From byrdie
Hair removal is a pain (often both literally and figuratively). Shaving is tedious and time-consuming; waxing is expensive and painful, not to mention a bad idea if you also use a retinoid in your skincare routine. But if your seventh-grade self learned anything from those experiments with smelly depilatories, it’s that at-home hair removal products were seldom the solution. But there’s a new crop of hair-removal options that are challenging that notion. Whether you’re looking to temporarily or permanently get rid of hair on your face or body, there’s a product (or two) out there you’re going to want to try.
Below, the best hair removal products you can use at home.
Best Overall: Dermaflash 2.0 Luxe Facial Exfoliation & Peach Fuzz Removal
A multistep system, this package has everything you need to get rid of unwanted peach fuzz from start to finish. It allows you to prep your hair, remove it, and then soothe the area after the fact.
First, use the included cleanser to prepare your skin for hair removal. Then, work the device in short strokes to remove dead skin and peach fuzz. Lastly, calm the skin with the Hydrating Moisturizer.
Best for Upper Lip: Finishing Touch Flawless Women’s Painless Hair Remover
Hair removal isn’t the most glamorous concept, but this discreet white-and-rose-gold device makes the process a little bit chicer. If you’ve ever tried to remove fuzz from your upper lip area, you know just how painful it can be. But this new hair removal device was designed to gently remove facial hair without redness or irritation—it’s even safe enough to use every day.
Best for Facial Hair: Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit
This chamomile oil-infused wax is soothing and safe to use on sensitive skin. Included in this cute kit are spatulas and a pre- and post-waxing oil. To use, first microwave the cup in 30-second intervals until it’s consistency is similar to that of thick honey. Make sure to stir the wax gently between each interval. After heating, use the spatula and check the temperature of the wax on the inside of your wrist. If all feels right, apply the wax against the direction of hair growth, let sit until it hardens, and go to town.
Best Budget: Sephora Level Setter Razors
It’s cost-friendly dermaplaning at home. Sephora’s disposable razors allow you to exfoliate and remove excess hair on the face for smoother, younger-looking skin that’s also unobstructed for better product absorption.
Best Disposable Razor: Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Razor
Is shaving your go-to way to remove pesky stubble? If so, we’ve got your ultimate razor right here, courtesy of Gillette. It has five blades, which are surrounded by a moisturizing lotion for extra hydration. Also, its grip is comfortable and it glides easily, so you don’t have to worry about nicking your skin from pressing too hard.
These Are the Best Razors for Silky-Smooth Skin
Best Safety Razor: Oui The People Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor
Before you decide that you’re done with shaving, this single blade straight razor could be worth a try. A noted favorite of Senior Editor, Hallie Gould, it provides a close shave without all of the hair-pulling and after burn often associated with razors, even for those with thick, curly hair. Designed with the ritual of shaving in mind, you’re going to want to take your time with this weighty razor, and your smooth skin will thank you for it.
Best Splurge: Remington iLIGHT Pro Plus Quartz Body Hair Removal System
If you’re looking for more of a permanent solution, this at-home hair removal device uses intense pulsed light (IPL) technology to zap away unwanted hair. It’s not exactly the cheapest in the bunch, but with a 94% reduction of hair in three uses, it’s worth every penny. If you’re worried about giving up your retinoid, a more permanent method of hair removal means that it won’t be an issue for you for too long.
Best for Bikini Line: Gillette Venus Bikini Precision Women’s Trimmer
Whether you love being by the pool, beach, or just laying out in your backyard, this handy tool is your new best friend when you start showing some more skin. The 90 degree angled head allows for total precision and maneuverability, making trimming your bikini line easy and quick. It follows your natural curves and prevents any cuts along the way. The compact design is travel-friendly, so you can conveniently pop it into your check-in bag on the way to a tropical location. It’s also battery-operated, so no extra wires or chargers needed.
Best for Underarms: Nair Glides Away Sensitive Formula Hair Remover
Infused with natural coconut oil and vitamin E, this hair removal formula is designed for sensitive, hard-to-reach areas like your underarms. Plus, applying it is completely mess-free—just twist the dial to dispense the cream, smooth it onto your skin using the top of the applicator, leave it be for six minutes, rinse it off, and you’ll be set with smooth underarms for up to six days.
Best Spray: Sally Hansen Extra Strength Spray-On Shower-Off Hair Remover
If hair removal is your goal, it simply doesn’t get much easier than this Sally Hansen formula. All you need to do is spray it on in the shower, then rinse it away in three minutes for instant results. It also has a 360-degree nozzle, so you can spray upside down for those tough-to-reach spots. Bonus: it has a yummy vanilla scent.
Best For Legs: Veet Aloe Vera Legs & Body Hair Remover Gel Cream
Unlike other hair growth inhibitors of the past, this one doesn’t smell like rotten eggs. (That statement, alone, deserves a standing ovation.) With soothing superstars like Vitamin E and aloe, the formula glides on easily and performs it’s disappearing act in five minutes. It penetrates the skin and eliminates the hair follicle as close to the root as possible, revealing super-sleek legs with no stubble in sight. To apply, take the included spatula and spread an even layer of cream to coat every strand. After five minutes to 10 minutes, remove the cream using the same spatula and rinse the skin with warm water. Voila, vacation-ready legs!
Bye, Razors and Tweezers: These Hair-Removal Creams Make It All So Easy
Best Lotion: Completely Bare Don’t Grow There Body Moisturizer
This lotion wears many hats, so to speak. Yes, it helps reduce hair growth, length, and density—but also, with ingredients like shea butter and white willow bark, it hydrates and soothes the skin while enhancing cell turnover. Plus, it has a super refreshing scent, thanks to lemongrass and green tea extract.
Best Epilator: Braun Series 9-890 Silk-Epil Sensosmart Epilator
Wet or dry, this virtually painless epilator grabs onto even the shortest hairs that waxing and shaving misses. And the best part? Since it’s basically a quicker version of tweezing, you don’t have to pass on this new hair removal device if you also use a retinoid. Enjoy the results of a wax (up to four weeks of smooth, hairless skin) without all the fuss.
Best Mask: Nair Charcoal Brighten & Smooth Leg Mask
You treat your hair, your face, and your eyes to a mask, but what about your legs? Hair removal has a bad reputation for being painful and uncomfortable, so take the time in between shaving or waxing to treat your skin with this clay and charcoal mask. Not only does it exfoliate and moisturize, but it also gets rid of any annoying stubble that creeps up.
Best for Brazilian: GiGi Brazilian Bikini Hard Wax Kit
This kit has everything you need for a Brazilian wax in the comfort of your own home. This wax hardens—no need for muslin strips—and conveniently heats up right in your microwave.
The system comes with the wax, two pre-wax treatments, two post-wax treatments, and 10 applicators. Basically, with this kit in your arsenal, you are your own wax technician. Users like how effective the product is at removing hair from such a sensitive area.
Best Long-Term Option: Silk’n Infinity Hair Removal Device
Although many hair removal devices are called “lasers,” many don’t actually use them. Instead, they use Intense Pulse Light (IPL) technology, which actually targets hair’s melanin to permanently banish the follicle. Desired results usually occur after repeated treatment. Its biggest benefit: It’s completely painless.
This system, in particular, has a lifetime’s worth of pulses—approximately 400,000—which means you never have to replace the cartridge, which makes the hefty price tag a little less hefty. When gently moved across the skin, galvanic energy is released to open the pores, allowing for more speedy removal. Plus, unlike many other devices, this one is safe to use on all skin tones.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hair removal products from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
Next up, The 8 Best Gift Subscription Boxes of 2020
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated