Women's Electric Shaver Buying Guide

His and her electric shavers

There’s more than design differences between women’s and men’s electric shavers. Men shave a small area of tough, thick facial hair, so men’s electric shavers need powerful motors but not a lot of size. Women shave the softer hair on wide areas of arms and legs, so they need an electric shaver with a larger head and a less powerful motor.

That said, many women prefer men’s electric shavers because they believe the stronger motors get the job done quicker. In reality, the size of the shaving head—and how efficiently it cuts—has a much bigger impact on shaving time than the strength of the motor. You can use a men’s electric shaver if you don’t mind spending more, but be aware that some models may clog up from finer hair.

Shaver types

There are two basic styles of women’s electric shavers. Foil electric shavers have a thin piece of perforated metal that contacts the skin, usually made from stainless or surgical steel. Hairs poke through the holes in the foil and get sheared off by a blade that rapidly moves back and forth beneath the foil.

Rotary electric shavers have three shaving heads, which are metal screens mounted just above spinning blades that shear off hairs poking through. Both types of women’s electric shavers are effective, though most users find that foil shavers cut a little closer and rotary shavers do a better job on longer hairs.

It’s a good idea to consider your contours when choosing a style of women’s electric shaver. Most rotary shavers are mounted on pivoting necks, and high-end women’s rotary shavers have individual mounts for each shaving head. This allows these women’s electric shavers to adjust to the curves of your body, which is very helpful when you’re shaving your arms or bikini area.

The wide heads of women’s foil shavers is ideal for the legs, as this allows you to shave with fewer passes, which reduces the risk of irritation. Look for a women’s electric shaver with a curved foil for the fastest and closest shave. Don’t fret about the material used in the foil. Gold is prettier than stainless steel, but what matters is that the foil is corrosion proof.

Epilators

Some women avoid electric shavers because they confuse them with epilators. An epilator is not a shaver; it’s a hair-removal system that uses tiny tweezers to yank hairs out by the root.

It takes time to get used to an epilator, and some women loathe them. Epilators do save time; you’ll typically use an epilator once every two to three weeks while you might need to use a women’s electric shaver every two or three days. There’s no stubble with epilators, but they can cause irritation, particularly in sensitive areas. If you’re trying to choose between an epilator and a women’s electric shaver, think about how comfortable you are with waxing, which comes closest to the epilator experience. If you hate waxing, you won’t enjoy using an epilator.

Features

Before looking at the extras, choose a women’s electric shaver that offers a curved foil or a head mounting system that contours to the shape of your body. Consider the handle on a women’s electric shaver. Some women like a wide handle that is easy to grip while others prefer a slim handle similar to the ones on disposable razors.

All but the least expensive women’s electric shavers run on built-in rechargeable batteries and include a charging station that also stores the shaver when it’s not in use. It’s best to avoid women’s electric shavers that use disposable batteries. You’ll save money up front, but you’ll pay a higher lifetime cost when you factor in the batteries.

Look for a women’s electric shaver with an LED indicator that lets you know when the shaver is fully charged. Most women shave as part of a daily routine, so charging time isn’t an issue. If you do sometimes need a quick or unexpected shave, choose a women’s electric shaver with a quick charge feature that powers up the batteries in an hour.

Compare the shaving times of different women’s electric shavers. Some manufacturers list the number of shaves, but this is subjective as there’s no “average” shave. Look for the number of minutes a women’s electric shaver will run and aim for 30 to 40 minutes of shaving time.

Wet/dry shavers let you use shaving cream or lotion while you shave, which can improve closeness and reduce irritation. If you like to shave in the shower, be sure to choose a women’s electric shaver that is fully submersible. Wet/dry shavers that aren’t fully submersible can be destroyed if they’re dropped in a full sink or tub. Look for rubberized handles on wet/dry shavers for the best stability and control.

Living with women’s shavers

Expect to be disappointed with your first few attempts at using a women’s electric shaver. This is normal, as it takes between three weeks and a month for your skin and hair to adjust. If you’re still dissatisfied after a month, return the women’s electric shaver and try a different model. Make sure that the retailer you buy your women’s electric shaver from offers at least a 30-day return guarantee.

Over time, you’ll need to replace the foils and blades to keep your shaver cutting at its best. Some women’s electric shavers include a replacement foil, but it’s always a good idea to see if replacement parts are available—and to compare costs—before making your final decision.

Need to know more?

• How to Get the Best Shave with an Electric Shaver
  http://www.wikihow.com/Get-the-Best-Shave-With-an-Electric-Shaver
• Shaving Tips & Tricks
  http://www.shavers.com/shavingTips.asp
• Electric Shaver Maintenance
  http://www.shavers.co.uk/shavermaintenance.php