Choosing a hairdryer / hair straightner
Hairdryers come with various speed and heat settings so for more control choose one with a range of settings. A hairdryer’s power is measured in watts and the usual principle applies – more power, more heat.
Speed vs style: For quick-drying results and all round performance a standard DC hairdryer with 1,500 watts will suffice, but for salon-style results choose an AC hairdryer with around 2,000w.
Diffusers: Curly locks? Choose a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment to tame curls with a gentler blast of air, meaning less frizz.
For that super sleek look, a hair straightener is a must. Straighteners allow you to create a range of styles – poker straight, waves, curls, shape and body.
Most straighteners come with ceramic-coated plates which run over your hair easily, leaving behind shiny, silky tresses with no risk of burning.
Since these must-have devices first hit the market, heat-up times have reduced to as little at 30 seconds with temperatures reaching 200C plus.
Choosing an electric toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are an easy way to achieve a cleaner, whiter smile and they require less arm strength too!
Most electric toothbrushes come with a built-in timer meaning you’re more likely to brush your teeth for longer, thus removing more plaque and keeping those sparklers pearly white.
Fitted with small brush heads to reach the tricky spots, the heads are gentler on your gums than manual brushing. Oscillating brushes rotate in both directions with standard electric toothbrushes rotating in just one direction. Speeds range from 1,000 vibrations per minute to a dizzying 27,000 per minute, but these are more expensive.
For the boys
Looking for a quick and close shave? Then it’s time to invest in an electric shaver. They offer a faster, easier and essentially cheaper alternative to a wet shave. But with different shaver styles, heads and powers it can be hard to make the right choice. And then, of course, there’s personal choice; whether you need a shaver for speed or different hair types, thick or fine, this guide will help find the best one for you.
What to look for:
The main advantage of an electric shaver is convenience. They take the hassle out of using water and shaving gels, and you won’t need to stick toilet paper to your face either as they come with a safety cap that stops you cutting yourself.
If you’re a ’shave-and-go’ type man, then the main thing to look for is an electric shaver with a long battery life, one speed and one shaving head, offering a no-fuss approach to your daily grooming.
Coarse hair: Your best option is a shaver with a rotating triple head which will work to the shape of your face. Double blades will give you a closer, smoother shave.
Styles:
Single foil: Basic shavers have a single foil design with straight or rotating blades. They’re fine for fine hair and should cause minimal irritation.
Double foil: For a quicker shave opt for a double foil model which has two moving heads and will give a smoother shave than a single foil shaver. These are more suited to men with thicker facial hair.
Triple foil: If you like to leave your beard to grow for a few days before deciding to whip it off, a triple foil model will be ideal for you. With three cutting elements, it gives you an extremely close shave and will even reach those tricky bits.
Power: Shavers which only work with a plug point are less flexible than rechargeable models as you’re restricted by the length of the cord and will always need a power socket.
Rechargeable models are the most common, but mains rechargeables are probably more practical as they can be used either when they’re charging or off the battery. Shavers which just run off the battery are more suited for travelling as they will run down quickly with everyday use and replacement batteries can be costly.
Hair trimmers can be bought separately or some shavers have them in-built. Most shavers come with a beard/precision trimmer which is practical for moustaches, side-burns and stubble.