Getting to grips with hair removal (Wilkinson Sword Extra II)

Member Name: powerball

Product:	Wilkinson Sword Extra II
Date:	19/10/09 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Several shaves for just 30p

Disadvantages: Slightly annoying diagrams on packet

Over the years I have tried many ways of getting rid of unwanted hair on legs and under arms. Yet, I always seem to come back to using some type of disposable razor.

I remember in my late teens being very excited as I received my first lady shave as a gift, yet after the initial excitement died down, it all seemed a bit too much bother. I think that first one was a mains rather than battery operated one, so you needed to be like a contortionist in the corner of your bedroom, with dry legs and getting knotted up in the curly wurly cord.

The next one was battery operated . Fine until the batteries run down with just a half mowed armpit. By this time I was a poor student and couldn't afford the expense of the regular battery replacement. Solution - rechargeables. This was all well and good, but often these batteries didn't give enough power. You would hear the whirring noise of the razor drop in pitch and slow down, then start to pull at the hairs rather than shave them.

Progress came in the form of the wet/dry shaver which could be used in the shower. This was better - but there was still the problem of battery life, as well as water getting into all the nooks and crannies of the shaver, resulting in brown rust marks all over the place.

Hair removal creams were the next thing to be tested. These work fantastically well if a) you have the time, b) you have the patience, c) you have the money, d) you can stand the smell, e) you don't mind the mess. Not for me!

A couple of years ago I was persuaded that the answer was an epilator. Apparently, if you can stand the "discomfort" of having all your hairs pulled out at the roots, re-growth isn't as thick, and each time there are fewer and fewer hairs to be pulled out.
I still haven't forgiven the person who told me all this.
Now, I'm not admitting to being a gorilla, but I do need to get rid of hair fairly regularly because it grows quite quickly and is thick. The "discomfort" the epilator caused was excrutiating. I tried gritting my teeth and just tackling a square inch a day - but in the end, I was having to numb myself with at least 5 gin and tonics in order to put the evil machine anywhere near a leg. And the thought of using it on more sensitive areas is bringing tears to my eyes right now!

And as for waxing.........................no,no,no,no!! Just can't do it!

So it was back to the trusty razor.

I have splashed out on fancy razors from time to time. They cost a lot initially, the replacement blades tend to be expensive and perhaps I'm expecting miracles, but I still have to shave again the next day, no matter how hi-tec my razor is.

Disposables are the only solution.

Wilkinson Sword Extra II are a mid-priced disposable. It seems that they are sold in packs of 5 or 10. They are available in all supermarkets as well as most large chemists. Prices and packaging vary but on average, the cost of an individual razor comes out at 30p. The packagining I am most familiar with is a pink plastic packet with a clear window showing the razors smartly lined up like soldiers on parade.(Well - very pink soldiers on parade.) They are obviously packaged for the whole European market because there are no directions actually written on the packet and just some slightly confusing diagrams. On the front of the packet there is drawing of a razor and a sign indicating that there are 2 blades, and also the picture of a leaf with an arrow pointing to the blue strip at the top of the razor, telling the buyer, whatever language she speaks, that there is aloe vera in the moisturising strip. Obvious isn't it?!!
I kind of have a love/hate thing going on with these kind of instructions.

There is also a diagram on the back of the packet indicating that there is a switch at the top of each razor which you can press down on to divide the 2 blades slightly in order to rinse the razor.

The razors are not too flimsy for a disposable. You can immediately tell by the feel of them that they are going to last you longer than one shave. They are white but with pink trim on the upper side, and also have rubbery raised dots for extra grip. These certainly do make the razor quite comfortable to hold and stop it from slipping out of your hand in the shower.

The handle of the razor is also ever so slightly curved which helps to get a good angle as you shave under arms and also around ankles etc.

The head is fixed and is covered with a clear plastic guard. This bit always makes me nervous. I don't like pulling the guard off, especially when there are 2 very sharp and shiny blades staring at you. However, it is quite substantial, and also, because of the fixed head, is easy to pull on and push back on.

The razor works perfectly well. The 2 blades seem to cope with even thick growth, the 2nd one catching any stubborn hairs that the 1st one misses. Personally, I see no need for more than 2 blades.

The aloe vera moisturising strip also seems to do the job. It allows the razor to glide well over the skin. I can't say that I feel any soothing effect from it, but then again, nor have I ever had any rashes or stinging after shaving with these razors. I tend to use the razors in the shower or immediately after showering, but on the odd occasion when I've had to do a quick emergency dry strim prior to a spontaneous swimming trip, they have not caused any problems, although I really do not recommend this with any razor.

I tend to shave every other day and I find each razor can last me for a couple of weeks. The feature for slightly separating the blades in order to clear them of any stubble, is a very useful one. In fact, the reason for me getting a fresh razor out is usually that I have left the old one at the side of the shower and it has not had a chance to dry out and starts to rust.

I find these razors to be just right. A swivel head would be useful, but on the other hand, there are disadvantages in that the razor is unstable and a bit flimsy. I prefer the more solid feel to the Wilkinson Sword Extra II and am prepared, whilst still young and supple (just!) enough, to contort myself to get the last awkward bits of hair.

At 30p a go, I find this to be about the right balance. There's no pain involved - physically or financially! I get a very smooth shave. Still no miracles - the hair always grows back! But I think, finally I have found peace with the old disposable razor, and nobody is going to convince me otherwise.

Summary: If shaving's your thing give these a go