Philips and Nivea for Men have once again got together to create a new Philishave Cool Skin model: the HS 8020. If you don’t know how it works yet, it’s an electric razor which dispenses shaving gel directly from the middle of its heads. Compared to the older 1^st generation models (I’ve got one of the first ones) they are more ergonomic: the razor is lighter and more managable. Like the others, this one still has 3 heads, which each have blades that lift the hair and others that cut it, but they are more flexible. And the filling system (for the Nivea cream) has changed: it doesn’t use cartridges anymore, but a bottle. As you can see above, it connects to the razor, and a pump allows the internal reservoir to be filled. It is waterproof, so you can use it in the shower, and lasts for 30 minutes between charges.

Summary:

• The flexibility is good. The 3 heads adapt well to the shape of the face and allow a close shave. The neck is always a delicate area but overall it doesn’t leave much for a manual razor to cover.
• The cream dispenser is a real bonus. It allows a smooth glide and reduces irritation. Of course, you still have to buy refills, but 1. I think that the 28ml bottle provided will probably last for a few months 2. the bottle only costs €8.99.
• The Philishave seems to offer good value for money. I know models that are more expensive that I used for less time (I’m basing my opinion on the previous model as I’ve only been using this one for 2 months)

The price : 99€ from La Redoute

I’ve been testing the Philips Bodygroom, the 2-in-1 body hair trimmer, for 2 weeks now. If you’ve not heard of it yet, it’s a special gadget for shaving the body and private parts. It looks a bit insectoid, with a long, rounded body and a round head. The shaver has a hypoallergenic foil and a trimmer on each side. This means you can use it in either direction. You also get 3 comb attachments for shaving different lengths. Other features: It’s completely waterproof and can be used for up to 50 minutes between charges. Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty: what’s the Bodygroom for?

It’s a trimmer and shaver specially designed for the body. You can use it to trim hair on your chest, belly, armpits, shoulders, back and legs, but also more delicate areas such as the groin, pubic hair and goolies. And as the Bodygroom is waterproof you can use it dry or in the shower. I tried to test it as often as possible over the last 2 weeks to give you a thorough report. So here are the advantages and disadvantages I found for this gadget.

Advantages:

• Simplicity and practicality. It’s designed for the growing number of men who like to look after themselves and keep trimmed. The Bodygroom is really simple and practical. Its ease of use and the ability to trim in both directions mean that you really can use it everywhere.
• The different cutting lengths. The 3 combs allow different lengths of cutting according to your mood and the body part concerned.
• Cordless operation. 50 minutes use between charges is ideal, all the more so given that when you first use the Bodygroom you find that you can easy spend half an hour trying it out.
• Its multiple uses. Even if you already have clippers for your hair, the Bodygroom won’t replace them (it’s not powerful enough), but it does work rather well on beard hair. The combination of trimmer and razor is particularly practical if you have a few days’ beard growth! It also hurts a lot less if you use the trimmer before you use the razor!
• The price. At under £30 the Bodygroom is affordable.

Disadvantages:

• The packaging. When I opened the box and found the Bodygroom in a plastic mould, I thought it looked rather cheap, and was worried that my first impressions would be right!
• No carry case is supplied as you would normally expect with a razor or clippers. Especially given that the Bodygroom is supplied with 3 combs and a charger and cable.

£29.99 on eBay