Have you ever heard of the pink tax? This is an extra cost applied to products targeted toward women. Why are women paying more for shaving cream and razors than men? There is no performance difference between men's and women’s razors but a definite cost difference. It's pink, big whoop.

If you’re a woman and you follow any sort of beauty regiment, or purchase products from some big box store, you should know about the pink tax. Hell, if you’re a woman or know one, you should care. The pink tax relates to the extra costs to manufacture and advertise feminine products, as I mentioned. Not just pads and tampons, I’m talking about shampoos and conditioners, razors and shaving creams, body washes, hair brushes…the whole nine yards. I, as a woman, always bought volume shampoos or shine enhancing conditioners. My brother, on the other hand, was perfectly fine with the store brand, generic daily shampoo. Now, companies are comping out with comparable men’s products that do the same thing as women’s, yet women still pay more for a similar product.

While researching, I found this pink tax goes farther than the daily beauty routine, women are being charged more for dry cleaning, haircuts and vehicle maintenance among other things. Pretty much any product marketed towards women costs more than its equivalent for men. Services can cost more, too. There’s no lie that advertisements and marketing strategies are effective because companies are still making money off of the pink tax!

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) conducted a study which resulted in tangible data, proving the pink tax is real. According to the published reports, on average, women’s products cost 7 percent more than similar products for men. The DCA tested products from five industries: toys and accessories, children’s clothing, adult clothing, personal care products, and home health care products for seniors. The largest gap between men’s and women’s products were those under the category personal care products. These are things I mentioned before, razors, shampoos, etc.

We, women, are willing to pay more for the same products as men, we expect luxury items and pay for them. You can be smart and do some researching on your own. Razors and shaving cream are some easier ways to save. Men’s razors nowadays are just as luxurious as some of the women’s. If theirs are cheaper and just blue instead of pink, why not save? I’m going to stereotype here and say that typically women are more materialistic than men. I’m not going to lie, I like so see things that have a feminine touch to them, especially when I’m going to use them to care for my feminine body, but this pink tax – ridiculous. Is raspberry scented shaving cream going to get me a better shave than classic Barbasol? Chances are slim. Women do shave more of their bodies and have more hair products in the daily routine, typically than men, so yes, we spend more on our upkeep, but a pink tax on top is too much.

We all have a budget for the stuff we want and what we actually need. We have hobbies that we choose to stick with that cost us money. Maybe that’s getting your hair done every other week or maybe it’s taking a hike, but no matter what your daily choices are, you will be confronted with the pink tax. I’m not here to tell you how to spend your money, but if I can help you spend it more wisely, I will. Next time you go to the store, try the men’s razors. Be concerned about what’s happening in the marketing and consumer world around you, do something and be informed.

I’ve realized the more I researched this topic, the more intertwined and complicated it becomes. Weigh in men and women. There are sometimes legitimate reasons a product costs more, but the reason should never be because of its’ marketed gender. Are there products you’ve found that are exactly the same as their counterpart? Guys, are there things you spend money on that you feel are overly priced because they are being targeted to your gender? Is it fair to assume the pink tax is OK because men have manly habits? If you’re out and about, please look at the differences in cost in men’s and women’s products. Even try out a few and let me know what you think.