It's a well-known fact that the hair-removal process comes in many forms. While some hair removal practices might be second-nature and painless for some, there are just as many out there that pose a challenge. That said, out of the many notably more "traditional" hair-removal methods (i.e., tweezing, waxing, sugaring, etc.), it would be fair to argue that none offer a very long-lasting or permanent solution for fine, short hairs. Yes, shaving may be the best option for a tool that is relatively easy to use and inexpensive, but if you have sensitive skin, you run the risk of having razor bumps.
Then there's laser hair removal, which has become more accessible to the general public with affordable pricing, but there's also a less-talked-about option that we believe deserves just as much hype: epilating. Epilator devices have several tweezers attached to a rotating head that can be passed over an area repeatedly for the best results. The best part? They produce results that can last longer than shaving or waxing.
The Best Epilators, Listed
- Braun FaceSpa Pro
- Philips BRE225/000 Satin Essential Epilator
- Pursonic 6-in-1 Smooth Glide Epilator
- Remington Smooth Silky Total Coverage Epilator
- Panasonic Epilator with Gentle Epilation Cap
- Philips Epilator Series 8000
Epilators Versus Tweezers
If you're wondering why epilators have continued to be a popular choice for quick hair removal, it's because of the instant results they're able to provide with minimal effort from users. Board-certified dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, at Eternal Dermatology, describes them as being akin to using a pair of tweezers. "Epilators remove the hair directly from the root. This differs from shaving, which does not remove the root," he says. "Using an epilator means hair takes longer to regrow."
For someone who uses epilators frequently, this can mean there's no need for costly professional hair-removal appointments since epilators can be used in the comfort of your home with salon results. One of the biggest pros about using epilators is that they target and remove hair at the root. That said, they have the reputation of feeling a little, well, spicy. Rodney tells us the pain is on par with waxing since both techniques require the removal of hair from the root with an upwards pulling motion.
Using an Epilator
If you're new to incorporating epilators in your beauty routine or have never been waxed before, this experience might be uncomfortable (perhaps even painful for individuals with sensitive skin). For somewhat pain-free results, she recommends pulling the skin taut before passing the device over it and avoiding goose bumps. Take note of the way the epilator is moving—move in the direction of your hair growth without pressing too heavily or passing through quickly, which can cause irritation.
One of the best things about epilators is that they can work across all skin types and textures, but for sensitive skin, it's best to take extra care when using the machine. If you have a severe skin condition, it might be best to avoid using them. Consider testing an epilator on a small area first to help determine if it's the right hair-removal option for you. Rodney cautions that epilators can be very painful if misused. "Epilators also fail to address ingrown hairs and are not best for sensitive areas. You'll need to find one that keeps your skin's health and protection in mind," she adds.
Shopping for an Epilator
To find the best epilator for you (without testing each first), consider taking a look at reviews highlighting how well one removes hair, whether irritation occurred when using it, and whether it works well on sensitive areas like the bikini line. Consider your goals for using an epilator, and make sure you've given your skin some major preparation before you start using it to soften the hair follicles and make it easier for the device to pick up and remove hairs.
Rodney says that exfoliating the skin well before using an epilator (at least a couple of days before putting the machine on your skin) can help combat dryness and prevent ingrown hairs. Shaving or trimming hair days before is also a reliable way to make the hair-removal process fast. To lessen the pain sensation, you might also want to consider selecting an epilator that can work on dry skin, because softening the skin and hair follicles to make it easier to pick up and remove hair.
If you're just beginning your journey with epilators, it's best to select one that's designed specifically for use on sensitive skin or features a sensitive skin attachment. With frequent use, you can expect an easier time using the device. Then, when you're ready, consider upgrading to a device that's more advanced and powerful. Wondering which epilators stand out to us the most? Keep scrolling to learn all about them, and discover some after-hair-removal products for a smooth finish.
Braun FaceSpa Pro
To keep the growth of ultra-fine hairs in check while achieving smooth skin, consider upgrading your routine with this multipurpose skincare device by Braun. Its designed to work with three different heads to epilate, purify, and tone the skin. The best part? It's unique epilator head features 10 micro-openings, which the brand can target 4x more short hairs than waxing.
Pros: Portable three-in-one skincare device that epilates, tones, and purifies
Cons: Epilator attachment tends to overheat quickly; allow it to cool down if using for an extended amount of time
Details: Includes FaceSpa pro device, epilator head, a toning head, cleansing brush head, and cleaning brush
Customer Review: "I used to get facial waxing at a salon every couple of months. This epilator does just a good a job and paid for itself within a few uses. It pulls out hair by the root so it lasts several days—and doesn’t hurt as much as waxing. Easy to use. Each charge lasts several uses too."
Remington Smooth Silky Ultimate Facial Care Kit
If you're on the hunt for another multipurpose skincare device that features a versatile epilator tool, you're in luck. Remington's Smooth Silky Ultimate Facial Care Kit features an epilator attachment with eight precise openings to capture and remove pesky hair as it rotates, a massage roller to revitalize the skin, and facial cleansing brush to improve the absorption of products, and a detail trimmer to remove all unwanted facial hair.
