Latest news with #pinktax
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Finally, a women's razor that's actually as good as a man's
If you had told me as a teenager – awkward, Greek, and growing hair well before anyone else in my class – that one day I'd genuinely be excited about a razor, I would've laughed. From an early age, shaving always felt more like something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. I would eye off my dad's razor brand, only to sneak one into mum's shopping trolley when she wasn't looking. Now, as an adult, I've been known to 'borrow' my husband's men's-grade blades for myself. They've just always felt sharper, more solid, and simply better for my thick, dark hair, which I've been genetically blessed with. Women's razors, on the other hand, have always seemed more like an afterthought – ultralight and flimsy, not particularly sharp, and always a ton more expensive. The condescending 'pink tax' has never felt more obvious than when looking through the shaving aisle in the supermarket. Rows of razors in feminine shades, promising a 'smooth' and 'silky' experience, but what they actually deliver is just ingrowns. And I'm not the only one who has been fed up with this mediocrity. Georgia Geminder, the founder of Aussie personal care brand Gem, tells she saw the same gap. 'There's always been this unspoken belief that men need a 'tougher' shave, and so the industry has historically prioritised blade sharpness and durability for men's razors – while women's razors focus more on aesthetics or comfort,' she said. 'What's frustrating is that women deserve both: performance and beauty.' She wanted to bring something 'innovative, different and millennial-focused' to market, with thoughtful ingredients, beautiful packaging, while still keeping the price accessible. And she did just that. Earlier this month, Gem launched its 'category-disrupting razors' and shaving gels into Coles, after two years in the making. And fans of the brand are already going crazy for them, with one product selling every minute. When I spotted them on the shelves, I was so curious to try them out, having already been converted to their delicious-smelling deodorants. In my eyes, Gem can do no wrong, but having been burned in the past by so many women's shaving brands, I approached with caution. However, after using the Skin-Loving Shaving Kit, which retails for $20, I've fallen in love. It features a durable razor infused with Hyaluronic Acid, vitamin E, and Aloe Vera, a chic holder for the shower and a blade refill. The razor itself feels luxurious in both design and weight, and the five sharp blades and pivoting head gave me the smoothest shave I've ever had. When used with the Skin-Loving Shaving Gel, $10, which lathered generously, my shave lasted about two weeks. Usually, I'm back at it every few days. My husband even commented on how smooth my legs were, which, to be fair, is a rare occurrence (that I have smooth legs, not that he complimented me!). While you might be thinking, 'So what? It's just a razor.' For me, this feels revolutionary to my beauty routine. If you've been anywhere on TikTok recently, you'll have seen that shaving is having a moment right now and being rebranded as 'self-care'. And after using the Gem razor, I'm fully on board with this idea … that shaving can be something we can actually take pleasure in. It's one of those small luxuries that can make a world of difference to your confidence, without involving an expensive, multi-step routine. As Ms Geminder puts it: 'What once felt like a chore is now an opportunity to pause, reset, and feel good in your skin. 'The rise of self-care culture has encouraged people to romanticise the 'mundane' and shaving is the perfect example. 'When you're using beautifully-scented products, enriched with skin-loving ingredients, it becomes less about just hair removal and more about creating a moment for yourself.' It's not just Gem that has realised women want 'tougher' shaves, with other brands also reclaiming this traditionally unsexy ritual, making it feel relevant again. Recent statistics show the Australian shaving market valued at over $528 million in 2024 and expected to reach $785 million by 2034. While a survey from Philips found more than half of women (53 per cent) head to the men's aisle for their shaving needs. For me, Gem razors have made shaving less of a hassle and more of a ritual I actually look forward to. No more waiting for my 'everything shower' to feel put together – because now having smooth legs is an everyday thing. It's about time.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I'm a saving expert – my savvy trick means you can get Boots products for a fraction of the price, anyone can do it
MANY of us love heading to Boots to pick up some beauty essentials - but there could be a way to save money each time. A finance expert has shared that there is an easy hack many people can do next time they are in store. 4 She shared how women should not be tempted to 'pay more for pink packaging.' In a clip on her @thefinancegurl account, she shared how she wanted to stock up on her favourite Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser from Boots. She explained: 'It costs £5.40 for the 30ml bottle but if you head over to the men's skincare section you can get exactly the same product for way cheaper. 'This one costs £2.50 for 50ml of product so you're actually getting more product for half the price. 'When you compare the ingredients side by side they are identical. 'Nothing is different apart from the fact that one is in green packaging and one is in pink packaging.' She advised when you are shopping for toiletries that it is worth checking if the men's section has a cheaper alternative as 'pink tax' is 'very real.' Her video has racked up a staggering 600,000 views, and sparked a debate in the comments. One person wrote: 'BAN THE PINK TAX.' Another added: 'Great info to know sis. Thank you.' British skincare brand sold in Boots launches 50% off sale as it prepares to close down this month However, one person theorised: 'Isn't most pink tax just because there's higher demand among women so they add a higher price? 'In which case the real issue isn't misogyny it's capitalism and exploitation of consumers that everyone should be mad at.' And one shared: 'I feel like this issue applies to unnecessary products, too, like meds that are designed and sold as 'period pain relief' products when it's literally just paracetamol and ibuprofen in the one capsule.' BOOTS BARGAINS Kat Leech, who is better known online as Kat Saves, recently took to social media to share some of the best beauty buys from Boots for anyone on a budget. The recommendations came from her own loyal followers, many of whom swear by the staples on the shelves. First up, Kat showed off the Boots Everyday Shampoo and Conditioner, which are just 75p each and come in a delicious coconut and vanilla scent - what's not to love? 4 "That is an absolute bargain," Kat said in the viral video. And if you've got curly locks, the Boots Curl Creme might be the one for you. It's just £1.99 for a large tub and one hair fan said it's "excellent if anyone is looking for something affordable." One shopper even left a review online and wrote: "Have used this for many years, have dry highlighted soft fine hair and curls. My curls like it and it is not too sticky. It is very good value for money." What are the best Aldi beauty dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil
