Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Pro 7681 Rechargeable Wet & Dry Epilator

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: £129.99

Amazon Price: £76.99

Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Pro 7381 Wet & Dry Body System Rechargeable Epilator

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: £109.99

Amazon Price: £69.99

The Best epilator 2010 award should, so far this year, go to the Braun 7682 and the Braun 7381, both belonging to the Braun silk epil range. The only difference between these two epilators is that the Braun 7681 comes with a shaver Cap for which you will pay approximately £10 pounds extra. Apart from that, these two epilators are exactly the same. I will go through and explain the main features of these two epilators.

Smart Light.

This is a quite intense bright white light that is very useful for highlighting those small fine hairs or those stray hairs that can easily be overlooked. The light also helps prevent shadows from the epilator obscuring your view while you epilate. In my opinion, it really is such a useful feature that, you will wonder how you managed to live without it. I can also this see being emulated by others.

Pivoting Head.

Most women, unlike the super models you see in the glossy magazines, do not have a perfect body. We all have the odd lump or bump here or there. To combat this, Braun have designed the head of this epilator to pivot. If you have used a modern razor then you should have a good idea of how it works. By being able to follow the contours of your body, you are able to remove those hairs that are otherwise hard to get at, without having to go over the same bit of skin several times. This pivoting head is great when epilating your underarms and around your knees.

Massaging Rollers.

Do you really want a massage while you epilate? This really does sound like one of those features added on by manufactures that sound great but ends up being nothing more than a gimmick. I am happy to say this is not so in this particular case. These high frequency rollers are designed to stimulate your skin while you epilate and so relieving some of the discomfort felt. Does it work? From what I can gather, yes it does. Obviously, some women will derive more benefit from this than others but at least it’s a step in the right direction to reduce epilator discomfort.

Comfort Setting.

We can all do with a little comfort now and again, but the comfort setting on this Braun silk epil is really a fancy name for the speed setting. There are, in effect, two settings, Braun likes to call these: “fast” and “soft” or extra gentle and extra efficient. I just call them fast and slow. But they do come in useful. If, for example, you have just started epilating, then I would user the “soft” option. This setting can also be used when epilating your under arms or bikini line. When you are more comfortable with using your epilator, or when you want to epilate larger areas, then use the “fast” setting.

Softlift Tips.

This can be a bit of a tongue twister. These are basically little nodules on the head of the epilator. Their job is to lift up any flat lying hairs and guide them into the path of the tweezers. Without these tips, the epilator would just glide over most flat lying hairs, leaving you with lots of hairs that you would probably have to spend more time on removing individually.

Close Grip Technology.

This helps the Braun silk epil to remove hairs equivalent in size to a grain of sand. Braun achieves this by keeping the tweezers of the epilator in very close contact with the skin. Unlike waxing, you will not have to wait until the hairs are too noticeable before you can start to remove them or reach for that razor to remove those little hairs other epilators just cannot remove.

Cordless.

Both the Braun silk epil 7681 and the Braun silk epil 7381 are cordless. They both take one hour to fully charge. This charge will give you an epilating time of about 40 minutes, that according to Braun, is nearly twice as long as other epilators currently on the market. Unlike some of the cheaper epilators, the Braun silk epil range have a good quality battery that is powerful enough to actually be of use. The epilator is excellent at holding its charge which is helpful as you cannot use the epilator while it is charging. Being cordless gives you freedom from those tangled wires running out of batteries or having to find a socket close enough to were you want to epilate.

40 Tweezers.

Braun equip both the 7681 and the 7381 with 40 “winglet” tweezers. Other manufacturers have epilators with more tweezers but Braun say theirs can remove more hair in a single stoke than any other epilator. Maybe this is down to quality over quantity. But Brauns claims really do seem to stand up.

Wet & Dry.

Both these epilators can be safely used while completely immersed in water. Using your epilator while taking a bath can help to reduce discomfort. Relaxing in a warm bath does seem to help. 63% of women said epilating in this way was kinder to their skin. If you don’t fancy the idea of epilating in the bath, then you could try using these epilators while having a shower.

Disadvantages

The only real disadvantage I can see with the Braun 7681 and the Braun 7381 is that you cannot use them while they are being charged. So, if you forget to charge them and are in a hurry, you will have to wait for about an hour until they re-charge.

Conclusion.

