With signs pointing to stubble as the culprit in the decline of kissing, Gillette® [NYSE: PG] is asking America to weigh in by launching a nationwide Kiss & Tell live experiment. The Kiss & Tell live experiment will travel to 15 U.S. cities to find out if women prefer to kiss stubble or smooth shaven skin.

Are we killing this kiss? [Infographic] (Photo: Business Wire)

Are we killing this kiss? [Infographic] (Photo: Business Wire)

Kicking off today with simultaneous events in both New York City and Los Angeles, the nationwide experiment asks real-life couples to put a recent study to the test by making out in-person - with and without stubble - to discover which facial hair style women truly find more kissable.

A recent survey* revealed that nearly one out of three women have avoided kissing a guy because he had facial hair and that more than half of women have experienced facial scraping or irritation after kissing a guy with facial hair. More than half of those women surveyed said they have gone so far as to either avoid getting intimate or breaking up with him as a result. In addition, the survey showed that 41% of women are more likely to kiss a guy more often and more intensely if he is smooth shaven.

"Kissing is a crucial part of relationships. It signifies intimacy between two people and is the starting point to building a meaningful connection and a longer-lasting intimacy," said Gillette spokesperson, Marni Kinrys, dating expert and the founder of The Wing Girl Method. "While stubble can be a good look on some men, waking up with facial skin discomfort or even a slight stubble burn is a less desirable side-effect for their partner."

Today through February 6, 2013, women and their stubbled guys are invited to participate in the Kiss & Tell live experiment in-person - first kissing with stubble, then shaving on-site, then kissing without - to reveal what women prefer. Actress and singer-songwriter Nikki Reed will be on-hand to get the sparks flying in New York, with Grammy Award nominated singer and songwriter Keri Hilson putting her kiss to the test at the Los Angeles stop. In addition, television personality, producer, actress and designer Kristin Cavallari will join in Chicago and singer, actress, TV personality and entrepreneur Adrienne Bailon will discover kissability in Miami. Can't join live? Couples can participate in the social experiment at-home by going online at kissandtellus.com.

"Men would agree that the best kind of chemistry sparks from a kiss," said Elliott Wilke, Brand Manager for Gillette. "With many men shaving less-frequently due to sensitive skin discomfort, we want to give women a chance to speak up about how this rise in stubble might be impacting the kiss."**

The Kiss & Tell live experiment aims to illustrate the importance of kissing and determine if stubble really is killing the kiss. To put recent research to the test, Gillette interviewed kissing experts and doctors, conducted biometric research on real couples kissing and spoke to everyday women - and men - about their thoughts on the theory. Their insights are featured in a new, lip-quivering documentary "Are We Killing The Kiss?," which ponders the current state of the kiss in America, the significance of the kiss, and why it's so important that couples get it right.

Gillette will be announcing the results of the national Kiss & Tell experiment on the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day (February 14, 2013) - with the world's largest shave and kiss event hosted by a surprise celebrity couple. Hundreds of men and women will attempt to break two Guinness Book of World Records, the largest shave lesson and the most kisses in a minute by a pair.

For more information about men's razors , shaving products, skin care, and men's style visit the official Gillette website at Gillette.com.

* This telephone survey of 1080 women was fielded by Braun Research Incorporated from November 27 - December 4, 2012 and has a margin of error of +/- 3% (at a 95% confidence level.)

** This online survey of 3,326 respondents in eleven countries was fielded by Research Now from October 23 - October 26, 2012 and has a margin of error for each country of +/-5.7% and the total sample is +-1.7%.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves approximately 4.6 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, Ambi Pur®, SK-II®, and Vicks®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 75 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About Marni Kinrys

Marni Kinrys is dating coach, radio and TV personality, and the creator of the Wing Girl Method. Marni has worked with 100's of thousands of men all to help them understand women so they can attract, date, and seduce the women of their dreams. Over the past eight years, Marni has collaborated with top male attraction experts, sharing expertise and advice to help men find their ideal partners. She fell into her current role as "wing girl" while watching her handsome, charming and successful male friends fail miserably while trying to hit on and pick up women. Marni received a BA in psychology from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) and is a contributing writer to Urban Male Magazine and a weekly guest on Rock 101 Radio in Boston, MA.

Gillette
Susan Baba, 617-463-5756
baba.so@pg.com
or
Ketchum
Kristin Sundberg, 646-935-4395
kristin.sundberg@ketchum.com