Pros: Device can be used comfortably on wet and dry skin (i.e., hair can be removed in or out of the shower to save time)
Cons: Facial epilator attachment is not ideal for fine, short hairs around the mouth and chin
Details: Includes a facial epilator attachment, massage roller, facial cleansing brush attachment, and detail trimmer
Customer Review: "This facial care kit is a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their skincare routine. Each product feels luxurious and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. From cleansing to moisturizing, this kit covers all the essentials for a radiant complexion."
Braun Silk-Épil 9
If you've ever found it hard to avoid shaving against the grain of your hair and with the natural contours of your body, then you understand how tough it can be to capture pesky hairs. Braun's Silk-Épil 9 provides the best solution with its unique design. The epilator features a wide, pivoting head that captures and removes hair as short as 0.5mm with 40 tweezers. Trust me—your skin will be hair-free and super smooth in no time.
Pros: Designed with a wide, pivoting head to effortlessly follow your body contours for precise epilation
Cons: Luxury price point
Details: Includes Silk-Épil 5 (with MicroGrip tweezers), trimmer comb, cleaning brush, shaver head, pouch
Customer Review: "The Silk-épil 9 Flex SES9-030 feels like a game-changer for my beauty routine. Its flexible head moves with my curves, making hair removal so much more comfortable and effective. I love how the high-frequency massaging system gently soothes as it works, and the built-in light ensures no stray hairs are left behind. The option to use it in the shower is a real bonus for me. Overall, it’s a fantastic tool that makes achieving smooth skin a bit easier and more enjoyable."
Conair Total Body Epilator
Yes, there are some epilators designed to quickly and comfortably remove body hair from head to toe in a single step. Conair's cutting-edge Total Body Epilator, for example, is equipped with 40 ultra-precise tweezers to pluck ultra-fine hair at the root and deliver silky skin. Its ergonomic design and customizable speeds allow for painless hair removal with up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge. Pro tip: Use a low speed for more sensitive areas, and a high speed on the arms and legs.
Pros: Helps the skin stay clear, smooth, and hair-free for up to six weeks after use
Cons: Takes an extended amount of time to charge between hour-long hair-removal sessions
Details: Includes Total Body Epilator (with 40 tweezers), a sensitive skin attachment, two speeds, and a cordless design
Customer Review: "This little tool is pretty powerful! After a bit of a learning curve, I've had impressively smooth results. Going into the summer this will definitely be a continued use item for me. I've never had my arms, legs, bikini line stay smooth for so long....it's a relief not having to shave each day of vacation! Good battery power, pretty painless, and smooth results."
Philips BRE225/000 Satin Essential Epilator
Looking for something more lightweight? It's time to get your hands on the Philips BRE225/00 Satin Essential Epilator. This useful hair-removal tool uses a lightweight, ergonomic design to glide along your curves without snagging or skipping to remove fine, hard-to-reach hair in minutes. It features a washable epilation head and two speed options for fuss-free use and a satin-like feel when you're done.
Pros: Has a lightweight and ergonomic design for comfortable handling
Cons: Does not have a portable design, must be plugged in for use
Details: Includes BRE225/00 Satin Essential epilator, washable epilation head, and two speed settings
Customer Review: "This product holds a charge very well and is really easy to hold on to. I love that it removes hair quickly and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth. The instructions are also very easy to understand making the product super easy to use as well. I do find that it pulls hair a bit in order to ensure that close, smooth feeling. I don't feel that it hurts (it can just be a little bit uncomfortable) which is to be expected with this type of product. Overall, I find this to be an excellent, high quality product."
Braun Silk-Épil 5
As someone with sensitive skin, finding an epilator that offers comfortable and fast results can be a daunting task. Braun's Silk-Épil 5 stands out to me as one of the best epilator devices I've used that offers long-lasting results with minimal pain. This has small, ultra-precise tweezers designed to capture fine, short hairs and comes with a massage roller cap to effectively reduce pain with use (which is a huge win for those of us with low pain thresholds).
Pros: Has a portable, cordless design for convenience that can be used on wet or dry skin
Cons: Device is quite loud to use and requires two or more passes for short, fine hairs
Details: Includes Silk-Épil 5 (with MicroGrip tweezers), skin contact cap, cleansing brush, and pouch
Customer Review: "I love the sleek design of this epilator, and it has a great battery life. It was very easy to clean after using it. I was very impressed with how well it cleaned the hair and it actually took longer for the hair to grow out versus me shaving."
Pursonic 6-in-1 Smooth Glide Epilator
Tailor your hair-removal process to your needs and comfort level with Pursonic's 6-in-1 Smooth Glide Epilator to your upgraded beauty routine. The set comes with six interchangeable attachments that offer lightning-fast hair removal, gentle exfoliation, callus removal, and a gentle massage post hair removal. After using the epilator, I like following with the face and body shaver for quick and painless touch-ups.
