JB Smoove to Host the First Ever Online 'Face Off' Using the Gillette® Fusion® ProGlide™ Razor

BOSTON, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG) announces the success of the Gillette® Fusion® ProGlide™ razors and Gillette Fusion ProSeries™ – the latest shaving and skin care products from the world's leading male grooming brand - with the creation of the first webisode series dedicated to African-American men's grooming. This five-series webisode campaign is hosted by comedian JB Smoove making it both fun and informative as participants compete in a challenge to see who is the best at shaving their beards, heads, armpits, chest and - wait for it - legs.

Gillette understands that most African-American men are looking for a way to get a more comfortable shave, however these men also do not discuss the tools and techniques needed to get the results that they want.

"We've already seen that the surest way to turn guys into 'believers' of our new Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor is simply by having them try it," said Michelle Potorski, Associate Marketing Director, Gillette North America.   "The Gillette Fusion ProGlide FaceOff Challenge highlights the significant advancement in shaving performance that Fusion ProGlide delivers."

* available in manual and power, respectively

Gillette Fusion ProGlide "FaceOff" Challenge

In an effort to combine fun and education with its latest technology, Gillette created the Fusion ProGlide FaceOff Challenge where two contestants were offered the opportunity to compete to see who could glide their way to a more comfortable shave with the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor. Five shaving challenges were filmed as men competed to see who had the best grooming technique based on their speed, accuracy and razor skills. The contestants proved that they were up for the challenge by shaving on the spot in front of a live studio audience. Their responses, as you will see in the webisodes, are surprisingly honest, very positive and extremely candid.

Winning this contest was all about the 3 P's: Preparation, Process and Proper Technique. Contestants were judged to see if they primed their skin with water and lathered up or exfoliated before shaving; their approach; and how they went about shaving for soft, touchable skin. The web series was filmed by legendary Hollywood director Robert Townsend and hosted by one of today's hottest comedians JB Smoove, co-star of HBO's award-winning comedy series "Curb Your Enthusiasm". The elite panel of judges included international man of style Fonzworth Bentley, actress Alesha Renee and noted barber and CEO of Levels Barbershop in NYC Kamal Nuru.

"The beauty of the show is that this is the first time that there has been a discussion about grooming that is this fun and informative," said director Robert Townsend. "We are having fun and doing something that's never been done before. It's a unique series and I don't think that anything like this exists. (Men) don't generally talk about their grooming techniques and, so, I've learned a lot just in listening to what everyone has to say."

Please click here for a sneak peak and exclusive behind the scenes footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEN2Fujmh8Y. The online series will launch on Complex.com beginning September 6, 2010 with a new release every Tuesday for the following four weeks.  

Gillette's Most Comfortable Shave Guaranteed

As further reassurance to consumers of outstanding product performance, Gillette is offering a money back guarantee on Fusion ProGlide razors. Prior to launch, Gillette Fusion ProGlide withstood rigorous testing protocols and involved precise measurement instrumentation used in the aerospace, semiconductor and medical imaging categories.  

Building on the breakthrough technology in Gillette Fusion, Gillette Fusion ProGlide incorporates a series of unique technologies that address critical areas for a better shave and deliver incredible comfort and performance:

• Low Cutting Force Blades: thinner, finer blades and our advanced low-resistance coating enabling the blades to cut effortlessly through hair with less tug and pull**.  
• A Blade Stabilizer to maintain optimal blade spacing for comfort while allowing the blades to adjust to the contours of a man's face.
• A streamlined Snowplow Comfort Guard which channels excess shave prep to help maintain optimal blade contact, stretching the skin for a close, comfortable shave.
• A Larger Lubrastrip™ infused with mineral oil and lubricating polymers, enabling the razor to move smoothly over skin even on repeat strokes.
• An improved Precision Trimmer including an enhanced blade, a comb guard to better align long hairs, and new rinse-through slots.
• A Redesigned Handle with bigger, more ergonomic grips for better control and improved transition between front and back shaving surfaces.
• An innovative Microcomb, exclusively on Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power, that helps guide hair to the blade.

** Leading Blades vs. Fusion

Gillette Fusion ProSeries

Gillette Fusion ProSeries is an advanced line of skin care products that drives incredible comfort before, during, and after the shave.  Gillette's deep understanding of men, shaving and the science behind skin care has resulted in Gillette Fusion ProGlide and Gillette Fusion ProSeries, a combination that  maximizes comfort and delivers an incredibly close shave.

• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Thermal Scrub gently warms, helps to clean and clear away dirt and oil and helps soften facial hair before shaving. In this innovative formula, heating technology is activated on contact with water to provide warming comfort and a mild soap-free system cleans skin by removing oils (sebum) and dirt while helping to soften the hair, making it easier to cut. Small particles then help exfoliate dead, dry skin cells to help create an even, clear path for the razor.
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Sensitive Face Wash is suitable for everyday use on sensitive skin, and uses a mild soap-free system formulated with aloe to effectively clean without over drying.
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Intense Cooling Lotion instantly cools and hydrates just shaved skin for an incredibly comfortable end to your shave. Its Dual-Cooling complex is designed to extend the cooling effect without drying the skin and instantly hydrates to help soothe and refuel men's skin by sealing in moisture.
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Instant Hydration UV Moisturizer + SPF15 is a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer, with Vitamin E, Vitamin B3 and Pro-Vitamin B5 and SPF 15 UV Protection. The formula instantly hydrates skin and provides hydration throughout the day to help reduce dryness and tightness.

Gillette Fusion ProGlide and Gillette Fusion ProSeries are available in a range of traditional and online retail outlets in North America.  Gillette Fusion ProGlide Manual and Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power razors have a suggested retail price of $10.99 and $12.99 in the U.S., respectively.  Gillette Fusion ProSeries products have a suggested retail price range of $6.99-$8.99 in the U.S.

About Procter & Gamble

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®.

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SOURCE Procter & Gamble