What's in a Razor? Do Razors Really Need a Gender?

In today’s class, we explored gendered advertising, which got me thinking about “men’s” and “women’s” razors. What makes a razor gendered? Is it the color or the general vibe? Women’s razors are often pink with soft, cushioned pads, while men’s are often black, grey, and/or blue, with a strong, sleek design.

Image from www.shavemob.com


I remember asking a friend why razors needed to be gender-specific, and their response was, “Men have coarser hair.” That explanation didn’t sit right with me. After coming out as trans, I found myself facing the same question when offered a free razor: one for women and one for men. My hair was thickening due to testosterone, and I was growing facial hair—did that mean I should switch to the men’s razor now?


The answer turned out to be simpler than I thought. Razors for men are designed for the face, while women’s razors are geared for body shaving, like legs. So the real question isn’t about gender but about which part of the body the razor is intended for.

Indianapolis- Parks and Recreation 2011 - meme created via meme generator

This highlights underlying assumptions: that men don’t shave their legs, and women don’t shave their faces—assumptions that reinforce narrow ideas of gender and body hair. But as we know, gender and body care routines are far more diverse than these outdated norms suggest. For trans and gender non-conforming people like myself, navigating these choices means confronting the limitations imposed by gendered marketing. In the end, it’s not about what society tells us we should use, but about finding what works best for our bodies, on our own terms.

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