Yeah, yeah, while that's all well and good, Ms. Helen Reddy, we have
some sobering news for you. Despite your empowering 1972 anthem, Gloria
Steinem's women's lib-ing, and Oprah's glass ceiling-shattering, there's
still one place where we female types remain abject second-class
citizens: the drugstore.
Related: Beauty Editors' Favorite Drugstore Products
We're not talking Viagra and Propecia and the fact that there are nary
any feminine counterparts to those medications. Nah, today we're
talking plain old beauty products -- everyday items that women cough up way more for than our bigger, smellier, hairier, Y-chromosomed counterparts.
For example, Dove's Men + Care Clean Comfort Deodorant/Antiperspirant
and Dove's Go Sleeveless Beauty Finish Deodorant contain the exact same ingredients
yet at my local drugstore, the men's version costs $4.99 for a 3-oz
size while the women's is a dollar more and is only 2.6-oz. And don't
even get me started on the disparity between shaving essentials and/or
shampoo prices and sizes.
Related: 12 Best Foundations Under $15
So, what gives?
A couple of years ago, "Consumer Reports" conducted a study that showed "products directed at women -- through packaging, description or name -- might cost up to 50 percent more than similar products for men." Fifty percent!
And, those folks at "Consumer Reports" uncovered him/her discrepancies
across the board; pain relievers, eye drops, body washes, and other
everyday products were all significantly higher priced when they were
swathed in pretty pink packaging or infused with sweet baby scents.
Related: Are You a Sucker at Sephora?
Allan Gorman, the owner of a company called Brandspa, which works to
make brands more appealing, says, "You're paying for the perceived value
of the package." Similarly, "Forbes" reveals that a study conducted at
the University of Central Florida concluded that women's deodorants were
priced higher across the board even though "the only discernable difference was scent" and that "it's a similar case for most products marketed to women."
Related: 10 Things the Makeup Counter Saleslady Doesn't Want You to Know
Evidently the big brands chalk up the price inequities to import taxes
claiming that the tariffs -- like my 8 th grade science teacher -- play
gender favorites. (Blah, blah, BLAH.) And, while there's a lawyer named
Michael Cone who's trying to rally some 100 companies to band together
and sue the U.S. government over the unequal taxation, we're not holding
our breath. Because, really, even if they win, how much of that's going
to trickle down and lower the prices of our Dry Idea or Herbal
Essences? Exactly.
Related: 13 Best (and Affordable) Beauty Breakthroughs
So, in the meantime, to Mr. Gorman and the rest of you marketing suits
at the big brands, we'd like to say that you're no longer pulling the
wool over our eyes. We're more than happy, willing, and able to fill up
our baskets with products that are intended for men if it means we'll
save a bundle (and get the distinct satisfaction of feeling like we're
sticking it to "the man" a little in the process).
We are women, watch us score.
More from Total Beauty:
7 Makeup Brushes You Actually Need
What's the Best Ponytail for Your Face Shape?
7 Oils That'll Give You a Perfect Complexion
