If you’re the type of person who needs to keep up with fitness trends, you’re sure not to have missed juicing. Drinking a variety of nutritious juices is promoted by health specialists everywhere. They say it’s one of the healthiest ways to get all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need. They say that juicing fruits, vegetables and other foods extracts more nutrients from them.

If you want to get on board with the trend, you need to buy a juicer. You would think that a kitchen appliance that extracts juice wouldn’t be too complicated. However, like any appliance, there’s much more to juicers than you might think at first.

You’ll find a broad range of juicers on the market, and each one has its pros and cons. Some juicers are better at preserving the nutrients in the juice they produce – but might also take longer to juice anything. Others can handle whole fruits or vegetables, so you can save time on chopping. 

Anyone who wants to start juicing as part of their healthy diet needs to ask some key questions. Think about how you’re going to get a juicer that’s perfect for your lifestyle and your health goals.

Keep reading the buying guide below to find out what type of juicer best matches your requirements or skip straight to Groom+Style’s list of the Top 5 Best Juicers.

Speed or Maximum Nutrient Extraction?

The first thing you need to ask yourself is whether you’re looking for a fast juicer.

Or do you want one that extracts as many nutrients as possible?

There are currently four main types of juicer you should take a peek at. You can then get into those made for specific foods. It used to be that just two primary types were the most popular on the market. You could get centrifugal juicers and masticating juicers. But now both slow juicers and triturating juicers are becoming more popular. Juicing enthusiasts everywhere are looking for something even healthier.

So what on Earth is the difference between these juicer types? And what do speed and nutrients matter to them? When you’re selecting your juicer, you can have one that’s fast. But these are less effective at getting you all the nutrients you need. Or you can have one that will extract all those vital enzymes and nutrients but will take longer to do it.

At a basic level, a centrifugal juicer is fast and affordable. Its vertical design shreds whatever is fed into it into a pulp. The juice is pulled out using centrifugal motion (hence the name). A masticating juicer crushes and squeezes the fruit, veg and other foods fed into it. The process is slower, but the juice will last longer and be more nutritious.

Serious juicing fanatics might want to consider one of the two other options. There are also slow juicers and triturating juicers. A slow juicer is a bit like a combination of a masticating and centrifugal juicer. It has the upright design of a centrifugal but works like a masticating model. Some advocates say it’s even better at nutrient extraction than a masticating juicer. A triturating juicer is for anyone who wants to start getting serious about juicing. Their more common name “twin gear juicers” tells you that these monster juicers have a double set of gears to tackle your food. Like slow and masticating juicers, these are also slow. But they’re by far the most effective.

What Do You Want to Juice?

You’ve decided that your lifestyle requires a juicer that works super fast. Or maybe you’re willing to wait for a slower juicer if it means you’ll get the most out of everything you juice. But that’s just one question out of the way. The next thing you need to think about is what exactly it is you want to juice. Naturally, some things take more effort to juice than others. Some fruits and vegetables are hard, while others are soft. Some foods will have lots of pulp and fibre in them. So it’s essential to consider what type of juice you want to make if you’re on the lookout for a juicer.

At a basic juicing level, perhaps you’re looking for a citrus juicer. You want to make fresh orange juice, and maybe occasionally juice a lime or a lemon. Citrus juicers can be much simpler than any fancy masticating juicer. You can buy hand-operated ones, such as the OrangeX Amco Olympus Citrus Juicer. It’s as simple as placing half of a citrus fruit in the juicer and pulling down a handle. You also have the option of buying a centrifugal juicer with a citrus mode, like the Novis Vita.

What if you want to get a bit more adventurous than a plain old orange juice? If you want to try lots of different fruits and vegetables, you need something that can handle more. You might be thinking about soft fruits, from kiwis to strawberries. However, many fruits and vegetables are harder and require a bit more power to tackle.

Luckily, most juicers will take anything you throw at them. The question is, do you want to chop first or not? If you don’t have time for pre-slicing, you need a higher end model that will take whole fruit and veg. The Retro Cold Press Slow Juicer and Blender is one option that could work for you.

But what about wheatgrass and all your leafy greens? Not all juicers can handle these well, or even at all. A centrifugal juicer can’t juice wheatgrass. It’s also not as efficient at extracting nutrients from leafy greens. If you’re hoping to juice a lot of kale, you should try looking at slow juicers. Wheatgrass fans can even get a juicer especially for juicing it. Just like with citrus juicers, you can get hand-operated ones with a handle you can crank. But you might prefer an electric one if you want to ensure you get all the juice you’re looking for.

What’s Your Budget?

