I have been using this electric shaver for more than a year now. I use it once every 3 days, mostly in the morning as I get ready for work. It provides quick, convenient and comfortable shaves of reasonable closeness. If I take time to swirl it around my skin longer, it is possible to obtain the highly regarded Baby Butt Smooth (BBS), a term often used by razor enthusiasts.
Wet shaving enthusiasts often claim that electric shavers are inferior compared to traditional razors as the hair seem to grow back faster. Well, this is because of the different concepts used to remove hair. A razor is simply a knife edge that not only slices hair, but also removes a thin layer of skin around it, which causes skin irritation and soreness to a certain degree, but also means that the hair is cut down to a shorter length and as the hair grows, the skin around also grows back, resulting in a more lasting shave.
An electric shaver, on the other hand, is like a pair of scissors. As the hair is guided through the perforated foil, the vibrating comb under it slices the hair against the edge of the foil, creating a cutting action. This, typically hurts the skin lesser than a razor, making it more comfortable.
To me, the different shaving methods are just different strokes for different folks.
In summary, if you are looking for an electric shaver and your facial hair is of average coarseness, the Braun M-90 is a good choice.
What is an M-90?
The Braun M-90 is an entry level shaver from Braun. Several reviews mentioned that it works great for thin and averagely coarse hair, but does badly for really coarse or long hair. To deal with longer hair, the M-90 comes with a hair trimmer that makes short work of long hair that cannot be sufficiently guided through the foil. Using the hair trimmer followed by the shaver fulfills my shaving needs.
It features a turning cover that acts a shield to protect the foil when not in use and a lock-out to prevent you from accidentally turning it on while it is in your toiletries bag.
Oh look, a hidden trimmer that sticks out. Don't worry, the trimmer only works when it is in this position.
Being a cheap shaver, it runs on replaceable 2x AA batteries that are easy to find. Other expensive shavers typically make use of a non-replaceable lithium-ion cell, sealing the lifespan of the shaver to approximately 3 years. Rechargeable batteries are still consumables and I do not like the fact that the whole shaver would need to be replaced once the batteries are worn.
Twist to open the battery compartment. The construction feels quite sturdy and can keeps out any unwanted splashes from entering the battery compartment.
The M-90 provides adequate shaves in less than 3 minutes. Sideburns are eliminated within a few motions and it mows through the difficult chin area with minimal fuss. If it doesn't remove hair after a few passes, changing the direction usually does the trick. However, do note that it does cause some irritation after prolonged repeated passes over the same area, especially the chin and neck.
Close up of the small but effective hair trimmer.
Price
I bought it at $45 at from the Best Denki at Junction 8. Most other electric shavers come in at above $100 and quite a significant initial investment for anyone starting out with an electric shaver. The impression I get from reading reviews about this little tool is that it is inexpensive enough for a newbie who has thin to averagely coarse facial hair and provides most of the quality and features expected of a decent shaver. In short, provides quite some value for its price, which is why I got it.
Close up of the foil pattern.
The Use
Being a dry shaver, it requires little preparation. In fact, I think it works better on a slightly oily face after a night's rest. The oil acts as a lubricant to allow the foil to glide over the skin while protecting the metal comb from rusting. The manual actually states that a little light oil should be applied onto the comb if the shaver was to be kept in storage for a long time.
The Maintenance
Even with such convenient product, it still requires some periodic maintenance. Thankfully, there isn't much the M-90 requires you to do.
Cleverly concealed slot to keep you from losing the brush. Great thinking there.
1) Open up the cover holding the foil and brush away bits of hair stuck along its comb. If you haven't been cleaning if often enough, a strong spray of water at the comb will remove just about all the hair bits there. Don't worry, it is waterproof at the business end.
Unfortunately, the foil and comb head are not replaceable parts. The good news is that they last long.
Oh yes, a pair of AA batteries last many months so I didn't bother performing a power consumption test on it. I would recommend that you use rechargeable batteries as you can charge them up to full capacity every few months or so to keep the shaver in tip top condition shaving condition.
Recommendation?
Yeah, why not? It is a no frills electric shaver that promises a no fuss shave, everyday.
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