Finding the best hair removal method is the worst - but epilators might just be your saving grace. The best epilators on the market are the solution for long-term hair removal, and I should know because Ive tried it all.
If you use a dermaplaning tool, youll be having to re-shave in a week. An electric razor means youll be re-shaving in two weeks minimum. Or if you want permanent hair removal, youll have to go to the salon every three weeks, which costs a LOT. Thus, epilators may be the best solution for affordable hair removal that actually keeps you feeling smooth for a month minimum. Yes, it is really that effective.
OK, lets be real… Youre not going to get any hair removal that pulls hair out without it hurting at least a weeny bit. However, the momentary pinch is worth it when the results last approximately four weeks - oh, and it can save you loads of money.
The best epilators at a glance: Best epilator set for easy hair removal Editors Choice: Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex 9-002 Wet Dry Cordless Epilator £150 - View offer on Argos
Best epilator for removing short hairs: Braun Silk-épil 9 9-720 £106 - View offer on Amazon UK
Best affordable epilator: Philips Satinelle Essential Epilator £24.99 - View offer on Amazon UK
Epilators are certainly something we can get on board with. But, if youre still asking yourself, should I buy a hair removal epilator? Then youve come to the right place as weve created a pros and con list for the best epilator the UK offers.
The best epilators to buy online in 2023 1. Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex 9-002 Wet + Dry Use Cordless Epilator
Best epilator set for easy hair removal Editors choice
argosPrice:150www.argos.co.uk
View offer Description
Now lets cast your mind back to April 2020 when Braun launched the new Silk-épil 9 Flex, a
... read morePros ConsProsThis has a fully flexible head, making those hard-to-reach areas more obtainable. The SensoSmart™ technology is spellbinding as you follow a red light to know if youve applied enough pressure. You can also get your hands on a beauty set and spa that includes a body epilator, facial brush, exfoliator, precision shaving accessories, hair trimming bits and more.ConsThis comes with a two-pin charger, so you need an adapter.This device comes completely flat, so it takes a while until you can use it.2. Braun Silk-épil 9 9-720
Best epilator for removing short hair
amazonRrp: £85.00View offer Description
With the battery lasting longer than other Braun models, this version will work perfectly if
... read morePros ConsProsAfter a week after use - there is still no stubble.Wireless with 50 minutes of charge.ConsYoull have to run it over your skin a few times to get rid of all the hairs, especially if you naturally have thicker strands.3. Philips Satinelle Essential Compact Epilator
Best affordable epilator
amazonRrp: £25.99View offerAlternative retailersArgos£25.99View offerSephora£39.99View offer Description
For under £30 thank you, Amazon sale, you can get yourself a nifty little epilator from Philips
... read morePros ConsProsFor the money, its exceptional value. It even has two settings for thick and thinner hair so you can adapt it to your body.ConsIt must be plugged in to use. If you dont have a plug in your room, getting some privacy will be a huge issue.4. Braun Face Mini Hair Remover FS1000
Best epilator for the face
bootsPrice:17.99 was £26.99www.boots.com
View offer Description
It can be a little daunting to find the right facial hair removal tool for you - but we suggest
... read morePros ConsProsSmall enough to manoeuvre in intimate areas such as the face and comes with a shaver head, which is specific for this. It has a light indicator to let you know if you have missed any spots.ConsIf youre looking to cover a large area of skin, this wont be the epilator for you.5. Braun Silk Epil 1 Legs and Body Epilator
Best epilator for smooth legs
amazonPrice:26.49View offer Description
Hate shaving your legs only to get pesky stubble growing back a few days later? Invest in the
... read morePros ConsProsThe results are just like waxing, but you only need to pay for it once. Its not heavy so its ideal for travelling or for that work trip.ConsIts not cordless, so youll probably have to do it in your bedroom. If you share a flat with your partner, this could be awkward.6. Braun Silk-Epil 3 3-410 Epilator
Best epilator for long-lasting results
amazonRrp: £30.00View offerAlternative retailersBoots£30.00View offerAO.com£32.00View offerAllbeauty£34.95View offerSephora£34.99View offer Description
This Braun Silk 3 is different in that it has three different attachment heads. Featuring an
