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 I've tried it all. If you use a dermaplaning tool, you'll be having to re-shave in a week. An electric razor means you'll be re-shaving in two weeks minimum. Or if you want permanent hair removal, you'll 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, let's be real… You're 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.
Best epilator set for easy hair removal (Editor's 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 you're still asking yourself, should I buy a hair removal epilator? Then you've come to the right place as we've created a pros and con list for the best epilator the UK offers.The best epilators at a glance:
The best epilators to buy online in 2023
Best epilator set for easy hair removal (Editor's choice)
argos
Price:
£150
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Now let's cast your mind back to April 2020 when Braun launched the newSilk-épil 9 Flex, a groundbreaking innovation in epilation. Yes, it's the world's first epilator with a fully flexible head and the new gold standard in hair removal, and we've tested it! Before we get to that though... According to Braun, this beauty essential "appreciates the contours and lines that are individual to each woman; it's designed to flex to our body and our lifestyle." We also love that Argos now show realistichair removal product card images.
Tried and tested review: (updated one year later, yes, I still use this epilator!) "I've never had a good experience using an epilator until I tried the Silk-9. Pulling the hair from the root is never going to be an easy task, but the device is 100% waterproof means I can use it in the shower and make it a more relaxing experience. I use it mainly to shave my legs, and I like how the pivoting head allows me to capture hard-to-reach spots around the back of my ankles. My favourite thing about the epilator is that it comes with a shaver and trimmer head as well as a bikini styler for the more private areas."
Pros
- This 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 you've applied enough pressure.
- You can also get your hands on abeauty set and spathat includes a body epilator, facial brush, exfoliator, precision shaving accessories, hair trimming bits and more.
Cons
- This 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.
Best epilator for removing short hair
amazon
Description
With the battery lasting longer than other Braun models, this version will work perfectly if you've got a lot of hair to sort out. Its blades are designed to pick up even the shortest of hairs, which means you don't have to wait days/weeks for your hair to grow out just to cut it.
A customer review said: "I love it…" I used to get waxed at the salon but due to a bad back, I stopped going. I then tried waxing at home and got into a right mess. So back to shaving and I noticed how thick the hair was getting. So decided to treat myself to this Braun silk 9 epilator. I've used it twice and I think it's amazing. It pulls all my hairs out including the thin blonde thigh fluff. I get it all as long as I am patient with it and pull your skin tight in all directions then it works perfectly."
Pros
- After a week after use - there is still no stubble.
- Wireless with 50 minutes of charge.
Cons
- You'll have to run it over your skin a few times to get rid of all the hairs, especially if you naturally have thicker strands.
Best affordable epilator
amazon
Description
For under £30 (thank you, Amazon sale), you can get yourself a nifty little epilator from Philips that'll do the same job as the big numbers but is easier to store. If you don't need a travel epilator, then why not consider this little gadget to use on your face? The epilator tweezers are small enough to use on facial hair, so you can remove fuzz with ease.
A helpful reviewer said: "About 10 years ago I had an epilator. I used it once. It felt like it was ripping my skin off. It ended up being binned. This epilator is different. Although ripping your hair out by the roots will never be a pleasant sensation, the roller thing on this model definitely helps to lessen the pain. I find it bearable even though my pain threshold is relatively low. The cord is quite long and not restrictive if you are near a plug socket."
Pros
- For the money, it's exceptional value.
- It even has two settings for thick and thinner hair so you can adapt it to your body.
Cons
- It must be plugged in to use. If you don't have a plug in your room, getting some privacy will be a huge issue.
Best epilator for the face
boots
Price:
£17.99 (was £26.99)
www.boots.com
Description
It can be a little daunting to find the right facial hair removal tool for you - but we suggest investing in a small precision epilator like this Braun Mini Hair Remover. It can get into every nook and cranny, making it perfect for things like peach fuzz or sideburns.
A promising review said: "Great face hair remover. I have sensitive skin & it removed fuzz without any irritation. Make-up seemed to go on even better afterwards. I would recommend this product."
Pros
- Small 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.
Cons
- If you're looking to cover a large area of skin, this won't be the epilator for you.
