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    Health & Beauty Buying Guide

    The amount of health and beauty gadgets out there at the moment is enough to make your head spin. Agreed? Whether you’re searching for something to help you style your locks, keep on top of unwanted hair or look after your teeth, our handy guide will tell you all there is to know.

    Electric toothbrushes

    If you’re still scrubbing your gnashers with a manual toothbrush, it’s time to do yourself a favour and bag an electric one. There are loads of different models to choose from, whether you’re after the best tech or something a little simpler. We’ve broken it all down below.

    The low-down on brushing speeds

    If you’re switching out a manual for an electric, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the colossal speed at which it whizzes around your molars. Whoosh. Most models will have a brushing speed of somewhere between 2,500 and 7,500 strokes per minute, compared to the 300 strokes that you’d typically hit if you were doing the hard labour yourself. And because they’re a lot faster, they’ll remove a lot more plaque too.

    Some features to look out for...

    Pressure sensors

    Did you know that pressing too hard with your toothbrush is one of the main causes of sensitive teeth, enamel loss and receding gums? If you go for a model with a built-in pressure sensor, it’ll light up when you’re being a bit rough. Some models will even stop the brush head from spinning until you loosen off a bit. The more you know…

    Brushing alerts

    Choosing an electric toothbrush with brushing alerts is great for mastering your dental regime. The type of alerts that you’ll get really depends on which model you go for – some will vibrate when it’s time to change sides, some will light up when you’re being too heavy handed, and some will time how long you’ve been brushing and count you down to the very last second. Give us a grin.

    Smart Detection tech

    Because a lot of us go into auto pilot when we’re brushing, we tend to miss the same parts of our mouths over and over again. That’s why detection technology comes in handy, since it uses sensors inside the brush to track its angle and which teeth it’s cleaned. You can link some brushes up to your smartphone too, where’ll you’ll be able to see which areas have had enough attention, and where you need to focus on next via an app. Some can even show you where you’ve got plaque, so you’ll always be clued up whenever you take to the sink. Clever, right?

    Different brushing modes

    Why stick to one setting when you can flick between many? Some electric toothbrushes come with as many as 6 settings to choose from. So, whether your molars are feeling a little sensitive or your tongue needs some TLC, you’ll always be able to find the right one to suit. Other modes you might find are Gum Care, Daily Clean, Deep Clean, Pro-Clean, Whitening and Polishing, depending on the model.

    Male grooming

    Your face deserves the best, right? Well you can’t get much better than an electric shaver. They’re faster, cleaner and much more precise than if you were doing it manually. And whether you’re after a goatee or a bold, handlebar moustache (respect), they’ll give you way more freedom to get your chosen look. If you’re not sure which type to go for, we’ll help you find the right one with our handy guide.

    Foil shavers

    Originally invented by Jacob Schick in 1930, these classic foil shavers use blades that move back and forth to cut down your beard hair. They’re called foil shavers because of the thin piece of perforated metal that sits in front of the blades. This protects your skin whilst also forcing your facial hair through the holes, giving you a clean and even shave.

    If you suffer from sensitive skin but want to rock that clean-shaven look every day, a foil shaver is the way to go because they typically cause less irritation than a rotary model. Keep an eye out for Braun models, since their premium foil shavers are packed with the latest grooming tech, including blades that have been developed by Gillette.

    Rotary shavers

    Rotating blades and three heads may sound a bit scary, but a rotary shaver is a friendly way to get rid of fluff. Their three rotating heads work together to give you a smooth and even shave across your whole face.

    This type of shaver is perfect for tackling coarse beards and maintaining everyday stubble. Look out for Phillips models – their SensoTouch tech gives every inch of your face a smooth shave.

    Wet and dry shavers

    If you want the speed and precision of an electric shaver but you suffer with sensitive skin, a wet and dry shaver is the one for you. You’ll get all the same benefits, but you’ll be able to use it with your favourite shaving gels and foams. Perfect.

    Make sure to keep Panasonic on your radar, their wet and dry models are jam-packed with clever tech, and they look really cool too.

    Multi-groomers

    Sometimes, a standard electric shaver just isn’t enough. If you’ve got tentacles growing out your ears, a chest that’s starting to look a little rugged and a pair of overgrown eyebrows, you might want to consider a multi-groomer. They come with loads of different tools to help you target multiple areas of your body. So whether it’s the top of your head, your nose or somewhere below the belt, just attach the right one and away you go.

    There are loads of great models to choose from. If you want something that you can take into the shower with you as an added bonus, look out for one that’s water-resistant.

