What's the Deal with the "Pink Tax" on Gender-Based Hygiene Products?

Despite some next-gen brands adopting gender neutral marketing strategies, the beauty industry is still largely gender-based. "Feminine" products are typically seen in brightly colored packaging or sprinkled with glitter and floral patterns, while "masculine" products lean into hues of blue, grey or plain black.

Beyond the clear gendered distinction in a product's appearance and even scent, many products are priced by gender as well. Traditionally, women's products cost more than men's products, no matter the difference in quality or quantity and this theory is known as the "Pink Tax." This is what you see when you compare the prices of a universal product, like a razor, that costs more in a pink color than it does in the blue color for the same model.

Pink Tax is a term used to describe "gender-based pricing discrepancies in everyday items or services like razors or dry cleaning that add cost for women. It also includes a sales tax imposed on essentials for women, like menstrual products," according to Chase Bank. In fact, the tax that is imposed on period products has its own moniker, "Tampon Tax" and it's imposed in half of the U.S. states, the post explains.

Most recently, TikTok creator, product developer and half of " The Lipstick Lesbians" duo, Alexis shared her experience of walking in Target and noticing that Flamingo

@thelipsticklesbians Ok, was a tad judgmental at @meetflamingo while browsing @target