15 Essential Hair-Metal Videos The New York Times

Table Of Content

• Guns N' Roses
• How Santa Monica’s pedestrian mall became too successful for its own good
• Cinderella, ‘Night Songs’ (
• Rock City Angels
• Cover To Cover: The Story Of The Great American Songbook
• Vocal Style
• Classic Rock Newsletter

Soon, ballad after ballad appeared on once edgy, hedonistic and party-hearty tracklists. In short, the genre was no longer dictating to the audience but catering to it. And with any musical movement that experiences this role reversal, that was the beginning of the end. Though there really wasn't much substance to the music, the scene was popular to the mainstream.

Guns N' Roses

The audiences (like the band) are just a little older and (maybe) wiser. Mötley Crüe released Dr Feelgood, arguably the greatest hair metal album of all time. Bon Jovi gave us Slippery When Wet and became bigger than Michael Jackson for a period.

How Santa Monica’s pedestrian mall became too successful for its own good

During the ’70s, the Strip musical scene evolved from rock and glam to punk. With the dawn of the 1980s, a new musical genre was germinating on the Strip—glam metal—which would soon take over the clubs on Sunset and charts across America. Headbanger’s Ball gave the scene its first legitimate home and helped it reach a wider audience than it had ever enjoyed before, catapulting hair bands from dive bars to stadiums worldwide. Less talented bands would be picked apart by a more active and knowledgeable fan base. Acts would appear on the charts then disappear overnight when it became clear they were nothing more than a studio creation, put together by labels for a quick cash grab.

Cinderella, ‘Night Songs’ (

Most sources cite them as the quintessential glam band, but around the same time they released their 1981 debut Too Fast for Love, we also saw the rise of Dokken, Kix, Night Ranger, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Great White shortly after. Mötley Crüe was like the Madonna of the hair/glam metal scene, consistently reinventing its look. Leather-clad, New York Dolls wannabes (Too Fast for Love, 1981), Satan worshipers (Shout at the Devil, 1983), hair rockers (Theatre of Pain, 1985), and bikers (Girls, Girls, Girls, 1987). The Crüe was all about conceptualism and stage presence, and it took it all to the hilt while becoming one of the biggest bands in the world. This German rock band was formed in 1965 and has rocked the world for decades. They can produce rock anthems and power ballads and do so with such enthusiasm.

Rock City Angels

The band's music was slightly darker than others in the genre but still friendly enough for MTV. Formed in Las Vegas by Mark Slaughter, they have brought hip hop into the glam metal scene. Often underrated, they spent a vast amount of time touring to promote their studio albums. As a band, they would move from hair metal to more psychedelic, developing their own unique sound. Even if you have never heard of the term, we promise you will know a number of the names that pop up in this list of the 31 best hair metal bands of all time. Which of these talented musicians do you believe are the greatest 80s metal bands, and who deserves GOAT status at the top of this list?

Cover To Cover: The Story Of The Great American Songbook

Early glam metal bands include Mötley Crüe, Hanoi Rocks, Night Ranger, Ratt, Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, and Dokken. Glam metal achieved significant commercial success from approximately 1983 to 1991, bringing to prominence bands such as Poison, Skid Row, Cinderella and Warrant. Though legendary frontman Dee Snider thinks Twisted Sister should not be considered a hair metal band, it definitely qualifies. Yes, it was established before the scene took off, but it certainly looked the part and used MTV and the overall hair/glam rock movement to score its only commercially successful album with Stay Hungry (1984).

Vocal Style

Come on, if there was a song made for MTV, it was 1990's "Cherry Pie." Give the band credit. Warrant knew how to follow a formula, and retro fans still want to hear it. Originally co-founded by longtime guitarist Tracii Guns, the project was ultimately put on hold when Guns and bandmates Ole Beich and Rob Gardner joined up with two L.A.

Producer Explains Why Grunge Ended Hair Metal: 'I Became Concerned About the Sameness of Procedure in Making ... - Ultimate Guitar

Producer Explains Why Grunge Ended Hair Metal: 'I Became Concerned About the Sameness of Procedure in Making ....

