Philips Norelco 8040X Moisturizing Shaving System
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Customer Reviews of Philips Norelco 8040X Moisturizing Shaving System
Customer Review: huuuuge improvement from the predecessor.
Summary: 4 Stars
i have been using electric razors on and off in my life. But the ones i owned were all Norelco's (or Philips). I have owned two of 2-blade ones (they used to make those) and one coolskin (the predecessor of this one, which you had to use those Nivea pouch's). First 2's were very satisfying even though they were much older models than the coolskin one. (one was from the ealry 90's or maybe even late 80's and the other was from the late 90's). I personally preferred their two blade ones not only because they were smaller and lighter, but also because it shaved better in those hard to reach areas (like under my nose). Also because it had only 2 blades, it caused less friction on your skin, so it was easier to move it around on my face.
anyway, so after my last 2-blade razor's blades were discontinued i haven't used electric razor, until the coolskin one. When it first came out, i thought i should give it a try, since Norelco razors never disappointed me, and when i was using non-electric razors, i always shaved in the shower. so i gave it a shot.. but, well, it was a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. it was full of problems. the hinge and the lock of the openable head soon got broken. so i had to like hold the head while i am shaving to prevent it from opening. (i saw many other reviewers complaining about the head being broken soon) and the cushioned discs (blades) would sink into the head (they were designed that way to give you safer/comfortable shave) but because of that it's just impossible to put enough pressure against your skin, and so it just won't shave under my nose. (also because of its bulky head. but it did shave pretty well on my chin/cheek though). With the older one, i used it with just regular shaving gel, coz it worked better for me, and those cartridges were just very inconvenient to replace after like every three shaves. but then the razor would quickly collect soap scum if you used regular shaving gel (which isn't the razor's fault but the new model solved this problem. i will explain later)
the new models 8020~8060 are just amazing. big improvement. almost solved all the existing problems with the older model. lighter, smaller, yet sturdier, more convenient to refill the lotion. slimmer head lets you shave hard to reach areas more easily, blades don't go into the head, but still flexible. and when you change the blades for these models, you don't just change the blades, you change the entire head. this is not only more convenient, but also cleaner/healthier and so it also solves the soap scum problem if you want to use your own shaving foam/gel or even soap. (so there is really no reason to complain about the price of the consumables which i don't think is that expensive anyways.)
these might not be the world's best electric razors. there are way more expensive models from Norelco and Braun. They might give you even closer shave and automatic cleaning/lubricating and all that luxurious features. but at the same time, these are not only more affordable, but also probably the best FULLY WATERPROOF electric razors now. and i believe most people who buy these, they do because they need the waterproof/wet shaving feature.
i believe Norelco really closely reviewed all the downfalls of the older models and made big improvements by fixing them all.
Customer Review: Still Pulls My Hairs, But Not A Bad Shaver For Short Stubble
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I gotta tell you right off the bat that I am NOT a fan of these kind of shavers typically. For most of my adult life I have been forced to use a straight razor with shaving gel in order to get my face shaved because otherwise the pain is too much to bear. I have VERY sensitive skin and allowing my facial hair to grow more than a few days is a recipe for irritation and a nick here and there!
I've tried so-called "moisturizing shavers" in the past with their packets of lotion you load in the back and spend an hour trying to close shut and it's no fun at all. Sure, the initial novelty of the idea was good, but after a few shaves that wears off and you realize it's not as good as you thought. My major problem with those shavers in the past was how they pulled my hairs and all the agonizing pain that comes from that. Yes, I admit it--I'm a wimp when it comes to shaving. Can't they make a swivel shaver than DOESN'T hurt when you use it?
Enter the Philips Norelco 8040X Moisturizing Shaving System.
I had such high hopes for this gadget thinking that they have FINALLY got it so it doesn't hurt and pull the hairs when you shave with it. The first time I used this, I was gently running it across my cheek without any water and it wasn't too bad. So I decided to wet my face, press that real convenient button to dispense the lotion I had easily loaded in the back side of it (that was my favorite part of this new shaver compared to the ones in the past--it only took a few seconds to load and it's ready!).
My cheeks and mouth area were going great with the lotion allowing the shaver to easily glide across my face with such ease, but then...dum da dum dum...it was time for that ever-so-sensitive neck area and here's where I had nightmares popping up in my head again. Will it hurt again? God I hope not. So I worked my way down that way and I could feel the hairs pulling. OUCH! I eased up on the pressure I was applying and it got better, but it still wasn't perfect.
I ended up taking a straight razor to my neck and then smoothed out that shave with the lotion and this shaver. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a shaver like this if you have to use a straight razor, too, but I realized the Philips Norelco 8040X Moisturizing Shaving System serves a pretty good purpose. It gives you a close comfortable shave for the everyday shave and it gets remarkably close. Maybe I'll get used to shaving my neck area with it eventually, but it's no magic shaver.
Overall, it's not a bad product at all and I'm pretty pleased with its performance. If your skin is not at all sensitive, then you'll LOVE this thing. The lotion is the secret and it dispenses so evenly across the shaver heads. You can recharge the shaver very quickly and can tell it's ready when the blinking green light turns solid. HAPPY SHAVING!!! :)
Customer Review: My hubby likes his new shaver
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
My husband has complained about shaving irritating his skin, so when I saw this shaver I ordered one for him. Here is what he had to say after using it:
I've used Norelco shavers for years, but never a "wet" system, so I was quite interested to compare the Cool Skin 8040X to my old shaver. When I first opened the package and set the shaver up, I had to not only charge the batteries but also fill the shaver with Nivea For Men shaving conditioner. This was no problem following the easy to read instruction manual.
