The Promise
How close of a shave are you really getting? That's the question Philips is asking in the ever-growing arms race to better hug (but not tug) your most rugged feature. The new SensoTouch 3D electric shaver vows to give you your closest shave yet, with ultra-smooth skin and minimal irritation.
How It Works
The "3D" part of the SensoTouch 3D does the heavy lifting: a shaver cap that tilts inward, flexes outward and pivots around the contours of your face and neck. Each shaver head has three different tracks in order to catch the longest hairs down to the shortest stubble. An inch-wide trimmer on the back helps to shape mustaches and sideburns. The rechargeable battery lasts for 60 minutes per charge. There are four models in all, each with more luxurious trims than the last - chrome finish and numeric battery meter, anyone?
How to Use It
The SensoTouch 3D can be used both wet and dry, which means don't throw out your favourite shaving cream just yet. A wet shave produces a refreshing sensation as the groomer glides across your face. On the top model, a self-cleaning accessory makes for worry-free maintenance.
The Bottom Line
As a man who was always put off by the irritation of his father's hand-me-down electric shaver, the SensoTouch 3D was a revelation, coming through on all of its promises. However, how much you'll enjoy it will depend on the look you're sporting. I normally prefer a bit of week-old scruff myself, which means I had some trimming to do before the machine could properly do its thing. But if you're a clean-cut, every-second-day kind of guy, you'll love it. I suspect I'm in the less-handsome minority.
$229.99 to $329.99 at major retailers and department stores across Canada.