Pros: Product features a versatile design that offers a quick solution for hair removal with six interchangeable attachments
Cons: Epilator attachments require a couple of passes over areas with fine, short hair
Details: Includes epilating head, shaving head, body massage head, body exfoliation brush, callus head, and face and body shaver
Customer Review: N/A
Braun Silk-Épil 7
Another Braun epilator work considering is the Silk-Épil 7. Unlike the others in the brand's line of easy-to-use epilators, it provides up to a month of hair-free, smooth skin using an efficient wide head to help removed more hairs in one stroke. It also comes with a massage roller cap to make the process more comfortable, a trimmer comb, cleaning brush and exfoliator for quick and easy hair-removal. You can just epilate and go!
Pros: Epilator uses MicroGrip tweezer technology, capable of capturing hairs as short as 0.5mm
Cons: High price point
Details: Includes Silk-Épil 5 (with MicroGrip tweezers), shaver head, trimmer comb, exfoliator, skin contact cap, and cleaning brush
Customer Review: "The Braun Silk-épil 7 Epilator is a versatile and efficient hair-removal device. Its cordless design and long battery life provide convenience, while the ability to use it wet or dry adds flexibility. The epilator effectively removes even the shortest hairs, leaving skin smooth for weeks. The built-in light ensures no hair is missed, and the various attachments cater to different body areas."
Remington Smooth Silky Total Coverage Epilator
When it comes to skin tools, ergonomic designs can mean anything from how easy it use to position in the hand to the way a tool can move across the skin. When it comes to Remington's Smooth Silky Total Coverage Epilator, the magic can be found in its lightweight feel and wide head with automatic tweezers. My only qualm with this option is that it's not portable and must be plugged in for use.
Pros: Has an ergonomic design with an angled head that stays close to the skin with 40 automatic tweezers
Cons: Does not have a portable design, must be plugged in for use
Details: Includes epilator (with 40 automatic tweezers), two speed settings, angled cap, and comfort barrels
Customer Review: "I've always been a huge fan of Remington products and this is no exception! This has been easy to use. The compact size makes it easy to store away as well. After a few uses, the hair starts growing back finer and more sparse, which has been great. The more you use it, the slower the hair grows back which is also ideal. Overall, excited to keep using this product!"
Panasonic Epilator with Gentle Epilation Cap
When it comes to epilators, I prefer tools that feature pivoting heads that can contour to your body's curves and remove hair without any snagging or pulling. Panasonic's newest epilator model comes with an epilator head that has the ability to move at 90 degrees for hard-to-reach areas and uses a dual-disk design with 60 rotating tweezers for fast hair removal. This one is cordless, portable, and comes with a pressure sensor for the best results.
Pros: Designed with a 90-degree pivoting epilator head to capture hairs in hard-to-reach areas
Cons: Product is loud; offered at a high price point
Details: Dual-disc epilator (with 60 rotating tweezers), three speed settings, waterproof, pressure sensor, and a cordless design
Customer Review: "I can't tell you how many nicks and cuts I've subjected myself to in the process of shaving which has driven me to a fierce hatred of this traditional hair-removal ritual. I can't tell you how happy I am to have this miraculous device! Yes, it rips my hair out by the root without mercy, but the pain is fleeting and the result lasts for weeks... totally worth it!"
Remington Smooth and Silky Facial Epilator
For a more cost-effective option, I love using Remington's Smooth and Silky Facial Epilator. Its sleek, compact design is perfect for tucking away in your bag for on-the-go touchups and features six automatic tweezers that target fine hair. It also comes with a protective cap to protect the skin, a brush to sweep away any stray hairs, and is both cordless and battery-operated.
Pros: Gently and quickly removes unwanted hair with a sleek design and six automatic tweezers
Cons: Not ideal for individuals with sensitive skin ,as it may cause some irritation and redness
Details: Includes Smooth and Silky Facial epilator (with six automatic tweezers), protective cap, brush, cordless, and battery operated
Customer Review: "I've only had this for about a month, so if things are going to go wrong, I have yet to experience the. This epilator has literally changed my life. It denuded my post-menopausal chin, neck and moustache areas and left them baby-bottom soft and definitely stubble-free for the entire month. Pain was minimal, effort was minimal, there was no redness, yet the results were incredible. All for the price of a handful of disposable razors!"
Philips Epilator Series 8000
Lately, I've also been loving the Epilator Series 8000 by Philips since it does five different things (you can never have too many multi-use skincare tools!) Not only does it provide quick and gentle epilation for fine hairs, but it also has a design that will shave, trim, pedicure, and exfoliate. I've noticed my hair has grown back thinner and slower after using this over a couple of months.
Pros: Five-in-one product that delivers smooth skin for up to four weeks and multiple head attachments to meet skin goals
Cons: Product is loud to use, offered at a high price point
Details: Includes a facial epilator attachment, delicate area cap, optimal contact cap, drawstring pouch, shaver head (with trimming comb), trimming head (with bikini comb), and exfoliation glove
Customer Review: "I recently started using the Philips epilator, and I'm really impressed with it. Since this is my first experience with an epilator, I was surprised by how effectively it removes hair from the root, leaving my skin smooth for weeks. The different speed settings help me find the right level of comfort. It's much gentler than I expected compared to what I had heard about epilators. Overall, its quickly become a must-have in my beauty routine, and I highly recommend it to others new to epilators."
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