Philips Sentinel Epilator

One of the earliest posts on this website was the Philips Satinelle epilator review which was a best seller on Amazon for good reason: it’s portable, powerful, and cheap. However as we update our review, it is clear the competition is catching up.

1. Philips Satinelle Epilator
2. Philips Epilator Reviews

The Philips Satinelle is still of extremely high quality as one would come to expect from a company like Philips, and we can comfortably say its one of the best corded epilators on the market.

Before diving into the details, let’s have a quick look at some of the pros and cons:

Philips Satinelle wet and dry epilator has the widest epilation head for optimal facial, body and leg hair removal in one stroke for long lasting results.

1. Philips Satinelle Advanced Epilator removes hair from the roots. Gives you results 4X better than waxing.
2. You all know that being hairy is no joke! I recently bought my first epilator and thought I'd share the experience and how it's different from.

Check the price and reviews for the Philips Satinelle Epilator

Design

The Philips Satinelle is a very simplistic epilator. It was designed to be used mainly on larger areas of the body such as the legs and arms.

This is evident in the design. The epilator itself is very small and slim, and will fit into the palm of your hand. It only has 21 tweezers so isn’t as effective as other models but it’s also far cheaper and is therefore perfect if you’re a beginner or are only planning to epilate certain areas of your body.

This also makes it a great candidate for a travel epilator. It doesn’t come with any kind of travel case but is small enough (including the cord) to not take up much room in your luggage, and could even fit in your handbag.

Battery & Charging

As mentioned above, the Satinelle is for corded use only.

You won’t be able to use it in the shower or even move that far away from the power socket. Thankfully the cord itself is approximately 7 feet in length so you aren’t too tethered to the wall when you need to epilate. It can also be plugged in anywhere in the world with an adapter.

There are many advantages to corded epilating, including the fact that you never have to worry about battery life or keeping your epilator recharged. This is a huge issue for cordless epilators that tend to only last around an hour when fully charged and even have the battery quality deteriorating over time.

The fact that it doesn’t have a battery inside is one of the reasons it is so lightweight and portable.

Quality

One issue we had with the Philips Satinelle was that because of the budget price tag, there were some quality sacrifices.

The gears are plastic as opposed to ceramic or metallic, which means that over time they are more likely to degrade or break.

Hygiene

With hypoallergenic discs we were comfortable with the hygiene levels of this device.

It is also very easy to take apart and clean, despite the lack of a cleaning brush included in the box. Simply remove the head and run it under the tap whilst washing out the hair – of course do this when it isn’t plugged in.

Usage & Performance

2 Speeds

The Satinelle is a 2 speed epilator. The slower speed setting is normally used to epilate finer hairs, or if you need to pick up any stray hairs that you may have missed on the first pass. If you decide to try expiating in any sensitive areas (armpits, face, bikini area) please remember to use the slower setting first as it is far less painful.

The faster speed is normally used for coarser hair and helps to speed up the epilating process. We find the 2nd speed much more suited to this epilator as it is designed for larger areas like the legs. It gets the job done in a far shorter space of time.

Try with the slower setting first before moving up to the faster one.

21 Tweezers

21 tweezers is actually a fairly low amount for an epilator. Most epilators on the market have around 40 tweezers and even as many as 72 for monstrous efficiency.

The low level of tweezers results in a slower epilating experience, but for an affordable epilator designed mainly for the legs this isn’t really a deal breaking issue.

The shape of the epilator means that the tweezers can get very close to the skin, and Philips insists that this allows for removal of hairs as small as 0.5mm (as a lot of epilators guarantee). We find this hard to believe, but maybe it was the inefficiency of the 21 tweezers that brought us to this conclusion.

Nevertheless, the recommended hair length to epilate with this device is 3-4mm.

Efficiency Cap

The one accessory that was provided with the Satinelle was the efficiency cap. It is supposed to “ensure gentle epilation in the most sensitive areas”.

Honestly it was a bit of a let down. All the cap did was raise the tweezers slightly away from the skin, we assume to prevent the tweezers catching any skin on those sensitive areas.

It also helped to maintain the proper angle needed to get the most out of the epilator. For an in depth guide on how to epilate read this.

Once you get used to the idea of epilating the cap really isn’t much use. I guess it’s helpful for beginners though!

