To shave or not to shave? That is the somehow divisive question.
Summer promises sun-drenched holidays abroad, shorter hemlines and itsy-bitsy bikini sets to show off. Yet, these romantic images are always underscored by incessant body hair. Before jetting off, the organised landscapers among us will religiously book in at their local beauty salon for their annual wax. Those with less time and money will resort to at-home methods.
Choosing the right razor is a surprisingly difficult task. This is because your choice of defuzzing instrument will vary depending on your skin type, needs and technological inclination. For example, if you have sensitive skin, then a razor with five blades will offer a closer shave with less irritation and redness.
This is especially important to factor in when buying a razor for shaving intimate areas in the nether regions. The skin around the bikini line is hyper-sensitive and prone to bumps, burns and ingrown hairs. To avoid such delights, best opt for a specialised bikini line tool with extra lubrication and an ergonomic handle design to access all the nooks and crannies.
Believe it or not, there is a knack for optimising intimate shaving. It’s a step-by-step process that begins with exfoliating the area before even reaching for the razor. Secondly, apply generous amounts of shaving foam to avoid nicks and cuts. Thirdly, shave in the general direction of the hair follicles. Last but not least, be sure to moisturise and keep your razor clean for future use.
Of course, only shave if you want to. Body hair is a hotly debated topic within modern internet discourse. Like men, women have hair all over their bodies, but society has deemed it 'unfeminine’.
This has been the case since the 1920s when shaving became mainstream for post-War women. Following the end of World War One, skirts got shorter and sleeveless dresses gained popularity, meaning more women had skin on show. A shortage of nylon also meant women had to ditch stockings from the 1940s onwards and brave the bare-leg look.
The invention of the bikini in 1946 called pubic hair into question. The revealing two-piece created by Louis Réard catalysed decades of pubic hair trends, spanning the au naturale look favoured during the Sixties and Seventies to the silky smooth hairless skin of the Noughties.
In turn, the razor has become a controversial feminist symbol. But the tides are changing and more women are embracing their natural body hair. The decision to pick up or put down the razor, as political as it may seem, is a personal one at the end of the day.
On that note, if you would like to bid farewell to pubes, we are here to help. Read on for a round-up of the best razors to tackle intimate areas that promise the silkiest, smoothest and sleekest of shaves. If not, feel free to click away.
Best women’s razors for shaving intimate areas at a glance:
- Best for an all-encompassing kit: Venus Pubic Hair and Skin Full Regime - £53.99, Gillette
- Best for the most attractive razor on the market: Estrid The Starter Kit - £11.95, Estrid
- Best for sustainability: Jungle Culture Eco-Friendly Metal Razor - £23.99, Jungle Culture
- Best for battery operated: Wilkinson Sword Intuition Complete Bikini Trimmer and Razor - £19, Boots
- Best for precision: Beauty Pie The Perfect Razor & Refill - £30, Beauty Pie
- Best for wet and dry shaving: MAGNITONE London GoBare! Rechargeable Mini Lady Shaver - £19.99, Amazon
- Best for rechargeable: Philips Satinshave Advanced Lady Shaver - £39.99, Amazon
Find out more below
Venus Pubic Hair and Skin Full Regime
Best for: an all-encompassing kit
Why not start with the full whammy? Venus’ Pubic Hair and Skin Kit consists of a Skin Smoothing Exfoliant to prepare your skin for shaving, a 2-in-1 Cleanser and Shave Gel to help protect your skin from irritation, a Venus For Pubic Hair and Skin Razor which features an irritation defence bar and an ergonomic handle with a rubber-like grip, plus a Daily Soothing Serum to be applied post-shave.
The collection is designed especially for intimate shaving and is dermatologist and gynaecologist-approved.
Buy now £53.99, Gillette
Estrid The Starter Kit
Best for: the most attractive razor on the market
Cult brand Estrid has designed the cutest razors on the market. The hugely popular Starter Kit features a pastel-hued razor which includes a steel handle, a holder and two five-blade razor heads with a soothing strip to avoid irritation. The razor features five blades for a close shave and encompasses cocoa seed butter, shea butter, jojoba oil and aloe leaf juice powder in the lubricating strip.
The product is fully vegan and also works on a subscription basis, ensuring you are never without a trusty razor when a holiday comes calling.
Buy now £11.95, Estrid
Jungle Culture Eco-Friendly Metal Razor
Best for: sustainability
Razors are often made from plastic, meaning they aren’t the most sustainable purchase. Jungle Culture is here to change that, offering an eco-friendly shaving option for intimate spots. The genderless Eco-Friendly Metal Razor ensures a close, comfortable shave with zero waste. The razor is made up of a long chrome handle for accessibility and a textured grip available in pretty pastel tones. An easy-to-use item that benefits the environment.
Buy now £23.99, Jungle Culture
Wilkinson Sword Intuition Complete Bikini Trimmer and Razor
Best for: battery operated
Wilkinson Sword is a bellwether of the shaving world, so naturally the brand has a great bikini razor up for grabs. This battery-operated trimmer comes complete with a AAA lithium battery, plus a bikini trimmer on one end and a five-blade razor on the other. The piece is waterproof, meaning it can be used in the shower to slip easily into your hygiene practices.
Buy now £19.00, Boots
Beauty Pie The Perfect Razor & Refill
Best for: precision
Beauty Pie’s precision razor comes with a six-pack of refills and Stay-Sharp Technology to hug your body for a close shave - no nicks included. The defuzzer displays an individual blade suspension that prevents irritation, a soft rubber safety strip to avoid cuts and an easy-rinse design. Simply wet the razor head and get cracking.
Buy now £30.00, Beauty Pie
MAGNITONE London GoBare! Rechargeable Mini Lady Shaver
Best for: wet and dry shaving
Travelling abroad requires packing sensibly, especially when only bringing hand luggage. The MAGNITONE London GoBare! Rechargeable Mini Lady Shaver is a handbag-sized, rechargeable shaver that can be used on both wet and dry skin.
The handy kit contains a mini lady shaver, mesh travel pouch, micro USB charge cable, and a cleaning brush - marrying hygiene and practicality in one compact package.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Philips Satinshave Advanced Lady Shaver
Best for: rechargeable
Ok so yes, the Lady Shaver name may not be the most appealing, but the Philips’ Satinshave Advanced model is still a good choice for beginners wanting to experiment with electric options. The razor’s appealing pink design is complemented by a cut-avoiding tip, a comfortable shape to grip, a low charge alert and both wet and dry shaving options.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
