Philips Norelco HS8420 Nivea for Men Razor

by Philips

Product Features

• Prepares your skin with an enhanced stretch and lift pattern
• Follows the contours of the skin for a close shave
• The conditioner contains MICROtec to protect the skin against irritation
• Shave in or out of the shower
• Has a battery charge/low indicator with charging stand and anti-slip grip

Product Description

Nivea for Men conditioner is dispensed directly onto your skin, moisturizing your shave. The conditioner contains natural Micro Tec which helps to protect your skin against irritation.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 10 x 3.5 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002GJU2XI
• UPC: 075020007193
• Item model number: HS8420/20
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,959 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #15 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Shaving & Hair Removal > Electric Shavers > Men's > Rotary Shavers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very close shave, but time consuming, October 1, 2009

By 

Comdet - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Philips Norelco HS8420 Nivea for Men Razor (Health and Beauty)

(What's this?)

There's several reasons for wanting to use an electric shaver versus a blade. For me, it's been speed and comfort - an electric is faster, easier and less messy than using a blade and shaving cream. But, a dry shave with an electric is not as ultra close as a blade shave. Close enough for me, but if you're striving for the ultimate in closeness, you typically need to use a blade.

This Norelco is one of the few electrics that will match the closeness of a blade but it comes at a price - time and effort.

The shaver has a dispensing system where you push a button and it dispenses a small amount of Nivea cream. The Nivea is great stuff - very soothing, moisturizes, and has a nice, light scent. You wet your face first, then shave and push the dispensing button anytime you want some Nivea. The problem is, you need to dispense quite a bit of the stuff to get a comfortable shave, which gets pretty costly.

To keep the cost down and maintain high comfort levels, I use a gel-type shave cream first. Do one pass with the shaver, dunking it in water a couple of times to clear off the shave cream that builds up, then do a final pass using the Nivea. That keeps the Nivea use down to a small amount, but you still get the benefits of using the cream.

The resulting shave is as close, if not closer, than any blade shave I've ever had. It's essential that you use a light touch when using the Norelco - press too hard, and you'll get irritation, especially in the neck area. Also, you need to clean the head when you're done or the dispensing tubes will get clogged with the Nivea. Not hard to do - just run it under hot water while it the razor is on.

The shaver is water proof, and can be used in the shower. It's very similar to the previous model (8040 and related models), but with some improvements in ergonomics and overall design. The concept is the same, however, so if you can get older model at a discount, go for that instead of the newer model. The shave is the same.

Don't even think of shaving dry with this razor - you'll tear up your face.

Build quality is decent. A lot more plasticy than a premium razor, but in line with the price charged.

If you're looking to get the ultimate in closeness from an electric, you'll be happy with this. If, however, you're looking for speed and convenience, a dry shaver such as the Braun Series 5 or 7 should be on the short list. If you're unsure if you want to shave dry or wet (or want to do both), the Panasonic Arc IV is an outstanding shaver that can be used in both modes.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars By far the most comfortable shaver electric or razor I have ever used, but replacement cartridges are expensive., October 22, 2009

By 

austin_Larry (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Philips Norelco HS8420 Nivea for Men Razor (Health and Beauty)

(What's this?)

The most outstanding feature of this shaver is its comfort...but that comfort comes at a price. The shaver uses an innovative Nivea lotion dispenser that you pump into the body of the shaver. As you are shaving you press a button to dispense it. This works great for me. Produces a smooth, comfortable shave, I never have even the slightest bit of skin irritation.

As stated in other reviews, the manual does ask you to try the shaver for three weeks. I have and am very happy with how comfortable it is. But it still doesn't shave as close as a razor blade. I find the heads too big on my face to be effective in between my nose and lips so I still use a razor for that. Also I do find myself having to go over spots multiple times to get a trim to my satisfaction. On the other hand I have had electric shavers that cost more and have not performed as well.

You can check the cost of replacement lotion on Amazon and draw your own conclusions. The lotion that came with it is running low after three weeks of use. I can use shaving lotion or gel a lot longer before they run out and they cost less. But the comfort really is outstanding. Sometimes my razor still leaves my face red, this one never has. My face feels GOOD after using this, and that is certainly worth something. Comfort is a 5+ but closeness of shave and cost of replacement lotion brings the overall to a 4.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nivea gel NOT needed, September 9, 2010

By 

Jim - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips Norelco HS8420 Nivea for Men Razor (Health and Beauty)

Guys, please don't waste your money on the marketed Nivea shaving gel. I have used an in-shower Norelco for over 10 years (2 previous models now extinct). I use to think you had to use this special gel, until the cost was killing me. I tried my old shaving gel and it worked even better than the preferred Nivea. Don't use shaving "foam" though. It is too thick and will clog the razor heads or just fall off your face and provide no protection.

I mentioned this to the customer service folks at Norelco 2 years ago. I realize this is a marketing partnership and money is at stake here, but how many buyers have opted not to buy this product because of the cost-many if you read these reviews. The rep was curteous but I could tell this information would never make it to the public. Please, don't fall for the Nivea only pitch. You can have a great wet shave with gel and save a lot of money over the years. Save your money to pay your taxes. Jim-Branson, MO