Ok ladies, this is what's up....

Looking for an alternative to shaving, I came across a little gadget called the epilator. Being the thrifty-tart that I am, I did my research, I didn't want to buy something that didn't work effectively.

The common word associated with epilators is 'PAIN'. Yes, it hurts. And when someone says it hurts, believe them. But as us females know, we all have different levels of tolerance when it comes to pain. So I made my purchase, this epilator is reasonably priced at R349, it was actually the cheapest one I found (thrifty-tart) and other devices were as much as R799.

The Philips device is corded, which means that in order to use it, it has to be plugged in to an electrical socket. The cord does get in the way at times but you can be a big-girl and just move it if you have to, it wasn't a major inconvenience. I prefer it corded rather than battery operated, a rechargeable option would be best. If you open it up, which is something you can do by yourself as the head is removable for cleaning purposes, you will see the tiny gadgets and gizzmos inside that make it work. I was surprised to see that they were plastic.

The device must be held at a 90 degree angle against your skin, so that the tweezers are able to work effectively. The opti-start cap 'feels' like your shield against the tweezers ripping out your skin, so I felt as ease with it being there. As for it being a massage element, I didn't feel that. Maybe I was too focused on my hair being plucked out at the root.

The device is light-weight and the shape makes it comfortable to hold. Sometimes the hair isn't removed the first time you go over it, you need to repeat the area. It was tricky removing the hair around my knee, you really need to hold the skin taut, in all areas. I used the product on my legs and underarms.

Legs.
It does hurt, but once you start you do get used to the little stings. No pain, no gain! The hair on my legs were quite thick in texture, due to shaving so the epilator didn't pick up the hairs from the root, I felt that it broke off. I ran my hand over the area and although it looked smooth I could feel the hairs, close to the surface of the skin. The second time around, the hair did grow back much finer but I did experience the same problem. My thighs were different, silky smooth results. Hair took two weeks to grow back, which is great!

Underarms.
Buy an epilator for your underarms! You will not regret it! Oh.....and it hurts....ALOT! But the results are worth it. This Philips device is meant for legs so it requires a lot of manoeuvring under the arms, there are other epilators on the market that are meant for underarms or both legs and underarms. My underarm hair was like a man's beard, you could scrub graffiti off walls with it. I had to shave every day. Now, the hair is so much finer and it takes two weeks to grow back. This particular Philips product isn't the best for underarms, it can be done, but rather opt for a device that can be used on both legs and underarms.

Exfoliation.
Just to share my experience, exfoliation is key with any epilator you might use. I had so many ingrown hairs after the first use, I was so annoyed. Your shower routine should include using a loofah or bath brush with an exfoliating soap, apply pressure and massage in a clockwise and then anti-clockwise direction. Your mesh sponge, although foamy and luxurious with your body wash, isn't going to help. I've started doing this and I still get an ingrown hair here and there, but not as much as when I first started.

I'm sold on epilators as I'm not a fan of waxing. This product is a good one on which to start your epilation journey, its a cheaper option but is durable and of a good quality. So if you decide that epilators are not for you, your heart won't feel the loss in your wallet but if it wins you over, you still have a pretty good product that comes with a 2 year guarantee.

Here's to a smooth Summer!