Travel Technology - Electric Razor Advice Needed

For Christmas, my girlfriend got me the Norelco 7735x - Nivea Bundle (http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D7735x_43_us_nore lco%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fnorelco%2Fen_US%2Fcatego ries%3Ccatalog_us_norelco%2Fcategories%3Cmens_groo ming_gr_us_norelco%2Fcategories%3Cmen_lotiondispen singrazors_ca_us_norelco%26&productId=7735X_43_US_NORELCO&activeCategory=MENS_GROOMING_GR_US_NORELCO&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&language=en&country=US&catalogType=NORELCO&proxybuster=3W0CTAHZHQSOVJ0RMRESHQFHKFSEKI5P) , it comes with some Nivea packets of goo that you can use while shaving.

I've never used an electric razor in my life, I've been using the Mach 3 power now for a couple years and am afraid to put the Electric up to my face. Can you share some helpful tips to ease my transition?

FYI, I have very sensitive skin, always shave in a hot shower and I usually only shave 3 or 4 times a week. My stubble grows in every possible direction and in one point it spirals to a point! Thanks in advance for all your help!

IMO they're worthless. My wife spent a fortune on the Braun Activator self-cleaning razor as a gift last year. I tried it for a month and went back to the good 'ol M3Power. Perhaps it was me, with the electric I just don't get as close a shave and also had much more stubble and razor burn. I get the job done more quickly and neatly with a normal razor (if one can call a vibra-razor normal :D)

I use a Panasonic 8092 Wet/Dry razor and LOVE it. I use it with shaving cream and rinse the shaver under the faucet. It's the best razor I have ever had, shaves as close as I can with a blade, and doesn't nick at all like a blade does. It can run for 6 or 7 days without a recharge, so it's perfect for my travel schedule.

For Christmas, my girlfriend got me the Norelco 7735x - Nivea Bundle (http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D7735x_43_us_nore lco%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fnorelco%2Fen_US%2Fcatego ries%3Ccatalog_us_norelco%2Fcategories%3Cmens_groo ming_gr_us_norelco%2Fcategories%3Cmen_lotiondispen singrazors_ca_us_norelco%26&productId=7735X_43_US_NORELCO&activeCategory=MENS_GROOMING_GR_US_NORELCO&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&language=en&country=US&catalogType=NORELCO&proxybuster=3W0CTAHZHQSOVJ0RMRESHQFHKFSEKI5P) , it comes with some Nivea packets of goo that you can use while shaving.

I've never used an electric razor in my life, I've been using the Mach 3 power now for a couple years and am afraid to put the Electric up to my face. Can you share some helpful tips to ease my transition?

FYI, I have very sensitive skin, always shave in a hot shower and I usually only shave 3 or 4 times a week. My stubble grows in every possible direction and in one point it spirals to a point! Thanks in advance for all your help!

I've never used anything but an electric--the thought of naked blades on my skin is scary! As the blades in an electric are behind some sort of screen there's no way to cut yourself, nothing to worry about.

I'm the opposite, afraid to shave with a blade. I've used Norelcos for years, not sure if it's the best, but they're adequate for me. I think what I need to try is more pre- and/or after- shaving products that might help the dry and irritated skin on my neck. I really can't imagine a blade or other type of electric being better for that.

The electric shouldn't do anything horrible to your face as the blades are below those floating heads. It's not impossible to cut a pimple or something like that, but it's fairly difficult unless you're really rough with the thing. The Norelcos take a few weeks of adjustment, so to really try it out you have to give it at least three weeks. The model you have does appear to be the best for transitioning from a blade, and you can even keep using it in the shower.

I'd recommend shaving sooner than usual, since if you let the stubble get too long the Norelco may tug a bit more than is comfortable. (The action of the blades is meant to lift the hair slightly before cutting it off.) After you give it the few weeks, if you want to keep using it, then go back to your normal 3-4 times a week. (Must be nice. Mine looks pretty hideous if I don't shave every day and worse gets much much harder to shave if I skip a day.)

