Talk to me about epilators!

[sinningsaint]

Well it's got to that time of year again where I can't be so lazy with my shaving habits and once again I have decided I want an epilator. I say this every year but I am going to get one this year! I don't want to spend to much (is under £60 possible for a good one?) and not bothered about it being waterproof, just want it to do the job without being too painful . So those of you who use one, which one do you have and would you recommend it?

[RavioliOnToast]

I just ordered this one from very, like 2 hours ago. I got a code through the post though for £30 off a £60 spend on a credit order. I can give you my code if you like and see if it works for you too?

[rembrandtsrockchick]

I have a Silkepil (sp?) and think it's pretty good. Hurts a bit the first time but less with each use.

Make sure you moisturise your legs often to prevent the dreaded ingrowing hairs and the resulting red bumps that look like pimples.

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

I have the fancy wet one, I never use it in the shower. I do think it is worth spending as much as practical, they last longer and work better. Definitely get one, I love mine

[ChishandFips33]

Yes to it gets less painful the more you use it - even underarms (haven't done bikini line though!!)

The hair grows back finer imo so try not to shave in between

Don't leave it too long in between goes either - tackle re growth as it happens and then you don't have a forest being yanked out in one go

I have the Braun wet one (never used it wet!) was £100 many many moons ago but much cheaper now - wouldn't go back to shaving now but now tempted by the light zappy thing

[sinningsaint]

That would be great Ravioli I doubt it will but worth a try! Also don't think i'm brave enough to try underarms or bikini line .

[RavioliOnToast]

6HEUC it's worth a try!

[SluiceSloosh]

I started using my one the other day and the bikini line hurt a bit but alot less when I redid it 3 weeks later. Oh my GOD, though, underarms - never again.
Am going to try my legs next see how that goes, am hoping not too painful.

[Thudercatsrule]

When I first did my underarms, I actually felt faint with the pain and threw up a bit!....but I preserved and now it's virtually pain free, quick and super smooth!

Tried the legs once and got terrible ingrown hairs, might give it another go though!

[JimineyJelickers]

I have the silk epil one that also has a trimmer attachment. It was about £100 off Amazon.

My legs are fine to do now (though I screamed a bit the first time). I attempted my underarms once and the pain was out of this world, I could barely put my arm down for two days. Does it really get less painful? I may have to take a load of preemptive painkillers and try again.

I also try and use it on my face, but again, that's like being stabbed by a million hot needles so I can only do a bit at a time.

[Doobigetta]

I wouldn't bother. I've got a Braun wet one. Every time I use it it takes ages, makes me bruise, and I think ultimately breaks half the hairs rather than ripping them out. I'm used to waxing on my bikini line, I hardly flinch any more, but the epilator kills me. I think it just pinches the skin rather than the hairs.

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

Lol @ throwing up but persevering ! We women are made of stern stuff

[daftyburd]

I use ice under my arms. Sit with a big, block of ice tucked under and I can now Epilate under my arm. I have a silk epil and do my legs once a week and underarm twice. I am tempted by the Philips Lumea too. I don't pay for childcare during school holidays so have some spare cash. Lumea or Cloud 9 straighteners? Can't decide yet.

[BumbleNova]

i bought the silk epil one from Amazon. it was about £80. I have to say, I was really disappointed. It takes ages. like 40 mins to do both legs. it bloody hurts. I usually get my legs waxed and find that much less painful. like other posters I am not convinced it is not just breaking the hair so after a very painful 40 mins, I then only get 3-4 days out of it. It was a stop gap when travelling but frankly I would save your money and just wax.

[ChablisChic]

I've had a Silkepil for about 6 years and I love it. It did take a few goes to get it to work efficiently and underarms were more painful, but I'm glad I persevered.

I found the best way to get a good result was to have a bath first (opens the pores so hairs come out easier) and exfoliate so the epilator isn't scraping off dead skin. Then make sure your skin is really dry - I usually dry my hair first to give my skin time to dry. Then hold the skin taut and off you go, but slowly.

Hth

[fairyelephantswellies]

I love my Silkepil, I've had it about 8 years and it cost around £30. My hairs are now much fewer and further between and very fine. I epilate once every two weeks or so and it takes about 20 minutes

[spanky2]

I started with the epilator and it mainly snapped the leg hair. So went to waxing. Much better results. This time even with moisturising and exfoliating practically all leg hair ingrown. Had to get them out from under the skin with tweezers. This has now scabbed over. My legs are sore and look awful. Have gone back to shaving.

[DarylDixonsDarlin]

Silkepil, cost under £50 I think, I've had it a year and used it about 4 times.

The first time I didn't have the right cover on it, my hairs were too long and it was terribly painful. The few times I've tried it since I've managed only one leg before quitting as still too painful.

I did shave my legs on Saturday and had planned to epilate the regrowth on Monday, then every couple of days thereafter (for a week-10 days) to get on top of it. Only just got round to doing it today. This thread has inspired me... 5 days stubble looks an awfully big pile of hair on my bathroom floor tho I think half the length of it must be what was visible on the outside, the rest I hope is the root end? (it better be!) anyway only done one leg and that's taken around 20 mins, will have my lunch and crack on with the other leg after. I've moisturised the done leg, it is covered in red spots so I'm leaving it out to air!

As for whether I'd recommend it, well I guess this particular epilator doesn't hurt more than any other brand. Haven't tried others so I can't say for sure, I bought mine after reading good reviews online.

[macnab]

Mine is a Phillips but couldn't tell you what model because I've had it at least 12 years!

There is no denying its painful when you first start but its so worth it. I body brush daily (before I shower) and I think that really helps to prevent ingrowing hairs. I epilate every few weeks, I don't have that many hairs now and the ones I do are very fine. I use the body brush to brush upwards on my leg and then epilate that patch, then brush and epilate a different part etc. I find this helps but maybe it just distracts me!! Really though I hardly feel it at all now. I do my underarms, but wouldn't dream of doing my bikini area that would just be too much!