What parts of the body can I epilate?

As mentioned, the Philips Satinelle was designed pretty much only for the legs.

Philips Satinelle Epilator

Having said this its perfectly possible to use it anywhere as long as you are very careful.

Strangely in places it is advertised as legs only and then elsewhere as a “total body hair removal system”. We would highly recommend using on the legs only until you are comfortable, or taking a look at some other epilators if you are interested in facial epilation.

Noise!

This is one of the loudest epilators we’ve encountered!

If the sound doesn’t matter to you then you’ll be fine, otherwise we’re almost tempted to recommend some protective ear muffs!

Ok maybe we’re exaggerating a little. It’s not crazily loud but it is noticeably louder than other epilators. If we could compare it to something it would be about as loud as a men’s electric shaver.

Final Thoughts

Do you need an epilator for your legs and other less sensitive areas? Try the Philips Satinelle.

Do you want to try out an epilator without spending up to $150? Try the Philips Satinelle.

Do you want a reliable device that does exactly what it’s advertised to? Try the Philips Satinelle.

For what it is and for the price you are paying it really is a great little epilator. Don’t expect a full body top of the line machine, but do expect it to get the job done.

See prices for the Philips Satinelle Epilator

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Do you struggle with unwanted hair? Are you tired of shaving every day or visiting the spa for expensive wax treatments? If so, I have a solution for you.

Epilation is a quick, DIY solution for unwanted hair. And when compared with most hair removal methods, it’s quite inexpensive. Epilation is appropriate for all genders, skin types, and hair types.

The best part? It leaves your skin smooth for weeks. Below, we review several of the best epilators on the market. Keep reading to discover which one is right for you.

For Sensitive Areas

Like it or not ladies: we all have hair on our faces. For most of us, facial hair is just annoying peach fuzz. But for women who suffer from conditions like PCOS and hypothyroidism, it can be a real problem.

Epilation is a simple solution for unwanted facial hair. Results are similar to what you’d experience from waxing – but without the mess.

When it comes to epilators for underarms and other sensitive areas, my #1 pick is the Emjoi Epi Slim AP-9L.

At just $30, the Slim is far less expensive than laser hair removal or waxing sessions. It’s perfect for use on the face (except eyebrows).

This device’s narrow head is designed for those small, curved areas like the upper lip. The Slimruns on 2 AA batteries. With 9 tweezers, this tough little guy can effectively remove thick, stubborn hair (think bikini line).

This simple and basic model comes only with a cleaning brush.

Consumer Opinion

Women love the Slim’s portable, cordless design. This epilator is perfect for touchups and works great on the face, underarms, and bikini line. “It’s best around corners and in tiny areas,” says Stacey L. “Plus, it saves loads of time if you’re used to tweezing.”

According to reviews, the Slimprevents ingrown hairs and razor burn (problems that can be quite embarrassing). The process does hurt, but it won’t damage the skin.

The Slim takes some getting used to, but is very effective once you figure it out.

For Legs

Philips HP6401 Satinelle Epilator,the #1 online seller. This inexpensive ($28), efficient tool is designed for epilation on large areas of the body including the arms and legs.

The Satinelle has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use. Features include:

• Efficiency cap
• Two speeds (gentle vs efficient)
• Washable head (pro hygiene)

Switch to the gentle speed for sensitive areas.

Satinelle is famous for being gentle on the skin. This model is capable of grabbing hairs as short as .5 millimeters. Philips takes hygiene into mind with a removable/washable head and 21 hypoallergenic discs.

Satinelle is appropriate for the knees, ankles, underarms, bikini area, legs, and arms – virtually anywhere but the face.

If you’re looking for an all-over epilator that won’t irritate sensitive skin, the Philips Satinelle is for you.

Tip: The optimal hair length for epilation is 3-4 millimeters.

Consumer Opinion

“Least painful epilator I’ve tried,” writes April W. “Cleanup is nonexistent.” You can expect some irritation after use, but redness should dissipate within a few hours (especially if you moisturize afterwards). The Satinelle has a 3.8/5 star review on Amazon.

For Coarse Hair

Braun Silk-épil 7, a good choice for anyone struggling with dark, stubborn hairs. This model is marketed as the best choice for “short hair” and is a best seller in the epilation world.

