Yeah, the Silk-Epil. Another ordeal gals must endure.
Written: Feb 17 '02 (Updated Feb 19 '02)
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Pros: It takes the hairs out
Cons: It PULLS the hairs out
The Bottom Line: Uh, I wouldn't try on any other man after today... But for me, it works. Ouch, though.
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| elsa70's Full Review: Braun Silk-Epil ER 1290 Electric Shaver |
I'm no flower child. I am a very well-groomed person. But I can't stand shaving every day under the shower. So I am constantly resorting to new devices to avoid nicking myself under the shower and having someone tell me my legs feel like sandpaper.(But, no, honey, I love you anyway...)
In the summer, I wax. But I'm kind of a messy person, and I'd rather have a pro do it for me - although that takes time, money and preparation (you have to get an appointment first). So for the winter, I bought one of these infernal machines - the Braun Silk-Epil ER1290.
I came back from skiing today and was cringing 'cause I knew I was long due, and while taking my pantsuit off, I wailed to my boyfriend I had to face the dreaded thing so could he please retreat to the living room and leave me alone in the bathroom for some time. No, he wanted to watch this time, and he's standing right next to me while I'm writing this, because today he's been my personal guinea pig and I have tried it on him as well, and he wants me to share his personal horrific experience.
What is this awful object.
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It's a seemingly innocent small electronic device, in pale green, that fits in my palm. The kit comprises of:
* a rectangular body,
* a wire,
* a plastic crown,
* a tiny brush,
* a hood lid and a small green plastic satin pouch.
Now I'll tell you what all these things do together.
The small rectangular body is the machine itself. It has a switch level, for adjusting the performance to two different speeds. At the top of the appliance is the rotating head, which is basically made up of a set of 11 rows of two tweezers each: 22 tiny tweezers that are supposed to rotate wile you roll the Silk-Epil against your skin. The plastic crown that fits on top of this is intended to help in the process and ease the pain, for it's provided with two small dented rolls that, once placed onto the appliance, should aid in lifting the hairs and giving an extra padding to your skin. The cap and pouch serve only for storage purposes, and the tiny brush is for cleaning the tweezers out once you've used the Silk Epil.
You hook the wire, plug it in, and switch the level on to speed one or two. And you squeeze your eyes shut.
What does this awful object do to you, and HOW.
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It does what it promises all right. It takes your hairs out.
The two speeds work this way: for shorter, stubble-like hairs, set the appliance on speed 1 - slow speed. For longer hairs, set it on speed 2 - hairs are finer and grasped more easily. This tiny thing certainly makes a lot of noise for its size: it sounds like a small lawn mower. You just place it on your leg, or wherever you wish to take you hair off, and begin working against your hair growth, that is, if on your calves, from the ankle toward the knee. Stroking in an upwards motion, with very little pressure, just as you would be doing if you were caressing yourself.
Only, thing is, here you're driving yourself through excruciating pain.
For you're pulling the hairs out of the follicles, one by one, with those tiny tweezers that alternate a fast (or faster) open/close motion. The principle is basically the same of waxing - but instead of pulling everything out with a swift movement, you're putting yourself through slow torture. OUCH!
Getting your calves - lower legs clear of any of those disgusting hairs of yours will require about 5 minutes for each leg. For the entire leg, expect to work on it for 10 minutes. In twenty minutes, you will be shaking, you probably will have cursed and yelled some, but your hairs will be gone - now is the time to take that little brush and brush the residual hairs out of the tweezing device, and store it away for your next nightmare. I personally also rub a little alcohol on the rotating area to disinfect it before storing it away. It makes the whole deal smell more like an emergency room operation, which is exactly how it feels like to me at times...
Good thing is, you gradually get accustomed to it.
The pain lessens each time you use it. But bear in mind, the first time it is a memorable experience. And watch out, for if the skin isn't taut and firm and you don't smooth it out while you're passing the Silk Epil, you might pull some skin in the tweezers along with the hairs and you'll get nice bruises and intolerable pain.
the guidelines ask: what do I love and hate of the product?*************************************************
Well, I love the fact that it does do the dirty job it claims. It takes all of your hairs out. You will be experiencing smooth, hairless skin for, depending on how fast your hair grows, 10 to 25 days. I can't feel any stubble for a couple of weeks.