Posted: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

After turmoil and member changes in the '90 and early 2000s, the classic lineup got back together, touring and releasing new music. They wrapped up what they say is their farewell tour at the end of 2015. Formed in 1985, Whitecross has won several awards, and when you listen to some of their songs, then that’s no real surprise. Their best albums include Triumphant Return in 1990 and In The Kingdom in 1992.

If you check out their music, we are sure you will wonder how it didn’t quite happen for them. With Marc Bolan at the helm, they moved from psychedelic rock to hair metal and glam rock in the 70s thanks to the release of White Swan. Sadly, with his early death, we lost out on more of their hair metal music known for its riveting sound and vibe. They were big but should have been even bigger, thanks to their melodic approach to music. Lyrically speaking, they were the best, and their tunes remain catchy to this day.

Barry has worked as a freelance writer for over a decade and has developed an eye for detail when it comes to unearthing cool and interesting facts. Their harmonies were out of this world, and with Eddie Van Halen at the front of the band, you are about to experience a masterpiece of shred guitar resulting in a tone that is undoubtedly Van Halen.

A video that combined a catchy song with over-the-top visuals could make you famous, and so the genre’s high points have endured. The best part about music, though, is that it's there for us to listen to until the end of time. With an appreciation for music that’s best described as eclectic, his musical tastes range from Eric Clapton to Eminem through to Snow Patrol and Incubus.

Their second album was the reason they became so big since it spawned hits such as When The Children Cry and Wait, which made it to the Top 10 in the charts. This is classic hair metal with rocking guitars, riffs, superb vocals, and more thrown together into one solitary package. Songs including the likes of Rock Of Ages and Photograph are a must-listen. We love that they bring way more of a melodic feel to their music, and they offer something unexpected from a hair metal band in their approach. Seen as one of the best-ever heavy metal singers, his voice led Poison to critical acclaim, with three consecutive platinum-selling albums in the mid-80s. Famous for songs such as Unskinny Bop and Every Rose Has Its Thorn, you will find yourself singing along in no time at all.

The Darkness's Permission to Land (2003), described as an "eerily realistic simulation of '80s metal and '70s glam",[79] topped the UK charts, going quintuple platinum. The band broke up in 2006, but reunited in 2011, releasing the album Hot Cakes the following year. What we love about them is how they blend music that sounds like Led Zeppelin with pop or even blues music.

The 100+ Best Hair Metal Bands of All Time, Ranked

Table Of Content

• Cinderella, ‘Night Songs’ (
• The 20 greatest hair metal bands of all time
• Hollywood Rose
• Van Halen
• Slaughter, ‘Stick It to Ya’ (
• Motley Crue, ‘Too Fast for Love’ (

The hair spray, makeup, and catchy pop tunes touched up with distortion were made for MTV. Scene, but don't necessarily fall under the hair metal banner because of the edginess of their earlier music. The Runaways were an all-female band known for their funky metal music in the 70s. It also led to Lita Ford breaking out on her own after they split in the latter part of that decade. Intoxicating with their approach to the metal scene, Ford is now a rock goddess thanks to her outstanding guitar skills that will get you up and rocking. This rock band was formed in 1977, and its popularity peaked in the late 80s thanks to two different records, Once Bitten and Twice Shy, which launched them to stardom.

The 10 Best Hair Metal Albums of the 1990s - Loudwire

The 10 Best Hair Metal Albums of the 1990s.

Posted: Sat, 27 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cinderella, ‘Night Songs’ (

As with most other genres, once the industry becomes oversaturated with a bunch of bands that look and sound very similar to one another, the bubble tends to burst. Plus, by the end of the '80s, a group of bands formed a few hours north of the fading Los Angeles scene in and around Seattle. The jewel of that release was a cover of the Slade track "Cūm On Feel the Noize." However, the title track was a quality original. The hair, or glam, metal bands of the 1980s remain one of the true guilty pleasures in music history.