Both of these epilators are more than capable of doing a great job of removing your unwanted hair. With products like these it’s all too easy to add extra features that are never used or just do not work and then charge a premium for them. Braun, on the other hand, seem to have worked hard to incorporate some great features that, combined together, make a great epilator.

What’s In The Box?

Charger.

this is what you use to keep your epilator running. These Braun epilators cannot be used while they are being charged.

Olay pre-epilation wipes.

Use these wipes before you start to epilate to help prepare your skin.

Facial cap.

Use this cap when epilating your upper lip or other hair on your face. Your face is more sensitive than most other parts of your body. This cap reduces the amount of tweezers when used with the lower speed can help reduce discomfort.

Shaver head Trimmer Cap

only available with the Braun 7681. You can use this cap to trim your hair before you epilate. You can also use it to shave/trim your bikini area.

Under Arm Cap

Use this cap when you want to epilate your underarms or your bikini line. This cap is especially shaped to fit these areas so making epilating a little more easier.

Efficiency Pro Cap

This is the main cap and is best used on those larger areas such as your legs and arms.

Bag

great for keeping your epilator clean and tidy or if you need to take it on holiday.

Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Pro 7681 Rechargeable Wet & Dry Epilator

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: £129.99

Amazon Price: £76.99

A lot more men are starting to take far more pride in the way they look. There are far more male cosmetics and products on the shelves these days compared to just a few years ago.

One big change  in male grooming is the removal of body hair. Whether this is for their own personal benefit or their partners, more men are staring to remove their body hair and are going for a smother look.

The removal of male body hair is no different to that of removing female body hair. The same methods used by women can also be used by men. Some of these methods include: waxing, shaving, using creams or using an epilator. Considering this site is all about the latter this article will concentrate on, what I think, is the best epilator for men.

Although there is no specific epilator aimed at or designed for use by males one model seems to stand out from the rest on offer to be more suitable for use by men this is the Braun pro 7681.

This is a particularly well made epilator with some good features, that I have listed below, along with some reviews by men who have actually used this particular epilator.

Can be used in the bath and shower.

Braun has done some research that seems to indicate Epilating in warm water may help reduce the pain.

Cordless.

You can use it wherever you wish. Takes only one hour to charge. It also holds the charge for quite some time and gives you forty minutes of epilating from one charge that

Removes  hair as short as a grain of sand.

The Braun pro 7681 can remove hairs that are only 0.5mm in length. Unlike waxing This means you do not have to wait too long for hairs to re-grow before they can be removed.

Very well made.

Compared to some of the cheaper epilators available today the Braun pro 7681  is built to a very high standard and  should last a very long time.

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just an epilator!, 22 Feb 2010

This review is from: Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Pro 7681 Rechargeable Wet & Dry Epilator (Personal Care)

This product is fantastic! It’s by far the best and most pain free epilator I’ve used (yes, I’m a guy – I use an epilator on my back and shoulders). The way the head can rotate is a new feature to me in the world of hair removal and I think this helps it get more hairs first time, which also means less pain as the skin gets less beaten up.

I was also pleased to find that it came with a trimmer head. The heads are easy to remove and change, and the trimmer/shaver head is great for other manscaping needs such as trimming chest hair, etc. This can all be done in the shower meaning it’s not creating an awful mess all over the bathroom floor… it just washes away down the plughole.

Very useful, 28 Jan 2010 By Mr. M. A. Reed This review is from: Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Pro 7681 Rechargeable Wet & Dry Epilator (Personal Care) Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme) Many years ago, I tried, in a fit of panic at a girlfriends house a few days stubble, to use her epilator : now, as a male, I can’t say this product is designed for me, but what I can say is that this is a gentle, adaptable, and useful product that does the trick (and it works well on men, as well). However, you should know that, like any epilator, it will burn on sensitive skin – as everything does – but this does lessen after the first few tries. It’s an effective, powerful, and gentle tool that removes unwanted body hair quickly and easily and leaves skin clear for around two weeks before any stray hairs return. You can wash it in water, which is very useful, and, overall, is a great product for what it is designed to do.

Click the image  for more information and to decide for your self if this is the best epilator for men on the market today.

Set your  price range

Firstly, it’s always wise to have a rough idea of your price range, and the type of features you want. When finding an epilator that fits a low budget, remember that you often get what you pay for.  Budget priced epilators are often made with cheaper materials, and may not last too long, so you may spend more money on a replacement far sooner than you need. Brands that are widely recognized are probably the safest bets.

