Chief Shopper News
- Shaving Time Off Your Grooming Routine
Thanks to a number of celebrities from Becks to (unfortunately) Britney and (hot off the presses) rocker John Mayer, the shaver has been elevated to the must-have grooming tool of choice. But really we all could benefit from taking a look at what shaving device we are using and possibly upgrade it while there is still Summertime sun and reason to remain bare.
These days those funny looking shaver outlets in hotels seem a bit outdated, as many shavers have gone cordless. And not only can you get a battery rechargeable shaver, but one that has a low battery indicator and a pretty long battery life as well.
On the high-end, for around £135 you can get the Braun Pulsonic Shaver. The extra cost goes toward features such as a ’sonic action motor’ that generates micro-vibrations and a ‘fast cleaning’ function that is important to keeping the shaver working properly. The battery life is about 50 minutes, which should take you through a week or two of daily shaves. On the other end of the cordless spectrum is the Remington electric shaver that is a bargain at £20. While without a lot of the extra features of a more expensive model it still has a good battery life — at 45 minutes – and should get the job done!
If you are going to go for Becks’ cool, semi-shaved hair-do, then a proper hair trimmer is the shaver for you. Wahl 300 Series Hair Trimmer is a simple, corded device for about £20, while the Oster Classic 76 is a durable trimmer with a detachable blade. Regardless of what device you use, there are a number of key things to remember, especially if you are shaving your head for the first time: ensure it’s been cut as short as possible before you shave bald; apply a lubricant or product to soften up the hairs and help prevent irritation; and finally, take your time, this is not something to rush!
And finally, for women, there are a number of great women’s shavers. Braun makes a number of epilators that help you go for more than a couple of days. They are compact, easy to use and ensure a smooth finish.
- Ride on!
As the Tour de France wrapped up this weekend many no doubt found themselves getting a little wistful about bike riding. Regardless of whether it’s been two decades or two weeks, or you fantasize about biking through mountains or a leisurely pedal in the park, that grand French race gets our wheels turning (no pun intended). So perhaps it’s time to consider buying a new bike!
- Ensuring a Safe Ride for Baby
Angelina and Brad may have whisked their twins out of the hospital in Nice via helicopter, but at some point, even these two megastars will need to get themselves a good ‘ole car seat. Car seats are one of the most important investments you’ll make for your child, from infancy until they are school-aged and ready for a car booster seat and later for an adult seat belt.
It’s sometimes daunting to know where to begin, but understanding a few simple guidelines will help make this important purchase a little easier. Overall it’s important to remember a few golden rules before you even begin the car seat hunt: don’t be swayed simply by price as a more expensive seat is not always a better one; never use an old or used seat when you are unsure of where it came from; don’t consider using a damaged seat or one that is missing parts, even if it ‘looks fine’; and always follow instructions, even if you feel sure that you know how to install the seat.
From there, the first place to get started is with an infant-only and rear-facing seat. Infants need to ride facing the back until they are one year of age and at least 20 pounds in weight. While it’s possible then to move to a forward-facing model, experts recommend that a child remain rear-facing as long as possible. There are a number of brands and models on the market, Maxi Cosi, Britax and Graco all have good models that will run you from £50 - £100. The Maxi Cosi, in particular, comes in a lot of bright colours. You can also opt for a base that stays in your car and a seat that snaps in, so you can take your infant in and out of the car without waking him or her.
Forward-facing and booster seats will take a child from one year through until they are big enough to wear a seatbelt properly at age 7 or 8. A forward-facing seat can run from £50 to over £200. The Maxi Cosi Priorifix, for instance, which is around £230 but contains cool features such as a colour indicator which shows immediately whether a seat has been installed correctly or not. Or, for around £140, the Britax Explora STS Seat which automatically tenses the belt so you know it’s as snug as can be.
After the car seat phase, there are still a number of safety rules to follow. Children who have grown out of their booster seats should use a lap and shoulder belt. Most experts also recommend that children continue to ride in the back until they are 13 years old.