Best epilator for smooth legs
amazon
Description
Hate shaving your legs only to get pesky stubble growing back a few days later? Invest in the Braun Silk Epil 1, and your legs will be buttery smooth for weeks, not just days.
A novice reviewer said: "I'd never dared to epilate before (although I have had my legs waxed sometimes.) Yes - it's a bit painful and takes time if like me you've grown a lot of leg hair, but for me, this is definitely the best hair removal method - lasts well, is cheaper, and you don't have to book appointments - why didn't I try this before?"
Pros
- The results are just like waxing, but you only need to pay for it once.
- It's not heavy so it's ideal for travelling or for that work trip.
Cons
- It's not cordless, so you'll probably have to do it in your bedroom. If you share a flat with your partner, this could be awkward.
Best epilator for long-lasting results
amazon
Description
This Braun Silk 3 is different in that it has three different attachment heads. Featuring an epilator, shaver and trimmer head/comb, this is your all-in-one hair removal tool. These attachments are efficiently designed to adapt to every contour for an efficient epilation, even in difficult areas like the knees and underarms.
One reviewer said: "Great little product. It meets my needs with the two most important attachments - an epilator and shaver head. It's a sturdy design and the cord is long. The LED light is handy for showing up hairs in the area."
Pros
- A cute raspberry design.
- Remove up to four times shorter hair than your wax technician.
- Comes with 3 different attachment heads.
Cons
- You have to go over the same spot a few times to get rid of all the hairs.
- It has a continental plug.
Best epilator for use in the shower
robert dyas
Price:
£109.99
www.robertdyas.co.uk
Description
Let's be real, showers are just the easiest places to get hair removal done. No clothes getting in the way, and an easy clean up with a shower head (everyone hates pesky hairs hanging around). The Remington Wet and Dry is a renowned piece of kit that'll get the job done in and out of water. What's more, it comes with seven additional attachments, including an ultimate contour cap, massage cap with aloe vera, detail cap, shaver head, bikini comb, exfoliating brush, and pedicure head.
One reviewer said: "I have been epilating for many years and this is by far the best one I have EVER had! The head is flexible and moves with the shape of the area you are working on. It gets the shortest of hairs the first time around too. I have finally found the epilator that suits me and won't be using any other from now on!"
Pros
- This can be used wet or dry, depending on what you're feeling.
- You can enjoy up to 40 minutes of cordless usage and four blissful hair-free weeks.
Cons
- A little noisy and not appropriate for sensitive areas as prone to skin trapping.
Best epilator alternative
boots
Description
If you don't fancy any level of pain in your hair removal process - fair enough. The Philips Lumea IPL Hair Remover prevents up to 85% hair reduction in as little as three treatments, using innovative light-based technology to break the cycle of hair regrowth. Summary? The besthair removal lasers IPL devices can give you incredibly long-lasting results with no yowling involved.
An honest reviewer said: "It zaps the hair as it should. Not a lot of pain. The hair does not grow back for at least 3-4 weeks. It's the easiest hair removal technique I've used and does not hurt or flare up like most other hair removal techniques I've used in the past."
Check outeverything to know about laser hair removalhere.
Pros
- Long-lasting hair removal.
- It doesn't hurt.
- It's easy to do at home.
Cons
- You won't see the results straight away.
Now that you've decided to invest in an epilator, we've pulled together some helpful Q&A you'll probably want to know about before using this beauty kit. Epilation is a method of hair removal that takes directly from the root. If you've tried epilating before, you'll 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 doesn't require the sticky mess of covering yourself in wax. Well, that's one thing we're thankful for. If you're 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. 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, you'll find it irritating (what hair removal isn't?), but I was surprised to find that it didn't compare to anything like the process of waxing. According to the Epilator Authority (yes, it's 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."Hair epilators: FAQs
How do epilators work?
Are epilators painful?
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. We've all been there when we've made last-minute plans and ran for the disposable shaver in the back of the bathroom cupboard only to find that it's '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 there's anything you need to know about laser hair removal, it's that it's a pretty long process. And although epilators don't 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. 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 you'll 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 there's not a product in the world she can't find a cheaper alternative for.Can epilators cause ingrown hair?
Will epilators remove hair permanently?
Are epilators better than shaving?
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