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This review will focus on the Braun Silk-epil soft perfection easy start 3470 epilator.
~What do you get~
The epilator arrived in quite a big box but they also provide a quite funky silver carry case to store in it which could also be used as a make up bag. Inside you find:
-The ... Read review
Advantages: Hair free for weeks Disadvantages: it does hurt!
...review will focus on the Braun Silk-epil soft perfection easy start 3470 epilator.
~What do you get~
The epilator arrived in quite a big box but they also provide a quite funky silver carry case to store in it which could also be used as a make up bag. Inside you find:
-The epilator - This is around 10cm long and the size of a normal electric razor. Aqua blue in colour mixed with white it looks very feminine. ... ...reduce the pain of epilation. Braun state that "its pulsating movement stimulates and relaxes the skin to ofset the pulling sensation". Im not convinced by this as it still hurt but I haven't tried it without it so can't be entirely sure.
-Efficency Pro clip - Once your legs are used to epilation and you want a quicker more efficent epilation you can remove the pain softner and place on the efficency pro clip which just ... more
Has anyone seem that episode of friends where Monica buys some leg wax off the tv because it promises to be pain free and turns out to hurt like hell? Well I fell into the same trap with this epilator which I saw advertised in a magazine which stated that its four way moving pain softners would be ultra gentle. Wow I thought I might give that a go as im fed up with shaving one day and having stubble again the next. Also I can never be bothered to go and get my legs waxed at a salon and the home waxing strips are useless. However the pain free statement didn't quite work out to be true......
~So what is epilation~
Epilation is an alternative form of hair removal to shaving, waxing and hair removal creams. It works by plucking out the hairs with a rotating tweezer head (not as scary as it sounds) at the root much in the same way as waxing, leaving your skin hair free for weeks. Plus when the hairs do grow back they do so much finer and softer without the stubbly feel you get after shaving regrowth which just lops them off at the surface.
This review will focus on the Braun Silk-epil soft perfection easy start 3470 epilator.
~What do you get~
The epilator arrived in quite a big box but they also provide a quite funky silver carry case to store in it which could also be used as a make up bag. Inside you find:
-The epilator - This is around 10cm long and the size of a normal electric razor. Aqua blue in colour mixed with white it looks very feminine. One downside is that the epilator can only be used when plugged into the mains and cannot be battery operated. Therefore it comes with a large white adapter to plug into the mains.
-Starter epilation head - This is clipped simply onto the top of the epilator. The starter head has less tweezers which is recommended for your first epilation as it is less painful and introduces you to epilation. Also for those with sensitive skin it is more gentle as it pulls out less hairs simultaneously. However it does remove less hairs at once so will take longer.
-Standard epilation head - The same as above but has more tweezers and is recommended once you are used to epilation.
-4 way moving pain softner - This is placed on top of either epilation head and helps to reduce the pain of epilation. Braun state that "its pulsating movement stimulates and relaxes the skin to ofset the pulling sensation". Im not convinced by this as it still hurt but I haven't tried it without it so can't be entirely sure.
-Efficency Pro clip - Once your legs are used to epilation and you want a quicker more efficent epilation you can remove the pain softner and place on the efficency pro clip which just looks like a bit of blue plastic but means the epilator can be closer to the skin. I haven't tried this out myself yet as Im too much of a wimp to remove the pain softner.
Shaver Head - I found this quite handy as it means it is a epilator and shaver in one. To use you just unclip the epilator head and clip on the shaver one. They recommend using this if your hair is too long to epilate or just as a shaver for your underarms or bikini line.
Gel Pack and Cooling Glove - You place the gel pack in the freezer for 2 hours before epilating and then place it in the cooling glove. This helps to reduce skin irritation from epilating and also helps with the pain factor.
~So how do you epilate~
Well before you can epilate there are a few conditions: 1.The skin must be clean and dry and free from cream so no moisturising just before hand ladies! 2. The hair should be between 2-5mm in length for optimum performance and comfort but the epilator will remove hairs as short as 0.5mm.
