Shaving the Fat

A while back I wrote about how much more expensive women's products are compared to men's products. There was definitely a difference with body wash and shampoo. Deodorant was fairly comparable. Last week, I got to compare shave gel/foam.

As a feminist, I believe the decision to shave, not shave, and what to shave is a personal one. I know why society expects me to shave my legs and it's a BS reason but I don't like that hair fully grown out and I have an office job so I routinely shave my legs. When I ran out of shave gel, I decided to do a price comparison. Once again, big difference.

The generic bottom of the line men's shave gel was $2.04 at Target. The generic bottom of the line women's shave gel was $3.04. You might be thinking, "What's the big deal? It's only a dollar." You mean, it's only a 50% increase in price to make the bottle and gel vaguely pink. 

The bottles are also designed differently. The men's bottle is more of a top down design which I wasn't used to. Not that it made much of a difference but I wonder if it contributes to the BS price difference.

The women's shave gel has more of a sideways design. You still push down but it's not as top down oriented to get the foam out.

I wonder if it's because women have to contort themselves into ridiculous positions to shave everything the world expects us to shave. Men just sit the foam on the counter and push as needed. If you don't regularly shave your bikini line, just imagine the angles we have to twist into to remove that hair.

The Boy thinks it's an issue of supply and demand. Women have to share more square inches so we're charged more since we buy it more often. The wheels of consumerism grind on. I beat the system on this one. I'm sticking with my cheapo men's shave gel and saving my dollar.

Shower Me in Savings

One the best examples of every day sexism I've heard is how men's products are just plain cheaper. The most commonly noted items are deodorant, body wash, and shampoo. I had to run to the store last night so I thought I'd see if there was some truth to this and maybe save myself some money.

Holy flurking schnit is there a difference with body wash. The most expensive men's body wash I found was $3.99, the same price as the cheapest women's body wash. Moisturizing brands were more expensive. Dove was around $5.49 and Aveeno had products that topped $7. I usually use the 'gender neutral' Dial or Lever 2000 to avoid perfumes. Those were $4.99. WTF?

Why is the most expensive men's products the price of the cheapest women's products? Is it really that much more expensive to smell like fruit instead of Axe? Is Dove for women that much more effective?

I road tripped to visit a friend and forgot body wash so I borrowed his Irish Spring. Everyone thought I was wearing a lovely perfume and I had no allergy issues. Screw gender neutral soap. I'll take my savings to the dude side.

Deodorant was pretty comparable. Some of the men's stuff might have been a little cheaper but not by much. The stuff I would have considered using was the exact same price as the stuff I already buy. I can remain powder fresh and not feel cheated.

I didn't need shave gel or razors but I am definitely price comparing with the men's stuff before I buy those again. I use fancy salon shampoo so you're on your own for pricing that but I'm sure it's just as much of a scam.

Music: Fat Chick's Revenge by Storm Large