The first time I ran across this on the internets, I barely paid any attention to it, thinking, ha ha, it was some parody from the likes of The Onion or Cracked. Then I saw it again and learned that, yes, indeed, this was part of a real advertising campaign for an actual product.
Playtex wants women to believe their lady parts aren’t fresh and hygienic enough to attract a sexual partner unless they’re using Fresh + Sexy wipes to keep their vaginas from smelling funky. And Playtex is letting us know about our dirty little problem in the most oh so “fresh” and “sexy” ways possible. See for yourself.
Seriously, what the what, Playtex??? First of all, gynecologists and obstetricians do not recommend wipes, douches, or anything other than the usual grooming practices to keep things tidy down there. The vagina is supposedly a self-cleaning organ. I don’t know about all that, but I do know I’ve never been turned down for sex because I wasn’t “clean enough” down there, and I doubt many other women have either. Second of all, these ads are not clever, they’re not fresh, they’re not sexy. They’re just crude.
I guess these wipes are not just for the ladies after all if I’m interpreting these next two spots correctly.
But hey, crude is where it’s at these days, right, The Onion?
Kath
02/27/2013
This is for real? Really?? And did they actually use a beaver and a woodpecker? I have tears. I have to hand it to them, as distasteful as it is…it really is kinda clever. I can’t believe it got through standards and practices
As far as the actual message, well that’s another story. As usual, women are being told that in some way, we are not good enough. This time it seems we are not peachy clean enough. But like you said…when do you hear any complaints?
The Six-Fingered Monkey
02/27/2013
Okay. The ads? Brilliant. Funny. Awesome. As for the message? Look, I can’t speak for women, but as a guy, I can tell you that YES it is VERY important to keep the woodpecker clean and my doctor has backed me up on this. When you touch your goods as much as I do, you gotta keep it squeaky clean for yourself and your partner. Hell, I’m now considering this product for myself. Maybe it’s not a good idea for the girls, but it’s good for the guys. That said, I have to disagree with Kath. The idea that this product is somehow accusing women of being “less than” is a reach. After all, the product is geared toward both genders.
Kath
02/27/2013
Yes, it’s pushed to both sexes, but do you think it would have ever been produced as a male only product? I don’t. I think it was made for women and someone brilliant thought that some men, such as yourself, might be doing a little too much of the touchy-feely stuff, and hell let’s market it to men too.
Do you really think men will go out and buy this? I’m curious as to what aisle this would be in…feminine hygiene, condoms. Most stores don’t have enough shelf room to allocate two spots. I think some research is needed.
Lance
02/27/2013
I live with 4 women. I refuse to comment further. I don;t want to die in my sleep. But, wow.
Vinny C
02/27/2013
I’m curious as to what data they consulted to know that a beaver’s success rate at finding wood is determined by how clean it is. Was it on NatGeo?
Andrea
02/27/2013
comment win
Amy
02/27/2013
I’m having problems believing this is a real thing. But yeah, it follows in the grand tradition of those terrible Summer’s Eve commercials a while back. We are NEVER GOING TO BE CLEAN ENOUGH, NEVER.
Props to them for the humor, I guess, but they can stuff their stupid needless guilting product. Where can they stuff it? Somewhere that’s traditionally not very cleanly.
Andrea
02/27/2013
I have no words. this makes me so damn mad. guess what? vaginas smell! and not like flowers or rivers or rain. clean vaginas smell. so take that, Playtex.
and I don’t even know how products like this are even still on the market considering how harmful to our lady parts they really are. and even for men, just some plain soap and water works just fine.
The Six-Fingered Monkey
02/27/2013
What if you have to clean things up on the go? I mean… that happens, right? (asking for a friend)
Andrea
02/28/2013
a baby wipe, then. not this super scented crap. is not good for the ladies (tell your friend)
Handflapper
02/27/2013
Y’all are cracking me up. And I am also curious, like Kath, about which aisle these are stocked in. I will investigate the next time I am in . . . Walmart? My best guess would be near the toilet paper, if it’s truly a product for both men and women.