Get it for $99 on Amazon.

The Silk-épil 7is gentle on skin. It was designed specifically for use in the shower or bath, but can also be used dry.

Silk-épil 7 can grab hairs as thin as a grain of sand as short as .5 mm because it has forty close grip tweezers. There will be no “in between days” with this powerful tool.

Features include:

• Pivoting head
• Massage system for comfort
• SmartLight to reveal fine hairs
• Shaver head (transforms epilator into a shaver)

The Silk-épil 7 can be used on the entire body and includes attachments for shaving and trimming (it can even be used on men’s faces).

Philips Epilator Reviews

Consumer Opinion

Women love that there is no annoying cord to mess with. With caps for shaving, trimming, facial epilation, massage, efficiency, and sensitive areas, this all-in-one device can solve all of your hair removal problems.

The lightweight but sturdy device will last for many years and is completely watertight.

The base technology and tweezer count make it a great choice for coarse hair anywhere on the body. The sensitive area cap is perfect for “down there,” says Amanda L.

Reviewers report long battery life but don’t appreciate the massage feature. Some users experienced a rash after use; others found that the device clamped onto the skin if held the wrong way.

For Men

For men, hair removal (from the neck down) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Waxing may be considered the “best” technique for men with unwanted body hair, but visits to the spa can be embarrassing, expensive, and painful. And shaving can leave you feeling like a prickly hedgehog.

Epilation is a safe, effective technique men can use to remove unwanted chest, back, and pubic hair. The Emjoi AP-18MS Emagine is considered to be one of the best men’s epilators on the market today and has been called “the hair removal beast.”

Enjoy effective hair removal in the privacy of your own home with Emagine’sepilator. Appropriate for just about any area except the face, the Emagineremoves hair by the roots (just like waxing), but without the mess.

Most epilators are designed for women (and are completely appropriate for men), but the Emjoi Emagine is the first one designed exclusively for men. It’s not glittery, pink, or baby blue. It’s black.

Plus, with 72 tweezers, the Emagine is specifically designed to deal with a man’s thick hair. That being said, your hair must be trimmed to the correct length before epilation. The Emagine includes a trimmer feature for that purpose, and a shaver feature in case you don’t want to epilate.

The Emagine’s sloped head keeps tweezers from pulling at the skin and the dual speed control provides options for both fine and coarse hair.

Crafted with metal plates, the men’s Emagine is far sturdier than the company’s models for women. The manufacturer recommends storing the metal head in the fridge so that plates are cool and soothing when you epilate, but most reviewers dismiss this features as “useless.”

Emagine is $74.95 on Amazon and has a 3.4/5 star review.

Consumer Opinion

“Suck it up, it’s going to hurt!” says Kyle A.

Robert R. says he loves this product because it keeps him smooth from the neck down (his wife loves it). He uses it everywhere (and we mean everywhere).

The biggest disappointment with this model is that it isn’t cordless. In addition, “the big head make sit hard to use in small area,” writes Gabe G.

Best Value

Price is always something to consider when purchasing personal hygiene and beauty products. When it comes to value, we have two winners:

Best epilator under $100: Braun Silk-épil 7

Best epilator under $50: Philips Satinelle

Keep reading to learn more about Braun and the company’s high-end epilator systems.

Braun GmbH

Braun GmbH is a German company (based in Kronberg) that produces a variety of skincare products. It is particularly known for its electric shavers and epilators. Braun has the honor of being the “official electric shaver of the NFL.”

The company was founded in 1921 in Frankfurt Germany by a mechanical engineer by the name of Max Braun. He got his start producing components for radios, and eventually moved on to manufacture entire radio sets. It was not until the 1950s that Braun started manufacturing the product that would make it famous: the electric shaver.

The company was a subsidiary of Gillettte from 1984 to 2007 and is now owned by Procter and Gamble.

Why are Braun epilators so popular?

Braun is a leading brand in shaving, so it was only natural that it should jump on the epilator market.

At its core, epilation means “to remove hair by the root.” While some companies stick with primitive, basic epilators, Braun has emerged as a leading brand in high-end epilators deigned for specific uses.