The 20 greatest hair metal bands of all time

Even in the "Runaway" days of 1984, the hair was teased, and the stage coats were long. Its songs perfectly combine arena rock and pop-metal, capturing a mainstream audience. The success of 1986's Slippery When Wet, featuring the anthemic "Livin' on a Prayer," made Bon Jovi one of the biggest acts in the world. More than anybody else on this list, it's been able to remain relevant and even earn induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Hollywood Rose

Known for heavy vibrato vocals, Dokken is best known for songs such as In My Dreams and Burning Like A Flame. We suggest checking them out to see what we mean about the stunning vocals from this hair rock band. In 1975, Randy Rhoads, arguably one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists of all time, laid down the foundation of a wall that his contemporary, Eddie Van Halen, would have to hurdle every night. The band Rhoads wailed for was Quiet Riot and they had the best gig in Los Angeles, opening for David Lee Roth and Van Halen. Both bands owed plenty to a handful of glamorous predecessors, including New York Dolls, Alice Cooper, and KISS, and were accomplished, driven musicians who cared more about the music than they did the fame.

The more bands that popped up, the more venues opened and the more deals were signed. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee formed Motley Crue in 1981. They soon recruited guitarist Mick Mars and eventually hired Vince Neil as their singer. The Crue quickly become of the most successful bands to emerge from the Sunset Strip.

Slaughter, ‘Stick It to Ya’ (

Their legendary partying drew almost as much as attention as their music. What we love is their hard rock with thrashing drums, heavy guitars, and out-of-this-world vocals from Vince Neil. This hair metal band from New Jersey was a big deal in the 70s and 80s. However, they were not your usual band, thanks to introducing some real comedy into their music. As a band, they have sold countless albums and have a string of classic hits such as Livin’ On A Prayer and You Give Love A Bad Name, which are both great rock anthems. These included the rock ‘n’ roll venue Gazzarri’s, where Van Halen got its start, and the Comedy Store, which opened in 1972 at Ciro’s old home.

In 1984, drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley was killed in a car accident (the car was driven by Motley Crue's Vince Neil). Their status as a true "hair band" is disputed by some, but there's no doubt they greatly influenced the genre and should be considered pioneers. Their distinct dark sound allowed them to cross over when hair metal came to an end.

Love/Hate

The most active glam metal scene was starting to appear in clubs on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, including The Trip, the Whisky a Go Go, and the Starwood. Early glam metal evolved directly from the glam rock movement of the 1970s, as visual elements taken from acts such as T. The first examples of this fusion began appearing in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene.

Recommended Hair Metal Albums

Hair metal vocalists rarely get the respect that traditional metal singers do, in part because of the glam looks and accessible songs. They were huge in the United Kingdom and Japan thanks to their hair metal rock songs. With aspects of Billy Idol in their music, it’s a surprise they did not make it bigger in the industry.

And if you dig beyond Motley Crue, Ratt and Bon Jovi, there's still plenty of brilliance to be found amongst the scene's lesser lights. They didn't become popular for a few more years, but when they did, their stripped-back sound and nonchalant sense of style (or lack thereof) highlighted how exaggerated and commercialized hair metal really came to be. The party was over, and people were looking for a fresh, new sound. But once this new style, which became known as "grunge" took over, the same thing happened to that scene, as it did years after that with nu-metal. They often say that music is cyclical, and this was certainly the case with hair metal.

Its epicenter was just a few city blocks — the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, Calif., which was basically a hair-metal petting zoo on 1980s weekends — but the ethos spread around the world, propagated by music videos in heavy rotation on MTV. But before we go on, bands like Def Leppard, Kiss, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Extreme, and Tesla are not on this list. Founded by former Black Sabbath members, Badlands’ glam metal music became highly popular while they were heavily inspired by Led Zeppelin. Expect some serious vocal acrobatics in their songs that will blow your mind. Also, their classic rock tracks could instantly turn into acoustic masterpieces, which is impressive.

