Epilators: Philips SatinSoft vs SatinPerfect

So while Braun SkinSpa was not the epilator I was looking for, I still needed a new tool.
I decided to go back to the technology I used so far (rotating discs) and immediately after requesting a return for for the Braun, I’ve put latest model of Philips SatinPerfect epilator (HP6581/00) in my basket.

As usual with Bol, package arrived the next day (next day delivery, quite popular with bigger retailers, is one of the very few good things about shopping in the Netherlands) and I was very excited to open the box. But impulsive shopper is not a happy shopper.

 

Philips SatinPerfect HP6581 comes – at least in the edition I bought it in – with an additional “precision epilator”, a separate tool. Now that wouldn’t be too bad, however this one is battery-powered and not chargeable on it’s own, while the main unit does not come with a precision / sensitive area head or cover.
I wouldn’t mind an extra tool – especially since it’s pretty handy and small, perfect travel size – but for regular use I would much prefer simply a cover. More tools = worse deal for me. More hassle, more charging…

But what was the deal-breaker –  though absolutely my fault for not noticing what was clearly visible on the product photos – was that the main unit’s discs were made of plastic.

Are you kidding me? Okay I can understand that metal discs make more noise plus I kind of suspect are more expensive to make, but the overall quality of the product plummets! Plastic, even best quality, will erode much faster than steel, especially on something under that much contact stress as rotating discs that constantly come in contact with each other.

I didn’t even turn any of the units on. I’ve put everything back in the box, asked for another return and ordered another Philips – this time double-checking the discs will be made from steel.

 

Now, Philips SatinSoft HP6522 did not disappoint. The edition it came in was much less “packed” with goodies than either SkinSpa or SatinPerfect, but unlike those, I will probably actually use what came with this unit. Probably except the electric shaving head, but who knows.

No surprises on the effects – like my previous rotating blades epilators, my hair is actually pulled out and not broken / cut at the base. SkinSpa was more successful in grabbing shorter hair or hair sticking out in other directions and it does take more time with the Philips, but honestly, there is no contest here: Philips one pulls them out.

Unlike SatinPerfect (at least the edition I got, remember I ordered one with separate sensitive area unit), SatinSoft came with sensitive area cover which is the option I definitely prefer to separate unit.

There are 2 things I could complain about: sensitive area cover is awkward to take off. I have weak nails and I prefer not to put any strain on them, but it’s hard to take it off without a lever of some sort. Maybe I’m attempting it wrong though, who knows. The other on is that the few times I’ve used SkinSpa, I’ve learned to appreciate the extra light directed at the head, it was nice to see precisely what I was doing. SatinPerfect also had one, but I didn’t get to use it, however I would suppose this means never Philips models should come with one. I just really hope not all models will come with plastic discs.

Braun Silk-épil 7 SkinSpa

My old Torture Machine was at the end of it’s life cycle, hence I needed to find a replacement quickly.
Bol.com offered a wide range of epilator products and SkinSpa seemed to have very positive reviews so – reasurred by the policy of 30 days no-questions-asked return policy – I decided to try it out.

…and I am very glad I can return it.
When I used SkinSpa epilator head for the first time the tweezer system it employs did feel less painful than the rotating disk one I always used before and indeed it seemed like the tweezers were able to grab the shortest hairs. Together with the extensive set of related extras it seemed like a good option.

I was not really sold on the brush – way too delicate in my oppinion, would not be able to revitalize skin in any meaningful way.

Shaving and trimming caps were also pretty much useless for me, but the whole package seemed really decent.

Until 2 days passed, that is, as this is when I discovered to my utter surprise and dissapointment that – at least in my case – Silk-épil’s tweezer system breaks my hair off at the base rather than pulling them out… The hair just grew back like after shaving, while with my previous rotating disk epilators the period before it would grow back was longer and indeed the hair growing back would have fine tips indicating it’s new hair growing back.

I did a shave test too – shaved one armpit and depilated the other.
The results were conclusive, both areas grew back exactly the same!

Now, there seem to be a lot of positive reviews for tweezer systems out there that seem objective so I’d like to stress out taht – as in most cases when it comes to personal beauty routines – personal is the keyword. But at least in my case, this system simply does not work at all so I am returnign the set and purchasing a familiar rotating disk one (though I am still considering Philips Lumea system as well).