I’ve noticed, over the years, that the companies that make my wife’s make-up seem to enjoy repeatedly changing the names of their colors, with no indication of why they have done so, much less what the newly renamed colors used to be called. (In fact, I only assume they even have an identical predecessor; I really have no idea.) I suspect the reason for this is that, with the exception of certain brands (e.g. Sei Bella), once an item of make-up has been opened, it can’t be returned nor exchanged. By constantly changing the names and colors, they force women to buy dozens more items than they otherwise would, in an oft-vain attempt to continue to look the way they like.
Men, on the other hand, have it a bit easier. In our society, it’s pretty much accepted that men—or, at least, the great majority of men—don’t wear make-up. As such, we never have to worry whether last week’s “Smokey Ember” is this week’s “Light Obsidian.” But we do have a handful of hygiene products that we do use, which brings me to today’s topic: deodorant.
Perhaps 15 years ago, I discovered Speed Stick’s 24/7 deodorant gel. I opened each of the three or four different scents and was happy with the one whose name was on a blue background. I bought it and have never looked back. Over the years, I’ve continued to buy it—or have I? To be honest, I have no idea. I don’t know what it was called then; I don’t know what it’s called now. I don’t even know if it’s the same scent. For all I know, they’ve spent $25 million on 15 new scents, trying to give it more widespread appeal, and I never even noticed. I just buy the blue one. It’s probably called something like “Cool Rush,” but if they changed the name to “Fresh Fish” or even “All-Natural B.O.,” my eyes would just gloss over the new text and I’d buy it anyway because hey, it’s the blue one.
Am I alone in this? Does anyone else (especially men) notice changes like this, or even care?
Men, on the other hand, have it a bit easier. In our society, it’s pretty much accepted that men—or, at least, the great majority of men—don’t wear make-up. As such, we never have to worry whether last week’s “Smokey Ember” is this week’s “Light Obsidian.” But we do have a handful of hygiene products that we do use, which brings me to today’s topic: deodorant.
Perhaps 15 years ago, I discovered Speed Stick’s 24/7 deodorant gel. I opened each of the three or four different scents and was happy with the one whose name was on a blue background. I bought it and have never looked back. Over the years, I’ve continued to buy it—or have I? To be honest, I have no idea. I don’t know what it was called then; I don’t know what it’s called now. I don’t even know if it’s the same scent. For all I know, they’ve spent $25 million on 15 new scents, trying to give it more widespread appeal, and I never even noticed. I just buy the blue one. It’s probably called something like “Cool Rush,” but if they changed the name to “Fresh Fish” or even “All-Natural B.O.,” my eyes would just gloss over the new text and I’d buy it anyway because hey, it’s the blue one.
Am I alone in this? Does anyone else (especially men) notice changes like this, or even care?
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