Today the Sassistas! feature Part One of a two-part series, "What Women Want," in which we take a closer look at products designed especially for women's needs. Part One focuses on "That Time of Month" and how much it means and/or used to mean to all of us. Part Two, tomorrow, will focus on "That Time of Age." To begin, check out this video:
This video is part of an ad campaign by Kotex for their new femcare product line: U By Kotex with its accompanying tagline, "Break the Cycle." Yesterday, the Sassistas! spent some time exploring the site and became quite fascinated with the "super cute colors" and tampon instructions such as, "Go from compact to full-sized protection in one easy move. When it clicks, it's ready to insert." (Does it buzz when it needs to come out?)
There are also some femcare firsts such as videos on how to insert a tampon and had to apply a pad. Perhaps what's most cool is that visitors are encouraged to sign a "Declaration of Real Talk" that addresses the code of secrecy that makes girls feel uncomfortable talking about their bodies. Check it out.
In the meantime, let's go back to the ad above. We love how it captured how menstrual cycles bring out all that is soft and tender in women. You know what we mean. Please share how that time of month transformed you into the woman you want to be.
NOTE TO THE MISTAS: Please don't feel left out. We know you've been a witness to that time of month. Here's your opportunity to testify to what you endured.
Oh, how I miss my time of the month!
That time of month when I put a sunny yellow ribbon in my hair and greeted everyone I encountered with a bright, "Good morning!" and a sparkling "Have a nice day!"
http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/angry-woman-733632.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 06:19 AM
Oh, how I miss my time of month!
That time of month, when in high school, I stopped insisting that girls should be permitted to take Workshop and instead showed up in Home Economics with make-up on and a sunny yellow ribbon in my hair and couldn't wait to complete the hem on my a-line skirt!:
http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PRE1346.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 06:28 AM
What can I say?
During my time of month, I wanted to tenderly hold little bunnies and baby chicks, while listening to "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone.
Gosh, I miss it so.
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 06:31 AM
If a "U by Kotex" tampon "clicks" when it's ready to insert, what other sounds could femcare products make?
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 06:33 AM
Wouldn't it be WONderful if every time you suspected your time of the month was near, you heard this sound when it actually arrived?
http://www.sassistas.com/sassistas_our_dish_on_the/2009/12/yo-carolyn.html
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 06:37 AM
Really, at 6:30 a.m. and you don't even discuss the healthy alternative, the menstrual cup. Give up tampons! Use the cup!
How about a doorbell sound when your "time of the month" came so you would know "your special friend" had arrived? Think how lovely it would be to hear, "Ding, dong, your period's calling."
The commercial is very cute and very funny. Loved the kitty she wanted to pet when she got the urge to hold soft things in her lap.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 18, 2010 at 07:31 AM
And wouldn't it be WONderful if this was the sound that came from your orifices when you receive a sales call while in bed fighting menstrual cramps?
http://www.shockwave-sound.com/sound-effects/explosion%20sounds/kaboom.wav
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 07:33 AM
How brave of you to sass in today, half-a!
For those of you who don't know what a menstrual cup is (I didn't), here's what it looks like:
http://www.moontimes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/moon-cups-300x295.jpg
Though I prefer this cup:
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/11/1113_girlapproved/image/10_playtex.jpg
I LOVE the sound of a doorbell, half-a. We'll make millions!
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 07:39 AM
Flann, when the video you posted is over, there is a video with a talking vagina puppet and a talking tampon/kotex puppet shown as othe videos to watch. It's really quite informative and entertaining. I recommend watching it.
Will be gone almost all day.
Posted by: half-a-sista | March 18, 2010 at 08:03 AM
Bizarre! Never seen this campaign at all - clearly not in their demographic. Periods are a bit of an annoyance, sure, but they aren't nearly as much of a bother as the emotional roller-coaster I seem to always ride ahead of time. That's the aspect of the cycle I wish I could change.
As far as the products they're hawking, can't stand tampons, never use them if I can help it.
