sarala's Full Review: Braun silk-epil 5270 Epilator
As world leading makers of electric razors, Braun is a trusted brand recognized for high-quality and effective hair removal products. Although a slight departure in form, the Silk-Epil X’elle is no exception, helping to additionally make Braun the “#1 selling epilator brand in the world.”
What’s in the Box
*Epilator
*X’Pert Epilation Head
*Massaging Roller Clip
*EfficiencyPro Clip
*Shaver Head
*OptiTrim attachment
*12v Power Cord
*Instruction Manual
*Cleaning brush
*Mesh Pouch
Features and Accessories
The Epilator is a rounded river stone like oblong that fits very comfortably in the palm of your hand. I find the subtly sparkled blue and white design to be quite pleasing and fairly neutral if not truly uni-sex.
The included X’Pert head has 40 individual tweezers on a roller that each consist of a moving metal edge and a stationary plastic piece. The raised metal Soft Lift Tips are further designed to help lift and remove flat lying and extremely short hairs. Braun claims that this allows the X’elle to remove 3X as much hair in a single stroke as other epilators.
There are two speed settings: optimal and soft, that are controlled with the thumb button, that simultaneously turns on the Smartlight. Because it is a LED, this light is extremely bright and is actually very useful for spotlighting even the finest of missed hairs.
The two included clips help adjust the epilation level for varying needs. While anyone with any hair removal experience will be wise to the charmingly named Massaging Roller head, I think it is actually beneficial for the beginning or sensitive user. The clip has two rows of textured rolling beads that help to stimulate and desensitize the surrounding skin, resulting in the perception of less pain rather than a truly gentler epilation experience.
The EfficiencyPro Clip on the other hand, is intended for more advanced users and has a wider opening maximizing the surface area in contact with the epilator head. While some expert users may prefer to do without any clips at all, the supposed advantage of the EfficiencyPro clip over a bare epilator head is that it helps to position the epilator at the optimal 90 degree angle for hair removal.
Like the clips that easily snap on and off, the entire epilator head can also be removed to convert the unit into a personal shaver. By squeezing the blue buttons on either side of the epilator and pulling, the heads can be quickly exchanged or removed for cleaning. Combining the OptiTrim attachment with the shaver head allows you to pre-trim longer hair to the ideal 2-5mm epilation length while the shaver alone can be used to alternatively groom areas that are too sensitive to epilate.
Background Note
An epilator is device that removes hair at the root similar to tweezing and waxing, which therefore results in longer periods before visible re-growth than a process like shaving, which removes hair at the surface. Because the tweezer heads are designed to clamp down soley on the hair follicle, this method may be less damaging to the skin than processes like waxing and shaving that often remove the top most surface layers. As with all methods that remove hair from the root, there is the potential for pain and ingrown hairs although this will vary greatly due to individual differences in hair thickness/density, skin condition, pain tolerance and previous hair removal experience.
Usage and Results
First off, I am pretty much a baby when it comes to pain so I generally shave as result although I am not a fan off the almost daily maintenance. I have tried many gimmicky products like Epil Stop, Nads as well as take-home salon kits only to find that pain-free products only meet their claims because they don’t work, and that at home wax warming kits may have okay results but require a masochistic perseverance and a huge investment in time, cleanup, and maintenance products. I have sensitive skin, so I generally have a problem with products and chemicals that affect a large surface area. Now that quality shaving cartridges have worth-their-weight-in-gold prices, I figured an epilator would pay for itself after a couple months of even semi-decent results.
It should be noted that the Silk X’ellle is a corded model, so if you prefer battery operation you will have to look to another brand. I don’t consider this an issue in itself, because I find epilating to be a time and attention needing process that I would only engage in at home where I would be stationary and near an outlet anyway. That being said, the cord could be longer as it often requires being right against the wall for best maneuverability and I have a hard time reaching the outlet in even a small half-bathroom when using the shaver.
Another thing of note, is that the epilator is loud. My neighbors are using their electric hedge trimmer loud. This may be limiting for those whose beauty maintenance time can only occur when babies are napping etc, and I would not recommend throwing those razors out just yet, as the epilator is not especially well suited for those discreet last minute touchups before a romantic night out or an impromptu beach trip.
Because skin must be clean and free of lotions and oils, I often find the best time to epilate is in the evening shortly after a shower. If you have the luxury, it could be helpful to turn on the television and set the volume on high to distract yourself from the duration and sensations of the process. Because my skin also has a tendency to redden, it is also convenient that I can then apply soothing lotion and go to bed knowing that any irritation will be gone by morning.
