New 'Summer's Eve' commercials- innovative or insulting?

Contributor: The scientist The scientist 08/10/2011

I recently witnessed the new Summer's Eve advertisements and am curious what others think of them. Some of the racially skewed ones seem to have been removed on you-tube.

Invited: All users.

Discussion Topics

1.
Contributor: The scientist The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested in your reaction, and what implications you think it might have.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Ghost , sarki , SiNn , daveysgirl , null , potstickers , The Curious Couple , Pinkhare , Coralbell , A Closet Slut (aka nipplepeople) , Ryuson , dezzydezire , Kkay , wetone123 , The scientist , alliegator , dv8 , toxie m , js250 , EJ , kellyg , padmeamidala , JessCee , cec578 , Sir , melissa1973 , Beck , Kim! , Ms. Spice , Breas , Howells , MeliPixie , Yaoi Pervette (deleted) , Diabolical Kitty , Screen Door , K101 , systematicweasel , AshMegYo , ToyBoy , unfulfilled , carenautilus , DeliciousSurprise , ZenaidaMacroura , SexyTabby , Pink Jewel , Dusk , Jon S , kitty377 , Mew , PiratePrincess , AndroAngel , dhig , The Mother of a SiNner , mistressg , Kaltir , Bignuf , Miss Morphine , aimtoplease , Mistress Jezebel , jacki , Clandestine , namelesschaos , geliebt , idunshire , GoneBabyGone , Jake'n'bake , eeep , mpfm , ColorMeCute , Missmarc , Sublime , Eucaly , Love Perpetua , EndlessFrost , ksparkles16 , GONE! , meezerosity , chantal coopette , Kabachu , calliope , Ahatmadeofshoes12 , FleurDevereux , leelee , Kitka , samanthalynn , eroticmutt , MamaDivine , funluvinmama , jmex83 , palindromic , ellejay , pootpootpoot , Kayla , roskat , Lady Bear , corsetsaurus rex , Gone (LD29) , Peaches2000 , ghalik , Llahsram , True Pleasures , VelvetDragon , LavenderSkies , Terri69 , Rhazya , CaliGirl , Falsepast , SneakersAndPearls , panthercat23 , Anne , pestilence , sexxxkitten , J5ive , KRD , LunaLuthor , glitterbombs , Charry , Clara , Danneh , SkylarrStarr , Vii , hall5885 , Nacht Stern , deltalima , edeneve , Boyfriend , insomniac9 , Rey , Passionate Mandi , glasskitten , SMichelle , Voilet , Lavendar , joolie , PassionCpl , SaraW0512 , Sweetnative , lilyflower , karenm , clashnburn
140
bayosgirl , ily , Sohotdinosaur , domsub1993 , MissCandyland , sweetiejo , Eva Schwaltz , Megan Jean , Gunsmoke , blacklodge , chantalgiardina , animepanda89 , sunkissedJess , hhh
14
Sweet-Justice , voenne , Stinkytofu10 , Entropy , Clubbinseals , BlooJay , panthercat23 , CountryPrincess , Sweetnative
9
Total votes: 163 (161 voters)
Poll is open
08/10/2011
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Contributor: Ghost Ghost
I think This is the worse one. It reinforces the idea that women are nothing but walking reproductive units and our worth is connected to whether men are "fighting" over the use of our "goods".
08/10/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I thought douching was a bad thing all around anyway...
08/10/2011
Contributor: Ghost Ghost
They are promoting vaginal cleansing products mostly these days: like shower gel.
08/10/2011
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
That "ethnic" version is highly questionable.
08/10/2011
Contributor: SiNn SiNn
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
They are all highly questionable but I dont use their product line in general
08/10/2011
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
I never douche, I think it causes problems and is unnecessary. Too bad douching is being promoted.
08/10/2011
Contributor: potstickers potstickers
The only thing I saw was that Australians aren't beautiful or powerful?
08/10/2011
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
Meh.
08/11/2011
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
It's a little bit bad, but I feel like almost anywhere but Eden is a little bit risque!
08/11/2011
Contributor: Kkay Kkay
Wow. The video linked in comments made me o.0.
08/11/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I didn't think it was too "risque" but I kind of think the ads aimed at African American and Latina women were a bit... racist. I think, for the most part, Summer's Eve has put douches on the back burner (although they still sell them) in favor of washes, ointments and powders.

I'll stick with Sliquid's wash, if I feel I need a special wash for my vagina.

Cobert always makes me laugh. Autumnal Afternoon Dick Scrub, gotta get some!
08/11/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Ghost
I think This is the worse one. It reinforces the idea that women are nothing but walking reproductive units and our worth is connected to whether men are "fighting" over the use of our "goods".
To be honest, but not Politically Correct, men have fought over access to vaginas for millenia. As do most male animals. That commercial didn't bother me as much as the racist ones at all.

