U... Will Stick Out like a SORE THUMB!

Okay. As if it wasn't bad enough that we need these in the first place, they just had to go and make them "more visually stimulating" in order to appeal to women. If you ask me, it's already weird enough when someone notices that you have FHP's* on you... now we have to worry about someone seeing a brightly colored collection of pads and tampons just floating around in our bags.

But, for whatever reason, Kotex is managing to make a TON of money off of these... I mean, it's kind of hard not to when they're charging $5+ for a pack of 16. Yet people everywhere are buying these and carrying them around. And they really ARE noticeable, even when you aren't paying attention. I recall sitting at O'Charlie's not too long ago when I spotted and older woman carrying these-- and OLDER woman! Last time a checked, the demographic they're targeting is teens and young adults, not people who are looking for retirement.

Anyhow, there is a clever aspect behind how painfully noticeable the packaging on these is. In fact, it's just that-- they're noticeable, almost to the extent of being painfully obvious. No other hygiene company is manufacturing vibrantly colored products that make pretty much make no sense... it's just packaging, on a product that is usually kept hidden once purchased, which is immediately discarded upon use. The idea here is that they are noticeable on the shelf. Even the box is well designed; it's black with a very delicate pattern in order to accentuate the many vivid colors inside. Seriously, what teenage girl wouldn't look at these and not say they're at least interesting... (they don't even serve some special purpose from any other FHP provider!). That's what Kotex is going for: an eye-drawing design that hooks people into buying them for the sake of having colored pads and tampons... I guess. Thanks, Kotex, but I think I'll pass-- but I'll definitely give you an "A" for effort.

(Actually, I bought these to use as an example for another class... but I WILL NOT use them. In fact, the particular box that I bought was coupled with 3 free music downloads, which pretty much screams "teenagers, want me!!!". I guess this goes to show that, even if you don't actually use them, they are an ingenious design that effectively sells for one reason or another. Kudos to you, Kotex!)

*FHP = Feminine Hygiene Products