When you’re choosing a juicer, the price is an essential factor to consider. Wouldn’t we all love it if we didn’t have to think about money? Unfortunately, you do have to pay more if you want a juicer that does everything. However, you can still get a powerful juicer to produce healthy juices if your budget is on the lower end. You can get a juicer for as little as under £30 or spend as much as £500 or more. It’s entirely up to you where you want to set your budget on the scale. More often than not fitness enthusiasts tend to go overboard on the price so set your budget!

If you don’t want to spend much more than you would on lunch for you and friends, you will be limiting yourself. However, many people aren’t looking to start a new juicing lifestyle. Casual juicers don’t need anything fancy. They just want a new appliance for their kitchen.

You might start by looking at a hand-operated juicer, which you could get hold of for less than £30. Get a little bit more sophisticated with a centrifugal juicer like the Philips Viva HR1821/01 and you’re looking at closer to £60 or £70. However, some are available for as little as you might spend on a hand-operated juicer.

With a budget of £100 or more, you’ll be able to look at juicers with more power and capacity. But it’s not until you have £200 or £300 to spend that you can start looking at the big boys. Of course, you’ll also need a lot more space on your kitchen worktop for a lot of these. You’re sure to know some of the popular brands, like Dualit and Magimix. However, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get hold of these juicers. Many will be under £200 and are still compact enough to fit in a small kitchen.

Diehard juicing fans might want to look at the juicers at the top end of the scale. They’re probably not what you would choose for your first juicer. But if you’ve been juicing for a long time, and it’s part of your lifestyle, maybe you want to take things up a notch. Around £350 will get you a Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer. You might be thinking about buying a professional-grade juicer. If so, you’re looking at possibly spending thousands.

Best Juicers on the Market

By this point, you hopefully have a better idea of what sort of juicer you’re looking for. You know that you want to make green juices with kale and lemongrass. Or you can’t wait to make your first apple juice. And you know whether speed or efficient nutrient extraction is more important to you. You also know what your budget can get you. Now you need to figure out which specific juicer could be for you. Try these select few juicers on the market to choose the best one for your kitchen. Have a read of a reminder of their pros and cons too.

Best Centrifugal Juicers

Centrifugal juicers work quickly, using centrifugal force to extract your juice. They’re the most popular option for new juicers.

You have a huge range of centrifugal juicers to choose one, since they’re so popular. Choosing the best one can be difficult, so consider these factors:

• Best for budget: ElectriQ WF1000 Whole Fruit Power Juicer, from as little as £28.98
• Best for convenience: Philips Viva HR1855 with its compact size, making it perfect for travelling.
• Best for capacity: L’Equip 215 XL for its extra-large feeding tube
• Best Masticating/Slow Juicers
•  

Best Masticating Juicers

Slower masticating juicers crush foods to release the juices. They produce longer lasting juice high in nutrients.

Masticating juicers are more expensive, so you need to think about your purchase carefully. Try these recommendations:

• Best for whole fruit and veg: Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer
• Best for easy cleaning: The Omega 8006 breaks down into dishwasher safe parts
• Best for versatility: Tribest Slowstar Vertical Juicer and Mincer

Best Twin Gear Juicers

Twin gear juicers have a twin set of gears to work in a similar way to masticating juicers.

Twin gear juicers are for the hardcore juicer. If you want to buy one, you should look at what it can juice and what else it can do. Consider these best ones:

• Best for juicing anything: Super Angel 5500 Stainless Steel Living Juice Extractor
• Best for juice yield: Green Star GSE-500 Elite
• Best for warrant: the Green Star again with a warranty of 12 years

Choosing the best juicer for you shouldn’t take you forever. If you know what you want and how that translates into the juicer that suits you, go out and get it. It might help to make a list first of what you’re looking for. Choosing the type of juicer you want should be your essential first step. Set your budget and priorities and you’ll soon find your new favorite kitchen appliance.

How to Shave Your Legs With an Electric Shaver

Opting for an electric leg shaver is a fantastic choice when it comes to convenience and avoiding painful and unsightly nicks and cuts. While using a manual razor may provide a closer shave, learning how to shave with an electric shaver can offer you the desired results without the hassle.

In this article, the Groom+Style team explain how to get the best results when shaving your legs with an electric leg razor, whether it’s a dry shaver, or a wet shaver.

Dry vs. Wet Electric Shavers For Legs

The main difference between a dry and a wet electric leg shaver is that a wet shaver can be used in the shower. This can be a more comfortable option for people with sensitive skin, as the water can help to soothe the skin and reduce friction.

The technique is similar with both, what matters most when electric shaving your legs, is that you prep your skin properly (and maintain your shaver), which we’ll get into next.