At least it wasn't someone's hand pretending to be a vagina. I don't know about y'all, but my vagina doesn't have knuckles.
08/11/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
I thought it was in poor taste and very childishly produced. Targeting teens and people of race? IDK, don't use this brand now and definitely would not in the future.
08/12/2011
Contributor: M121212 M121212
I think that the products that they are selling look pretty bunk. The intro to their website itself didn't bother me really. It's kind of cute and stupid. I wasn't able to view any of the advertising.

Yea, I just think it's stupid because women don't need all those products.
08/12/2011
Contributor: The scientist The scientist
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
To be honest, but not Politically Correct, men have fought over access to vaginas for millenia. As do most male animals. That commercial didn't bother me as much as the racist ones at all.

At least it wasn't someone's hand ... more
totally agree. The whole hand comparison really sealed the deal for me!
08/12/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I'm pretty much in constant shock when it comes to a lot of advertising campaigns. Summer's Eve is no different to me than the crap that Axe is spewing or Old Spice or the hundreds of other commercials for intimate products, medication and the like. It's ridiculous. I mean the Luvs campaign with the diaper blowout is probably the most unintentionally disgusting thing I've ever seen in my life and don't even get me started on the Charmin bears.
08/12/2011
Contributor: Sir Sir
Completely unnecessary.

However, I love their version to counter it. Hilarious.
08/12/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
Quote:
Originally posted by Ghost
I think This is the worse one. It reinforces the idea that women are nothing but walking reproductive units and our worth is connected to whether men are "fighting" over the use of our "goods".
wow. never buying another product from them again
08/20/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
advertising makes a point to reinforce sexual and social stereotypes. i blame advertising for a lot of the reasons why our country has yet to move forward. thanks summer eve! never buying you again
08/20/2011
Contributor: MeliPixie MeliPixie
Oh my god! I think my jaw actually hit the floor. This is RIDICULOUS.
08/20/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I don't buy Summer's Eve products. I feel that such products are a continuation of the legacy of companies selling unnecessary (and sometimes unsafe) products to women by playing on their insecurities about their bodies. If you ever want to laugh and be disgusted at the same time, search out some vintage douche advertisements. The ones from the 50s for Lysol (Yes, Lysol!) and Zonite are the worst. I've seen ones that depicted a husband actually leaving, because his wife didn't maintain her "daintiness" (meaning she didn't douche regularly). The ads basically imply that women who don't use the products are dirty, smelly, and nasty.
08/20/2011
Contributor: Diabolical Kitty Diabolical Kitty
I don't buy any of there products and always refused to.
08/20/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I thought I would post links to some of those vintage douche ads I mentioned.

Here are two ads that claim that others can smell your vaginal odor, and it can ruin your social life and marriage.

This ad portrays a husband leaving his wife, because she didn't maintain her "daintiness". Apparently, the responsibility of keeping love alive lies with the wife regularly douching.

Another ad that blames women's lack of feminine hygiene in the form of douching for marital problems.

This ad attributes a husband's stepping out to his wife's lack of douching.
08/20/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Yes, I actually done a post on my blog last year about these types of products. I understand some of them like Summer's Eve is a good thing to use for sensitive skin and all, but the thing that angers me is most of these companies have women believing their vagina's are an unclean thing and that a natural musk is dirty. A vagina is NOT dirty. God actually made cooters with their own acid to help keep away the bad bacteria and to keep things clean. Also a vagina gives itself a bath! It cleans itself. Although we need to keep it clean with soap and water, it is perfectly capable of cleaning internally. Douches are dangerous and are NOT needed. I hate that society sees vaginas as dirty. In most cases, soap and water will keep any odor away unless you sweat or have a lot of hair which can harbor bacteria. I haven't ever had a smell to my crotch. I'm sorry, but vaginas DO NOT ruin marriages! Lol. I'd about bet the husband wouldn't turn down sex with that vagina.

OMG! It angers me so bad that people are blaming vagina's for broken marriages! SERIOUSLY? It's a way of making women believe they NEED these products and by screaming "Your marriage will be ruined" "Your husband will leave!" it puts fear in women and they naively buy the crap! I hope no woman views her vagina as dirty or blames it for her husband leaving. I think it should be outlawed to target women like that.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Yes, I actually done a post on my blog last year about these types of products. I understand some of them like Summer's Eve is a good thing to use for sensitive skin and all, but the thing that angers me is most of these companies have women ... more
Those ads that Yoi posted are vintage. The companies are simply profiting off of the things women have been made to believe for centuries. Until women educate themselves, these ads will be effective.
08/23/2011
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
I guess I missed the commercials.. the website though. Women aren't idiots, stop with the patronizing crap, you know?
10/09/2011
Contributor: kitty377 kitty377
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
yes, companies have the responsibility to have ethical propaganda
10/09/2011
Contributor: Eucaly Eucaly
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
Well, the Colbert report link is broken now, but I can easily imagine the content from the description and it sounds very, very wrong.