Posted by: Chrysosistah | March 18, 2010 at 09:36 AM
HOWEVER, forgot the most important thing of all - I do applaud them for trying (for whatever reason) to start a dialogue about women's health. I do think their statistics are probably spot-on, and the ignorance of women's organs and structures and all that is terribly high, even among so-called professionals. So, anything to help foster a conversation and encourage people to think about this is a good thing in my book.
Posted by: Chrysosistah | March 18, 2010 at 09:42 AM
I gotta admit, I could watch that Reality Check video over and over. She could so totally be my BFF! In fact, she reminds me of most of my friends, except 20 (or more) years younger.
What I've seen of the website and ad campaign, I think I really like. After not too much searching I did find education on what a period actually is and not just how to handle it.
Posted by: babysis | March 18, 2010 at 09:44 AM
And while we're discussing "green" alternatives to the usual bleached white paper products, let me also suggest:
http://www.gladrags.com/
Posted by: Chrysosistah | March 18, 2010 at 09:51 AM
So, you's two (Chryso and babysis) ain't going to play along? You're actually going to post thoughtful comments . . . well, you ain't my BFFs!
But as long as we're being serious, did you see the video on the U By Kotex website that revealed this stat: 79% of the population can easily say the word, "penis," but can't say the word, "vagina." In fact, respondents actually looked REPULSED when they even thought of the word. I don't know if either word is allowed on the airwaves, but I bet penis gets by the censors more often than vagina.
Why can't we openly say "vagina"? Let's dialogue.
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Okay, Chryso, I visited Glad Rags. Here's some of the marketing copy:
"Find all of your reusable menstrual options here! Are you a pad user? GladRags Pantyliners and Pads are much more comfy than disposables. If you’re a tampon user, switch to The Moon Cup, The DivaCup, or Jade & Pearl Sea Sponge Tampons. And don't forget to check out the healthy body care and laundry supplies we offer!"
"Jade & Pearl Sea Sponge Tampons"? Hell, I'm making myself a necklace and matching earrings!
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 09:59 AM
So babysis and Chryso -- I'm goading you now. Your menstrual cycles never brought out the true reason women exist and transformed you into this?
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00658/news-graphics-2008-_658097a.jpg
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 10:05 AM
I don't cook, remember? :-)
Posted by: Chrysosistah | March 18, 2010 at 10:16 AM
You've resorted to goading? Try chocolate instead. I'm all for finding humor in the horror, but am going to be gone for a few hours today, so proceed boldly. I'll catch up.
I loved the sound effects, but had headphones on when the explosion went off. Ouch.
Posted by: babysis | March 18, 2010 at 10:24 AM
I don't either, Chryso . . . but admit it, darlin' -- that time of month made you WANT to cook; made you WANT to be everything your man needed you to be; made you WANT to bake bread from scratch.
Ever wonder why Jersey has so many whisks? To keep pace with being the woman Mother Nature intended her to be. Once a month.
God bless her.
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Let's just say, I think the Red Tent had the right idea ;-)
Posted by: Chrysosistah | March 18, 2010 at 10:27 AM
"Humor in the horror" -- I'll let that line keep me company until you return babysis. I'm sure you're off to Whole Foods for all the ingredients you need to prepare home-made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and fresh biscuits this evening.
Unless, of course, it is NOT your time of the month, in which case your family will be looking in the shower to scrape off leftovers in the pot from last Saturday night's instant Mac N' Cheese feast.
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 10:30 AM
What's with all the tampon wrapper colors? How delusional. Like having a colorful condom makes sex with guys fun!!!
Posted by: Carolyn | March 18, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Flann, perhaps today's post should have been titled, "The Vagina Monologues."
The sound I hear when I get my period? "F*CK!" Oh wait, that's because I'm saying it.
Posted by: Matissta | March 18, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Carolyn -- those are not merely "colors" -- those are "super-cute colors".
You make a very good point and while it may get a rise out of the mistas, it rather misses the point for me. I mean, when I saw the femcare color assortment, I wanted to go back to the days when I experienced that time of month. I wanted to design entire wardrobes around those colors. Yes, I wanted to Kotex My World.
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Matiss: "The Vagina Monologues"! Brilliant -- free U By Kotex products for you.
Posted by: Flannista | March 18, 2010 at 10:41 AM