practical advice, making it a favorite among teenagers looking for relatable content.
4. Sassy
Sassy was the rebel of teen magazines, known for its alternative approach to fashion, music, and culture. It celebrated individuality and often featured indie bands and unconventional beauty tips. Sassy’s bold voice and unique perspective earned it a cult following among more alternative teens.
5. Teen People
As a spin-off of People magazine, Teen People brought celebrity news and pop culture directly to the teenage audience. It featured in-depth interviews with young stars, behind-the-scenes looks at the entertainment industry, and covered important social issues, making it both entertaining and informative.
6. Mizz
Mizz was a UK-based teen magazine that found a dedicated readership worldwide. It offered a mix of fashion, beauty tips, and lifestyle advice, with a distinctly British twist. Mizz was known for its inclusive approach and reader involvement, often featuring fan-submitted content.
7. J-14
J-14, short for “Just for Teens,” focused heavily on pop culture, music, and celebrity gossip. With its colorful pages and vibrant layouts, it was a visual treat for young readers. J-14 became known for its posters and pin-ups of popular boy bands and teen idols.
8. Twist
Twist was another pop culture-centric magazine that offered a mix of celebrity news, quizzes, and fashion tips. It often featured exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at the lives of teen stars, making it a must-read for pop culture enthusiasts.
9. BOP
BOP magazine was synonymous with teen idol worship, filled with posters, pin-ups, and articles about the hottest young stars of the 90s. Its bright, glossy pages were a visual feast, and it was a treasure trove for fans of boy bands, young actors, and pop singers.
10. Big Bopper
Big Bopper was a sister publication to BOP, also focusing on the pop culture scene with an emphasis on music and teen idols. It provided extensive coverage of concerts, album releases, and the personal lives of young celebrities, along with tons of collectible posters.
11. Tiger Beat
Tiger Beat was one of the longest-running teen magazines, known for its endless supply of heartthrob posters and celebrity news. It was a staple for any teen obsessed with the latest stars, offering quizzes, gossip, and fan mail sections that connected readers to their idols.
12. Super Teen
Super Teen was a favorite for its heavy focus on music and television stars. Known for its bold and colorful covers, it featured exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and lots of posters, catering to the interests of young pop culture aficionados.
13. CosmoGIRL!
As a younger sister to Cosmopolitan, CosmoGIRL! brought a more mature perspective to teen magazines while still focusing on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. It aimed to empower young women with articles on self-esteem, health, and real-life issues, making it both aspirational and practical.
14. BB
BB, also known as “BB Magazine” or “BB Choices,” was a popular teen magazine that combined fashion, beauty, and celebrity content. It featured style tips, advice columns, and profiles of emerging young stars, making it a comprehensive guide for teens looking to stay trendy.
15. Go Girl
Go Girl magazine focused on empowering young women with a mix of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. It encouraged readers to be confident and pursue their dreams, featuring role models and inspirational stories that resonated with its audience.