Formed in 1983, White Lion was one of the top hair metal bands through the 80s, and for good reason. Led by the Danish vocalist Mike Tramp, they were the epitome of glam metal at the time. They started off with the shock factor with their rock concerts and are known as the group fronted by Gene Simmons. Known for songs such as I Was Made For Lovin’ You and Crazy Crazy Nights, they were one of the top hair metal bands ever. Their over-the-top concerts and huge stage personas inject so much energy into their music that you cannot stop getting out your air guitar and playing along. We'll talk more about singer/guitarist Mark Slaughter in his days before forming his own band.

And a little band named Guns N’ Roses hit the scene with Appetite For Destruction. Now that we know that hair or glam metal came from glam rock, what made this new subgenre different from its predecessor? For starters, the style of music was dubbed "hair metal" because of the large hairstyles many of the musicians sported, often teased and sprayed with so much hairspray that you truly wonder how (or if) they were ever able to brush it out.

Plus, it had one of the best and wide-ranging voices in all of metal with Sebastian Bach during its heyday. Skid Row broke through with its self-titled 1989 debut that made them MTV staples thanks to hits "Youth Gone Wild," "18 and Life," and the widely popular power ballad "I Remember You," which truly showed off Bach's range. Its 1991 follow-up, Slave to the Grind, was rawer and reinforced the band's collective talent. However, hair/glam metal was a sinking ship, and Skid Row, unfortunately, was going down with the rest. Formed in 1978, this glam rock band managed to have several chart hits throughout the first decade of its existence.

But even though they had this backing, their first album never had any real hits. Almost as a reaction to the new direction GNR were talking the scene, other bands strived to explore material beyond “pullin’ the pin of their love grenade”. At the pinnacle of this hair metal tradition is Poison’s ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’, an acoustic strummer that became the band’s biggest hit. After Poison’s success, every band sought out their sensitive side to have a power ballad of their own that could crossover into mainstream radio.

The Sunset Strip occupies a short stretch of Sunset Boulevard, but its reputation as a stomping ground of gangsters, glamour girls, rock stars, and hell-raisers has held an oversized fascination for decades. This is the final installment in a series exploring how the Strip became the playground of the famous—and infamous. Driving down the Sunset Strip in the 1970s could be hazardous to your health. The dozens of balconies lining the Continental Hyatt House were often populated with visiting rock stars, including The Who, Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. Despite all the money and means injected by Geffen, Roxy Blue’s debut Want Some?

55 Short Haircuts For Men: The Latest Styles For 2023

Table Of Content

• Spiky & Messy & Textured Bald Fade
• Classic Combed Back Style
• Taper Fade Haircut
• The Benefits of Short Hairstyle
• Short Spiky Hair with Faded Sides
• Disconnected Undercut with Long Slick Back

The cut has reached popularity in recent years because of its versatility in styling and grooming. This classic undercut is perfect for square and diamond face shapes. Different variations of mens short haircuts have been made to offer balance to other face shapes. Some short haircuts for men raise the bar, and a fringe with a taper fade is a confidence-boosting look. In addition, a fringe has an artistic flair, while a taper fade, with the help of a talented barber, is fuss-free. Better yet, there are lots of ways to style a fringe to enhance features and suit different face shapes.

Spiky & Messy & Textured Bald Fade

If you’ve ever asked your barber for a “short back and sides”, this is most likely the cut they delivered. The crew cut is about as classic and timeless as a trim can be. The blowout is a shorter style featuring trimmed sides and longer hair on top that is brushed up and out.

Classic Combed Back Style

This messy French crop, also referred to as a men’s shorter blunt cut or an Edgar cut, is an excellent choice for guys going for a more youthful look. A bold and modern hairstyle that they can hook you up with during your next visit. You don’t have to do much to this style other than wash and go! I suggest rebooking with your barber in 2 to 4 weeks to keep this style looking fresh. Go for the short disconnected undercut to get that fine and edgy hairstyle.

Taper Fade Haircut

In contrast to the drop fade above, this cut follows a straight line toward the back of the head. Using hair product to pull hair up at the forehead is easy and looks great whether you have a this type of thick hair and fine hair too. Silver and gray hair look best with matte hair products and gray-specific shampoo that uses blue and purple hues to counteract brassy yellow tones. This version of the Caesar cut features extra length on top and textured bangs.

