I bought my first Braun epilator (the yellow one pictured) around 2003, my second in 2007 (the blue one) and the third and current one about 1 month ago. Each time, the product got a little better. The first one was okay, it was solidly built, but the second had more tweezers so covered more area more quickly & was less painful. Both were corded. My latest one is by far the best performing. Somehow the tweezers have been redesigned and are the least painful of all. Not having to deal with a cord is a plus, though I wish it could also be used with the cord for when the battery runs out instead of having to be recharged. There is also something about the way the machine is weighted that makes it very easy to handle, it's well-balanced. In fact, it's the only one I can use in all areas without the extra cover on top (although I have a lot of experience with these--so newbies may want to start with using the cover) and I use it on my legs, underarms, bikini area, upper lip without any problems and minimal discomfort, even in sensitive areas. Just make sure to hold your skin taut in the bikini area. They say this is 40% wider than previous models, I'm not sure that's true, maybe compared to my first, but not the second. Still, it is wide enough, any wider and it probably wouldn't go around contours very well. I can't say enough how great this little machine is. I used to dread hair removal, but it's not a chore anymore with this. The only thing I can't speak for is longevity. I replaced the first model not because it didn't work, but because of the improvements in the second model, but I replaced the second 11-year-old model because the tweezers weren't picking up as well as they used to. This third one, will have to wait and see. One thing I do miss is Braun used to provide a zippered silver mesh case for storage, this one came with a vinyl drawstring bag. I guess they're trying to keep costs down. Here's a cleaning tip--I use the brush provided to clean after use, but every so often I take the epilator section out and drop it in warm water with a Retainer Brite tablet to remove skin oils, then pat dry with a towel.
Not perfect, but better than shaving
This is my first epilator and I was skeptical of it and of epilation in general, but have concluded that while far from perfect, the technique, and this machine in particular (although I have not tried any other epilating devices), does make my life easier. I first tried it in the bath, and it was definitely painful. I found that it didn't pick up the finer hairs, especially as they were flat against my skin from being wet. I had horrid red marks afterward which the product's info booklet ensured me would clear up by the next morning. They didn't. It took another day. My legs were also definitely not smooth. On closer inspection, it was clear that the machine hadn't picked up all the hairs, and had actually just broken many of them at skin level or even just above, and left the roots intact. Running my hand along my leg still felt a bit rough, and actually, my legs have never been the kind of silky smooth promised by the product even after having used it several times now. In saying that, my legs have significantly less hair on them (definitely not hair and stubble free though) for a significantly longer time than I get with shaving, and it is for this reason that I rate this 4 stars.
Biggest tip from what I've learned: Don't just epilate once every two weeks. Do it everyday or every other day to save yourself a lot of pain (after the first time, it'll take much less time and be a lot less painful). Hairs have something like 13 week dormancy cycles and not all of them grow at the same time. So even if you wait until you think all of your leg hair has grown in so that you can epilate it all away in one fell swoop and then be hairless for a couple of weeks, you will not only have to endure the pain of ripping out hundreds of hairs all at once, but some portion of your hairs will grow right back in the next day or the following day as they may not have even been there to epilate on your Big Day. Also, the machine doesn't seem to manage to pull out all hairs by the roots, and you'll need to wait for them to grow in a bit in order for the machine to have a second go at removing them from the root. Also, I find it much more effective (if slightly more painful) to epilate on dry skin as the hair is somewhat lifted away from the skin and is easier to grab for the machine.
Other bits I like about this: 1) the light. I thought it'd be gimmicky and useless, but it's actually very helpful. 2) The shaver head. Great for bikini trimming. 3) It's comfortable to hold and the charge seems to last a long time.
Things that seem useless: 1) two of the caps. Only the main cap seems to be of use.. The device is too big and clunky to use on eyebrows, even with the facial cap. I use it on my upper lip with the main cap and it's fine. I actually really like that I can do that. 2) the exfoliator doesn't seem to do much.
Ultimately, I like the product because it is more effective than shaving, but it does not make my legs smooth, and it doesn't pick up every hair. I have to use it every day or every other day to keep on top of the hair, but can definitely go a few days without people noticing (at least visually) - its just that it's then more painful to epilate if you let more of the hair grow in.
My third and best one yet! Really LOVE this!
I bought my first Braun epilator (the yellow one pictured) around 2003, my second in 2007 (the blue one) and the third and current one about 1 month ago. Each time, the product got a little better. The first one was okay, it was solidly built, but the second had more tweezers so covered more area more quickly & was less painful. Both were corded. My latest one is by far the best performing. Somehow the tweezers have been redesigned and are the least painful of all. Not having to deal with a cord is a plus, though I wish it could also be used with the cord for when the battery runs out instead of having to be recharged. There is also something about the way the machine is weighted that makes itki very easy to handle, it's well-balanced. In fact, it's the only one I can use in all areas without the extra cover on top (although I have a lot of experience with these--so newbies may want to start with using the cover) and I use it on my legs, underarms, bikini area, upper lip without any problems and minimal discomfort, even in sensitive areas. Just make sure to hold your skin taut in the bikini area. They say this is 40% wider than previous models, I'm not sure that's true, maybe compared to my first, but not the second. Still, it is wide enough, any wider and it probably wouldn't go around contours very well. I can't say enough how great this little machine is. I used to dread hair removal, but it's not a chore anymore with this. The only thing I can't speak for is longevity. I replaced the first model not because it didn't work, but because of the improvements in the second model, but I replaced the second 11-year-old model because the tweezers weren't picking up as well as they used to. This third one, will have to wait and see. One thing I do miss is Braun used to provide a zippered silver mesh case for storage, this one came with a vinyl drawstring bag. I guess they're trying to keep costs down. Here's a cleaning tip--I use the brush provided to clean after use, but every so often I take the epilator section out and drop it in warm water with a Retainer Brite tablet to remove skin oils, then pat dry with a towel.
Tiny, miraculous torture device
Pain. Ripping hair from the root, one at a time type of pain. Your first use will make you cry, sweat, even bleed but the three weeks of being a hairless beauty makes it worth it.
About me: I'm hairy. Course, thick hair. I've been waxing off and on for 25 years. Wax is messy but less painful than this bugger. Waxing rips ALL the hair out at once. The epilator rips them out individually.
After that description, you're probably wondering why 4 stars? Why not 1? Because I actually really love the stupid torture device. I would give 5 stars except for the fact that I have to go over each section many times before every hair is gone. I just grit my teeth and suffer for future hairless beauty and quick showers sans shaving. It really does grab tiny hairs. My hair grows very fast. I was able to epilate on hairs after 2 days of growth.
Be warned! Your first experience will send you through the roof but each episode after that gets better and better. It's like the hairs know what's coming and give up.
Worst areas: armpits. Holy moly. Worse than child birth. Tops of thighs and behind knees. Oh and the upper lip. I'm sweating just thinking about it.
Bottom line, if you're a waxer, get this little buddy. It's quick, great for touch ups, my skin doesn't get as roughed up.
