There are so many things to talk about when it comes to the epilator vs shaving debate. There are some crucial aspects that will convince you that either shaving or epilators are the right hair removal method for you.
We’ll also try to answer the question is epilating better than shaving? Or you might end up choosing waxing instead. Or even sugaring.
I am extremely familiar with both shaving and epilation even though for the past 10 years I’ve only used an epilator to remove unwanted hairs.
Shaving was my first method for removing unwanted hairs. I was a teenager. Shaving was cheap, painless, and could be done without having much knowledge about the techniques involved.
Once I wanted something with longer results, a smooth skin for more than a few days, I tried waxing at a salon. Waxing at home was too complicated for my teenage impatience so I went to a salon. Which was really expensive.
Going out with friends was a more pleasant way to spend my money.
So, I turned back to shaving. Then, a friend made me remember that epilators are actually the best option for me. And that’s how I ended up talking about epilator vs shaving.
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Epilating vs Shaving: Epilator vs Razor Products
1. Best Epilator: Philips Satinelle BRE235
If you’re just getting started with epilator, the Satinelle BRE235 is a nice model to consider because it’s affordable, it’s corded, it will last a long time and it even has a sensitive area cap for the intimate area or to be used for facial hair removal. The only thing is that there are only 20 tweezers so, you’ll need a bit of patience.
2. Best Razor: Gillette Venus Sensitive
You get 6 really great disposable razors for a low price, they’re the perfect choice for shaving. The difference between these ones and the razors that work with refills is that these only have 3 blades instead of 5 but those blades cut the hairs quickly and very close to the skin so, you won’t miss anything.
Disposable razors were my first devices used for getting rid of any hair that had no place being there. I was satisfied for a great deal of time because there was absolutely no pain.
Well, with the exception of the times when I cut myself because the razor was brand new and really sharp and I had absolutely no patience. I just rushed that razor over my skin without much consideration for technique.
Thankfully, I have no scars from those tiny cuts. They were just harmless nicks.
Epilators vs Shaving: How Long Does the Smooth Skin Last?
I hated that in the summer I had smooth legs for only 2 days and then the hair was showing and in a couple more days I had to shave again.
During the summer, I epilate once every two weeks.
If I’m lazy, in the winter I can let a month pass without setting eyes on my epilator.
- a razor cuts the hairs at the surface of the skin so they grow back in a few days, in the summer you would have to shave once every 2 days
- an epilator removes the hairs from their follicle (just like waxing) so, on average, you have to epilate once every 2 weeks
- with shaving you get incredible smooth skin that lasts for a couple of day
- epilation doesn’t achieve the same smoothness but the hairs become noticeable after 2 weeks
If you don’t have a high pain threshold, you can epilate once a week.
I’ve used an epilator for a lot of years and nowadays my hairs have become fewer and thinner as long as I stick to the once-every-2-weeks schedule.
Shaving was amazing because my legs were spectacularly smooth for that first day. I was fascinated by their smoothness.
On the other hand,
When it came to my underarms, I could always see the black roots under the skin. I have black hair and light skin so, for me, it was a problem to see that black shadow in my armpits. I could see tiny black dots on my skin.
Epilation offers smooth skin but not that unbelievably smooth.
The two methods might be just a little different in smoothness but with epilation I no longer see the roots and that’s wonderful.
Epilator vs Shaving: Painful vs Painless
I already knew from my mother that waxing and epilators cause quite the pain so there was no way I was going to go with either of those hair removal methods.
Now, I can’t imagine not using an epilator.
- shaving is painless unless you get some nicks and cuts
- epilation is painful, the hair is removed from the follicle
For me, it was really painful in the beginning. I have a pretty high pain threshold so, I’m lucky that I could keep going. In time, I got completely used to it.
The underarms and the bikini area are quite excruciating.
If you find it too painful it’s best to just give up and continue shaving. There’s no point in torturing yourself.
After all, it’s about finding the right hair removal method for you.
It’s much less painful if you switch from waxing to epilation, you’re already used to the pain.
If you’re a beginner, it’s best to get waxed at a beauty salon at least once before using an epilator. Don’t let too much time pass after your waxing session, it’s going to be more comfortable that way.
Epilator vs Shaving: Which Is the Fastest?
Shaving is not a time-consuming activity if you time each session separately.
Nevertheless, if you add how many times you’ve shaved during a summer month then the reality is different.
With 40 minutes battery time I can epilate my upper lip, underarms, and legs. For the bikini area I need to recharge the epilator again.
