How do magazines define their target audience?

The photos that are on the front cover of a magazine can define which gender and target audience the magazine is aimed at, for example a young girl fully clothed with careful makeup and hair would be aimed at younger teenage girls, whilst a photo of a young women partly dressed is aimed at older males.

The masthead is also specific about who the magazines target audiences are, which is then reinforces by the colours and house style which is used.

These points show how even just from the front cover, buyers or other people know who the magazines are aimed at.