I'm an Expert at Body Hair Removal—These 10 Products Keep My Skin Smooth and Stubble-Free
From waxes to razors.
Hi, my name is Eden, and I am an extremely hairy individual. I’ve been cognizant of my hirsutism since puberty; I remember begging my mom to let me shave my legs, and her finally relenting to below the knees only. It’s been a big enough part of my life that it’s come up at more than one well-woman visit (not-so-fun fact: It’s one of the symptoms of PCOS).
While I’m less self-conscious about it these days than I was in my youth—and will indeed go long stretches without removing a single follicle below the neck—there are many times when I just want to rip it all out. And since I’ve had so much of it for so long, I’ve become something of a connoisseur of body hair removal products.
Over the years, I’ve developed strong opinions about which methods are best for which body parts (kudos to those of you who shave your bikini lines, because that will never be my ministry), and the must-have products to get your very best results with each one. So naturally, I had to round up my top picks across waxing, shaving, and creams, along with a few other tools and products that help me achieve smooth, soothed skin. Scroll on for my faves.
Waxing Heroes
The longest-lasting form of at-home hair removal, waxing, is also the most painful. Still, when it comes to grabbing the bull by the horns—AKA grabbing the hairs by the root—nothing compares. (Well, except for tweezing, but doing that all over the body does not sound like an enticing prospect.) In my opinion, it’s the only choice for the bikini area and lower face.
This is hands down the closest product I’ve found for emulating that in-salon waxing experience. As such, it’s literally the only form of hair removal I use for my (very coarse) bikini area, and it works just as great on the happy trail and legs, too. It's probably the most painful product on the list—it is a hot wax—but the results make the momentary discomfort beyond worth it.
I prefer wax strips for facial hair removal, specifically the upper lip and chin. According to my Amazon purchase history, I first picked up these not-too-creamy, not-too-sticky wax strips in 2021, and I’ve been alternating between them and the Nads Facial Wax Strips ever since. The pain is super minimal, and it leaves me with a stubble-free visage for a week plus.
Shaving Tools
Shaving is like the vanilla ice cream of hair removal: Practically synonymous with the category, and popular for a reason. The results might not last as long as waxing or tweezing, but it’s super convenient and affordable, great for large surface areas, and not at all painful. Razors are definitely my weapon of choice for the legs (because waxing hurts) and my underarms (unless I’ve let the hair get out of control).
Billie razors really are worth the hype. The handle is super easy to drive around tough spots like the ankles, and the five aloe-encased blades help me get a super close shave in just one go. Plus—of equal importance, honestly—there are so many cute designs to choose from. I really want to pick up Pink Sparkle, which reminds me of jelly shoes.
Confession: I usually shave with hair conditioner. Which, imo, gives my opinion on shaving cream even more weight. If I’m going out of my way to use one, it must be good. This thick, rich formula leaves my skin feeling so soft, both in the shower and out, and the Pomegranate Raspberry formula smells absolutely divine.
Depilatory Creams
If you need to remove large swaths of hair relatively quickly, depilatory creams are your girl. Since you aren’t grabbing the hairs at the roots, don’t expect the longer-lasting results you’d get from waxing. That said, they also don’t hurt at all, as long as you don’t keep them on too long. So consider it a trade-off.
Depilatory creams have a bit of a reputation for smelling horribly because, well, most do. Nair has really cracked the code, though; this one specifically smells downright pleasant. When I’m tired of harboring thickets under my arms (a common occurrence in the winter), I like to coat my ‘pits with this one and watch the hair rinse right off in the shower.
A bit of a nostalgia pick, but I think a Veet depilatory cream with the included spatula was the first shower cream I ever tried—it doesn’t have a super strong smell and works fast. (Though I leave them on longer because, again, all the hair.)
Tiny Tools
Be it peach fuzz or a small spot you missed in the shower, sometimes, you don’t need a whole operation to remove hair. These tiny tools are perfect for grabbing stray strands here and there, or fine hairs all over.
If you lift up a cushion or dump out a cup of pens in my apartment, you’ll inevitably find a pair of Tweezermans. I keep them everywhere; you never know when an errant chin hair will make its debut. The Slant and Mini Slant are both fan-favorites for a reason—they grab hairs from the root and rarely break—but I chose to include this particular mini (which I actually keep in my travel bag) because the design is just beyond adorable.
I admittedly gravitate towards my DermaFlash Luxe+ as my primary dermaplaning tool (and I’ve extolled its virtues before), but this set from Japonesque is my favorite affordable alternative. They glide over the skin effortlessly, and, given the price point and ease of use, would be my top choice for anyone new to peach fuzz removal.
Post-Removal Skincare Essentials
Your routine both before and after hair removal is crucial for great results and happy skin. While much of the pre-care focuses on abstention (for example, skipping retinols and harsh exfoliants for a few days), dedicated skincare products can make the hours, days, and even weeks after waxing, shaving, and dermaplaning a whole lot more comfortable.
Having curly, coarse hair makes hair removal in general, and shaving specifically, tricky; I sometimes feel like I’m in a constant battle with ingrowns. This solid serum contains gentle exfoliants that help encourage cell turnover (AKA, they keep follicles from becoming clogged little homes for ingrowns), along with soothing ingredients that help calm any post-removal inflammation.
Post-waxing and/or dermaplaning, my top priorities are, one, washing away dead skin cells and any stray hairs, and two, calming any inflammation. This gentle cleanser leaves my skin feeling clean, soft, and ready for skincare or makeup, depending on the time of day. Easy!
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
