Braun Silk-épil 7 SensoSmart™ Review

I bought this brand/model after much deliberation and searching. I was looking for an epilator that could do face (that dreaded upper lip) as well as body and sensitive areas like underarms etc. This one ticked all the boxes and even had a couple of extra options for not a lot more than the next model down. It has wet/dry ability, it had an easy interchange system and even a trimmer attachment in case you need to trim the grass first. This model also comes with a brush head and adapter, I have only used it a couple of times on my arms and legs... it's not harsh but the instructions recommend you don't leave it in one spot for too long. I found it exfoliated alright but I prefer to use a glove or loofah. Instructions also recommend you do this one or two days prior to epilating.There is a massage head as well but I haven't yet used it and I don't know if I will.The actual epilating part I thought would be more painful but it has two speeds and a smaller cap for sensitive areas or a large cap for larger areas such as legs and at most it felt like a scratch or a tiny ping (to me anyway).I found that the process of epilating takes a bit of time and was actually a bit tedious but I liked the result (missed a hair or two in places but managed to get them the next time) I also didn't follow the instructions at first by using a circular motion, but a slow up and down motion. It didn't leave me completely smooth but I am happy with the results and will continue to use on a regular basis.In regards to under-arm hair removal... make sure the area is good and dry (unless using wet then follow those instructions to the letter). I made the mistake of using it with the large area head by mistake and also on damp skin... it grabbed the skin a few times (only time it happened) and well it took a couple of days to heal... so dry or wet... not in between!What I like about having bought this brand is that they offer a full 60days money back (at least it's available when I purchased).

I brought this with the expectation that I would use it to do legs and armpits and save on waxing costs. To begin with I did this and it did the trick however it was painful and took so long! Like forever! I soon gave up, now I have gone back to shaving my legs, this is something I really didn't want to go back to. I still use it to do my underarms and the battery seems to be slowly getting a shorter lifespan. It will now only last just enough for my underarms. One thing I don't like is that you cannot use it when it's plugged in so once the battery is dead that's it. I have had it about 4 years now. Tried using it in the bath on my legs to see if that makes it easier but it really didn't pick up any hairs then!

I hate shaving and have been known to go months without shaving. Once I did my research I chose this one because it can be used wet and dry. Multiple heads so make different areas easier. It's loud but charges quickly. First use stings but gets easier. If the room is warm it seems easier.

My first epilator, many years ago, was the two-speed Braun Silk-epil Eversoft Deluxe (with 20 tweezers) and this year, for my birthday, my husband bought me the Silk-epil 7 (with 40 tweezers). Wow, what a difference!

I love the fact that the Silk-epil 7 is cordless and only takes about 45 minutes to charge fully. Epilating for the first few times does hurt, especially around the ankles, knees and thighs and it will take a while, but it does get easier, faster and painless the more often you do it. I find that around the 4th or 5th time, it only hurts around my ankles and behind my knees.

I tend to only epilate in spring and summer, when the weather is warmer, as I find epilating in winter when it is cold is too painful and difficult. Not only is it uncomfortable, but I find when it's cold my skin almost holds on to the hairs! I tend to shave during winter and then in spring, before I start epilating, I go to a salon for a once-off, full leg wax and then begin epilating once the hair starts to grow back. This seems to ease the initial first time pain and its not as sore once I begin epilating, about a week after the once-off wax.

I did try epilating directly after bathing or showering (as recommended by Braun), but find that when I do this, my hair is too soft and more likely to break. I prefer to epilate a few hours before I bath or shower, but this is just my personal preference, so do whatever works best for you.

The best thing I think about this is it's a shaver AND epilator. I had a separate shaver and epilator and my epilator was almost 10 years old so I got this instead (I figured surely things have advanced in that amount of time). This is available on Fly Buys so I got it through that. I was so right! I think it's far more effective than my old one (this one can grip hairs the size of a grain of sand!) and it's probably less painful as top speed is pretty fast. Don't listen to anyone that says it's not going to hurt. Of course it is. I've been epilating my legs for years and it still hurts. But it's bearable and worth it when you can do this in your own time (you can use this in the shower as it's waterproof but I do my legs outside without time constraints of a shower for example).

The battery on this lasts for 40 minutes, this one cut my time down to about 20 minutes for 2 lower legs and knees (previously it took me about 40 minutes) so is really effective. I love how it's cordless and how it comes with lots of attachments. Even the shaver attachment works really well. I don't use the so-called efficency cap, I didn't find it works that well, I just go to town on my legs full speed with the epilator attachment!

I have even tried this on my face (yes, you probably think I am crazy) just to see how painful it would be - I have never epilated my face before and tried it on my neck and chin. If you are brave this works okay and you can use it for this but bear in mind you may get angry follicles popping up in an obvious place!

I bought this to replace my mum's 20+ year old Epilady (which still works!) and I think it's definitely worth the money.

It comes with many different attachments including a massager head (perfect for newbies) , an efficiency cap, two precision caps and a shaver attachment.

The first few times using this epilator I used the massager head. It feels really nice and definitely reduces pain. Now I use the efficiency cap because it gets the job done faster. I use the larger precision cap for my underarms and the smaller one for my bikini line. I have used it on my upper lip before - it works, but is almost unbearably painful!

The shaver head is able to shave right down to the skin, or you can just trim with the comb attachment.

Battery lasts about half an hour before it needs recharging. If you haven't epilated before, or it's been a while, you may need more than half an hour.

There is a little light that helps you see the hairs, which is a nice touch. It is also waterproof so you can use it in the shower, though I've tried it before and it seemed to break more hairs.

Comes with a cleaning brush and drawstring bag.

Pros:

+ Works really well, efficiently plucks hairs from root

+ Easy to use, no mess (unlike waxing)

+ With regular use hair grows back less and finer (unlike shaving)

+ Comes with many attachments

Cons:

- Battery doesn't last long

- Can't use while plugged in (though this is for safety, since it's waterproof)

- Painful and time-consuming (though the hair doesn't grow back for a while so it's worth it)