The Benefits of Short Hairstyle

15 Trending Haircuts For Men in 2024 - LUXUO

15 Trending Haircuts For Men in 2024.

Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

High and tight styles give the overall illusion of short hair while allowing for longer length up top. Clean up the cut around the ears while maintaining gorgeous locks up top so nothing gets messy. Such timeless short hair cuts will always find their followers thanks to the low maintenance and clean-cut look.

Likewise, they can go to capacities, gatherings, and conferences with short hair. In this way, short hairs are a superior choice for battling dandruff. But, what are other benefits that a person with very short hair may have? We will try to provide you with some of them through the list below. A modern mullet has nothing to do with an old-fashioned geeky style.

The buzz cut is a very short haircut that looks great with thick hair for a rugged style. This military-inspired hairstyle comes with short hair all over the head, making it a low-maintenance cut for guys who want an effortless and simple look. For a modern variation, you can ask your barber for a fade haircut on the sides and back.

Click here to head over to my company VITAMAN and discover the best hair products you'll find online. Ivy League cuts are short all over and have the top gradually get longer as it reaches the front. The top is styled forward and transitions upward as it reaches the front.

You can expect to shave the sides a few times a week (depending on how fast your hair grows), while you’ll want to trim the top about once every six weeks. Mohawks are undeniably cool, but not the most approachable hairstyle. Get the edgy look without shaving your sides by opting for a faux hawk. The look features short sides and about two to three inches of length at the center of your head, where a natural middle part would sit. When left to air-dry, it looks like a bold take on a classic fade—but when styled with gel, it can be molded into a temporary mohawk shape.

The 11 Best Short Haircuts for Men in 2024 - Men's Journal

The 11 Best Short Haircuts for Men in 2024.

Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It’s the haircut Ryan Gosling has had for a decade – timeless and steeped in American heritage. Conversely, if you have a very round head, short styles with a little height on top can balance out proportions. Try a pompadour with the sides kept short and close to the head. A barbering technique using clippers whereby hair is graduated from very short – sometimes to the skin, known as a ‘skin fade’ – to something slightly longer. This usually occurs on the back and sides of the head and is used as a way to blend different lengths smoothly. This high skin fade creates a more stylish, less severe version of the jarhead lid haircut.

Keep the side relatively short and style the top with a side part. Very short and classic, the buzz cut is easy to do but doesn’t leave many options in terms of styling. It works great if you have thick hair and want a rugged army look. From clean crew cuts to messier styles, the right haircut can make or break your overall appearance. Burst fade haircuts are great at pulling attention to the top of the head. To style, comb backward from the front to the side while the hair is wet, then use a blow dryer to finish the job.

Are you a low-maintenance guy who doesn’t want to spend much time grooming? To achieve the look, closely trim the hair at the back and sides but keep more hair on top, leaving strands longer at the front of the head for a graduated finish. Achieving waves with short hair involves creating a pattern of gentle, undulating waves that add texture and dimension to the hair. While naturally wavy or curly hair may be easier to style into waves, straight hair can be texturized and shaped to create the desired wave pattern.

Slicked hair is stylish but when you add some texture, you’ll effectively change the game. The model is wearing a side slicked hairstyle with traces of a quiff in front. If you are not a fan of hair products, then this hairstyle is not for you. It is perfect for work and play, and it does not require any maintenance. You can decide to reduce the intensity by not wearing a beard and can grow one if you want.

This creates the fade which is further blended ensuring no harsh lines disrupt the flow. The hair is intentionally cut and styled to achieve a natural, undone look, adding a sense of ease to your appearance. The high fade features a gradual transition from longer hair on top to very short or even shaved sides, creating a clean look. It starts with longer hair at the top and as the hair moves down the sides and back, it is faded, gradually getting shorter until it reaches the skin or close to it. There is some crossover with the quiff, but the short pompadour hairstyle will be far more streamlined and unified.

