I'm your venus! (Gillette Venus)

Member Name: dippykitty

Product:	Gillette Venus
Date:	16/04/09 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gives a close shave on the legs, easy to grip

Disadvantages: Not so close a shave under the arms

I have been using this razor for around 18 months now. When I bought it, it cost around £6 and came complete with two refill blades (one of which you needed to put on the razor straight away, the other as a back-up replacement).

*** The Razor***

I don't normally describe the product itself too much as you can usually see what it looks like from the product images. As this particular item doesn't have a product image to show you (only an image of one of the refills that comes with the razor), it makes sense to briefly discuss it. My razor is a blue shade that reminds me of clear blue seas somewhere exotic. The handle is curved, which is good for gripping the razor while using it. The head of the razor is white and has the usual blades. Above the blades is a white and blue striped moisturising strip. I read that the blue strip is supposed to wear down when the head needs to be replaced by one of the refills, but mine has never done this so I don't know how true it is!

*** Using The Razor***

The handle is quite contoured, which makes it easier to grip the razor. You can sit your thumb in the groove underneath, and then I usually put one of my other fingers on the groove above that to steady things while I'm shaving.

Replacing the head is simple enough. You just push down on the catch (which is located at the part where the handle meets the head) so it releases the head. It can shoot off quite quickly if you put a lot of pressure on the catch, so make sure that your fingers are well away from the blades at this point. Then it's just a case of fitting one of the refills on and pushing it into place. You used to get two refills with the razor when you bought it, but whenever I have seen it in the shops since it has always been just the razor. As I mentioned at the start of this review, I bought my razor well over a year ago and have gone through one refill so far and still have one of the original refills left for when the blades stop giving a good enough shave.If you need more, you can buy packs of refills.

*** The Results***

I use this razor to shave my legs and armpits. It gives a super smooth shave on my legs and I don't usually need to repeat the process for three to four days, although you do get the usual stubble coming through after a day or so. It doesn't seem to give such a close shave under my arms though, and there are usually areas where it doesn't get rid of all of the hair. I'm not sure if this is because it can be quite fiddly shaving your armpits or whether it is actually the design of the razor that makes this the case. This is still the same for me with a brand new refill in the razor, so I don't think that it is because the blades are not blunt enough.

*** The Price***

I had to look this up as it's been a while since I bought mine. Sainsburys are selling this for £5.82 and this doesn't mention whether it comes with refills. A box of four refill blades costs the same again.

Boots are selling it for a similar price to Sainsburys, but their replacement blades cost £6.79 for four.

Summary: A good razor but seems expensive