In the end it's probably more a matter of preference than anything. No one method is perfect for everyone. Hope the relationship is such that if the electric doesn't work out for you there won't be any hard feelings. :D

IMO they're worthless. My wife spent a fortune on the Braun Activator self-cleaning razor as a gift last year. I tried it for a month and went back to the good 'ol M3Power. Perhaps it was me, with the electric I just don't get as close a shave and also had much more stubble and razor burn. I get the job done more quickly and neatly with a normal razor (if one can call a vibra-razor normal :D)

The stubble and razor burn made an electric razor not a good option for me. Sure, they can be convenient but they do not provide the same quality shave as a nice blade nor are they really good for your face.

M3Power has my vote as well, plus Aveda Shave Cream.

If you have bad razor burn, try Tend Skin (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P13024&searchString=tend%20skin). A friend of mine reccomended it for my bikini line, and my SO found it works wonders on his face. No more ingrowns and such. He also has a crazy stubble growth pattern.

For Christmas, my girlfriend got me the Norelco 7735x - Nivea Bundle (http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D7735x_43_us_nore lco%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fnorelco%2Fen_US%2Fcatego ries%3Ccatalog_us_norelco%2Fcategories%3Cmens_groo ming_gr_us_norelco%2Fcategories%3Cmen_lotiondispen singrazors_ca_us_norelco%26&productId=7735X_43_US_NORELCO&activeCategory=MENS_GROOMING_GR_US_NORELCO&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&language=en&country=US&catalogType=NORELCO&proxybuster=3W0CTAHZHQSOVJ0RMRESHQFHKFSEKI5P) , it comes with some Nivea packets of goo that you can use while shaving.

I've never used an electric razor in my life, I've been using the Mach 3 power now for a couple years and am afraid to put the Electric up to my face. Can you share some helpful tips to ease my transition?

FYI, I have very sensitive skin, always shave in a hot shower and I usually only shave 3 or 4 times a week. My stubble grows in every possible direction and in one point it spirals to a point! Thanks in advance for all your help!


I've never used the Philips gel shaver but I have used the standard model until recently. I also have sensitive skin and a horrible growth pattern and I need to shave daily.

The Philips should get everything regardless fo direction though you will need to go over it a couple of times - I'm not sure of the effect of the gel.

I now use a Braun Activator and find it to be really good. It handles the different directions of growth and is more tender on the skin (rotary shavers like the Philips are not the best for sensitive skin), and I get a closer shave. I bought it on a try it for 60 days and if you don't like it bring it back for a full refund deal.

Hope this helps. Buying a shaver is a hard thing to get right because you normally can't try before you buy and the good ones aren't cheap.

I fall into the anti-electric camp. I have been a loyal Mach3 user for years, and last year I got a Braun Activator. I could never get a shave close enough or as fast as I do with the blades. In addition, I also have sensitive skin and no matter what products I used with the Braun, I had a red, irritated and painful face! (No jokes about the painful face, please :D ).

With the Mach 3 I use a variety of sandalwood-based products from The Art of Shaving, including pre-shave oil, shaving cream applied with a shaving brush (I have home and travel brushes) and an aftershave cream. I'll stick with this, but good luck with whatever you wind up doing!!!

Thanks for all the good advice everyone. I tried my new razor this morning for the first time and I wouldn't quite say that I am impressed. I had to go over my face a couple times and there are still areas that I feel like the razor missed. It certainly doesn't *save* time using an electric and so far, it hasn't proved well on my stubble. The area that I had the most difficult time with is the area of skin adjacent to my sideburns. I had to resort to my Mach 3 to clean this area up.

I will give it the full three weeks as recommended by Norelco and will report after that, but I have suspicion this is will be an uphill battle.

