Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories
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Body hair is your call, and so is the method. A good razor and a shave cream cover most people, and an after-shave balm helps when razor bumps show up.
A bikini trimmer handles quick tidy-ups without a blade. Epilators pull hair from the root, so results last longer than shaving, though it can be uncomfortable, and wax kits are the other long-lasting route. The razors, shave creams, after-shave picks and epilators come from NBC Select guides built with board-certified dermatologists, and the trimmers and wax kits are BestReviews picks. Each card shows the drawback the outlet called out, like a trimmer you can't use in the shower or wax that misses fine hair.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want a beard trimmer or electric shaver for your face; the Men's Grooming Starter list has those.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillette Venus Deluxe Smooth Platinum Razor | mid | $15-25 | legs, underarms and everything with curves | 1 outlet |
| Gillette Mach3 Razor | budget | under $15 | your first real razor | 1 outlet |
| Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel | budget | under $15 | a cheap can for the shower shelf | 1 outlet |
| Eos Shea Better Sensitive Shave Cream | mid | under $15 | dry skin that gets itchy after shaving | 1 outlet |
Best razormid pick · Handle + cartridge
Best for legs, underarms and everything with curves
NBC Select's best overall razor for women: five blades with water-activated lubrication on a pivoting head.
Heads up. Higher price point
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall razor for women.
$15-25
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budget pick · Handle + 1 refill
Best for your first real razor
NBC Select's best razor for beginners: three blades and a weighted handle that glides easily, with one refill in the box.
Heads up. Not many refills
1 outlet. NBC Select best razor for beginners.
under $15
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Best shaving creambudget pick · 7 oz
Best for a cheap can for the shower shelf
NBC Select's best budget-friendly shaving cream: a gel that dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick says is great for sensitive skin.
1 outlet. NBC Select best budget-friendly shaving cream.
under $15
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mid pick · 7 fl oz
Best for dry skin that gets itchy after shaving
NBC Select's best shaving cream for dry skin: a thick shaving cream and in-shower lotion with shea oil, shea butter and oatmeal, and Dr. Marisa Garshick says it's safe to use in delicate areas.
Heads up. May not spread easily
1 outlet. NBC Select best shaving cream for dry skin.
under $15
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Best aftershavebudget pick · Tube
Best for calming skin after a rough shave
NBC Select's best balm for razor burn: dermatologist Dr. Camila Antia calls it one of her favorites for skin irritated by razor burn, since it's bland and low in alcohol.
1 outlet. NBC Select best balm for razor burn.
$15-25
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mid pick · Bottle
Best for anyone who gets red bumps after shaving
NBC Select's best aftershave: dermatologist Dr. Camila Antia recommends it for after-shave redness, razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Heads up. It's alcohol-based, so Dr. Antia says it's best on skin that isn't already irritated
1 outlet. NBC Select best after shave.
$15-25
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Best bikini trimmermid pick · Battery-powered
Best for first-time bikini trimming
BestReviews' best bikini trimmer for beginners: a battery-powered trimmer that's reasonably gentle on sensitive skin, with three attachments and a storage bag.
Heads up. Not for the shower, and it doesn't trim very coarse hair well
1 outlet. BestReviews best for Beginners bikini trimmer.
$25-50
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budget pick · Palm-size
Best for quick tidy-ups on a budget
BestReviews' best bang for the buck bikini trimmer: an affordable dual-blade trimmer with two safety attachments that's easy to travel with.
Heads up. Can't be used with water and is difficult to clean
1 outlet. BestReviews best Bang for the Buck bikini trimmer.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Epilator Series 8000 | mid | $100-150 | wet or dry use, face and body | 1 outlet |
| Philips Epilator Series 2000 | budget | $25-50 | trying an epilator without a big spend | 1 outlet |
| Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex-Pivoting SkinSpa Epilator | splurge | $200-300 | one device for everything | 1 outlet |
Best epilatormid pick · Cordless
Best for wet or dry use, face and body
NBC Select's best overall epilator: a cordless, water-resistant face-and-body model that dermatologist Dr. Stacy Chimento says can reach small hairs in delicate areas.
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall epilator.
$100-150
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budget pick · Corded
Best for trying an epilator without a big spend
NBC Select's best compact epilator: a corded, water-resistant model for legs and body with an ergonomic handle that Dr. Marisa Garshick says makes hard-to-reach areas easier.
Heads up. Not cordless
1 outlet. NBC Select best compact epilator.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Cordless set
Best for one device for everything
NBC Select's best epilator set: a flexible head that Dr. Marisa Garshick says curves around hard-to-reach areas, plus six attachments including a shaver head and trimmer cap.
Heads up. Higher price point
1 outlet. NBC Select best epilator set.
$200-300
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Best wax kitbudget pick · 42 strips
Best for waxing without a warmer
BestReviews' best bang for the buck waxing kit: 42 ready-made strips in two sizes, with four calming oil wipes for after.
Heads up. May not be as effective on thick hair
1 outlet. BestReviews best Bang for the Buck waxing kit.
under $15
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splurge pick · Warmer + 4 bags of beads
Best for thick hair and a real at-home wax setup
BestReviews' best of the best waxing kit: a hard wax kit with a warmer, four bags of wax beads, applicators and pre- and post-wax oil that's gentle on the skin.
Heads up. Does not pick up as much thinner, finer hair
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the Best waxing kit.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Dermatologists in NBC Select's razor burn guide suggest about 10 minutes in warm water first, shaving in the direction hair grows with short, light strokes, rinsing the razor every two to three strokes, not going over the same spot twice, then rinsing with cool water and moisturizing.
The experts in NBC Select's razor guide say every two to three shaves. Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick says a dull blade can lead to irritation and razor bumps.
Dr. Marisa Garshick tells NBC Select that epilators remove the whole hair from the follicle, while trimming leaves the follicle intact, so hair can grow back faster after trimming. Dr. Stacy Chimento says using one on wet skin may feel slightly less uncomfortable, and NBC Select says to clean the device between uses.