Naughty Neighbors was one of many erotic publications which featured models who appeared barefaced, natural, and unstyled. This choice was made by magazine editors to maintain an intimate, relatable aura around their female figures that contrasted with the polished and hypersexualized images seen elsewhere.
Many erotica magazines employed heavy amounts of makeup, elaborate styling, and overtly sexualized poses to promote lustful desires in their readers. These methods were also used by Hustler, Playboy, Club, Penthouse, High Society, Gallery, and others during the early days of softcore pornography. However, Naughty Neighbors' minimalist approach set it apart from these competitors and established itself as a unique brand.
The minimalism of Naughty Neighbors' style was intentional; it allowed for a more subtle and sophisticated sensibility than other adult publications. Models often had a fresh face with light blush and lip color, straightened or tousled hair parted down the center, and little if any accessories or clothing. This gave them a wholesome charm that spoke to its target audience of male readers looking for something different than what they could find elsewhere. The lack of distracting makeup or fancy dress made them appear more attainable and realistic, making readers feel like they too could be having sex with these women. It was an effective marketing strategy that helped differentiate the magazine from rivals while still appealing to its core demographic.
Naughty Neighbors' editorial decisions can be attributed to its founder, Jerry Falwell Sr., who wanted his magazine to be accessible and unpretentious. He desired a product that men would buy without shame or embarrassment, one that featured women whom they felt comfortable imagining themselves dating in real life. By presenting models with natural beauty instead of over-the-top glamour, he believed they would be seen as genuine people rather than objects of fantasy. This choice resulted in positive reception from many readers who appreciated this honest representation of sexuality.
Competitors began to catch up and surpass Naughty Neighbors in terms of production value. Magazines such as Oui, Gallery, Penthouse Forum, and Swank all offered similar features but added extravagant wardrobes, vivid colors, and heavy makeup. They also presented their female models with less innocence; poses became more exaggerated, faces more contorted, and bodies more provocative. Despite these changes, Naughty Neighbors continued to release issues featuring minimal styling until it ceased operations in 1985 due to financial difficulties caused by increasing competition. The publication's legacy remains intact even today as a reminder of a simpler era when eroticism did not need overt sensuality to captivate audiences.
The minimalist approach taken by Naughty Neighbors was deliberately chosen to differentiate itself from other adult magazines while still appealing to its target audience of male readers looking for something different than what they could find elsewhere. Its editorial decisions were made to maintain an intimate, relatable atmosphere around the female figures featured in each issue, creating a wholesome charm that stood out amidst increasingly elaborate productions of its rivals. While this strategy proved successful at first, the market eventually shifted away from natural beauty towards over-the-top glamour, resulting in the magazine's eventual closure after several years of operation.