Douche ads are on very shaky moral ground to begin with, without putting in extra problematic content such as racism.
10/10/2011
Contributor: The Mother of a SiNner The Mother of a SiNner
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
just humm
10/11/2011
Contributor: Cherrylane Cherrylane
I thought the worst thing about it is that they mostly market douching and heavily scented soaps for an area that generally should not be douched or heavily soaped. Not only is that what they did, but they used language that implied not doing so was unfeminine, unclean, unsexy, unnatural, etc. A little bit of soap and warm water on my outer bits does me just fine, thank you very much. They might as well have packaged them with razors and told women that their vajays aren't worth fighting over if they aren't completely hairless as well.

Not to mention, even if I did want my outer lips to smell like something other than clean skin, I wouldn't want them to smell like Summer's Eve. Their scents are incredibly strong and smell extremely artificial. And a bit funky, like scented tampons do. There are much better products to use imo.

Also, I want to see the male version. Women face SO much scrutiny these days over how our genitals look, taste, smell, how we choose to wear our hair down there, all of that. Guys only get late-night ads about their size. *waits for AXE to fill the void with a cheap and overpowering genital spray*
10/12/2011
Contributor: Kaltir Kaltir
O,o
11/11/2011
Contributor: sweetiejo sweetiejo
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
Well i'm rather nutral on the overall effects of the commercial. i don't like it fully it does seem to give a conotation of women being just their vagina rather then them being a person with a mind, but at the same time it could be found almst empowering for women to show how proud they are of thier vaginas its sort of a double edged sword.
12/06/2011
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
Summer Eve in general is just a treasure rove of problematic stuff, I handed in a big paper on Thursday for my women studies class and let's just say I own Summer's Eve a debut of thanks for making it possible
12/06/2011
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
To be honest, but not Politically Correct, men have fought over access to vaginas for millenia. As do most male animals. That commercial didn't bother me as much as the racist ones at all.

At least it wasn't someone's hand ... more
The problem is while historical true, that men have fought for it, it reflects women's history of being subjugated and second class citizen. If you stop and think about it is a historical fact but a depressing one not the empowering message they where going for.
12/06/2011
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
Their website seems to be full of decent information, but their ad campaign is WTF and full of fail.

The idea of special vagina-cleaning things makes me go WTF, too. If it's really so godawful smelly down there, you should be seeing a doctor, not trying to cover it up with flower smells.

I can see it for once in a while, but not as something you need every time you bathe.

Ironically, their "V Guide" tells you that the vagina is a self-cleaning organ.
12/16/2011
Contributor: Eva Schwaltz Eva Schwaltz
I found them to be stupid, but not offensive.
12/16/2011
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
It is pretty stupid.
12/19/2011
Contributor: Sublime Sublime
I found the one with the knights and stuff pretty funny but ya from my understanding douching is a no no.
12/19/2011
Contributor: meezerosity meezerosity
I was appalled at the commercial aimed specifically towards black women. Even as a white girl I was insulted. Some of it is funny but most of it is ridiculous. Especially because those fancy flower scented vaginal wash products are a bunch of BS. I only use water on my vulva and vag to keep it clean and I rarely have problems or unpleasant smells. Pussy should smell like pussy, not spring rain or a field of flowers. Yuck.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Cherrylane
I thought the worst thing about it is that they mostly market douching and heavily scented soaps for an area that generally should not be douched or heavily soaped. Not only is that what they did, but they used language that implied not doing so was ... more
*waits for AXE to fill the void with a cheap and overpowering genital spray*