So once your ready I have found it best to sit on the bed with a towel underneath to catch any falling hairs. Then its quite simple: 1. They recommend placing the cooling pack on the area you want to epilate for 30 seconds before epilating. I did this the first few times but found it quite annoying to keep stop and starting to apply the cooling pack and found it didn't make much difference so now don't bother. 2.You should rub the skin to lift up the hairs even though they claim the soft lips will lift flat lying hairs which I have found it to do. 3. Then its time to epilate. Are you ready......Holding the epilator at 90 degrees to your leg slide up the on switch to either speed setting 1 or 2. The epilator makes quite a noise so its hard to be discreet but you then place it on your leg going against the direction of hair growth (thats up from ankle to knee). You need to move it quite slowly and without pressure up the leg to give it time to epilate all the hairs, although I have found you need to go over each section 2 or 3 times to get most of them. If there are a few hairs remaining I have found it quicker to just pluck the remaining ones out with some tweezers rather than spending ages trying to get it too pluck the last hair out. 4. Once your satisfied that all the hairs have been removed then you can apply the cooling pack to relieve any irratation and then apply a moisturiser. When you first epilate I would recommend doing it in the evening as it leaves you with lots of red bumps which will go down over night. After a few epilations however this occurs less and less and you can epilate any time you like! 5. The epilator is easy to clean as a brush is provided and all you have to do is rotate the epilator head manually while brushing it to remove all the hairs.
NB: The epilator can be used on the leg, underarm and bikini area but so far I have only used it on my legs as im sure I wouldn't be able to take the pain anywhere else.
Onto the bit everyone wants to know....
~Does it hurt~
Im not going to lie, the first time YES! It made my eyes water and I wondered what I was doing to myself. However this is coming from someone who has never really waxed so is not used to the pain. Im sure if you are used to waxing it wouldn't hurt half as much. However I decided to persevere and used it a second time and the pain was substantially less. Braun do state the more you use it the more your skin gets used to epilation and the pain will decrease. I have to say I agree. When epilating I can only describe the feeling as a slight pinching feel but hundreds of times.
~How long does it last for~
On the box they state you can be hair free for up to four weeks, but I wasn't expecting this as my hairs have always grown back really quickly. However after the first epilation they didn't grow back for 2 weeks which I was really impressed with and every time I use it they stay away a little longer. So in my eyes the pleasure of having smooth hair free legs for 2 weeks outweighs the pain.
~Is epilation recommended for everyone~
No. They do warn that epilation is not suitable for: - People with eczma, varicose veins or inflamed skin reactions. - People with lots of moles - People with reduced skin immunity such as diabetics, raynauds disease or during pregnancy. - People with haemphilia or immune deficiency.
The other warning I would add is that after epilation like waxing it is common to get some ingrown hairs so I would recommend using an exfoliator to gently remove the skin and let the hair come to the surface. This happens because the hair growth is much finer and therefore cannot penetrate the surface.
~How much does it cost and where can I get one~
I brought mine off of amazon for £44.97 but have just looked and have noticed this has increased to £54.97. It is also available in Boots for £54.99. This sounds expensive but I believe its worth it never to have to shave my legs again and will definetly be sticking with my epilator.
Braun have 7 epilators in their soft perfection range which range in price from around £20 for the basic model up to £60 for the epilator which includes a facial epilator.
Advantages: Smooth, hair free legs, for longer Disadvantages: The pain
BRAUN BS 3470 SILK EPIL SOFT PERFECTION
If theres one thing I hate its hair removal. It feels like a never ending job. Infact my local radio station said last week that surveys show that in a lifetime a woman spends 6 whole days shaving her legs. Ive tried waxing and hair emoval creams and there just not for me, I even tried electrolysis. And then I was returning home from my hols whilst browsing the shops at the airport and I came across the braun ... ...use it anywhere
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The braun silk epil can be used on legs, under arms and bikini line, however, when using on the under arm and bikini line it will be very sensitive to pain, but this will diminish with repeated use.
