‘I tested a men’s personal grooming shaver before a date – it’s a vital bit of kit’

A male groomer tested Manscaped’s Performance Package 5.0 Ultra grooming kit, including the Lawn Mower trimmer, before meeting a date during Black Friday week

I’ve been an adult for 14 years now and if there’s one thing I’ve learnt besides how to pay a mortgage and the importance of a good desk chair, it’s that you need to keep your personal grooming in check. Particularly below the belt. It’s important for those in relationships, but for single blokes like me, you’ve got to be ready at a moment’s notice.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Having tried everything from razors to repurposed beard trimmers (it was retired from my face), I needed a more practical solution. That’s where Manscaped comes into play – they’ve cut prices on their top-selling products this winter.

This includes their face-shaving kit – The Chairman, reduced from £218 to £150 with an extra 25% off at checkout; the body shaving kit – The Body Care Kit, down from £58 to £45 with the 25% off discount; and also their pubic shaving device, the Lawnmower, reduced from £110 to £100. However, I chose the Performance Package 5.0 Ultra, which, aside from having a name that makes me feel comfortable putting rotating blades near my most treasured possession, comes with everything you need for date night, reports the Mirror.

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Not only did I put this to the test, I did so before meeting a… close friend. So this review has officially been double-checked.

My Honest Review of Manscaped’s Performance Package 5.0 Ultra

The Package – currently priced at £135, down from £210 – made an impression the moment I ripped open the postal wrapping as it comes neatly packaged in a tidy box. Inside, I found:

• The Lawn Mower 5.0 Groin and Body Hair Trimmer
• Weed Whacker 3.0 Pro Electric Nose, Ear and Eyebrow Hair Trimmer
• Crop Soother Ball Aftershave Lotion
• Crop Preserver Anti-Chafing Ball Deodorant Refined Set
• Magic Mat Disposable Shaving Mats
• Boxers
• The Shed Toiletry Bag

The Performance Package 5.0 Ultra

£210

£135

Manscaped

Buy here

The Performance Package 5.0 Ultra is currently £75 off for Black Friday

The value included in the winter sale price is outstanding. A basic trimmer like the Gillette Intimate Trimmer i5 is priced at £40.49 (reduced from £44.99) on Amazon. However, Manscaped offers superior performance with the Lawn Mower.

Straight away, I felt confident that my special place was in safe hands with this device. The grip is comfortable, making it easier to navigate those slightly more challenging areas around the nether regions. It comes with two separate guards for different length trims, if you prefer a more tailored look. It also features a foil blade for achieving that extra smooth finish.

As someone who has a knack for breaking everything they own, akin to BamBam from the Flintstones, the heads detach easily, which is particularly handy if you’re pressed for time. I used the flat blade to trim the hairs on the two potatoes, before utilising the foil blade to ensure there’s no odd stubble.

Using anything near your private parts requires courage – I previously used a Gillette Fusion5 razor in the shower, a daunting task that would make Genghis Khan tremble. However, it was genuinely the most straightforward shave I’ve ever done. I was concerned the foil blade would pull at the hairs, as foil blades are prone to do, yet it actually resulted in a much smoother, less stressful shave.

On this occasion, I was in a bit of a hurry – squeezing in some quality time with a close friend after work during the hectic Black Friday week – and it went almost without a hitch. Despite the Lawn Mower being equipped with SkinSafe Technology to minimise the risk of cuts, my haste resulted in a minor nick. A disaster? Not quite. Unlike a razor cut, this was more of a gentle warning, and within minutes, I was perfectly fine and ready to carry on.

The star product truly earns a five-star rating from me – it’s safe, easy to handle, and delivers an aesthetic that, let’s just say, attracts praise. But what about the other products?

Weed Whacker

This trimmer is ideal for anyone who relies on the flaming cotton ball technique used in Turkish barber shops (as I once did, I do miss my Bethnal Green barber) for grooming. It doesn’t pull at all and ensures often overlooked areas are well-maintained. It also comes with an eyebrow comb to keep those brows in check, but sadly, as someone with the sweatiest forehead in the UK, I need all the help nature can provide.

Crop Soother Ball Aftershave Lotion and Crop Preserver Anti-Chafing Ball Deodorant

These products are especially beneficial for those of us prone to perspiration. While I didn’t use them prior to meeting my friend, I did give them a trial run separately.

The Aftershave emerges as a silky cream that you massage into your intimate area. If, like me, your skin is as sensitive as a newborn’s, it’s wise to test a small amount before applying it fully. It felt perfectly fine for me. The scent is masculine and sophisticated – ideal if your partner appreciates such fragrances. They would have mentioned this after smelling an aftershave you’ve used previously.

I was initially uncertain about the Ball Deodorant, but it does carry that signature masculine aroma. It’s not a spray, but a cream, and I encountered some difficulties removing the protective layer, which resulted in a bit of a creamy mess. However, it was gentle on my notoriously sensitive skin, but do conduct a patch test before full application.

Lastly, the boxers are genuinely the softest pair of underwear I possess. They’re fantastic and fit superbly, highly recommended for those who don’t neglect leg day. They could perhaps benefit from slightly smaller branding so it doesn’t loudly proclaim “I shave my balls!” to anyone who glimpses the waistband, though I suppose that serves as effective advertising for potential partners.

Would I recommend Manscaped’s The Performance Package 5.0?

Look, if you prefer the natural look and it suits you, that’s great. However, men need to ensure they’re grooming for both themselves and their partners. Be thoughtful. Nobody wants hairballs. To me, The Performance Package 5.0 is in a league of its own in terms of quality.

The Lawn Mower is a work of art that’s user-friendly and delivers a result that will satisfy anyone. The set alone justifies the price (it’s available for £100 in the winter sale). While the two fragrant extras are more like added bonuses than ‘worth the price’, the boxers are excellent and the Weed Whacker is essential for those of us blessed with more body hair. Top marks.

Pros

• Very easy to use
• Protects from most nicks
• Creates a perfect look
• Creams good for sensitive skin
• Masculine scents
• Amazing boxers

Cons

• Protects from most nicks
• Aftershave and deodorant are for special cases only

For those seeking an alternative shaver, I have previously used the Philips Series 3000 Beard trimmer for the nether regions. Although it’s reasonably priced (£29.99 down from £40), it doesn’t offer the same level of precision as the Manscaped package.