Gillettes new Venus advert stars a singing pubic hair

Table Of Content

• Gillette’s new jingle tackles pubic hair stigma
• Love to garden? Snag a new pair of Crocs for 30% off on Amazon
• Veteran ABC News weatherman Rob Marciano fired after 'anger' issues: sources
• The brand continues its '#SayPubic' campaign in a collaboration with the rapper
• Browse Posts by Category
• Gillette Venus Launches Ridiculously Inappropriate Ad Campaign
• Industry Intel
• Recommended Reading

"There's nothing diabolical about this little follicle. So take care of us, your pubic hair, if you trim or you shave or you're bare down there. Whichever way's your way, it's all OK." The product and campaign also seek to boost Gillette Venus' and P&G's larger DTC efforts. Venus offers a razor subscription model utilized by Billie and Dollar Shave Club, and the new Pubic Hair & Skin Starter Kit is already sold-out online, as of press time.

Gillette’s new jingle tackles pubic hair stigma

The reason I like Schick’s “trimming bushes” ad so much is because it is fun and flirty — perfect for its target audience. I suspect that the people who complained loudest about this ad were not in the target market and would not have bought the product anyway. "Consumers trust our brands, and we aim to ensure that the data that they choose to share with us will be used in ways that they prefer," Chief Brand Officer Marc Pritchard said at CES in January. Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. In other words, advertisers — use your heads, and keep your junk in your pants.

Love to garden? Snag a new pair of Crocs for 30% off on Amazon

The Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Gentle Trimmer is designed to complete the lineup of tools to offer all key methods women use to care for pubic hair and skin. "The Pube Song" wants to normalize doing whatever you want with your pubic hair. "Why the mass hysteria about the pubic area?" a chorus of pubic hairs sing.

Veteran ABC News weatherman Rob Marciano fired after 'anger' issues: sources

Gillette Venus has come out with a new line of products for pubic hair and skin, and they’ve taken a rather unique approach to advertising it. Most razor and shaving products opt for a spa and flowery theme while saying things like “great for all hair,” and simply showing bare legs and arms. Gillette took a brave leap forward and decided to animate a single pubic hair that sings about, well, pubic hair, and the general taboo around the word. Specifically designed to help protect pubic skin and the bikini line from shave irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Venus recognizes that the pubic region requires a special kind of care given thin skin and coarse hair.

The brand continues its '#SayPubic' campaign in a collaboration with the rapper

The company offers products aiming to prep, protect and maintain pubic hair and skin. Venus acknowledges not just any razor will do for shaving where your skin is most sensitive -- which is why its developed its Venus razor for pubic hair and skin with its patented irritation defense bar, offering a smooth shave where blades barely touch skin. The charming commercial comes as beauty and hygiene brands, in particular, are increasingly using clever marketing to attack the taboos inherent in their products, as Fast Company points out. For example, Thinx, the “period-proof” panty company, caused a stir with a number of ad campaigns during the past five years, such as one depicting fruit that some would say is reminiscent of certain parts of the female anatomy. Say hello to smooth and soft skin with a range of pubic hair care products from Venus.

Browse Posts by Category

Blade refills specifically designed to help protect pubic skin from shave irritation. Procter & Gamble’s Gillette Venus rolled out this piece to further de-stigmatize the care of pubic hair. From Grey NY, the spot debuts the song “It’s Time to Care (For Your Public Hair)” featuring female rapper Princess Nokia. When it comes to women’s health and sexual wellness, it’s no surprise that certain terminology is still seen as taboo or censored.

Gillette Venus Drops an Encore to Its Viral Pube Song, Partnering with Princess Nokia to Inspire You to #SayPubic - Business Wire

Gillette Venus Drops an Encore to Its Viral Pube Song, Partnering with Princess Nokia to Inspire You to #SayPubic.

Posted: Tue, 12 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Television is a mass medium, and advertisers have a responsibility to ensure that their work is appropriate for all audiences to whom it is shown. We do not need to see live demonstrations of these products in our living rooms.

