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The Guide

original air date: October 29, 2001

Page 01: Viewer letter and Street Cents response

Back: to Episode 03

The ads for the Venus say this new razor will, "reveal the Goddess in you." Here's what Gillette has to say about the Venus's special features:

Three blades: Just like the men's Mach 3 for that ….oh so close shave.
Soft cushioning around the blades: The cushioning will smooth the skin for a safer shave
Pivoting rounded head: The head that holds the blades moves forward to move over other curves
Indicator strip with Aloe Vera and vitamin E: The Venus has a blue strip above the blade to moisturize the skin while shaving
Shaving compact: The Venus sits on a plastic container with a storage compartment for four replacement blades.
"ShowerSafe" blades: The replacement blades are individually sealed. (Sure these blades will stay clean and dry but that's more plastic).
Fancy Handle: Fits easily in you hand with a soft grip.

Features of the Mach 3:

The Mach 3 razor with the shaving compact and one extra blade cost $7.49. Here's what it has:

Three blades: For a closer shave that lasts longer.
Indicator Strip: The Mach 3 has a blue indicator lubricating strip 3. When this fades away, Gillette says you are no longer getting the "optimal Mach 3 shave" - time to change the blade.
Pivoting Head: The Mach 3 pivots to a 45 degree angle

Main Page > Guide > 2001-02 > Episode 03 > Viewer Letter

Viewer Letter:

Hi Street Cents. My name is Kimberley Wells. I'm 16 and I live in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. I was wondering about the difference between the women's Venus Razor and the men's Mach 3? Is the Venus Razor really worth the price difference? .

Street Cents Response:
The Venus Razor cost $12.49 and the men's Mach 3 cost $7.49. Both razors are made by Gillette, have three blades, a pivoting head, an indicator strip made of lubrication gel and a plastic holder with one extra blade.

The replacement blades for the Venus are a lot pricier too. A four-pack of replacement blades for the Venus cost $11.99. A four pack of replacement blades for the Mach 3 cost $7.49. That's more than a $4.50 difference.
Street Cents had six female high school students in Halifax test the Venus Razor against the Mach 3. Our testers had a few good things to say about the fancy new razor, but say, it's not worth the price. Aside from the Venus looking prettier than the Mach 3 and having a better ad, the Mach 3 was a way better deal.
Street Cents recruited six female high school students from Queen Elizabeth H.S. in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our testers took the day-off to shave. Their mission, find out which razor works best the Venus Razor or the Mach 3.

The test was simple. On the right side of their bodies, they used the Venus. On the left, they used the Mach 3.

Here's what they had to say about the Venus:

"...it curves better and the head is a little more flexible than the Mach 3."
"...I find the Venus longer but the length is awkward."
"...it doesn't curve as well as the Mach 3 but it has a close shave."
"...the Venus weighs less and it's much smoother. It has a strip of Aloe Vera and vitamin E and the Mach doesn't"
"...it has a closer shave, it traps the hair and it's easier on the knees."

After squaring off the Venus against the Mach 3, they decided the Venus wasn't worth the extra cash. Aside from it looking better than the Mach 3 and having a great ad, they said the Mach 3 was a way better deal - and only one tester gave it a thumbs-up.

What is the Venus Razor?

The Venus is a three-blade razor made by Gillette and marketed toward women. It'll cost you about $12.49 plus tax and you'll have to fork over another $11.99 for 4 replacement blades. You could almost buy a new razor for that price.