    Self-cleaning shavers

    As with most things, if you want consistently great results from your electric shaver, you’ll need to look after it. If you give it some TLC after each shave, it’ll always be a quick job. We know this can be easier said than done though, so luckily for you, some models will come with their very own cleaning station. Just place it into the base unit and let it do the rest. Easy peasy.

    Hair clippers

    It’s not all about beards, sideburns and moustaches y’know. If you’ve come here looking for something to help you master your buzzcuts and fades, a hair clipper is the tool for the job. From adjustable cutting heights to special blades and attachments, you’ll be able to get just as good results at home as you would at the barbers.

    Hair styling

    Whether you’re after straight hair, beach waves or tight curls, there are loads of different hair styling tools to keep you in charge of your look. We’ve grouped everything into categories and picked out our favourite features for each, to help make your decision easier. Thank us later.

    Hair dryers

    Did you know that leaving your hair to dry naturally is actually quite damaging? This is because when it’s wet it’s filled with moisture, which puts pressure on each strand. And that’s why choosing the right hair dryer is really important. Don’t get yourself into a tizzy though – we’ve pulled out some great features for you to look out for when shopping around.

    Features to look out for

    Power

    The higher the power, the faster the drying time. It’s as simple as that. Most hair dryers will have somewhere between 1600 and 2500 Watts of power. We wouldn’t recommend just plumping for the highest one you can find though, as different hair types may not be able to handle as much heat as others. For example, if you’ve got thinner hair, a lower wattage model is a good choice. It’s always a great idea to buy a bottle of heat protection too, just to be on the safe side.

    Ceramic & tourmaline

    Ceramic hair dryers use infrared heat to dry wet hair. They’re less damaging, and they’re great for giving strands an even heat treatment all over. Tourmaline hair dyers use negative ions to break down the positive ones that are found in wet hair, giving you much quicker results whilst using less heat. These dryers often give you much smoother and less frizzy results too.

    Weight

    Real talk, nobody should have to deal with a dead arm just because they want to dry their hair. That’s why it’s useful to bear in mind the weight of the hair dryer that you choose. This is especially necessary if you’ve got thicker hair, since you’ll be propping it up for longer. Most hair dryers will weigh somewhere between 1.2 and 6 pounds, but some are even lighter. Try to aim for the lower end of the scale if this is something you’re passionate about.

    Ergonomic design

    It may not seem as important as ionic heat or power, but having a hair dryer that’s nice to use is up there. Be it a snug handle, a lightweight body or a smooth finish, comfiness is key.

    Hair straighteners

    After that sleek, straight hair that just never goes out of style? Us too. A good pair of hair straighteners is vital to any morning routine, whether you want to sport a pulled back pony or an effortless down-do for the day.

    Features to look out for

    Flat & rounded iron shapes

    It might seem obvious but we’ll say it anyway – flat iron shapes are ideal if you’re just wanting to straighten your hair. They’re easy, effective and get straight to the point. However, some models come with a rounded iron shape, and these are fab for spicing up your look with some bouncy waves.

    Ceramic and titanium

    Every head of hair is different, so it’s only fitting that the tools we put so much trust in can be, well…trusted. If you’ve got thin hair, a ceramic hair straightener will be better for you. This is because they heat hair from the inside out, so they’re gentle. Titanium models are a bit stronger and heat hair from the surface, making them more suited to thicker, coarser strands.

    Temperature control

    Some hair straighteners come with easy dials or controls that let you adjust their temperature. This takes away from the one-size-fits-all approach, and lets everyone find the right setting for them. So unique.

    Portability

    We all love a week in the sun, there’s no denying that. Picking a hair straightener that’s easy to carry around, and won’t hog most of the space in the suitcase is a must. Keep your eyes peeled for a portable one when you’re looking around. You won’t regret it.

    Hair curlers

    Bold beach waves, tight ringlets and loose locks – that’s what we’re talking about. If you’re currently making your trusty straighteners do all the hard work, a hair curler might be the way to go. They’re easy to use, pretty cheap and will always give you fast results. If you’re ready to take the next step, here are some things to be looking out for. Work it.

    Features to look out for

    Heat settings

    Most hair curlers will let you adjust the heat, and this is really important. If you’ve got thin hair, you’ll want to use a lower temperature to keep it in good condition. And if you’ve been blessed with thick locks, or they’re just quite coarse, a higher temp will be more effective.

    Barrel material

    There are a few different barrel materials to pick from, and it’s important that you find the right one for you. Most models will come with a ceramic or tourmaline barrel, which are generally a lot kinder on your hair. You can even get barrels that are made from a mixture of tourmaline and ceramic – definitely one to look out for.