IMO they're worthless. My wife spent a fortune on the Braun Activator self-cleaning razor as a gift last year. I tried it for a month and went back to the good 'ol M3Power. Perhaps it was me, with the electric I just don't get as close a shave and also had much more stubble and razor burn. I get the job done more quickly and neatly with a normal razor (if one can call a vibra-razor normal :D)

Send that baby to me Kanebear! I love my Braun Activator.

I can't shave with a razor more than once a week without scraping the hell out of my skin and bleeding everywhere. So, I use the Braun M-F, let it grow Sat, and blade shave on Sun. Works for me.

I'm glad this thread came up because I've been thinking about switching back to electric but after this thread I think I'll stay with razor....I have a M3 for home and the old Sensor for travel....I actually think I like the Sensor a little better but the handle is getting old and the blades slightly wobbly...but can't find Sensor handles in my town any longer...Anyone have an idea of a source?

I can't shave with a razor more than once a week without scraping the hell out of my skin and bleeding everywhere. So, I use the Braun M-F, let it grow Sat, and blade shave on Sun. Works for me.

I am much like you. I do agree with others that electric shaves tend not to be as close, but I get way too much razor burn with a blade if I use it two consecutive days. FWIW, I have recently converted to King of Shaves shaving gel on those blade days and have found it to help minimize the worst of the problems. Infinitely better than regular shave cream.

I recently bought a Braun activator as well, unfortunately, it didn't work too well for me so I bought another Philip's rotary which seems to work much better for me than the foil.

So now I have a Braun Activator, an extra set of foil cutters and half a dozen cleaning cartridges that I won't use, :(

FWIW, I'd dstick with the Mach 3 - or any razor for that matter.

While I use one in urgent emergency situations, is it really possible to get a good shave with an electric razor? I tend to doubt it.

Mark

Thanks for all the good advice everyone. I tried my new razor this morning for the first time and I wouldn't quite say that I am impressed.
As has alreay been mentioned, there is a break-in period when switching from one shaving method to another. When I first switched to a Norelco from blade I was also unimpressed - irritation, feeling of not getting a close enough shave, etc. (I've noticed the same thing just switching from one brand of an electric shaver to another.) After a few weeks my skin and beard adjusted to the new method, and these days I would not go back to the world of styptic pencils, nicks and occasional sleep-induced bloodlettings. It may turn out that you prefer a blade razor, but you will not get a fair assessment of an electric shaver until you've used it for awhile.

Ditto what Rampo said about giving it time for your face to adjust. I have several Braun electrics (home and travel) and while they do not shave as close as I can with a blade, they don't nick my sensitive skin. Electrics are very nice for travel as you don't need to trot out shaving cream and use a sink in order to shave. Very helpful when doing USA-Europe flights and heading straight to work. Ever try shaving with a blade in an airplane bathroom? Good luck.

I too have a Braun Activator and I find that it works fairly well. It works better than my prior electrics.

When I was doing my research prior to buying the Activator I was highly skeptical of the rotary electrics because of their "lift and cut" claims. People who get ingrown hairs (aka razor bumps) really shouldn't be shaving too close anyway, because shaving the hair to "below skin level" just gets you that much closer to not having it grow out correctly. I find with my Activator I can get as close or rough a shave as I want, and there's no shaving cream mess involved.

I find that the Activator holds enough charge for a 4-5 day trip, so I very rarely carry the charger with me.

I think the bottom line is that a razor is an extremely personal choice for us guys, sorta like... uhhh... nevermind. :D

Three week break in period? I felt like I got a better shave this morning (second shave) as compared to yesterdays first ever shave. I tried loosely running the razor over my face, as compared to pressing firmly on it. I had less irritation this morning which was ^ ^ .

Does anyone still use shaving cream with their electric razor? I wonder how well that could work...

I love my self-cleaning Braun. It's great. I've been using it for 2 years now. I think the cleaning/charging part of it has gone kaput but the shaver itself still works perfectly.

