E-mooks are catalog-style publications with photos and info on consumer goods and products, created by Japanese publishing houses with the cooperation of major fashion labels, toy manufacturers, and lifestyle goods makers. The name “mook” stems from a contraction of “magazine” and “book”, since the publications are magazine-book hybrids.

The single most compelling reason to buy an e-mook is to get your hands on the exclusive freebies included with every book. Currently, there are e-mooks by major fashion labels like YSL, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, BAPE, and Le Sportsac. There are also e-mooks that you can buy to assemble model airplanes, toy cameras, and papercraft figures.

My first e-mook was by Yves Saint Laurent, which was first released in November 2009 and sold for a very affordable JPY 1300 (or PhP 800). I purchased mine at Kinokuniya Orchard Road branch in Singapore for SGD 29 or roughly PhP 900. The YSL e-mook came with a thick and glossy catalog of their luxury cosmetics line, and a fairly large black canvas tote monogrammed with the YSL logo in gold.

The mook itself was very interesting, especially if you are a make-up junkie who understands Japanese. It not only includes photos and reviews of a selection of YSL luxury cosmetics, it also has step-by-step instructions on how to apply these cosmetics to achieve the looks worn by the models. You can simply follow the tips and use more affordable cosmetic lines to recreate the YSL make-up style without having to splurge on YSL cosmetics.

The free tote bag is a joy to behold and a pleasure to use. The bag is made with a rich high-quality canvas that resists snags and fraying. The interior is lined with bright pink cotton that is both nice to look at and helps you find your things in the dark. The YSL logo is elegantly embroidered in heavy satin in a beautiful gold color — the logo alone makes this e-mook worth every penny spent.

Now for the cons: because the bag is canvas, special attention must be given to it to help it last longer. Spray the outside of the bag with Scotchguard to protect it from stains. Be careful when getting the bag wet or damp because canvas is prone to mold growth. As soon as you notice mold staining, launder the bag by hand with a black fixative detergent like Perwoll Black Magic to conserve its inky blackness.

Last but not least do not use it for heavy objects such as full-sized laptops or very large books. The bag might lose its shape and the straps might give way. Other than that the bag is fine — even for everyday use. If you find one be sure to snap it up — the YSL e-mook is an excellent deal for budget conscious fashionistas.