History of Feminism

eridani

(51,907 posts) Sat Apr 11, 2015, 02:34 AM Apr 2015

Yep, the ‘Pink Tax’ Still Makes Women Pay More for the Same Stuff

http://www.takepart.com/video/2015/04/10/pink-tax-makes-women-pay-more?cmpid=tpdaily-eml-2015-04-10

Razors, cologne, moisturizers, and haircuts. Back in 1995, a groundbreaking California study confirmed what many American women already knew: Guys pay less for the same goods and services. Fast-forward 20 years, and the “women’s tax ”or “pink tax” is still draining ladies’ bank accounts. To prove just how pervasive gendered pricing is, the folks over at YouTube channel The Daily Share have created a video that’s sure to make you question why pink razors are more expensive than blue ones.

The clip’s producers, Mike Byhoff and Katie Isaacson, compare, for example, two Neutrogena facial moisturizers. One marketed to men retails for $10.35; the version for women, with the exact same ingredients, costs $11.42. That’s roughly 10 percent more money. Neutrogena told Byhoff and Isaacson that the price differences “are related to a number of factors, including packaging differences, modifications of the formulation that impact the manufacturing process, and the discretion of each retailer.”

That may be true, but the resulting dollar here, dollar there price discrepancy adds up. Sometimes it’s hard to notice how small amounts of money slip through our pockets. It’s harder to ignore, however, the gendered pricing of a haircut. Byhoff and Isaacson found that a guy can get a trim for $28, but a woman will shell out nearly 60 percent more: $44.

Ironically, given American Apparel’s sexual harassment scandals, the experiment found it was one retailer that doesn’t jack up the prices for women. Thanks to unisex pricing, an oxford shirt from the Los Angeles–based clothing manufacturer costs the same no matter who’s buying it. But don’t cheer too loudly: The duo found that the pink tax weasels its way back into the mix when it’s time to dry-clean the garment.

9 replies

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Highlight:

Yep, the ‘Pink Tax’ Still Makes Women Pay More for the Same Stuff (Original Post) eridani Apr 2015 OP

I've heard from some women that they are switching from the pink one to men's razors, jakeXT Apr 2015 #1

I don't buy "just for women" crap ismnotwasm Apr 2015 #2

husband bought a pink razor for me. three years i have not had a clean shave. all i wanted seabeyond Apr 2015 #3

I switched, and while it's still pricy, I prefer the man's razor. knitter4democracy Apr 2015 #4

it's a racket that i try to avoid fizzgig Apr 2015 #5

I have curly hair so I cut it myself ismnotwasm Apr 2015 #6

If "Men's" Stuff is Cheaper... Sparhawk60 Apr 2015 #7

That works for everything but clothing eridani Apr 2015 #8

I also Wonder About Dry Cleaning Sparhawk60 Apr 2015 #9

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)

1. I've heard from some women that they are switching from the pink one to men's razors,

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 04:10 AM

Apr 2015

because they work better.

Maybe all the protection gels and skin guards are catching too much hair ?

The manufacturer claims the the pink one is specially made for body hair and you shouldn't use the men's razor.

Venus recently did a study and found that 30 percent of women are using a razor that's made for a guy. (If you're thinking it seems biased because Venus wants us to use Venus, know that Venus is owned by Gillette, which makes the men's razors that so many of us are using.) Yes, we've got plenty of friends who think their BF's razor is better than their own, but we've actually never gotten that advice from a hair-removal expert. So why do so many women shun the lady-shaver?

Well, Venus found that some women think the guy's blades are sharper. However, the ones they use in the Gillette Fusion Power are exactly the same as the Venus Embrace. Another theory? Some women like the way the men's razors look—sleek, shiny and silver. But there are so many reasons the women's versions are designed differently: We're shaving 18 times more surface area than men! The oval face glides easily, there are more moisturizing strips and the squishy handle keeps it from slipping—and helps us not cut up the backs of our knees. Which would you rather: A silver razor or nick-free legs?

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a9827/women-use-mens-razor-venus-110311/

ismnotwasm

(42,486 posts)

2. I don't buy "just for women" crap

Reply to jakeXT (Reply #1)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 08:10 AM

Apr 2015

Mostly because it's overpriced. I also like basic things like witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, bag balm, tea tree oil/aloe blend, organic coconut oil ect. Wrinkle creams are useless, toning and moisturizing for skin health can be done from the grocery store. (And I'm not an all out health food person--not even vegetarian--I just don't like spending money on nonsense)

As far as razors--price. I shave my husband these days, take care of any hair he (or I)dislikes and groom his beard. (He's looking good too) We use the same kind of men's razor. To me the design isn't sharper, it's just got a solid feel to it.

We can use the same shampoo--in the summer I make a Rosemary hair rinse, and I like things that smell pleasant, and he doesn't care.

Anyway, if a product is gendered when it doesn't have to be, I never buy the women's stuff.

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)

3. husband bought a pink razor for me. three years i have not had a clean shave. all i wanted

Reply to jakeXT (Reply #1)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 08:40 AM

Apr 2015

was to replace the old mans gillette i had for years. and ended up with the pink thing.

finally, a month or so, i took over a mans razor. have had a clean shave every since.

five fuggin razors (i want two), and along my shin and any contour had hair left behind.

a mans razor took care of it.

i will stick with the mans razor

knitter4democracy

(14,350 posts)

4. I switched, and while it's still pricy, I prefer the man's razor.

Reply to jakeXT (Reply #1)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 12:35 PM

Apr 2015

My daughter still likes the pink ones, so whatever. My son and I share the good one.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)

5. it's a racket that i try to avoid

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 02:34 PM

Apr 2015

i do use lady razors, but i don't buy beauty products and my clothes come from a thrift store. i get my hair professionally cut maybe twice a year because i usually just buzz it down at home, but that's the one that kills me the most because i never get more than maybe an inch and a half cut off.

i also think there's a more subtle tax on women as a result of our societal beauty standards: perfect hair, makeup, manicure, nice clothes and shoes and being cleanly waxed.

ismnotwasm

(42,486 posts)

6. I have curly hair so I cut it myself

Reply to fizzgig (Reply #5)

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 08:10 PM

Apr 2015

You can't ever tell and beauty salons want you to blow dry and style it-- things I never do. I like my hair.

Sparhawk60

(359 posts)

7. If "Men's" Stuff is Cheaper...

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Mon Apr 13, 2015, 01:48 PM

Apr 2015

Then just buy it. Another problem solved!!

eridani

(51,907 posts)

8. That works for everything but clothing

Reply to Sparhawk60 (Reply #7)

Mon Apr 13, 2015, 08:20 PM

Apr 2015

Men's jeans are cheaper, but the waist is too loose and the butt too tight. There is no reason why design for women's proportions has to result in higher product costs.

Sparhawk60

(359 posts)

9. I also Wonder About Dry Cleaning

Reply to eridani (Reply #8)

Tue Apr 14, 2015, 05:06 AM

Apr 2015

If a man and a woman both dry clean a white shirt, the woman will usually get charged more. Is the difference in cut and material really that great as to result in higher prices for the woman?

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