For some reason I was having a bad go of it with the Mach3 so I switched to electric. I was getting TONS of skin tags on my neck. It was revolting! I kept snipping them off (yes, it hurt, and yes, it bled ... a lot) and finally made an appointment with a dermatologist as my neck was getting like 15 of these stupid little things. But then I switched to the electric and magically they all healed up within 10 days, never to return!

OTOH, I bought the same razor for my partner. He has a coarser, darker beard than I do. It doesn't work as well for him. He now alternates between a Mach3 and the electric. He prefers the Mach3 when he wants a closer shave. He can't get a close shave on his neck with the electric.

During the switch to the electric you'll need to be patient. It takes about 14-30 days for your skin to adjust and then it will work well after that. I don't know if going over it with a Mach3 after you've used the electric will impede the adjustment or not, but that's what you may need to do.

As for razor burn, as the above poster suggested, use Tend Skin!! It truly is the CURE for razor burn. It will absolutely vanish and never return. Just make sure to apply it after you skin is completely dry or it will sting really bad, but if your skin is dry then it doesn't feel like anything. It's a wonderful product. You can get it at Sephora or online.

Does anyone still use shaving cream with their electric razor? I wonder how well that could work...

I use shaving cream with my Panasonic wet/dry razor but I'm not sure I'd try it with a non-waterproof razor.

I use shaving cream with my Panasonic wet/dry razor but I'm not sure I'd try it with a non-waterproof razor.

My newest Norelco is designed to be rinsed clean, but I'm not sure if it's definitely designed to go into the shower or be used with shaving cream or the like. I haven't changed from my usual pattern of dry shaving after the shower.

I looked up the manual. It suggests best results are with a clean, dry face. So even though this unit rinses clean, it probably isn't a good idea to shave wet or in the shower. (This only refers to mine, one of the Norelco SpeedXL models.)

I've been using a Mach 3 basically since they came out, and although I'd like to switch to an electric (convenience factor mostly ... not having to use shaving cream saves time and money), my employer requires all employees to be clean shaven, to the point that I have to shave every day, or I have too much stubble.

Given this, and given the "break in" period for electric razors ... am I better off just sticking with the Mach 3?

great - another religious argument - blade versus electric. :p

I'm an electric user - been using one for 10 years or so since I got one for Christmas. I think it's very handy for traveling, and after a few months Mrs. GopherPuckGuy couldn't tell the difference between the blade and electric. (It does not matter what I think!)

I think you'll like the electric after the recommended break in time.

Cheers

I think you'll like the electric after the recommended break in time.

Well I'm five days into my break in period and after shaving, I feel terrific. The razor is missing less hairs on my face and I'm beginning to optimize the way I shave.

FWIW, I did hear somewhere that using an electric razor causes wrinkles sooner than shaving with a blade.

If you have bad razor burn, try Tend Skin (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P13024&searchString=tend%20skin). A friend of mine reccomended it for my bikini line, and my SO found it works wonders on his face. No more ingrowns and such. He also has a crazy stubble growth pattern.


Does this stuff really work that well? I get a horrible razor burn, and the dermatologist recommended some sort of steroid based cream. She said, however, that I can't use it more than a couple times a week, and it doesn't help that much.

BTW, I use a Shick Quattro razor - it is pretty good.

Does this stuff really work that well? I get a horrible razor burn, and the dermatologist recommended some sort of steroid based cream. She said, however, that I can't use it more than a couple times a week, and it doesn't help that much.

Yes!! I can't say enough good things about Tend Skin. It's well worth the $16 for a bottle. Definitely give it a try before trying the steroid cream, though it sounds like you've got such a severe case that a prescription might end up being necessary. Still, give Tend Skin a try; it should help!

I've been using a Mach 3 basically since they came out, and although I'd like to switch to an electric (convenience factor mostly ... not having to use shaving cream saves time and money), my employer requires all employees to be clean shaven, to the point that I have to shave every day, or I have too much stubble.

Given this, and given the "break in" period for electric razors ... am I better off just sticking with the Mach 3?