... read morePros ConsProsA cute raspberry design.Remove up to four times shorter hair than your wax technician.Comes with 3 different attachment heads.ConsYou have to go over the same spot a few times to get rid of all the hairs.It has a continental plug.7. Remington EP7700 7-in-1 Cordless Epilator
Best epilator for use in the shower
robert dyasPrice:109.99www.robertdyas.co.uk
View offer Description
Lets be real, showers are just the easiest places to get hair removal done. No clothes getting in
... read morePros ConsProsThis can be used wet or dry, depending on what youre feeling. You can enjoy up to 40 minutes of cordless usage and four blissful hair-free weeks.ConsA little noisy and not appropriate for sensitive areas as prone to skin trapping.8. Philips Lumea Advanced IPL Hair Remover
Best epilator alternative
bootsRrp: £250.85View offer Description
If you dont fancy any level of pain in your hair removal process - fair enough. The Philips Lumea
... read morePros ConsProsLong-lasting hair removal. It doesnt hurt.Its easy to do at home.ConsYou wont see the results straight away. Hair epilators: FAQs Now that youve decided to invest in an epilator, weve pulled together some helpful QA youll probably want to know about before using this beauty kit.
How do epilators work? Epilation is a method of hair removal that takes directly from the root. If youve tried epilating before, youll know that it can be quite painful as it plucks hair away as you move the device over your skin. Yikes. Although this works in a similar way to waxing kits, it doesnt require the sticky mess of covering yourself in wax. Well, thats one thing were thankful for.
If youre a newbie and have a thirst to know more about how to use an epilator, beauty blogger and YouTuber - Prachi talks through her experience using the product on her channel SuperWowStyle.
Are epilators painful? This question comes up a LOT because the idea of plucking hair from a pivoting head sounds absolutely terrifying. From someone who has a low pain threshold, I can honestly say it was like getting your eyebrows done.
Yes, youll find it irritating what hair removal isnt?, but I was surprised to find that it didnt compare to anything like the process of waxing.
According to the Epilator Authority yes, its a thing, the general consensus is that epilation hurts like hell the first time, but becomes more tolerable the more times you do it. Some people will never be able to deal with the pain to get through the first sessions, but for those who do, it ends up not hurting too much in the long run.
Can epilators cause ingrown hair? Ingrown hairs, by definition of the NHS, are red, often itchy bumps where a hair has grown back into the skin. Any type of shaving, waxing, plucking or threading of hair may cause ingrown hairs.
There are lots of things that you can do to prevent ingrown hairs from forming when using an epilator. Here are some of our favourites:
Jump in the shower before using your epilator and wet your skin with warm water.
Exfoliate your dry skin to help remove any trapped hairs.
Use your epilator in the direction that your hair is growing.
Remove any hair from your epilator after each stroke.
Will epilators remove hair permanently? Weve all been there when weve made last-minute plans and ran for the disposable shaver in the back of the bathroom cupboard only to find that its disappeared, wishing that there was an easy solution to removing hair permanently. Or is that just us?
Some people will sign up for months of laser to get rid of those pesky hairs, and if theres anything you need to know about laser hair removal, its that its a pretty long process. And although epilators dont have that permanent effect, they do typically provide smooth skin for up to four weeks after use. Plus, if you do decide to embrace your natural hair, this will grow back. Hey, if Victoria Beckham confesses not shaving her leg hair, so can you.
Are epilators better than shaving? Despite the pinching pain, we love that hair epilators offer smoother feeling skin for longer. This method of hair removal has lots of benefits, like extracting shorter hair and potentially reducing the amount of body hair you have over time.
According to Healthline, With this method, hair grows back softer and finer. Hair may even regrow at a slower rate. The longer you epilate, the less hair youll notice on certain parts of your body.
For the chance of having softer, finer hair, we have to conclude that epilators are better than shaving - right?
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for Closer Online, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her dupe queen, as theres not a product in the world she cant find a cheaper alternative for.