Why Is Your Pink Razor So Expensive? Meet the Pink Tax

In terms of women's rights, some tremendous advances are perceptible if we compare them with decades ago.

However, there is still much to be done. For example, even in the daily details, women tend to confront little injustices imposed by the global system, just like the "Pink Tax."

What is the Pink Tax?

This economic phenomenon is a small fee for products with traditionally feminine features (designed with flowers, pink colored, etc.)

Think about it: check out the products that have their own design for both men and women, such as razors, deodorants, shampoos, soaps, etc. You will invariably notice that women's items are 25-40% more expensive.

Why does the Pink Task exist?

For sure, it goes beyond color, and it has nothing to do with production costs, either. 

Of course, the Pink Task fees vary from country to country and are usually determined by intermediaries and retailers, who tend to increase the prices of women's items because they are "prettier" or "softer" in theory.

The Pink Task was methodically scrutinized and highlighted by the French feminist collective Georgette Sand. The members of this group carried out an analysis of essentially the same products for men and women. 

The conclusion was that products with a "pink" or "girly" touch were much more expensive; they soon popularized this investigation reaching the courts and other countries. At least, this notion became great material for absurd (yet hilarious) pop culture parodies as well.

As you might be guessing by now, the most common reference used worldwide to analyze the Pink Tax are the razors: they may have the same number of blades, the same design, and the same packaging, but the "pink" ones will have a higher price.

The Pink Tax is even more noticeable on sanitary napkins and tampons—still considered a "luxury item" in many countries, which is simply outrageous nowadays.

Nevertheless, many countries have removed the extra charge for feminine products due to the investigations derived from this tax type. 

The struggle was not easy; it had to be preceded by advertising campaigns explaining the absurdity of this extra contribution in products used in something natural and inevitable.

Have you ever noticed the Pink Tax before this article? Of course, regulations worldwide vary, but you might be surprised the next time you wish to get a "girly" product (according to a study published by Parsehub, the pink tax in Canada was estimated to be above 50% in 2021. YIKES!)