Both dry and wet electric shavers work by lifting and cutting the hair using an oscillating cutting head.

However, it is still important to note that electric shavers aren’t recommended to be used in the bath, as the soap can create a slippery surface and increase the risk of accidents.

Preparing Your Legs for Dry Shaving

The ultimate goal is, of course, to remove as much hair as possible, but you also need to protect your skin from damage, both during and after shaving.

Step One

Wash your legs with warm water and a gentle soap. Rinse them thoroughly and dry. Washing and drying before is essential because it softens the hair and makes the skin more pliable.

Step Two

Work the shaver upward, from the ankle to the thigh, moving in gentle circular movements (or as instructed by your electric shaver), going back over any parts where the hair is still visible.

Step Three

You can either rinse your skin again, or gently wipe your legs down with a clean towel.

Step Four

Moisturise. This helps to repair the skin and seal in moisture so that your legs don’t dry out.

Preparing Your Legs for a Wet Shave

A wet electric shave is much the same as a dry shave, only you might choose to use a shaving gel (link to Amazon), choose a shaver, and your legs will be wet. A wet shave with an electric shaver is kinder to your skin, as the skin stays lubricated the entire time.

Step One

Wash your legs with warm water and a gentle soap.

Step Two

Apply a small amount of shaving gel and work into the legs, lifting the hairs.

Step Three

Shave in gentle circular motions (or as instructed by your electric shaver) from ankle, up to the thigh, going over any parts you may have missed.

Step Four

Rinse and dry. Apply moisturizer, as you would with a dry shave.

Cleaning Your Electric Leg Shaver

To prevent clogging and maximize your shaver’s effectiveness, it’s best to clean it after every use. Wait until the shaver is dry (rinse out any excess hairs) then brush the remaining hairs away with the supplied brush, or a small paint brush.

Read more here on how to clean an electric shaver.

Groom+Style Recommends (Best Electric Leg Shaver)

Should you decide to purchase an electric razor for your legs, keep in mind there are plenty of shavers for women in the market today, so read our Top 5 ratings page to ensure you make an informed choice.

You can also consider buying one of the best men’s electric shaver which can also be used for women’s legs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Here are some important points to keep in mind when learning how to shave with an electric shaver:

1. Ensure proper skin cleansing before shaving.
2. Use slow and gentle circular motions while shaving.
3. Thoroughly rinse and dry the skin after shaving.
4. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.
5. Clean your electric shaver regularly to maintain its effectiveness.

For more skin care tips, visit the Groom+Style Art of Skin Care section.  If you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

Straight razor shaving is the oldest form of shaving having been around for centuries. While straight razors have undergone many transformations over the millennia, the principle still remain the same.

From sharp edged corals, to bronze and then to crude steel knives, and now new hollow ground cut throat razors, straight razor shaving has definitely made a dent in human history.

The modern straight razors are making a comeback among a select few women and men who cherish the joys of cut throat razor shaving.

There could be many reasons for the switch.

Many people want an irritation free, and close shave. Perhaps they’re wary of razor bumps. Some men love the self-sufficiency that straight razors provide. They take up the art solely because they can sharpen their razor themselves. Others do it for its manliness aspect. It’s undeniable that straight razor shaving is the manliest way to shave! Still others want to save the fragile environment because cut throat razors produce minimal waste compared to other forms of shaving.

At the end of the day its just plain cool!

What are the Requirements – What Tools Will You Need?

The most obvious requirement on how to shave with a straight razor is the razor itself.

Many manufacturers now offer straight razors and Groom+Style has reviewed the Top 5 Best Straight Razors. Currently, there are many semi-custom and custom makers on the market. You can buy vintage razors for hundreds of dollars. Most of the razors look pretty similar, but avoid ones with square points as they can easily poke your cheek. Also stay away from blades that have more than 6/8” inch width, as larger ones are unwieldy. Only buy new razors made in Germany, US, or France. They’re the best!

Aside from the cut throat razor, you will have to buy a strop if you want to use the straight razor for a long time. If you don’t strop your razor, it can go dull within a week or two.

You will want a boar/badger/horsehair brush and some soap (or canned shaving cream if you don’t want the full experience).

Traditional soaps are much better and cheaper than canned shaving creams. Also keep a few first aid items handy. Your first aid should have a styptic pencil and a moleskin or a liquid band-aid. You should also keep an alum block.

If you want to be really self-sufficient, and want to learn a new skill, you should buy a hone to keep your razor sharp. Alternatively, you can send your razor for sharpening. It would cost you a few dollars. This can be a bargain considering you’ll have to spend hundreds of dollars buying the same honing equipment that pros use. You’ll also have to spend a lot of time becoming truly proficient at honing.