What is your skin like?

Is your skin prone to sensitivity? If this is you, there are epilators available for your needs. There are particular brands, such as Braun, which have created epilators that can be used in water. People with sensitive skin can benefit from this. Another make would be Philips, who have designed an epilator with an attached ice pack and a sonic massage system, which also contains anti-bacterial epilation head that could help those of you with sensitive skin. take a look at are other article entitled best epilator for sensative skin.

What is included?

Many brands add unnecessary devices onto their epilator, which claim to help. Often, these are nothing more than needless additions, whereas other add-ons can really help your epilating secessions. Watch for certain things such as: Speed settings. This feature is designed to be used on sensitive parts of your body, like the underarms.

Some models will have attachments in the form of small, epilating heads, which can be used to remove hair from areas of the face. Sometimes, features like shaving attachments can be beneficial for shaving hairs which are slightly too long to epilate without causing discomfort.

Another handy feature is a light. Some epilators include attached lights which can help you to spot hairs that are small and fine, and are usually overlooked.

Cordless and corded epilators

A huge feature of the cordless epilators are their ability to be more dynamic, then a standard wired model. A huge disadvantage for most women during epilating is finding a socket close enough, and becoming caught up within wires. With the best cordless epilator there is none of this hassle. On the flip-side, charging the battery can often take a long while.

Check other customer reviews

It is always better to try things yourself beforehand. Unlike other products, it isn’t always easy to be able to try the epilator you’ve set your eyes on. A technique I find useful is to find other’s comments and reviews to help you find the best epilator. Often, when referring to other women’s reviews, these are probably honest opinions of real women, instead of what the producer’s state.

ADVANTAGES OF A CORDLESS EPILATOR

The main advantage of a cordless epilator is the freedom of use. You are no longer restricted by a length of cord that in some cases may only be two or three meters in length. You will no longer have the inconvenience of tangling the cord around your legs or arms, while trying to epilate. You will also not be tied down to the nearest plug socket, and so can use your epilator where and when you like. Some models, like the Braun Silk epil 7681, can be used in the bath or shower.

How long does it hold a charge

Make sure you pay close attention to the battery life. Some of the cheaper models on sale will be supplied with low quality batteries these may not be able to last long enough for one epilating session. You will be constantly recharging the epilator or using it with the wire plugged in to the mains, which defeats the reason for buying a cordless model.

How long does it take to charge?

It may also be worth paying attention to how long the epilator takes to charge. Some may take a few hours while others will be fully charged in under an hour. Also make sure the model you are looking at has a charging light which indicates when the epilator is fully charged. This may sound insignificant but you will find it very frustrating not knowing if the charge is complete or not.

Can it be used with a cord?

O.K so you want a cordless epilator why would you then want to use it with a cord? If you have not used the epilator in some time and then want to use it in a hurry you may not have time to wait for it to charge up. If it can be used with the cord attached you can simply plug it in and use it straight away. Also it may run out of charge part way through while epilating. Instead of having to wait to charge up the battery just plug it back into the mains and carry on.  Just keep in mind that some models are designed to be charged on a charging stand and so cannot be used while plugged in to the mains.

Does it have the power?

Once again some of the cheaper cordless epilators just will not have the power to remove your hairs. These may struggle if you have very coarse or thick body hair. Take a look at the reviews to make sure the model you are considering has the power it needs to do a good job.

I hope this guide will help point you in the right direction when looking for the best epilator to suite your needs.

Below I have listed what I think are the best cordless epilator models on the market to day:

Braun Silk-epil Xpressive 7781

Philips hp6517 santinelle ice

Philips HP6517 Satinelle Ice Rechargeable Epilator

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: £75.00

Amazon Price: £74.99

For the majority of women, apart from the inconvenience and time factor, using any of the above methods does not cause too much of a problem. But for those with sensitive skin are not so lucky.

If you do have sensitive skin finding the best way to remove your body hair, without causing too much irritation, can be a problem. Considering this website is about epilators I have decided to review a model that I personally think is probably the best epilator for  sensitive skin.

The  Philips HP6517 Satinelle Ice.

Below I outline the reasons why I  have chosen this make and model. I think Philips seem to have gone to the trouble of designing an epilator especially for those with more sensitive skin. See what you think.

