As you can see, the (pivoting) head (in blue) immediately flares out wide enough for the rotary blades, but because of that flare you really can't see how close the razors are to your beard.
The razor also has a pop-up trimming tool, but it's not pop-down. You push a button to release it, but you have to push the trimmer back down manually. You can see the hatch for the trimming tool on the left of the image.
Result of shaving? My face is smooth. My face is also red. My face is also on fire.
Grabbed the Aesop after-shave lotion swiftly..it helped with the burn, but, the entire day things felt a bit sensitive and scraped. I'm chalking this up to a new razor, rotary design, and the fact that it really does get very, very close.
Day two: Okay, I'm getting the hang of this.
You really can't use an up-and-down shaving stroke with this razor, you must use a circular motion, or the angle of the blades and head will do you no favours. Lost a few more whiskers due to coming too close to the goatee again. Ouch.
One odd thing, I have no idea how long I'm shaving for. I think it's longer than I normally shave; but not by much - this is mostly due to the angles I have to work at around the goatee. There are other models of the HyperFlex which come with a digital display that tells you your shave time; truthfully, I don't know why this would matter - but I do find it interesting that from day to day the required time to a smooth shave varies considerably. Mild curiosity about the human male condition...
Very impressed by the HyperFlex's ability to contour to the face. It does a great job along the neck/chin area, as well as under the ear and along the jaw line.
Day three: I wish I could give this razor a bit more face-time, but I promised Nicole that I'd complete this review by today ahead of the deadline requested by the very kind firm who sent along the unit for review purposes.
Why more time? Well, I think my face is JUST starting to get used to how a rotary works on it again. It's been well over a decade and old shaving habits die hard.
So, three day challenge complete, what are my thoughts?
Men's beards grow differently; some of us have very slow growth that is easy to keep in check and can go days without being shaved -- others, however, such as myself, have a pretty fast growing beard that needs daily close attention.
And close attention is what the Remington provides.
Indeed, one of the most lasting impressions I'll have of this razor is that it reminds me a LOT of wet-shaving with a razor blade; without the mess.
For a lot of men that's a huge bonus. If your face wants to be facial-hair free, and you can make full use of the three rotary blades gliding over your face and neck, this razor will do you well, especially for the price point.
The model I reviewed is the XR1330AU, which has a recommended price of $119.95 Australian Dollars.
However - there's a reason that I use electric razors and not traditional safety razors / wet shaves: My skin just can't take it. It burns. It gets red. It gets blotchy in a few areas on my neck. There's no doubt that things are very smooth, but, that smoothness never lasts and I have to weigh the benefits of that skin-like-glass feeling with the cost of ouch-ouch-ouch.
The first day I tried the Remington I knew what I was going to be in for - a super close shave that reminded me a of wet-razor shaving, and a burning sensation on my face most of the day.
It delivered.
I don't usually use after-shave lotions, maybe once every few weeks, but all three days with the Remington has required it. The first day was the worst - second day was not nearly as bad, and today, the third day, I'm hoping will be even better (I'm writing this about half an hour after shaving with the Remington for the third time).
Don't get me wrong: This is not the razor's fault. This is my skin, my face, my beard.
There is no doubt that the Remington delivers on a close-shave experience; it even did a better job of getting some particularly annoying whiskers I have that grow in two spots that are resistant to my normal razor's plying. The rotary head and blades has a lot to do with that.
For the dry-shaving experience, it delivered remarkably well.
For me, personally, the best shaving experience is still my Panasonic LV-81, with a wet shave. That combination provides, for me, the ultimate close shave, without the burn.
But that's not always an option, and the Remington is a great and cost-effective alternative.
So, final wrap up....
Pro: Very close shave, lightweight, very comfortable to hold, surprisingly quiet
Con: Not great for edging moustache, goatee, etc regions due to circular blades and head design. Can be too close of a shave, depending upon your skin.
I can't stress strongly enough the importance of following the shaving guidelines by Remington; use the circular motion and use the razor for a good three weeks to fully see the best results. If I had the three weeks, I'm sure many of the issues I encountered would be done away with.
As for whether or not I'll be making a play for Remington in the way Viktor Kiam did? I think they're safe from me. For now.
