Best facial trimmer for a 5 o'clock shadow?

November 27, 2014 1:51 PM

Is there a standard go to trimmer for leaving a 5 o’clock shadow? Something small and maneuverable which cuts evenly and closely but still leaving hair above the skin?

I have basically given up on shaving as it irritates my face. My facial hair tends to curl over and become ingrown. I have tried various razors, creams, etc. Currently, I am using a Wahl trimmer which I used without the guard. This works okay but the clippers are hard to maneuver and they leave the hair a little longer than I would like. They also seem to leave patches of longer hair even if I make multiple passes and are pretty careful. Some sites recommend the Wahl peanut. Other information point’s to the Andi’s T-outliner having a closer cut.

Is there a standard go to trimmer for leaving a 5 o’clock shadow? Something small and maneuverable which cuts evenly and closely but still leaving hair above the skin? Can something like a Braun series 7 be set to cut so that the hair stays above the skin?

posted by cycleback to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

I had the same problem: shaving left me with irritation no matter what blade I used or fancy shaving products (or lack thereof) I tried.

I've been very happy with my Philips QT4022, which I gather is no longer made. I think the successor in Philips's lineup is the BT5275/41 5100. Highly adjustable length setting, self-sharpening, rechargeable, and waterproof. Waterproof is key for me, as I prefer to shave in the shower, and it makes cleanup easy.
posted by jedicus at 4:15 PM on November 27, 2014

Or try any of the Wahl products. These are generally what a barber would use if they were doing facial hair lines or edging. Often, you're going to need to use a "guard" for what length you want your facial hair to be. It's a good way to kind of experiment with different lengths.

I bought one about 5 years ago in a grocery store (Harris-Teeter) that needs to be recharged every 6-8 months by AC adapter. The instructions said it would only recharge 2-3 times before dying out, but it's still going strong.
posted by kuanes at 5:26 PM on November 27, 2014

I have a slightly different Philips trimmer like the one that Jedicus linked to (ah ha! It's this one). I hate shaving for the same reason so I usually just use that without the guard. I'm not sure is quite gets to 5 o'clock shadow close but it's not far off. I think the trick is the narrower head compared to a full-size trimmer that makes it a lot easier to get around all the curves, nooks, and crannies on my face.
posted by VTX at 6:07 PM on November 27, 2014

I just use the pop up trimmer on my $25 Braun. It works just fine.
posted by COD at 6:29 PM on November 27, 2014 [1 favorite]

I have ended up with the same solution as you; I use a Wahl 9854 without a guard.

Their all-in-one kits come with an ear/nose/brow detailer which has a smaller head and can be used for somewhat more precise trimming.
posted by mountmccabe at 9:52 AM on November 28, 2014