Maybe you'd be better off switching employers. But back on point--to reinforce the idea that you'll just have to try it to see if it works for you, I'd point out that I don't even use the Mach 3 as the older style Sensor Excel works better for me. Wait until vacation time rolls around and try a new method for a week or so...

Well I am nearing Week Two of my journey and it is amazing how well the Norelco works! I still have to take care of the area directly under my sideburns with my razor, but I am loving the electric! ^ ^

I've never used an electric razor in my life, I've been using the Mach 3 power now for a couple years and am afraid to put the Electric up to my face. Can you share some helpful tips to ease my transition?


I use both. I have a Panasonic. It takes a while to get used to the electric, but I like it. You have to think a little bit differently when using the electric. For the best shaves, I still use the Mach 3 Turbo. I don't bother taking the electric when I travel. But I like the convenience of being able to shave anywhere/anytime at home with the electric. I just dry-shave with the electric. When I'm done, I wash the grill and blades with anti-bacterial soap.

One adjustment that you noticed too is that you don't have to press hard with the electric and you don't want to press hard with the electric. It can take several passes to get an area tidy. If you press hard, you'll get skin irritation. It's more of a light touch.

-David

I used to use an electric. However, a few years ago I switched to an M3 with good shaving cream and a boar bristle brush from Art of Shaving. I use either Art of Shaving's own cream or Taylor of Bond Street or the other English brand the name of which escapes me. With that combination, with the add in of a preshave lotion and an aftershave lotion or balm on some occassions, I find shaving a relaxing and refreshing experience. I still use an electric for travel though, just seems simpler that way, but it doesnt work as well.

I've used both Braun and Norelco. My family and I stick to Norelco's high-end ones now.

I do think the Braun design is better at trimming sideburns though--esp. the trimmer extension.

Not really into those new fangled foam or water washing ones though.

My Norelco gave up the ghost a few months back (dull blades, battery won't hold a charge), and I've gone back to shaving with a blade. I agree with the rest that your face needs time to adjust when switching shaving methods. One habit I also change is that I shave with a blade after or during a shower, and I dry shave with my electric before getting into the shower. Even at its best, my electric hasn't given me as good a shave as I can get with a regular razor. Both methods take about the same amount of time, but the blade shave is messier.

It should be noted that the cutters in electric razors do get dull over time and need to be sent in for sharpening/replacement. Though, I imagine that most people just buy new ones when they stop getting a good shave.

It should be noted that the cutters in electric razors do get dull over time and need to be sent in for sharpening/replacement. Though, I imagine that most people just buy new ones when they stop getting a good shave.

No need to send them in, you can just buy extra cutters (and foils). Just pop them out and replace them.

No need to send them in, you can just buy extra cutters (and foils). Just pop them out and replace them.
Thats what I do. The best prices for replacement blades are on eBay.

Thought I would add my recent experiment to this thread. 4 weeks ago I left my Norelco at a relative's house after spending the night there. I was going on a trip in a few days. So I could have had the thing overnighted, or I could get a new one. I decided I'd just buy another one. I originally set out to Costco to buy a duplicate of the Norelco I had gotten there a few months earlier (one for home, one for the travel kit). Instead I found myself looking at the Braun Activator package they had. What the hell, 30-day guarantee, might as well try it.

I have to say, all else aside, the Braun shaved a little closer on my neck (after giving it the 3 weeks). It also reacted a little better to skipping a day, something I rarely do because shaving 2 days' growth from my face with the Norelco is already more irritating than I like. But the other supposed benefits of a foil shaver being faster and less irritating (with the above exception) never materialized. Seemed to take just as long and with similar irritation, especially since the Braun recommends you shave before washing (nasty irritation in the shower getting water on freshly shaved face, but it did seem to work better than shaving after). The Braun is also really heavy! I was surprised at that. The Norelco I've been using weighs about as much as a cell phone. The Braun is a brick in comparison and still has an external power supply. It's also shaped all wrong to hold. The combination had me cursing most mornings as my hand got sore from trying to hold the heavy thing. The self-cleaning gadget is a gimmick, really, well, it works fine but is IMHO no better than rinsing the Norelco under the tap.