Shaving with a Straight Razor

Preparation – Stropping Your Straight Razor

Even if you have a straight razor with a good shaving edge, you still need to strop its edges. A strop is a double-sided strip of leather and canvas used to run the shaving blade backward and forward in two strokes. One backward and forward motion is referred to as a “lap”. For best results, you should lap your straight razor 15-25 times on each side of the strop, starting on the canvas first and then using the leather-faced side. Stropping is important as this process restores the edge of a straight razor between shaves and also removes all residues.

Preparation – Shower, Towel and Shaving Cream

Start off by taking a regular shower as this will open up your skin pores. Many straight razor shavers prefer to use a pre-shaving product or conditioner to ex-foliate the skin and soften the beard before shaving. Keep a towel ready to clean up spills during your shave. Take your time during the first few months of shaving as you get used to the technique.

Shaving soaps and creams are important for getting a good quality shave with a straight cut throat razor. Ideally, never use conventional shaving gel as they offer reduce skin protection. There are many shaving soaps and creams on the market, just pick one that appeals to you.

Start by taking the shaving brush, soak it in hot water, and gently shake of the excess in the sink. Now add a spot of shaving cream on your brush and slowly start applying to your face with moderate pressure in a circular motion until the neck and face area have a fairly consistent coating.

Shaving Technique With the Straight Razor – The First Pass

Now you’re ready to shave with your straight razor. Pull your skin tight using your non-shaving hand and start with a downwards shaving pass on your face. Unlike conventional safety razors, you’ll soon learn that the best shaves with a straight razor come by using skin pulling techniques that you’ll perfect as you go.

Try to tighten your skin with your hand or fingers during each stroke of the straight razor. Shaving on a slack skin can result in deep cuts and snagging. The straight razor should be held approximately 28-32 degrees to the face, perhaps slightly shallower. Anything higher than this will result in possible cuts and poor cutting results.

During the first few shaves using a straight razor, you do not have to complete the whole shave. This will save you a great deal of frustration trying to reach seemingly inaccessible areas, and will also reduce the chances of getting a nick. Here patience is key! Once you’ve successfully completed your first downward pass, you can try an upward pass to get a closer finish.

Shaving Technique With the Straight Razor – The Second Pass

Splash off all the remaining cream from your face and re-apply more shaving cream using light pressure of the brush. Again, use circular motions until your neck and face areas have a good coating of shaving cream. Soak and wipe your razor using the kitchen towel. Now you’re ready to start the second, upward pass. Using the same shaving techniques in the reverse direction, pull the skin on your neck downwards using one hand, and use a 30 degree angle to start the upward stroke, with a gentle and consistent pressure until the entire neck area is done. Now pull the skin downwards from your lower chin area and work up and over your jawbone onto the cheeks.

At this stage, start pulling your skin upwards on your cheek area and maintain your strokes with the straight razor until your cheeks are done. Shave with an upward stroke on the chin areas and moustache, though you should do this only if you really need to, and only once you’re confident in doing so.

Straight Razor Shaving – The Clean Up

When you’ve finished both passes, clean your straight razor with some cold water and use a kitchen towel to remove all moisture from the razor. You can also pick up the razor and blow off any excess water through the gap in the scales as well. This will prevent any water from dripping down into the gaps where the washers and pins meet the blade which is where the majority of rust spots start on a razor if it’s poorly maintained. Thats it! Now you’ve learned how to shave with a straight razor – remember practice makes perfect.

If you are not 100% convinced by straight razor shaving you could always looking into the Top 5 Best Safety Razors – although you will be admitting that you are slightly less cool.

How to Replace an Electric Shaver Battery

When you buy an electric shaver, it will come with a pre-installed battery. Once you take it home, you are typically required to fully charge the battery before using the shaver. A normal charging cycle will take about 60 minutes though this may vary depending on the manufacturer (best to read the manual).   The device should run for about 45 minutes.

Tips for Extended Shaver Battery Life

General tips to improve your battery life are;

– Fully recharge the shaver battery before the first use – Reading the user manual will help you understand how to fully recharge the battery.

– For Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries, wait until the battery is running low before recharging  – These batteries have what is known as a “memory effect” so recharging a battery that is partially charged may negatively affect the battery capacity. You also need to fully discharge these batteries at least once every 6 months to preserve their capacity.

– Never leave the shaver plugged in for longer than 24 hours – this may lower battery life.