    Safety features

    No shots fired, but some of us can be a little forgetful from time to time. That’s why a lot of curlers will come with an automatic shut off function, meaning they’ll turn themselves off after a certain period of time. This means you can say a fond farewell to those panic-stricken moments, as well as those mad dashes home in your lunch hour. Finally.

    Hot air styler

    Drying your hair, straightening it and then whipping out the curling tong can be so long winded sometimes. That’s where a hot air styler comes in, because it’s got everything built into one. We’re talking a hair brush, a dryer and a straightener or curling tong, depending on which one you go for. So, all you’ll have to do is glide it through and watch the magic happen before your very eyes. Goodbye to 2-hour hair routines and hello to impressively swift transformations.

    Shop hot air stylers

    Female hair removal

    Shaving, what a chore right? We know it can be a pain – it’s time consuming, messy and just, well, eugh… But with the right device and routine it can actually be quite a breeze. We’ll walk you through the different products available and tell you how they can make your life so much easier.

    Lady shavers

    A lady shaver will transform how you shave. These handy devices are quick and painless, since they glide across skin whilst removing the hair above the roots. Unlike men’s shavers, they’re designed to cut less coarse hair and cover larger areas, so they’re super handy for all your grooming needs.

    Because they remove the hair from above the roots, your skin will only stay super smooth for one or two days. So, you’ll need to use it regularly if you want to maintain that silky feeling.

    Shop lady shavers

    Epilators

    Epilators give you long-lasting, smooth skin by using a series of electronic tweezers to pluck out hairs directly from the root. They can be a little uncomfortable to use, especially at first, but they do slow down how fast your hair regrows. This means you can enjoy blissfully smooth skin for up to four weeks at a time, phew.

    We’d recommend going for a wet model, because you can epilate whilst enjoying a relaxing bath, and the warm water will help ease any irritation. But, with dry models, the more you use them, the less irritating they’ll be.

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    Intense Pulse Light

    An IPL hair removal laser or Intense Pulse Light (it’s not as scary as it sounds) is a device that slows down how fast the hair on your skin regrows. It uses an intense beam of light that weakens your hair follicles, meaning they take much longer to grow back. This method is super simple, fairly painless and gives you incredibly long-lasting results.

    One thing to note is that they work best when used on lighter skin and darker hair. People with darker skin may experience irritation. And, it goes without saying that you should only use this treatment on your legs and arms – sensitive areas are a no-go.

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    Massage therapy

    These days, you don’t need to book in with a physiotherapist to relieve your aching muscles. If you pick up a massage therapy tool, you’ll be able to do exactly that from the comfort of your home. There are a few different types to choose from too, be it a vibrating roller or a deep tissue massage gun. Our guide below will tell you all you need to know about Therabody, who’ve been leading the way with their unique devices since 2008.

    What is Theragun by Therabody?

    Therabody specialise in percussive therapy massage devices. When founder, Dr. Jason Wersland, was involved in a motorbike accident in 2007, he created the Theragun to help ease his pain, and the rest was history.

    Theragun drives weight into your muscles, giving them a deep tissue treatment – this increases blood flow and reduces waste inside the body. And because it’s been specially designed to reach 60% more muscle than any other massage gun out there, it’s a must-have addition to any athlete’s gym bag. You don’t have to be a track star to reap its benefits though, since it’s also made for the average Joe that might just want to improve their posture, mobility or sleep.

    Key features of the Theragun

    Changeable speeds

    Therabody know that muscle recovery isn’t a cut and dry thing, and that’s why you can change the speed to suit. By using the app, you can set it to be anywhere between 1,750 and 2,500 percussions per minute. So, whether you’re in need of a heavy treatment or something a bit lighter, you’ll be able to customise it to your body every time.

    QuietForce™ technology

    Because Theragun is built with a brushless QuietForce™ motor, you’ll barely hear it. It’s as simple as that.

    Ergonomic handle

    Theragun’s ergonomic handle has been specially designed to be easy to hold. Because of its neat triangle shape, it gives you 4 different ways of gripping it, rather than just the one that most others have. This puts less strain on your wrists, and lets you find the most comfortable position for you.

    Use it with the Therabody app

    If you download the Therabody app and connect it to your compatible Theragun via Bluetooth, you’ll get loads of extras to play around with. Need some tips? You’ve got it. And, not only will you be able to control it and set the speeds from the app, but it’ll even connect to your Apple Health or Google Fit and work with it to recommend guided wellness routines.

    So now you’ve got the low down on the best health and beauty tools, why not explore our brilliant personal care range and pick yourself up something new to make your beauty regime a breeze.

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    FAQs

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