To begin shaving, you first press the on/off button on the shaver to turn it on and then press the conditioner release button. This pumps a small amount of conditioner out of holes in the center of two of the three shaver heads. Then you shave as you normally would with an electric shaver. I found that I use three pumps of conditioner while shaving: one for each side of my face and one for my neck.
Although I have a tough beard, I have sensitive skin. Because of this, in recent years I've starting shaving every other day. So when I shave my beard is a little bit longer than most men's would normally be. The shaver has no problem coping with this. It cuts clean with no pulling on the hairs. However, it begins to have problems with three days of growth.
I also have a mustache and goatee, which has always caused me to use a razor to shave along its edge. The same applies when using the Cool Skin, but with less irritation as it is now being done with skin conditioner in place instead of on dry skin.
The shaver also comes with a beard trimming device. Just snap off the triple shave head and replace it with the trimmer. (Conditioner cannot be used when the trimmer is installed.) The only real fault with the Cool Skin is this trimmer which, frankly, is useless. It just doesn't want to cut any hairs. But then, the one on my old Norelco is the same way.
I also find the conditioner application button is in a position that I want to place my fingers when using the shaver, so occasionally I'll get an extra, unneeded dose of conditioner. A pretty minor issue.
The Cool Skin can also be used in the shower, but I have not tried this as I'm blind as a bat without my glasses on.
I find that the results of my shave are the same whether I use my old standard Norelco or this new Norelco Cool Skin 8040X, with one exception: there is much less skin irritation with the Cool Skin. I like my new shaver.
Customer Review: light and effective
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I first used an electric razor in my late teens. It wasn't a very high quality one, but it did the trick and seemed less hassled than a blade. Over time, about a year, it dulled out to being less and less effective and I switched back to a blade. Over the years I thought of switching back but honestly my Mach 3 has been good to me, so I never thought it worth the money.
So, it was more of a whim that I picked up the 8040x, to see the difference and see if maybe the ease of the electric would finally get me away from a standard razor for a while.
At first I was quite disappointed. It was a longer process and resulted in a splotchy shave. I used it in the shower, which was nice, but the time it took made me begin to worry about all that water wastage. I kept at it for a few days then sat down to read the manual to see if I was missing something. Interestingly, it noted there was a transition time. They suggest trying it for 3 weeks to let the skin adjust. I was encouraged to keep at it. And so they were right. After a couple of weeks the shaves were noticeably better and quicker. Though, I'm not sure they are much quicker still than a blade nor certainly closer.
The charge holds quite nice, and longer than I expected, even right out of the box. The moisturizing system is quite easy and flexible, able to use as much or as little as you need with just an easy push of the handy button.
So, I'm quite pleased now. If I wasn't they have a return policy after the 21 day intro period that makes this fairly risk free.
For the price this seems a very high quality electric razor. It does seem to work best as a daily shaver, rather than one to use with a couple day or more stubble on the face. It also isn't quite as fast as I might like.
But it works great and I'm happy. Definitely great for regular use.
As a note, the difference between this, the 8040x, and the 8020x and the 8060x are charging times. This takes 4 hours to charge fully, the 8020x takes 8 hours, and the 8060x takes 1.5 hours. The 4 hour charge time is just fine for me and I wouldn't want to spend the extra for the fast charge I can't imagine ever needing.
Customer Review: No real improvement over older models
Summary: 4 Stars
I have owned and used an early model of this razor, known as the Norelco Advantage for perhaps eight or so years. This has been, and still remains, a great razor if used properly. During my ownership of the Norelco Advantage razor I have had only one maintenance action, and that was the replacement of the battery about three years ago at a cost of about $43.
About a week ago I accidentally knocked this older razor off its base and, unfortunately, the razor ended up on the bathroom tile floor. It still works as well as ever, however, but the razor is now quite hard to close to its proper operating position so I opted to buy the new model 8040X since, after all, the older model had really worked for me over a long period of time, and maybe the newer model would have some worthwhile advantages.
What I have observed, however, is that the new model has no advantages, but one significant disadvantage. The new model must be left on charge no more that four hours to prevent battery damage, whereas I could leave the old model on charge all day, which provided me with about two weeks of shaving before the next required charge. The old model could also run about a week with only a one hour charge. I have also noted that Norelco now supplies a flimsy plastic construction of the razor, whereas the older razor was much more rugged, a not surprising evolution of articles of this kind.
One other point which pertains to both the old and the new model -- there is no need to use the Nivea shaving lotion supplied by Norelco. On the contrary, the need to push an additional button during shaving is actually distracting, at least for me. My shaving procedure is, after taking a shower, to first wash my face thoroughly with liquid soap and hot water, leaving the soap lather on my face. I then apply a moderate amount of skin lotion (I use Dermalube, but most skin lotions will do) over my face evenly, and then proceed to shave without using any Nivea lotion. I find this procedure to be both superior and much less expensive than using the Nivea lotion.
In summary, the new model 8040X provides the same comfortable wet shave experience as the older model, but don't look for any improvements.