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How do I clean it
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Just like an electric razor, it comes with a brush for cleaning the heads.
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Where can I get one
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funkyjo 16.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Braun BS 3470 SILK EPIL SOFT Perfection E
Advantages: ideal beginners kit, longer lasting results, extra foil head Disadvantages: can be painful, not so great on downy hairs
This set is specifically designed to ease you into the sometimes painful yet rewarding world of epilation, it comes with two epilating heads (1 beginner and 1 more advanced), a foil head for shaving, a guiding attachment, a numbing attachment, cleaning brush, pouch and cooling gel pack.
**The basics**
OK, for those of you not in the know, an epilator comprises of a rotating head with many many tweezers on it, plucking hairs from the desired area ... ...the fact that hairs are plucked individually in quick succession makes it incredibly painful sometimes, which is why epilating has got such a bad reputation.
Financially it makes sense - spend around £30-50 on one epilator which will last you ages, instead of lots of expensive waxing treatments.
The only other downside, aside from the pain, is that it causes inflammation of the air follicles, like waxing (except this doesn't take your top layer ...
rednirt 06.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Braun BS 3470 SILK EPIL SOFT Perfection E
Advantages: As easy as a shaver but effective like waxing. Disadvantages: Initial cost (but it's worth it)!
I bought the Braun SP3470 at a cost of just under £45 from Amazon - the price of three half-leg waxings... and what an investment!
The review showed:
Silky smooth skin for up to 4 weeks Extra gentle 4-way moving rollers to relax skin Shaver head for underarms and bikini lines Opti trim head Starter head Efficiency attachment for extra fast epilation Satin cooling pad Soft lift tips for extra smooth results Having debated the various models to try ... ...shaving head in addition to two epilator heads - I am not brave enough to do my underarms just yet!!
I had been waxing my legs for the last three years, but after being pregnant and then having the baby around, it either wasn't comfortable or convenient to do my own waxing; and I can't see him sitting happily in his pushchair while I go and get my legs done!!
So, having read those reports that said epilation wasn't THAT painful, I took the bull ...
hazeldinka2 22.06.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Braun BS 3470 SILK EPIL SOFT Perfection E
Advantages: No more shaving Disadvantages: The pain
I brought this yesterday, becasue i am still trying to find the best way to remove unwanted hair so i tried this, and let me tell you this is the best thing i have ever brought!
as the title says this is my first epilator, usealy i do wax or shaving or manual tweezers. but when i brought this yesterday my hair removal technique was changed forever....
first thing i did is take it out of the box, i don't read instructions, the instructions are very ... ...and found it easy to put it together no problem, then i turned it on.... all i can say is it looked like a torture contraption with all it's mechanics moving and it's very noisy i wanted to stop there becasue of this but no, i took a deep breath and tried it on my legs.
there are 2 heads supplied, and there are also 2 extra atachemnts to put on the heads, i prefer not to use them becasue they are too big and is very hard to epilate with them on, ...
huyi 16.03.2005 (13.04.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Braun BS 3470 SILK EPIL SOFT Perfection E
I love silk epil. I've been using for quite a few years now and it works wonders every time. Removes the tiniest hair with ease and skin is rather smooth. i use the narrow epilator head to remove arm hair. Remember though, it can be very painful for new users as it works really fast. Removing hair from under arms is rather painful if you have thick hair. But once its done the soft and smooth skin feels great. It's a very good alternative to waxing. ... ...were quite hairy and removing all that hair was a big fuss. After using silk epil, to my surprise hair growth has really decreased and i don't have to worry about shaving frequently either. Its great value for money and i'd recommended to ladies who have a full time job and can't visit salons frequently. Silk epil is half the salon work itself. ...
slackira 28.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Braun BS 3470 SILK EPIL SOFT Perfection E