However, if you get a corded epilator you can take as much time as you need. If you’re a beginner, a corded epilator is a much better choice.
It turns out that epilation is not that time-consuming because you only have to epilate once every 2 weeks.
Waxing seems more time consuming from my point of view.
If you switch from waxing to epilators then you’re already accustomed to the pain of removing the hairs from the root and it’s not going to take you long to remove all the unwanted hairs.
Which is Cheaper: Epilation or Shaving?
I would say that both are pretty affordable hair removal methods.
However, you can get an epilator for about $30 (that’s the cheapest) and of high quality and use it for many years to come.
Philips Satinelle BRE235: Cheap Epilators
Since we’re on that topic, let’s talk about a really affordable epilator that works really great. I’m talking about the Philips Satinelle BRE235.
In my opinion, the Philips Satinelle BRE235 can be a perfect first epilator for a lot of people due to a number of important reasons:
- it removes hairs from the roots without breaking them
- even though it has only 21 tweezers, which makes it a bit slow, it still removes hairs from their follicles with efficiency – you just need a bit of patience during your first epilation sessions
- it’s quite cheap, one of the cheapest epilators on the market but it will be with you for quite a long time
- it’s corded – you don’t need to be stressed out about batteries running out, you can take your time during your hair removal sessions
- it also includes a sensitive area cap and it can be used on the bikini area but it can also be used for facial hair removal
- the design is pretty
- it has two speeds, use it on speed 1 if the pain is too much in some areas
As you can see, the Philips Satinelle BRE235 offers quite a lot for a low price, it can be a nice introduction to the world of epilators without having you to worry about spending too much on a hair removal device.
Where to Buy?
Check Price & User Reviews Here
Gillette Venus Sensitive: Cheap Disposable Razors
Razors the work with refills are definitely more expensive. At the moment one of the best razors for women is the Gillette Venus Swirl.
However, since I said that razors with refills are a bit too expensive, let’s talk about disposable razors, the ones with which we all grew up with. I’m pretty sure that most of us started shaving with a disposable razor.
Nowadays, disposable razors are pretty amazing. Some of the best are the Gillette Venus Sensitive.
The quality of the blades is quite impressive. They’re nicely spaced so the cut hairs won’t get stuck between the blades. Their sharpness is fantastic so, you don’t have to throw it away after just one use.
The only difference between some high quality disposable razors and those with refills is that disposable razors have 3 blades while the others have 5 blades.
Even so, a disposable razor with 3 blades like the Gillette Venus Sensitive is able to cut coarse hairs without a problem and it’s able to safely navigate the intimate area or the area around the knees.
These razors will be able to give you a close shave. The skin will feel absolutely perfect during the first day after shaving, there’s no better feeling and I must admit that I miss that feeling, epilation just doesn’t achieve that silky feeling.
On top of that, for a very low price you’ll get 6 disposable razors that work great for all skin types. These will last you at least half a year. That’s pretty good deal if shaving is your preferred hair removal method.
Moreover, if you get an electric razor, like the Panasonic ES2207P, then shaving is really affordable, too.
Where to Buy?
Check Price & User Reviews Here
Both Methods Cause Ingrown Hairs
It might sound unreal but I had no ingrown hairs back then, when using razors.
It’s weird because shaving is well known for causing ingrown hairs but I had none. It was great.
Epilators cause ingrown hairs and now I have them, too. Well, I adapted to that, too.
I started exfoliating daily, that’s the only solution. I use exfoliating gloves on dry skin and a body scrub at the end of a shower. The skin on my legs has never felt better.
And the ingrown hairs are kept under control, I prevent them from ruining my days.
Is Epilating Better than Shaving?
Personally, I don’t believe that one method is better than the other. Choosing which hair removal method is best for you is a personal choice that is influenced by your needs and preferences.
If you don’t to feel any pain at all, then the answer to the question is epilating better than shaving is absolutely no. You’ll prefer using razors or hair removal creams for a painless removal of unwanted hairs.
But if you find that waxing is too expensive or too complicated to be done at home, then you might want to give epilators a chance and see how it goes.
I love using an epilator because the smooth skin lasts for longer than a few days. Moreover, the hairs grow thinner and less dense.
As time passes, the sessions become shorter, faster, less painful, and the results last longer.
I have nothing against shaving, don’t get me wrong.
I’ve shaved for many countless years so I am aware of its advantages, as well as I know all about its disadvantages.
In the end, I am an epilator girl and I very much like it.
What about you? What’s your current hair removal method? Do you love it? From your point of view, which is the winner of epilator vs shaving?