Industry Intel

While 84% of U.S. women remove at least some of their pubic hair, 87% of them are dissatisfied with the results, per a 2019 survey by P&G. Venus’ Pubic Hair & Skin razor is specifically designed to help protect pubic skin from shave irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Its patented Irritation Defense Bar and optimally spaced blades allow the blades to cut hair while barely touching the skin. Also the razor refills come equipped with a precision trimmer on the back of the blades to navigate tricky areas.

Instead, it is done in the style of an animated musical and features a lesser-mentioned bodily feature. Venus surveyed 250 US women in 2021 and found that a majority of them would prefer to use anatomical terms like "pubic" but don't actually do so — most likely because it's deemed inappropriate or "weird" by society. Based on my own online research and an informal survey of people in my circle, this ad for Venus seems to be divisive even among women in the target audience. Worse, this ad has incensed Gillette buyers of both sexes who swear they’ll stop buying the brand altogether.

DTC e-commerce allows CPG brands like P&G direct relationships with consumers, and can yield first-party data that is becoming increasingly important to marketers like P&G. The Gillette Venus #SayPubic campaign follows similar efforts by DTC razor brand Billie. The female-focused brand launched its crowd-sourced "Project Body Hair" campaign in 2018, which it followed with a video campaign the next summer. P&G announced an acquisition of Billie in 2020 but called off the deal in January 2021 after the Federal Trade Commission filed an antitrust complaint. With this campaign, the brand can tap into the same type of conversations that Billie spurred several years ago — without having to acquire the company.

It’s a contradictory turn for an industry that for the past century has urged women to remove or obscure all hair that wasn’t sitting neatly atop their head. “It seems like all the ads are showing perfect skin and shiny hair, but what about this other world inside your underwear? A new ad by Gillette Venus which features a singing, dancing curly strand is encouraging women to take pride in their pubis — whether shaved or not. You may remember how rigorously I defended the “trimming bushes” ad for Schick’s Hydro Silk TrimStyle razor — also a product for women who shave down there. That ad too drew plenty of criticism, but to the best of my knowledge, it only aired after prime-time viewing hours or during shows intended for mature audiences. In case you missed it, the ad literally shows a closeup of a woman’s crotch while talking about shaving pubic hair.

"Our new collection not only offers women more options for pubic grooming than we ever have before, but starts a new conversation about using language that accurately and respectfully represents the female body." The Gillette Venus brand is bringing P&G's commitment to portraying more realistic depictions of women and their bodies to the hair grooming space by promoting a new product line with a quirky song and video that resembles classic animated musical numbers. The push comes amid research by the company that suggests that both the products and marketing around pubic grooming are unsatisfactory.

More people, women especially, are feeling empowered to do what feels right for them rather than feeling like they have to follow the "norm" — and it's about time. Venus’ 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel can be used during your shave to provide a protective layer of glide to help prevent shaving irritation, or daily as a gentle cleanser. To further help destigmatize the term, Venus launched a viral animated video dubbed “The Pube Song,” as part of the brand’s 2021 “#SayPubic” campaign, which launched alongside the Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Collection. In 2019, sex toy company Dame filed suit against New York City subways for pulling out (no pun intended) of a deal to run their risqué posters in trains — ads that read, simply, “Toys, for sex” alongside an image of one of their devices.

However, Gillette Venus is standing against the taboo by giving the word “pubic” all the love and attention it deserves, especially when it comes to proper self care and hygiene. That’s right, to mark the launch of its newest collection, Gillette has shone the spotlight on... This campaign aligns with the major shift that's happening with the beauty standards surrounding body hair.

The Venus Skin Smoothing Exfoliant is considered one of the best exfoliators for bikini area care. Adweek is the leading source of news and insight serving the brand marketing ecosystem. The 1-minute spot sees our cartoon hairoine perched on a bathtub soap dish, belting out the woes of life as the body’s most maligned cuticle. If creatives have one job left, it is to find clever and imaginative ways to sell these kinds of products while being polite and respectful guests in people’s homes.