I also love the fact that because the hairs are pulled out rather that cut, when they begin growing back, their appearance and feel is less coarse than when using a razor or depilatory cream.
I love the fact that it's neat (no mess, no preparation), fast and immediate.
Oh right, what do I hate?
I hate the fact that right after using it, my skin is covered with nasty goosebumps for 4 to 8 eight hours, depending on my leg circulation, the weather conditions, and the amount of hair growth. It's very unattractive, and I experience this more with the Silk Epil than with waxing. I also hate the ingrown hairs, for no matter how hard I try (loophas, scrubs, gloves, soaking in a bathtub) I occasionally get ingrown hairs, far more so than with any other depilatory system. I suppose this happens because once healed, the pore that contained the hair follicle closes shut for recovery of the trauma, and when a new hairbulb starts forming, the pore is not open to allow the hair to grow back. Not to mention, of course, I hate doing myself such harm just because women are supposed to have smooth... well, everything. Damn.
So come on, why the heck do you use it! are you crazy?
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- NO.
- First off: I bought it. That's a good enough reason. I spent money on it, and I'm going to make that money work. 130,000 liras (70 USD) isn't a lot, I confess, but it's far more than my disposable Bic razor. I've gotten plenty for its money's worth because of its durability (I've had it for three years), but I still am going to use it until it breaks. Hey, I'm cheap.
-I've had other infernal devices, and so far, this is the one that has worked best. Yes, I'm not a novice. I've owned the EpilLady, and that was sheer torture. I've used disposable wax strips, and the result was useless pain. I've had tons of depilatory cream, from Neet (it's Veet in Europe), to Oxy, to Depilzero (of course, I'm talking about Italian brands), and no other system performs as well as the Bran Silk Epil except for waxing.
- I've found some tips that curb and ease my pain through the process. I take a long warm shower or bath first, for it opens up the pores. I rub some ice on my leg immediately prior to using the Silk Epil (dry your skin first)-it anaestethizes the area. I rub a mild disinfectant on my leg once I'm finished - it prevents ingrown hairs and minor infections.
But of course, I'm a veteran at this experience, so I'll let you in on a first (and last) timer's:
I took his calf, and snipped the hairs in a patch to a reasonable length - about an inch, for that's the growth that when most women take as a warning for serious action.
Then soaked it for a while in warm water with bath salts, rubbed the ice cube, dried the area off with a towel, told him not to look and turned the Silk Epil on. Since he had seen he do it on myself, he wasn't afraid of the pain. I was able to pass it on that area (I'm talking a 4 inch square) twice, before he leaped at me, with tears filling his eyes, and began kicking the toilet.
Now I know why God chose women to carry offspring in their womb. To put them through monthly pains. And to set this modern trend of being hairless.
So, do I recommend Braun Silk-Epil? To all consumers?
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Males? NO!
....To my gender?
To women with a high pain endurance threshold, I certainly do. It does a clean, neat job, and if you can stand the plucking pain, you'll be overall satisfied with the results.
I don't recommend the more advanced model of the Silk Epil (the 1373) because it has three speeds, and I am pleased with just two and don't believe the extra cost will pay off.
Just one last thing:
I absolutely cannot bring myself to use it for my underarms and bikini line as many do, for there are too many delicate glands in those areas and I don't feel comfortable with tugging on those parts of my body. I don't advise ANYONE to use such a system in those areas, and don't you dare try it on your eyebrows! (Yes. I have seen some of my friends actually USE in in those areas!)
Seek a professional beautician for a precise, long-lasting, safe job in delicate and publicly-exposed areas...(I'm not talking about my bikini line, you pervert! I'm talking about my face in that last statement!)
Or, go against social trends and let your hairs grow gracefully. Lucy (Neanderthal) did so...
Braid them, too. My boyfriend gave me permission after today's experience. He's still moaning on the couch. And nodding furiously.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 70
Battery Life: N/A
Noise Level: Somewhat loud
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Epinions.com ID:
elsa70
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Location: Ciao, baby.
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 24 members
About Me:
temporarily out of order. ZZZZZZZ.
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