Braun offers numerous types of epilators:

• For different areas of the body
• To minimize pain
• For wet and dry epilation
• 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 systems
• All sorts of skincare accessories
• Cordless and corded models

All of Braun’s Silk-épil epilators are dermatologist recommended thanks to their unique combination of soothing skincare features.

Braun Silk-épil 9 “Bonus Edition” (SE9579)

This “bonus edition”model comes with a hefty price tag of $139.99, but for good reason. The SE9579 model offers a true spa experience with plenty of accessories including:

• Shaver head – for traditional shaving
• Trimmer cap – for trimming
• Skin contact cap – for quick and precise epilation
• Facial cap – for face
• Facial brush – to remove makeup and impurities

The bonus model is an all-in-one system, with trimming, shaving, and epilating abilities for body and face (wet or dry). The “SmartLight” illuminates the skin so you are able to see even the tiniest of hairs.

The bonus model’s long-lasting battery takes only 60 minutes to charge and provides up to 40 minutes of use. This is a cordless model that is appropriate for use in the shower and/or bath (100% waterproof).

The SE9579 features two speeds, an extra-wide head for quick epilation on large body parts, and a pivoting head for superior efficiency.

Its “microgrip” tweezer technology leaves skin smooth for up to 4 weeks and its “high frequency massage system” provides soothing pulses to minimize pain.

Consumer Opinion

The bonus model has fantastic reviews, with women heralding Braun’s top-of-the-line epilator as the “best epilator ever.”

According to satisfied customers, this model works effectively on blondes and is less painful than competitors. The “SmartLight” is very useful during epilation. Users agree the epilator works better with water. The process is painful at first, but gets easier over time.

Consumers love all the attachments, the storage pouch, and the fact that it comes charged. Cleanup is nonexistent when you use it in the shower.

“If you want to shave, just use a normal razor,” adds Becca I. “The Epil’s shaver is worthless.”

Braun Silk-épil 9 SkinSpa

Like the product above, the SkinSpa is an epilation system that provides a real spa experience in your own home. Get it for $149.99 on Amazon.

This high-end model features an exfoliation brush head that removes grime and dead skin cells to promote skin regeneration and imbue your face with a youthful radiance.

The high-density brush attachment utilizes sonic exfoliation (3,000 micro-vibrations per minute) to visibly refine the skin.

The skin contact cap makes epilation fast and precise, and the facial cap is perfect for the delicate skin on your upper lip, cheeks, and other areas of the face.

This model is cordless and features Braun’s trademark “SmartLight.” The SkinSpa features two speeds and is 100% waterproof. Its ergonomic design makes it easy to use on all body parts.

The wide head allows for quick epilation on legs and arms, and the “microgrip” tweezer technology is able to remove hairs as short as .5mm. The pulsing massage minimizes pain and irritation and the pivoting head enables maximum comfort and efficiency while epilating.

The SkinSpa works in both wet and dry environments and is perfect for sensitive skin.

Consumer Opinion

“I will never wax or shave my legs again!” writes Katie W., a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania. She is addicted to this no-mess solution to hair removal and loves the SkinSpa’s SmartLight, glittery handle, ergonomic design, and skin-soothing features that leave her legs soft for weeks.

Consumers recommend using warm water to open pores and soften the skin before epilation.

“It’s a great deal if you’re in the market for an epilator and an exfoliating brush,” writes Casey Q. “Totally designed with women in mind.”

The SkinSpa is easy to use in the shower; there’s no difficulty or fumbling for parts.

The massage cap is perfect for new users because it makes the process less painful. The skin contact cap makes the process more painful but gives far better results.

Some users complained the facial cap was a little too big for the upper lip.

Conclusion/ Verdict

When choosing an epilator, you should first consider your goals. For example, where are you going to use it? Do you want to use it in the shower? Do you have fine or coarse hair?

Braun’s high-end products should be viewed as hair removal systems, rather than simply “epilators.” If you’re looking for an all-in-one system you can use on all parts of the body for trimming, shaving, and epilating, Braun is the way to go.

Choose one of the other brands if you don’t want to shell out more than $100. For bikini and private parts, I would suggest the Epi Slim.

The best epilator for coarse hair would be either the men’s model described above or the Braun Silk-épil 7.

Epilation is known to cause ingrown hairs. Click here to learn more about the problem and how to treat it.