Pink Tax

The Pink Tax: What It Is, Examples & How to Avoid It 
 

Ever notice how products marketed to women cost more than the exact same thing for men? Same razor, same deodorant, same shampoo—but the pink one costs more? That, my friend, is the ‘Pink Tax,’ and it’s quietly draining your wallet.

The Pink Tax = Overpaying for No Reason
"Today, we’re breaking down what the Pink Tax is, some of the worst offenders, and—most importantly—how you can avoid it!" You’ll hear 2 funny but really sad stories of some male politicians ignorance when it come to basic female anatomy. And my own experience at the dry cleaners. 

First things first—what is the Pink Tax? It’s not an actual tax, but rather the extra amount that women are often charged for products and services compared to men.

We make 71% less than men. Black and Hispanic women make even less but are paying 7% more. 

This happens across so many categories—personal care, clothing, kids’ toys, even dry cleaning! It’s sneaky, unfair, and completely unnecessary. 
"Let’s talk about some of the worst offenders." 

 
"A basic blue razor for men? $5. A pink one? $7. Same brand, same number of blades—except the pink one costs 40% more. The only difference? Marketing." 

 
"Even shampoo and conditioner—brands will slap ‘for women’ on the bottle and suddenly it’s a few dollars more expensive. The ingredients? Basically identical!" 

 
"Men’s deodorant? Cheaper. Women’s deodorant? More expensive, smaller size, and sometimes less effective. Like… why?" 

 
"Even kids aren’t safe. A pink scooter? More expensive than the blue one. A girl’s t-shirt? Higher price tag than the same style in the boys’ section." 

 
Ladies, if you’ve ever taken a blouse to the dry cleaners, you know—somehow, our clothes cost more to clean than men’s, even if it’s the same fabric.

I bought a white cotton broadcloth blouse to be washed and ironed. Men’s shirts are .99 women’s are $2. 

Now before you say “well the shirt is smaller, the fabric is different. It was my shirt. I obviously don’t wear a petite. It was 100% cotton broadcloth. It was probably easier to launder than a man's shirt. 

If it was so easy, why didn’t I do it? I loved that shirt and paying .99 cents to have someone wash and iron it for me was worth it. It was the top I wore to my son’s baptism. It was a Ralph Lauren from Lord and Taylor. I really did love that top. 

 
Okay, so now that we know the Pink Tax is real, how do we fight back? Here are some simple ways to keep more money in your pocket.

🎯 1. Shop in the Men’s Section 
"Razor refills, deodorant, even T-shirts—oftentimes, the men’s version is cheaper and works just as well (if not better). Don’t be afraid to check both sections!" 

🎯 2. Compare Unit Prices 
"Some times brands will shrink the size of women’s products and raise the price. Look at the price per ounce or per count to make sure you’re getting the best deal." 

🎯 3. Buy Gender-Neutral Brands 
"Some brands are catching on and making gender-neutral products—no pink tax attached. Look for those when you can." 

🎯 4. Call It Out 
"If you notice a price difference, say something! Social media pressure and consumer complaints have actually forced companies to lower prices in the past." 

🎯 5. Support Legislation 
"Some states are working on banning gender-based pricing, but change happens faster when we demand it. So if you see a bill addressing the Pink Tax—support it!" 

Knowledge = Power = Savings 💰

Here’s why it’s so hard to pass legislation. After Hurricane Helene, the senator of Louisiana basically said women need water, not tampons. The weather doesn't stop your period.

That’s not even the worst one. In Tennessee, they have tax free weekends, tampons are taxed, the GOP didn’t want tampons on the tax-free list because women would stockpile menstrual products because they are a luxury item. 

He is kind of right. Nearly 2/3’s of low-income women has a hard time affording these tampons and pads.   

The Pink Tax is real, but now you know how to fight it! Have you ever noticed a ridiculous price difference just because a product was marketed to women? Drop it in the comments—I want to hear your best (or worst) examples!

 
"Let’s keep more of our hard-earned money where it belongs—in our wallets. See you in the next one!"