Bellabe Facial Hair Remover Review
Product Name | |
Reviewed by | Sue McCarthy |
Review date | |
Summary | Convenient, highly portable,easy and quick to use manual epilator specifically for ladies facial hair. With hypoallergenic coil for sensitive skin, this is a great little device to leave your skin smooth and hair free for several weeks at a time |
Rating | 4.3 out of 5 Stars |
Contents
- Bellabe manual hair removal device
- Storage tube
- Comprehensive instruction leaflet
Overview
A manual epilator for use on female facial hair consisting of a flexible coil spring with a handle at each end. The spring is made of carbon-steel and coated with an FDA approved hypoallergenic coating (it does not contain nickel).
The Bellabe is designed to be used on the upper lip, chin and cheeks and although it can be used on fine or coarse hair, most of the feedback points to the fact that it works best for fine hair.
It is a very convenient method of hair removal as it is so portable, and it comes complete with a handy storage tube.
WARNING – not for use on eyebrows – danger of trapping eyelashes!
How it works
The Bellabe is used by taking a handle in each hand and flexing the spring into an inverted “u” position, so that the coils of the spring are splayed open at the top and closed tightly together at the bottom.
It is then placed against the skin and gently moved up, against the direction of hair growth, whilst at the same time rolling the handles between the fingers.
This action causes the spring to roll, catching the hairs between the coils on its closed side and pulling them out at the root. As the device continues to rotate, the coils open to release the plucked hairs.
The action is repeated continuously until the area is smooth and hair-free.
How Easy is It?
Using the Bellabe is not complicated but it does, however, require some practice to master the correct technique.
Most people find that 2 or 3 sessions are enough to become sufficiently adept to be happy with the results.
There is a full set of instructions included with the Bellabe, and an instruction video is available online.
How painful is it? – after effects?
There will, inevitably, be a certain amount of pain involved in using any epilator as it pulls the hair from the root.
Each individual has a different threshold for bearing pain, but it is commonly agreed that the first time you use an epilator is the most painful, and that tolerance increases over time, with regular use.
It should not be worse than tweezing, but a good deal quicker, as it pulls several hairs at a time.
You may experience some reddening or irritation after use, especially the first time. We would recommend that you carry out a small patch test in an unobtrusive area to see how your skin reacts.
A calming, non-alcohol based lotion such Aloe can be used to soothe the skin following treatment. It is best to use Bellabe at night, which will give any effects time to settle down and disappear before “facing the world”.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- After use, tap the spring gently against a hard surface to remove loose hair, whilst flexing in each direction.
- Brush from each side with a nail brush or similar to remove any remaining more stubborn hairs.
- Using a rubbing alcohol such as Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 70% USP 16 fl oz dampen a cotton wool ball and use to wipe the spring thoroughly to remove any traces of make up or natural oil etc.
- Dry gently with a paper towel.
- Replace in tube supplied and store in a cool, dry place – avoiding humidity.
Warning - due to the fact that this product could be a choking hazard, be sure to store safely, well away from young children!
How long will it last?
The manufacturer states that the device should last between 6 – 9 months if properly maintained.
In fact, customer feedback shows that the device can last considerably longer. This is ultimately very likely to depend on how often and how heavily it is used.
What people think (reviews)
The Bellabe has achieved a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon from 1,041 reviews (67% rate the product at 4 or 5 stars).
Comments range from “Hated It!” to “Amazing!” proving, once again, that personal choice is the overriding factor when choosing hair removal method.
The main issue with the device seems to be the one of pain, which is in common with all epilators, rather than with the device itself.
On the positive side, for those who have got used to the pain, many believe the Bellabe to be a time-saving, convenient and cost effective product.
Some Customer Comments
These are some of the most recent customer comments from Amazon:
"Amazing and effective little tool" - "I recently started getting hormone replacement therapy and found that it caused me to have fine blond hairs all over my chin and cheeks. I'm sure they were always there but I never felt them before, not like this. I tried waxing but it hurt, tore off my skin in places and was expensive. I thought about threading but again expensive and you have to go in often to keep up. I've heard Laser hair removal is effective but also very expensive and time consuming. Then along comes this wonderful little tool and after very little pain, effort or time my facial hair is gone. My skin feels smooth and makeup is easier to apply. No more looking like the bearded lady when the light hits my face. I highly recommend this product to anyone dealing with unwanted facial hair. It small and fits right in your purse so you can take it when you travel."
"A very effective, time saving grooming device" - "This tool is much more effective than tweezing or waxing those pesky, ugly hairs that grow on my chin and upper lip. It does hurt more so the first time because more hair is being removed at once, but, it is very time saving. Rather than spending all that time plucking hairs one by one (and always missing a lot), this device will find and pull out all those ugly hairs once and for all! It is portable, cost effective and saves me a lot of time. I am very happy with my purchase!"
"Not for me" ... "In one word- ouch. This will remove hair as stated, but I do not find the process particularly pleasant. For me, it just hurts. I prefer the wax strips because the overall process is just faster. even though it stings. also to note, I don't think this keeps the hair away any longer than the strips would- at least in my experience with it. I still on occasion will get this out to use, but it is pretty rare. This wasn't a big expense, so I'm not upset that I bought it, but it just is not my cup of tea."
Conclusion
Things we Liked
- Inexpensive - at only $15.99 each (less if you buy more than one at a time)
- Convenient - can be popped in your handbag and used anytime
- No mess - unlike waxing or shaving
- Hypoallergenic coil
- Long lasting results - from 2 - 4 weeks
- Safe - minimal side effects
Things we didn't Like
- Painful - though should become easier over time, with regular use
- Correct use - practice required to learn correct technique
Based on all the evidence, we conclude that this is great, value for money, convenient device to use, which works well for many individuals.
If you have an issue with facial hair and do not want to spend a fortune, the small outlay required to give Bellabe a go, would be well worthwhile.
More Information
For more in-depth information about epilating and epilators see our articles:
