I am a long time user of Gillette Fusion Manual Razor, but when I was staying with a friend for a short while, I forgot to take my razor with me. Luckily she had a fresh set of razor blades and a Gillette Fusion Power Razor, and she gave this to me so I could still shave without having to shell out on a new razor and blades.

The main difference between the Fusion Manual and the Fusion Power is the fact that the Power is battery operated and vibrates. This is apparently to help make the hair stand up on end and make it easier to get a closer shave.

The razors are pretty much the same from here on out. They are the same shape and size, with the same width blades, just the Power is a little bit heavier as there is a battery in it, but this is hardly even noticeable. There is a button on the Power that is to switch on and off the vibration. Obviously this button is not on the manual version as there is no need for it.

The razor is mostly silver, with the occasional bit of metallic orange. I have seen the same razor available in other colours, usually for promotional reasons. The battery comes supplied with the razor when you first buy it, but should you need to replace it, it is just a simple AAA battery which you can buy almost anywhere.

Gillette do sell seperate blades for this razor for around a pound extra than the manual blades, but I have found that the manual blades fit perfectly on the Power, and vice versa, so you are better off buying the cheaper ones, as it really does make no different what so ever.

When I first turned on the Power, I was quite surprised at how powerful the vibration actually is. I expected it to be hardly anything, but it reminds me of a childs power toothbrush! You can not feel it so much on the skin you are shaving, but you can feel it in your hands and wrist when holding the razor, and I found that after use, I had a strange feeling in my arm from the vibration.

The Power shaves well, and is quite easy and effortless, although I did not find it to have any different effects to the manual razor. It took about the same amount of time to shave, and my skin was just as smooth afterwards. I also found that the regrowth was at the exact same rate as I get with using the manual razor. I noticed that the blades intended for the Power razor actually last a tiny bit less time than the manual ones do, and I think this is something to do with the vibration of the razor.

Personally, I feel that this is a good razor, but I do not find the need for the vibrating power over the manual version. I have since gone back to my manual razor, which does me just as well as the power razor did.

If you wish to buy this razor, you can buy it in quite a few places. You can buy it Boots and Superdrug for £11.69 but you can also buy it from Amazon for £9.99. The replacement blades will cost you £11.29 for a 4 pack, and £21.49 for a pack of 8. It is cheaper to buy the manual handle and blades, and you will get just a good a shave for a better price.

I give this razor a 4 out of 5, as even though it does a perfect job, it is cheaper to buy the manual razor and that way you not only save a few pounds, you don't end up with a weird feeling arm from the vibration.

*This review is also on Ciao under the user name of Hailee*