Hypoallergenic discs

Instead of the usual metal epilating discs Philips have made their discs out of ceramic and have included an antibacterial coating. This hopefully should help lesson the risk of skin irritation.

Sonic massaging sytem.

The Philips HP6517 also incorporates a sonic massaging system that helps to stimulate the skin by use of sonic vibrations. These vibrations are designed to, hopefully, reduce the pulling sensation when the hair is being removed thus helping to reduce the discomfort felt.

Ice cooler

Also included to help those with more sensitive skin and an aversion to pain is the handy ice cooler. You simply place this in your freezer before you epilate. It then clips on to the Hp6517. the Philips ice cooler helps to slightly numb the area of skin you intend to epilate. This helps to reduce the pain of epilation and also helps to sooth your skin. Most of the women who tried this say it really does help. The only drawbacks are is just does not last long enough and also it cannot be used with the attachments  to epilate armpits.

Easy to clean

The head of the epilator can be detached and dismantled making it very easy to clean This feature can be important if you have sensitive skin. It be very easy for bacteria to gather in the head running the risk of infection on your next use.

Cordless

This is a cordless epilator and can hold a charge for twenty minutes. It can also be used with the power cord attached. This feature can be very useful if you run out of charge half way through epilating.

So to conclude I think Philips have made the best epilator for sensitive skin.

If you would like to know more about this epilator and read some customer reviews then please click here .

Braun Silk-épil Xpressive 7781 Wet & Dry Rechargeable Body & Face Epilator

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: £99.99

Amazon Price: £75.99

All epilators are designed to do one thing: remove your unwanted body hair. The only real difference between the makes and models on the market is how manufacturers have designed their epilators to incorporate advanced ideas, that are not just gimmicks but actually help improve epilation.  It seems to me that, in this department, Braun have done more than most.

In particular the Braun Silk-epil range of epilators, seem to be singled out time and time again for praise both from leading magazine reviews and the general public.

For instance: Look magazine recommended the Braun Silk Xpressive wet & dry in a test against three other top epilator brands.

200 Company Magazine readers tested the Braun Xpressive wet and dry for one month. Eight out of ten said they would now rather epilate then wax.

On Amazon’s 5 star customer reviewing system, Out of 176 customer reviews for the Braun Silk-épil Xpressive 7781, one hundred and seventeen customers  gave this epilator 5 stars, forty six gave it 4 stars, eleven  gave it 3 stars and just two customers gave 1 star.

This impressive epilator can be used in the shower or bath. Leading tests have shown using an epilator in this way can help to reduce discomfort. This also makes this epilator far easier to wash and keep hygienically clean.

One major problem for epilators is flat laying hairs. The nature of these hairs make it very difficult for the epilator to grab and remove them. Braun solves this problem in their silk epil range by use of the SoftLift system. This helps to raise flat hairs so they can be more easily removed.

The Braun Silk-épil Xpressive 7781 has the distinction of being able to extract more hair in one pass than all other epilators on sale. This can give you more time to do the things you really want to do.

This epilator also includes a handy smartLight. This is not intended to be used in the event of a power cut, but helps highlight any fine hairs that may be trying to hide away.

For the reasons above I think the Braun Silk-épil Xpressive 7781 deserves the accolade:  best epilator 2009.

Agree? disagree? tell us what you think.

This is where this site aims to help. Most of the epilators on this site have been reviewed by people who have actually purchased and, more importantly, used that particular epilator.

You can learn from their experience, and hopefully, narrow down the particular type of epilator that will fit your needs. We hope the reviews will help guide you in the right direction when choosing an epilator.

If you are looking for a particular type or model of epilator then please use the search box at the top right corner of the site.

Best epilator for men

How to choose the best epilator.

Best cordless epilator

Best epilator for sensitive skin

Best epilator 2009

“The BRAUN SILK-EPIL XPRESSIVE 7781 WET & DRY is a lot less painful then other epilators I’ve tried.”  Amanda U.K

“Being able to use it in water as well makes it less painful, easier and very convenient” P Gawley U.K

“The 5 stars is because after a few hours, my skin is so so smooth, with none of the rawness of post-wax” Anna London

The Magazine “Company” let 200 of their readers try the Braun 7781 for four weeks. After using the Braun 7781 epilator 8/10 said they would rather epilate  than wax

Click product image for more details.