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RRP: £28.99
--What does the promo say?--
"Part of Braun's Satin-Hair 7 range, the
BR710 brush uses unique IONTEC technology to restore shine and health to
your hair. At a push of a button its active ion jet releases millions
of ions to envelop every single hair and quickly restore your hair's
healthy shine. The Braun Satin Hair 7 Brush is
easy to use, 100% portable, fights frizz and removes static. The brush comes with a removable cushion pad for easy
cleaning."
--Packaging--
The battery-powered brush comes with batteries already installed, so you're good to go from the moment it comes out of the box (whose black and green styling would really make this stand out on the shelf). There's also a release switch allowing you to remove the bristle pad for easy cleaning; why don't all brushes have this?!
--Usage--
Just push the brush button into the upward position; the green light will come on when you have done this correctly. Once you've done this, just brush your hair as normal. You will hear the low-volume hissing noise of the ions being released during use, but this is totally normal. Once you're done, remember to switch off the brush.
--Effects on the hair--
I can't say I noticed any particular difference in terms of shine, but I definitely noticed a reduction in the frizz - something I am always aiming for. Yay :) The brush also seems to detangle hair more effectively than normal brushes, for some reason. It also works well on both wet hair and dry, as well as on hair that hasn't been freshly washed.
--Value for money--
I'd have estimated the price of this product to be at between £30 and £50, so for it to fall under £30 was a pleasant surprise. You can also even find it for less than £25 if you shop around. The cost of batteries to keep it juiced can be minimal depending on where you shop - although perhaps I'd be prepared to pay between £30 and £50 for a rechargeable version (even though I was sent mine for free this time - thanks, Braun PR!). Overall, this is a handy product to have on your side if you suffer from frizzy hair, and is a great one to ask for if you have a summer/autumn birthday (or, if you're like me and look ahead freakishly, in your Christmas stocking).
perfect partners
Satin Hair 7 Iontec Hair Straightener, £59.99
Satin Hair 7 Iontec Hair Dryer, £49.99
RRP: £160, but can be found online from £64.70
Other information: used to be known as the Oral-B 9900; note that this is different to the 5000 Professional, which contains 6 heads (not 3) and a DVD
--What does the promo say?--
" * Oral-B's best rechargeable toothbrush with wireless digital SmartGuide to provide dentist inspired feedback during brushing, including monitoring time and pressure
* The only toothbrush to be approved by the British Dental Health Foundation
* 5 different brushing modes: daily clean, sensitive for gentler cleaning, polish to remove stains, massage and deep clean
* 3D technology pulsates 40,000, rotates 8,800 per minute and also oscillates to remove 2 X as much plaque as an ordinary manual toothbrush
* Includes 3 interchangeable heads, Smartplug and travel case for easy travelling; Single charge lasts 10 days"
--Packaging--
All very modern and impressive: the box uses shiny metallic silvers, reds and blues, and there is a hole cut out of the box so that you can see the wireless SmartGuide. They don't make enough of the British Dental Foundation endorsement, though (although it appears that the 9900 box did, in the form of a big gold sticker). The main selling points of the brush are listed in bullet points on the front, sides and back of the box in an uncluttered and unconfusing manner. Not only comes with a plug-in charger, but also comes with a blue plastic travelling case for the brush and its heads, as well as a separate white case to keep the heads in while you're at home (which can also be linked up to the charger). The setup of this (and the wireless smartguide) is generally uncomplicated (a hint: make sure the charger is grey side down). On first reading of the instructions it all seems a little overwhelming, but it quickly makes sense from the first use.
--Usage--
As hinted above, this product is easy to set up and use. Once you've decided whether you want 24-hour or 12-hour clock on your Smartguide, and actually programmed the time in, there is no more configuration to do: the brush and the Smartguide make immediate connection with each other as soon as you switch the brush on, at which point the Smartguide starts timing your brushing cycle (when not in use, it just displays the time). All you have to do is choose your brush head (more of which later) and follow the instructions on the screen: as well as counting how many seconds have passed, the screen also shows you which quadrant of your mouth you should be brushing, and as well as showing on the screen when to change quadrant, the brush itself also pulsates double at the given moment in case you weren't watching. When you're done, the quadrant circle changes into a smiley face (after 2 minutes; 3 minutes if you've chosen the deep clean mode). What could be easier?
--Settings--
This brush comes with five settings: regular (2 minutes), regular (3 minutes/deep clean mode), sensitive, massage, and polish. I definitely noticed the difference between the regular and sensitive settings, and while there are detectable differences between these and the massage and polish settings (in terms of pulsation), I'm not sure that I saw much difference in the overall results compared to other settings on the toothbrush.
--Other options and special features--
As well as timing you, allowing you to see what setting you've chosen, and telling you the time whenever you're not using the toothbrush, the Smartguide also tells you when you're brushing too hard, and when the brush head you're using needs to be replaced. Not sure how it does that, but it's pretty cool, and should please any gadget lover.
The range of brush heads available in the box should also serve everyone's needs: while the regular brush head (Floss Action) is perhaps a little aggressive, the sensitive head is excellent for everyday use, as is the ProBright head if that's your main aim.
--The challenge and its results--
Oral-B promises that if you are not satisfied with this product after 30 days, you can have your money back. It also says that you will experience superior whitening in 3 weeks (when compared to Oral-B Professional Care - a previously released electric toothbrush model). The results are easily superior to use of a manual toothbrush: I definitely felt that a deeper clean was achieved from the very first use and that my teeth and particularly my gums were being taken better care of. As for the whitening aspect, I knew from the off that as a fluorosis sufferer I was unlikely to experience any significant whitening of the teeth. However, I definitely saw an improvement in the evenness of tone (my teeth were previously very blotchy due to the combination of fluorosis and the fact that I had to wear train-track braces on my teeth for a few years), which was more than I had expected. While the colour is still not right, the results in tone alone are pleasing.
--Value for money--
Now, this is an interesting one. As I mentioned at the start, the RRP is roughly £160. This is what it retails at in Argos, Boots etc., and is fairly steep by many people's standards. However, a quick search of Google shopping reveals that many retailers are selling the product for between £60 and £100, which I feel is a fairer price that resonates more with the general public: such a price tag says "Yes, I am good quality, but I won't make your credit card cry." Nevertheless, the sophistication of the wireless technology and the fact that the toothbrush charges at the mains rather than eating batteries for breakfast probably justifies the full RRP alone - especially if, judging by the evening of tone on my own teeth, people also experience the promised whitening effect. This is ultimately a seriously advanced piece of equipment that can genuinely change your brushing habits and thus perhaps reduce your bills at the dentist, so it's easy to think of it as an ongoing investment. However, as a bargain hunter at heart, I'd still advise you to shop around to get the best possible deal.
perfect partners
Braun Oral-B Extra Soft Sensitive Replacement Toothbrush Heads 2 Pack, £7.77 from Amazon
Braun Oral-B ProBright Replacement Toothbrush Heads 2 Pack, £5.00 from www.omegatek.co.uk
Braun Oral-B FlossAction Replacement Toothbrush Heads 4 Pack, £10.43 from Amazon
