The product
Gillette Venus Embrace, a five-blade razor for women ($15.99 for shaving system kit or $17.99 for a package of four refill cartridges; available at food, drug and mass merchandise stores across Canada).
The promise
Venus Embrace "provides a smooth glide for a close, comfortable shave, with virtually no missed hairs. Each blade adjusts to hug the curves of the leg."
How it works
Not only does the razor head pivot, but each of the five blades are spring mounted. This means the shaving surface can adjust to curves around knees and ankles, ensuring that the blades are always flat against the skin. Strips of solid moisturizer help the razor glide smoothly.
How to use it
The Embrace should be used with a shaving gel, cream or foam, just like any other razor.
The results
We pitted the Venus Embrace against the original three-blade Venus (also by Gillette) by using one razor on each leg. Then we asked members of our Style team to touch for differences. One tester said the five-blade leg was more stubbly, but most thought the two gams felt the same.
The bottom line
The real question here isn't whether the Venus Embrace works (it does) but whether it's worth it. The cost of each cartridge is $4.50 when you buy the refill pack, versus $3 a cartridge for the original Venus (when you buy an eight-pack). Is your hair thick enough to justify an extra $1.50? For most gals, the answer is probably no.