The instruction manual provides directions specific to each area of the body. I primarily use the epilator for my legs, which requires 10-15 second upwards strokes, starting from the ankles. Although the tendency may be to use the epilator like a razor, I have found the best results are achieved by slowly moving the epilator along, as hurried strokes tend to merely snag and break off hairs rather then pulling them out at the root. For me, slowing down the pace of the arm strokes had a more of a noticeable effect on the results than adjusting the speed on the epilator, which I keep on the optimal setting. Snagging and breaking are also more of a noticeable problem when hairs are longer, so I really think that prepping with the OptiTrim achieves better results.
Although I have dark hair, it is relatively thin and sparse on my legs so epilating does not register as excruciating pain but rather as a series of sustained pinches. I find that one tends to be hyper-aware of the discomfort initially but then becomes de-sensitized as the process goes on, especially if the roller clip is used. Although individual experiences will differ, it can generally be said that the first times will be the most painful, with maintenance being much easier when re-growth is short and sparse.
For those whose nerve endings have already been deadened through waxing, epilating may be a natural transition as it is comparably less intense and does not have the same requisite awkward period of re-growth. In fact I would probably recommend having sensitive areas professionally waxed once, then maintaining with the epilator as the most cost-effective and pain minimizing method. Although I thought I might be able to endure self-epilation of the underarms, even when using a topical numbing spray, I was not able to overcome my basic survival instincts that are programmed to avoid pain and not self-inflict it. Braver and hardier souls may have greater success though.
Because hair grows in cycles, you may have to epilate for a few consecutive days initially before you can really start counting re-growth rather than hair that was just below the surface. I would say that my results last on average a good three weeks, which is on the low side of Braun’s 3-4 projection but still better than what I had expected Although I would have quickly given the X’elle a 5 star rating when purchased, after 6 months of ownership I am not sure that it works as well as it did initially. Whereas I thought the hair removal rate in a single pass was easily 90% , I think the performance has slipped to around 75%-85%. I also notice that I get bumps under the skin for a day or two which never previously happened which may be irritation as a result of having to go over certain areas more than once or just the result of winter skin. I only mention this because I know normal tweezers lose their grip over time, but I will wait a season to see whether the changing performance is a result of man or machine.
Care and Cleaning
Although epilation can be a slightly involved process, the reward is smoothness of course but also the easy cleanup. The X’elle comes with a little white cleaning brush, which is all you really need to properly maintain the epilator. The instruction manual details all the proper procedures and tips, so it is one I actually recommend reading. All of the clips and heads are easy to detach so brushing out the unit is a short and sweet. You should never have to wash the unit and generally should not have it near any sort of water.
Braun warns that the shaver foil is very delicate and therefore should not be cleaned using the stiff bristled brush. (I unfortunately only learned this upon re-reading the instructions) Instead the foil frame should be removed and tapped out. The plastic OptiTrim attachment also doubles as a cover for the shaver head, protecting it when stored. Probably because it a Braun, I find that the shaver head is actually quite nice and actually a hidden value, so it worth taking the extra precautions to protect it. Braun also recommends lightly oiling the trimmer with machine oil every three months to maintain optimal performance.
All of the parts and pieces can be easily stored in the included zippered mesh pouch which keeps everything organized in the closet or drawer and handy if you need to take the unit with you somewhere. It probably cost less to make than the box it came in but the fact that it is not hideously floral, plastic, or inanely shaped and sized like most “bonus” bags means that I actually use it and am quite happy when things are stored neatly and protected in their nice looking case.
The Braun covers the X’elle with a 1 year limited warranty against defects and you can register your product online.
Pricing and Availability
The Silk-Epil X’elle retails for 74.99 which is still the current price at my local Target where I initially saw the unit in the shaver aisle. Whatever my reasons were for not making an impulse purchase, I was happy that I waited to check online because I saved $16 even before taxes with no additional shipping cost.
Besides the cost savings, I would also recommend purchasing online for the upgraded accessories and gift suitable packaging. The pyramid-shaped box I received from Amazon* came with the aforementioned zippered mesh pouch while the X’elles sold at Target are packaged in plastic bubble containers that only include a flat vinyl drawstring bag.
The Braun Silk X’elle is recommended for those who are willing to invest a little extra initial time for longer lasting hair removal results or for those who want to prolong the time in between and decrease the cost of other methods. Overall a worthy addition to the arsenal.
http://www.braun.com/default.html
*The package described is the main listing sold through the American Amazon site. The product description is actually incorrect for this listing, detailing a package that is either discontinued or only sold oversees (with a cooling mitt and beginner head). If you purchase through this listing, you will receive the kit as described above and as pictured here. This kit is only available in the U.S. For those abroad, the Braun X’elle will be packaged completely differently with those in European markets benefitting from additional colors, models, and accessories.
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