How do you go about tackling bushy body hair? You're among your mates here, so don't be afraid to shed a tear at the memory of a trimming session full of nicks and scratches. Even the best body hair trimmers can deliver an uncomfortable trimming experience if they aren't properly equipped with blades and motors that are kind to your sensitive skin. However, one of the most impressive new devices in the market in this regard, is Gillette's new Intimate series.
Intimate by name, intimate by nature. I don't particularly suffer from nick-prone sensitive skin, but the thought of dragging blades across certain areas of the body is enough to give me wobbly knees, so I was keen to see just how intimate this trimmer could get to my body while still getting rid of unwanted hair. Promising a gentle, efficient shave that leaves skin smooth and flawless, the new i5 trimmer is an alluring prospect, but does it actually deliver the goods, while protecting your… goods? I've been testing for two weeks to test that out.
Ergonomic design
On first impressions, you might be forgiven for assuming the Intimate is simply a new paint job on one of Braun's many beard trimmers and multi-grooming tools. It's a weighty, slimline handle with a row of blades on top, a power button and a charging port at the base. The simple shape of the handle and the blades is top-notch for dealing with your body hair with confidence. A mixture of hardened plastic, texturised rubber and stainless steel blades combine for a precise, hair-destroying machine that's easy to use in the shower – thanks to its cordless nature – or just to tidy up a few chest hairs in front of the mirror.
I'd highly recommend bundling up the electric trimmer with the wet razor for slippery shaving in the shower, largely because it comes with a suction holder that grips to the shower wall, keeping it stored safely away from the detritus and in easy reach so you can tidy up whiskers every time you hop in. The wet razor was a dream for keeping stubble to a minimum, particularly across my chest, belly and upper pubic area, thanks to the five anti-irritation blades we've all come to expect from Gillette. Combine both devices with Gilette's own soothing aloe vera shower and shaving cream to dispel any irritation and bring your nether regions – or anywhere you so please – to their post-shave best.
Gentle in all the right places
Back to the electric razor itself, I was initially sceptical of its promise to cut through the hair without tugging at your skin, given that almost all body groomers claim to be the ultimate cut-free trimmer and fall short of the promise. But throughout my testing, there wasn't a single incident that caused my eyes to water. Granted, I was hardly sculpting a bushel worthy of Kew Gardens, but keeping things trim over one or two short shaving sessions was simple, effective and free of any anguished squeals.
The blades utilise Gillette's skin guard tech to gently lift the hair before slicing it, meaning you're not actually cutting the follicle along the skin and reducing the chance you'll pull on the bits you'd rather not. Combine this with the included trimming combs and you've got yourself a versatile range of cutting options open to you in case you do want to shape and cultivate your body hair.
The battery is so-so in my eyes, lasting roughly 100 minutes before needing a trip to the wall plug. And while just under two hours is normally enough for a week's worth of trimming, sometimes you want to take your time along the more perilous edges of your body, and working on a short-ish clock certainly adds to the stress of the situation. However, considering the overall cost of the device – £45 for the trimmer, £75 for the trimmer, razor and shaving cream combo – it more than makes up for its minor shortfalls in value.
Gillette Intimate verdict
Given that many body hair trimmers – and men's grooming devices in general – are overpriced for what they offer, Gillette's Intimate trimmer and razor is an affordable gateway into body grooming. For less than £100, you get a comprehensive, skin-safe razor, an accomplished wet razor and a large tube of shaving cream to rehydrate your body afterwards, which is a fair amount more than you get from many other models on the market. After several shaving sessions, I got comfortable being a bit more vigorous and adventurous with how close we got to the skin, and the results left me feeling hair-free, cool and confident. If things are getting a bit wild down there, you won't go wrong with an Intimate touch.
Gillette Intimate body groomer is available for £90 £45. At gillette.co.uk and boots.com.
NOW READ
The best beard trimmers to perfect your facial fuzz: Tried and tested by GQ's grooming editors
Best Philips beard trimmers for supreme facial hair – tried and tested by GQ's editors
The 18 best electric shavers for a clean-shaven dream: Tried and tested by GQ's grooming editors
The best Braun shavers to cultivate the mightiest beards: Tried and tested by GQ's editors