If I hadn't already bought the new Norelco a few months back, I would have been much more tempted to keep the Braun, despite those drawbacks above. As it was, though, having the Braun for home and Norelco for travel would have been counter productive with the necessary 3-week adjustment time. I didn't want to throw away the $90 I already spent just a few months back. That, plus the heavy, uncomfortable feel of the thing, ultimately led me to return it today.

Bonus: If you ever want to try one of these things (ether brand), get it at Costco. They will take it back in the store for immediate credit rather than having to mess around with the manufacturer's money-back policy. Was debating the renewal again. I think I'll have to reup now. ^

I looked into replacing the head of my 3-4 year old Norelco but for about $40 dollars more I bought a new Norelco at Costco for about $90. Itsa little clunky but shaves a lot closer. It has the rinse under hot water feature. IMHO a dumb idea but I am certain some luckly Norelco marketing extra person got a few eurors for the idea.

MisterNice

Hm. It should only cost about 25 bucks to replace Norelco shaving heads, maybe $30 at most. It's always when my battery is dying that I decide to replace it. (The batteries are cheap too, but their soldered on, or at least the one in my last unit was, and I don't feel like going to that kind of trouble. And paying for that replacement would be likely more than halfway to a new one.)

Interestingly, the Costco.com description of the Norelco they sell claims it has a Li-Ion battery (part of the reason it's so light). If that's true, it should at least hold a good charge for a reasonable life, quite probably much longer than the old Ni-Cds.

I find the rinse under water feature handy. I always hated brushing those things out.

Checking my records a replacement head cost would be $33 + $10 S&H. I believe my last Norelco had Li-Ion also. The nice new Norelco has a separate charger connected to a cord, whereas the older one had the charger built into the razor. This would account for part of its lightness.

I would suspect the disolved solids from repetitive daily water rinsing drying on the metal would certainly cause abrasive problems with the precision heads.

MisterNice

Checking my records a replacement head cost would be $33 + $10 S&H. I believe my last Norelco had Li-Ion also. The nice new Norelco has a separate charger connected to a cord, whereas the older one had the charger built into the razor. This would account for part of its lightness.

I would suspect the disolved solids from repetitive daily water rinsing drying on the metal would certainly cause abrasive problems with the precision heads.

Hm. Probably a different model than my last one. I can't remember where I ultimately got the replacement head, think Amazon.com or something like that. I know it wasn't that much. For some models they were in Target and other stores, but I couldn't find mine in the stores. My old one had NiCd batteries.

You could be right about the water. Probably should pick up a can of the razor lubricant stuff that I've never bothered to use before. :D

I use isopropyl alcohol alcohol (70% or 95%) in a small dish. I put the heads in it, swirl it a few times and leave for 2-4 hours. Drain and rinse and it will quickly air dry and be free of all germ thingees. I once used a drop of light machine oil on the heads but found a lubricant was messy and not necessary.

MisterNice

I like a smooth, close shave - it seems to have an enormous impact on how I feel about the day.

As a result, I've used this method to give me the absolute best shave.

First I shave with a Gilette Power razor, like the new Fusion, http://www.shavingstuff.com/archives/002952.php .

I follow immediately by running my Norelco Cool Skin electric shaver with lotion over my face. Since it is not being tasked with actually shaving 24 hours worth of growth off my beard, I spend less than 2 minutes on this added step, the blades last much, much longer, the charge lasts much longer (for those traveling) and the shaver gets those areas that seem to leave stubble no matter how careful you are with your razor (under the chin and along the jaw line, for example).

Worried about the additional 2 minutes? I don't have to be as precise with my razor, which speeds up my initial shave, so on balance I don't think this takes any longer, but my satisfaction level is very high.