Conair HGL1 Combination Hot Gel/Lather Machine, Black

by Conair

Product Features

• Hot lather not only gives you one of the smoothest, most comfortable shaves you've ever had, but one of the best.
• Hot lather softens whiskers so that there's less irritation during close shaves, less tugging and pulling.
• Fits your favorite shaving gel can. Great for ladies shaving too!
• Attractive storage cylinder for a neat countertop appearance. 120V Plug-in operation.
• The black cylinder eliminates water spots that show up on chrome versions of this product.

Product Description

Hot lather not only gives you one of the smoothest, most comfortable shaves you've ever had, but one of the best. Hot lather softens whiskers so that there's less irritation during close shaves, less tugging and pulling. Just a smooth, close comfortable shave! Unique hot lotion dispenser provides soothing comfort for chapped, dry skin. Heated lotion penetrates gently and deeply. Instantly heats your favorite shaving gel so your skin feels silky and smooth. Now, you can feel pampered and comforted. A light blinks while lotion heats and goes steady when it is heated to your desired comfort level. Experience the luxury of a barber shave at home!

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BD4T94
• UPC: 074108053282
• Item model number: HGL1
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,044 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #66 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Shaving & Hair Removal > Accessories
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Idea, Poor Execution, January 3, 2007

By 

Thomas L. Strickland "Information Architect" (Alpharetta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conair HGL1 Combination Hot Gel/Lather Machine, Black (Health and Beauty)

One of the biggest problems with getting a decent shave is temperature. If your skin is too cool, whiskers retract and resist your blade. This product should provide a solution, but it doesn't.

Obviously, the consumer must provide their own can of lather or gel. It should be noted here that I had to change my preferred brand of shaving gel to use this product, as the configuration of a Nivea can is not compatible. And while a "key" -- basically, a small flat-bladed screwdriver -- is provided to assist with removing/prying-off the plastic top of a metal can, the removal is still rather tricky. A little recklessness could send that "key" into your hand.

Additionally, the installation method for my device differed from the instructions included in the box. However, there were alternate instructions printed on a large, permanently-attached label on the back of the cylindrical base. By squinting at these difficult to see photos, I was able to lock an altered can of Gilette Fusion into place. There was some amount of mess, as you must line up the small tube atop the can with a hole at the base of the actual heating unit. Again, carelessness could result in a lot of wasted gel.

It takes about three minutes for the unit to heat the gel, but if the gel is not dispensed very soon, the product will turn off and return the gel to room temperature in minutes. This is a safety feature, I know, but it would be handy to have a bit more time.

And when the gel is heated, the temperature (even at the highest setting) is little more than what one might have by running warm water over the can itself. As a result, the gel cools soon after hitting the skin and doesn't seem to activate the whiskers at all.

What if you wanted to change gels? There is no obvious way to clean the product, to remove the traces of previous gels. Over time, I can only imagine the "plumbing" of the machine becoming more and more gummed up.

So basically, this is a product that I wanted to like, but I just couldn't. A little more R&D, a little more testing, maybe the next generation model will be better.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money!!!, January 12, 2007

By 

Hockey Nut - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conair HGL1 Combination Hot Gel/Lather Machine, Black (Health and Beauty)

I bought this at Walmart just before Xmas. It is junk and not worth $20. It is easy to use and fits most gel and foam cans (not Nivea or the standard foam cans). If you ever went trick or treating as a teenager (you know what I mean) then you can certainly pop the top off the can and put this together. The problems with this thing is:

1) The gel does not get warm enough even at its highest setting.

2) It cools off to room temp as soon as you get it to your face.

If you do not want clutter on your counter then you have to put it away after each use.

3) It recommends that you unplug it after and between uses.

4) Very hard to clean.

This would work great if you could dispense it from the can right onto your face. If you want a warm and great shave, then spend $5 and get a fog free mirror and shave in the shower. If you like to blow money and throwing $20 away is your thing then get this.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice little gift for men & women, May 23, 2006

By 

S. Ashraf (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conair HGL1 Combination Hot Gel/Lather Machine, Black (Health and Beauty)

I gave this to my husband as a birthday gift, and it works VERY well in heating up gel to whatever temp you like. The highest setting can get very hot if left on too long, but within 1 min - 1 min 30 sec the gel is perfect temp for the face. My husband likes that the lather is warm before it touches his face in the morning, and it helps a bit in shaving as well.

Also, I've used this product myself (on my legs) and LOVED the way the gel lather felt on my skin. It's wonderful to have it heated up instead of cold, and it does help in shaving. At this price, it's a great gift! (One small complaint is that it is pretty large and will look out of place and kind of unsightly on your bathroom counter.)