EmailA fancy design or extra features is not always best
Despite the surfeit of pink and yellow shavers on the market, the vast majority of testers say there's no reason women should confine themselves to a razor marketed for women. And in one test, 67 percent of the women jurists rate a men's razor their favorite or equal to a women's razor.
The same is true for electric shavers: Women aren't limited to ladies' models. However, you could end up paying more for features you don't need, such as a beard/sideburn trimmer. Also be sure to get a wet/dry shaver that can be used in the shower or tub.
Some new razors look like basic manual shavers, but include a battery in the handle. When turned on, the razor vibrates. Manufacturers say the vibrating razors impart a closer shave, but in tests, this claim doesn't necessarily hold water. Reviews are mixed: Testers at Which? rate the battery-powered Gillette Fusion Power slightly higher than the nonpowered Gillette Mach3 Turbo, but other credible tests reveal no real advantage to battery-powered shavers over their nonpowered counterparts.
Similarly, more blades are not necessarily better in a manual razor. Although some five-bladed models are rated highly by reviewers, other reviewers don't notice a difference between three blades and/or are put off by the higher cost of more blades.
Finally, manual razors are best overall. Most women say they prefer the shave they get from manual razors compared to electric shavers. Epilators are favored by some because it lasts so long, but some find them painful. All say that epilators take some getting used to.
In summary, here are the main considerations in choosing a women's shaver:
- Manual razors are best overall. Most women say they prefer the shave they get from manual razors compared to electric shavers. Epilators are favored by some because it lasts so long, but some find them painful. All say that epilators take some getting used to.
- There's not much difference between men's and women's razors. The color and the marketing are the main differences between ladies' and men's razors.
- For electric shavers, women aren't limited to ladies' models. However, you could end up paying more for features you don't need, such as a beard/sideburn trimmer. Be sure to get a wet/dry shaver that can be used in the shower.