Review (3/5): Charging plug won't stay in.
I have previously reviewed the 7181 model very positively. These two models are exactly identical, with the only difference being the 'Spa' in the title and the rotating brush head attachment. I am not re-reviewing the actual epilator because it is the exact same model. I will re-post my original favorable review of that unit below after I have reviewed the changes in this Spa unit.
What's Different: The word Spa on the packaging and the rotating brush head attachment that is supposed to smooth skin. That is all! Do I feel it is worth the extra bump in dollars? No. If you are the type that needs to have all the bells and whistles even though you will probably never use them after the first time, then go ahead; but if you are frugal and would rather exfoliate and smooth skin with a good wash and exfoliating gloves, them save the extra money and have a nice night of take-out.
I have found the brush attachment to not sting when my legs are dry but sting and be extremely sensitive in the shower. The brush actually feels stiffer when I use it during showering. I have used the brush before and after epilating to the same end results. I still have a lot of dry/dead skin and itchy legs. I am still suffering from ingrown hairs and am hoping that if I continue to use the brush it will help me get on top of the dry skin issue. Putting this brush to your face is not the most pleasant experience and I do not recommend it. The bristles are just too stiff for that sort of application/use. Using on other parts like your arms, feet and heels seems to be fine. I did find that the stiffness of the bristles actually smoothed not only the balls of my feet but also heels. Finally, I also used it on my shoulder and upper back area. I really do wish that Braun would ship this model with a smaller attachment for face applications, considering that the price jumps considerably. Included is a small 1 1/2 inch straight brush that can be used to 'brush' away the hairs from the pivoting roller head and mechanism. I implore Braun to hear my request and follow through with shipping a brush with longer and stiffer bristles that will not bend and collapse while attempting to brush away hairs.
MAJOR ISSUE and CON: I have checked a few other reviews and find no complaints regarding the charging cord that supplies power to the unit. From the moment that I unboxed the item, the charger continuously pops out! C.O.N.S.T.A.N.T.L.Y. As annoying as that was to type out, it is much more annoying to have to constantly replace the plug. It does not stay in and is a very loose fit. I am not sure if the unit that shipped was defective in this matter or not. Forget walking by this thing... it will pop out. Opening a drawer that this unit is resting on... pops out. Look at it the wrong way... it pops out. You can hold the unit in your hand while placing the charger and it will surely pop out. I have lost precious charging hours because of this issue.
Highly recommend this epilator and the model 7181 that was previously reviewed. I just cannot justify spending so much more for a mere brush exfoliating attachment that cannot be used everywhere. The charging cord lost the second star for me. If you are in the market for a great epilator, then you have found one; just be aware that the more expensive choice is not always the best in this case.
Here is my original review for the 7181: Both are identical in style, shape, color and mechanics.
Ok... so those were not the exact expletives that were used at that very first moment. I have never used an epilator. This is my personal experience as an Epilating Virgin. I suffer from ingrown hairs on the outer part of my lower legs (below knee). I carefully unpacked the package, Braun epilation wipes, read the instructions/care manual and charged my new device for a bit. I couldn't wait for too long so I cleaned my legs with the wipe. The wipe does nothing but clean your legs and make them smell great. Seems a very 'placeboish' product. I read up on online forums and took pain killers because it would supposedly reduce inflammation and pain later on. Now onto the epilating...
The sound when turned on is very nerve-wracking even on it's low setting or as I refer to it as, "chicken speed". It made me nervous and a bit uneasy, but I still braved on! OH MY!! Add a few expletives and constant, OUCHES, OH MY GOD, HOLY HELL and so on and you get my point. The kids came to my bedroom because they heard the commotion. Trying to describe it, I would say it feels like lightening rods. I believe that sensation is translating that way because you are tweezing 40 hairs at the same time. When you tweeze one leg hair you feel that momentary Peter Griffin moment of, "Ahh SSSSS Ahh SSS". Multiply that by 40 times; hence my swearing as if I was being tazered. So there I was and five minutes later I was epilating up and down my leg like a pro and even going into the top speed. It no longer hurt! Who would have thought that the pain would subside? Rather that you could get used to that sensation. I moved to my knee and the pain came rushing back; knees are painful and continue to be!
My experience: Initially I was nervous, just from the sound of the whirring. I am so happy that I went through with it. Excitedly I looked at the calendar so that I could put into my review the exact number of days between epilation. I lost my epilator virginity on June 9th, 2012. Today is June 20th, 2012 and I have not epilated nor shaved my legs since that day. How do they feel? They feel like day number 3-4 after shaving (depending on how quickly your hair grows). This is insane and I only wish that I could have discovered this product sooner. I have stocked up on the Braun wipes even though I believe they didn't do anything. Today I used it in the shower on my underarms. The pain was excruciating and I had a dot of blood without it catching the hair. I immediately stopped. It wasn't worth it and I am not sure if the water makes it more difficult for the hair to be caught. The underarms will remain a strictly shaving region; as much as I loathe it.
Hair type/Skin color
I am Caucasian and have very very fair skin that bruises easily. Waxing leaves me red for two days but the epilation went smoothly without any snags. A couple of hours later and my legs were not red and there were not any scabs. It does not help with the ingrown hairs and I have to still manually remove them. This has me motivated to pick up my exfoliation so that I could get to the bottom of those pesky ingrown hairs.
Highly recommend and suggest sticking past the first few minutes. I am excited and my husband remarked how my legs felt great even though it has been so long since the last time. Do I have that freshly smooth waxed feeling? No, I don't, but my legs have never been hair free and as smooth as this for 11 days.