– Avoid using the charger from the mains – even if the battery is empty, it is advisable to recharge and use it when unplugged. Mains switch operation can still be used but only in emergency cases.

– Don’t leave the shaver exposed to direct sunlight – overheating has been proven to steadily damage batteries.

– Don’t charge your batteries in extreme temperatures – charging in very hot or very cold environments also reduce battery life.

When and How to Replace Electric Shaver Batteries

Even though the above steps will help you to significantly prolong your battery life, the time might come when you finally need to replace the battery.

For example, you might find that you have to recharge more than once in order to complete one shaving cycle. If this is the case then the battery might be too weak necessitating replacement. Or you wake up one day and the shaver simply doesn’t work. The first thing that comes to mind is that the battery might be dead. In this case you may also want to replace.

Steps When Replacing Electric Shaver Batteries

1. Completely discharge the shaver – Turn on the shaver and allow it to run until it shuts down on its own. This only happens when the battery inside is completely discharged. This complete discharging is required because in order to replace the battery you need to open the shaver casing and will at some point touch the circuit board. Any little charge left in the old battery could shock and injure you.

2. Open the shaver casing – most electric shavers are held into place using old screws accessible from the back side of the shaver. Remove these screws one by one using a screw driver and place them on a small plate to avoid losing them. If your shaver won’t come apart easily, look around the edge of the appliance for little plastic clips. Pressing on these clips with a screwdriver should release them allowing you to pull the shaver casing apart.

3. Remove the old battery – most batteries are soldered onto the circuit board so you’ll need your wire cutters for this step. Carefully sever the solder at the top end of the battery connections then slowly pull the batteries out.

4. Install the new batteries – a number of new batteries come with small metal tabs at the top. Such batteries are said to be pre-tabbed. It is these tabs that connect to the circuit boar so you’ll only need to firmly press on the tabs to ensure that they come into contact with the board; you don’t have to solder. If the replacement batteries are not pre-tabbed, you can detach the tabs on the old batteries and solder them on the new ones.

5. Replace the shaver cover – use the screws to fix the back half of the shaver into place. Then plug in the charger and allow the new batteries to charge for about 30 minutes. Turn the shaver on to see if the installed batteries are working correctly.

Summary

Just as important as properly installing new batteries in your electric shaver is finding the right replacement batteries.  To find the correct replacement battery Groom+Style suggests you check on Amazon or contact the manufacturer directly.

For more detailed step by step instructions for you specific device you could check a website like https://www.ifixit.com.

If all this seems to difficult you can always just buy a new shaver based on our review of the Top 5 Best Electric Shavers on the market.

How to Clean and Maintain an Electric Shaver Properly – Top Tips

You’ve picked out your new electric shaver, or you received it as a gift, and you’re excited to start using it. Or, maybe you’re still researching the best type of electric razor to buy for your needs. If so, you should check out our list of the Top 5 best men’s shavers.

An electric shaver will give you a close and smooth shave without any cuts or skin irritation. But remember, like with any type of electronic device, over time your shaver will need some maintenance and TLC.

Even if it is touted as a self cleaning shaver, if the shaver is never manually cleaned it will stop working properly. These simple tips for cleaning your electric shaver will ensure it continues to deliver a smooth shave and has a long life.

If you use a beard trimmer instead of (or as well as) an electric shaver then read Groom+Style’s article on how to maintain your electric beard trimmer.

How Often Should I Clean my Electric Shaver?

It is best to manually deep clean your shaver at least every week, with general cleaning after every shave. When cleaning, you must make sure that all hair and skin cells inside have been properly removed. If you never clean your shaver, you’re losing out on a great investment. If the shaver gets clogged up with excess hairs it will put a strain on the motor and cause it to break down faster. Also, without proper cleaning, your shaver could be playing host to unpleasant bacteria!  The top end shavers like the Braun which come with their own cleaning station will need to be manually cleaned less frequently.

What is the Best Way to Clean an Electric Shaver?

Each electric shaver comes with a manufacturer booklet with important instructions concerning how to use your shaver over time and how to know when to clean it. The manual will also note some of the best tools to use for that specific razor, and which to avoid.

Proceed with your shaving!

With the simple steps laid outline here, you’ll be able to get a clean shave without all the hassle of an ill-performing razor.  Cleaning your electric razor will prolong its life and performance and offer both hygienic, cosmetic, and functional benefits.

When you feel that it’s time to upgrade your shaver, take your time and do your research. Check out the Electric Shaver Reviews – the team at Groom+Style personally test the top shavers to provide the most up to date and accurate information.

In addition, GroomwithStyle also has another article related to electric shavers, which is buying an electric shaver.