If the cast of Jersey Shore is any indication, there's no need. They spray it there anyway.
01/15/2012
Contributor: calliope calliope
Quote:
Originally posted by Ghost
I think This is the worse one. It reinforces the idea that women are nothing but walking reproductive units and our worth is connected to whether men are "fighting" over the use of our "goods".
I just clicked on the link and watched. Pretty strange
01/31/2012
Contributor: Ahatmadeofshoes12 Ahatmadeofshoes12
These commercials are highly sexist and racist and I am thrilled that they pulled them. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a company who creates a produce that is inherently sexist (god forbid vaginas actually smell and taste like vaginas!) would makes sexist commercials. Summer's Eve isn't even good for you. The vagina is self cleaning and putting produces on it actually removes the natural bodily secretions that keep it clean and healthy and actually cause the vagina to become unhealthy.
02/10/2012
Contributor: FleurDevereux FleurDevereux
wtf. things like this make me glad i dont have tv.
02/13/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I thought douching was a bad thing all around anyway...
Exactly my thoughts on douching.. Never have and never will use them. Honestly the "ethnic" one was definitely a bit racist.. so sad.
02/17/2012
Contributor: samanthalynn samanthalynn
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
yes
02/17/2012
Contributor: Curiouscat Curiouscat
Sounds pretty offensive. Lol i'm still laughing from the Colbert report video xD
03/14/2012
Contributor: SubmissiveFeminist SubmissiveFeminist
Video's no longer available. =/
03/15/2012
Contributor: MamaDivine MamaDivine
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I thought douching was a bad thing all around anyway...
Technically it is....It washes away all of your body's natural "bacteria fighting" and natural lubricants. I never douche or use any type of "cleaners" down there. The ONLY time I have ever used anything was when I had a bacterial/yeast infection and that was an antibiotic given to me by a professional doctor.

I would never use that stuff. Its supposed to have a slight odor to it and besides, if you wash all your "natural juices away"....Then what is there to attract the men?

Most women don't know this, but if you have hair down there, all those juices and "pheromones" become trapped within the hair and actually help to attract the opposite sex. Why on earth would you want to wash that away!?

Seems silly to me. If you're that weird-ed out by how you smell or if you have a slight discharge, then that simply means changing your diet up a bit. That cures it all! You smell/taste how you eat!
03/16/2012
Contributor: Lady Bear Lady Bear
Wow, just wow....
04/19/2012
Contributor: Clubbinseals Clubbinseals
i think it would depend on the person....
04/23/2012
Contributor: corsetsaurus rex corsetsaurus rex
Just everything about those ads struck me as gross, from the casual racism to the talking "hand vaginas," the the implications that women are worth what value men attribute to them (specifically their naughty bits) I was just disgusted by the ads. I'm not sure about "setting back the community," but I did find them personally offensive and am pretty sure they are at the very least a poor marketing choice.
04/23/2012
Contributor: Llahsram Llahsram
Quote:
Originally posted by MamaDivine
Technically it is....It washes away all of your body's natural "bacteria fighting" and natural lubricants. I never douche or use any type of "cleaners" down there. The ONLY time I have ever used anything was when I had a ... more
Great answer!
04/24/2012
Contributor: Terri69 Terri69
Wow...that was bad...
04/25/2012
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
Oh, for goodness sakes. A new generation of "vaginas are dirty" advertising. How many women have never had their mother talk to them about these things and are learning it from commercials? My mom never talked to me about it. If I ever have girls I will be addressing this with them. Thank goodness at the moment all I have to do is remind my boys to bathe occasionally.
07/10/2012
Contributor: KRD KRD
not good.
07/14/2012
Contributor: LunaLuthor LunaLuthor
Quote:
Originally posted by The scientist
Here is a link to the Summer's Eve website. The introduction gives you a hint of the content of the ads. Summer's Eve

here is a full report by the Colbert report- including the Ad's that have been pulled

I'm interested ... more
we all know what the products are for do they really need commercials???
07/14/2012
Contributor: Charry Charry
I can't see the Colbert report in Canada.
07/17/2012
Contributor: Danneh Danneh
It really saddens me that those products exist- much less the way they advertise them- which is completely disgusting
07/21/2012
Contributor: SkylarrStarr SkylarrStarr
I hadn't seen them until a friend showed them to me recently. I thought they were insulting a racist. Ugh...I wonder what the pitch for them was like and who approved them...probably a bunch of out of touch old white guys...just like the ones who want to shut down planned parenthood and limit birth control access. Lame and old-fashioned.
07/21/2012
Contributor: hybridinsurge hybridinsurge
The ones aimed at Hispanic and African American women seem kind of ... insulting. But I don't see the 'hand vag' concept as a problem, just dumb.
07/21/2012
Contributor: Nacht Stern Nacht Stern
The first time I saw the ad was in the Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows Part 2 pre-movie previews/ads.
I was with my father........
All I could think was 'O HELL NAW! THEY DID NOT JUST DO THAT!'
07/24/2012
Contributor: Istanbull Istanbull
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I thought douching was a bad thing all around anyway...
Same here. I didn't even know women still did it since there's more education on personal hygene and biology has been provided since 1992.
08/13/2012
Contributor: CountryPrincess CountryPrincess
none of the links except the one to the actual summers eve website worked for me
09/01/2012
Contributor: CountryPrincess CountryPrincess
Ok after some googling I found the Colbert report and the ads and to be honest I don't think theyre in good taste but all I could do was laugh... I mean seriously?!?!? Did they think that would go over well??
09/01/2012