"As much as I love the sunshine, the beach, and every rooftop bar in sight, the beauty maintenance that comes with summer is not my favorite thing in the world. For me, shaving is the worst of it, and I’m constantly on the hunt for tricks to make it less of a chore. I personally choose to shave my legs, arms, and bikini line in the summer, so it feels like I’m in the shower for three hours on a shaving day. Then, I get sick of shaving for so long, so I skimp and rush and end up cutting myself, making my shower a bloody mess. In an effort to make shaving a little easier this summer (and steer clear of the telltale signs of a rushed shave job) I altered my routine to include expert-backed tips. Read on for the ways I’ve upgraded my shaving routine so there are no nicks, ingrown hairs, or stubble in sight.
turns out, you don't have to spend all of your free time cleaning
Find a razor you love (and don’t be afraid of men’s razors)
It’s important to find a razor that works for you and your skin concerns. As much as I love my cute little pink razor, sometimes I just want something that will do the job more efficiently. That’s where a men’s razor comes in. The blades in a men’s razor are packed tighter than in a women’s razor. Think about it: Men sometimes have some thick beard hair, and this razor is meant to go on their faces. They need something powerful but also gentle and nick-proof. Men’s razors can also be easier to use, as they’re meant to navigate the contours of the face. It’ll glide perfectly around the knees and ankles.
Billie razors not only come in a bunch of fun colors, but they also give a close and smooth shave.
With its five-blade serum-infused razor and ergonomic handle, there’s a reason this is one of our office’s go-to razors.
If you have sensitive skin, this disposable razor is one of the best for hydration. Equipped with a hypoallergenic serum for a safe and smooth shave, you won’t have irritation after shaving with this razor.
The Leaf Razor is a plastic-free safety razor that is easy to use and gives you the option to load in one to three razor blades. It gives you a close, clean shave without leaving any nicks or cuts.
This razor is simple, comfortable to hold, and glides oh-so-perfectly across hard-to-navigate places like your knees and ankles.
Harry’s five-blade razor has super-sharp blades that provide a precise shave every time.
Use specific tools for your bikini area
Shaving your bikini area doesn’t have to be an hour-long event. With these products, you’ll be out the door and heading to the beach ASAP.
This genius razor features two sides: one for the legs and underarms, and one with a built-in trimmer meant for the bikini area.
If you’re nervous about trimming your pubic hair, start with this trimmer. It has a detachable guard to protect your skin from pulling and is specially designed to work with thicker, coarser hair.
TikTok swears by using this men’s shaver on your pubic area. It’s gentle and can truly shave hair of any length with ultimate ease.
Meridian’s trimmer is able to use wet or dry and allows you to trim your pubic hair to different lengths if desired. It also can be used on your underarms, chest, legs, or arms.
No shaving cream? Put down the soap
It’s time you knew: Soap is the worst thing you can use if you want soft skin after a shave. Not only is soap a lot more drying on the skin, but generally, body soap contains ingredients that will dull the blades of your razor. If you’re in a pinch, opt for a conditioner or body oil instead of soap. When you do have shaving cream, I generally opt for one that’s thick in consistency rather than in a gel formula for extra hydration.
This shaving oil moisturizes your skin without stripping it and leaves you with a silky-smooth shave every time.
Tree Hut’s shaving oil is made with a mixture of oils that hydrate and firm your skin. It prevents cuts and nicks while shaving, plus smells like you just came back from a tropical vacation.
Shave at the end of your shower
Since I first learned how to shave my legs, I’ve been shaving as I leave my conditioner on for the two to three minutes the package says. However, one of the best tips I’ve learned (especially for shaving my bikini area!) is to have my shaving be the last step in my shower. The hot water and steam from your shower are slowly opening up your pores and cleansing the top layer of your skin, so shaving after the steam has had a chance to do its thing makes sure you’re getting as close as possible to the hair follicles. It also makes sure there’s absolutely no dead skin, dirt, or grime that could be clogging the razor, which could eventually dull the blades quicker than normal.
Shave downward first, then upward
Every single shaving tip I have ever read is to shave in the direction of the hair growth. Does anyone actually do that? Not me. Instead, I begin by shaving in the direction of the hair growth, and then I’ll do some strokes with the razor moving upward. This helps prevent some of the irritation that comes with shaving against the grain while taking a first pass at removing hair.
Shave east to west on your knees
The #1 place I’m prone to accidentally cutting myself with my razor is my knees. The key, however, to getting the closest shave on your knees is to shave in multiple directions rather than just up and down. If you’re shaving east to west, make sure that your knee is bent to prevent any nicks. Then, straighten your knee and shave in the direction of the hair growth to get any strays you might have missed.
Sanitize your razors
Keeping your razors clean is key to making sure they last long (get your money’s worth!), and you’re also making sure you’re not putting something covered in bacteria onto your skin. This starts right after you finish shaving by holding your razor under hot water for about 5-10 seconds and checking to make sure there isn’t hair stuck in any of the blades. You can also rinse with some rubbing alcohol to make sure the blades are sterilized. Then, dry your razor with a towel, toilet paper, or paper towel. If water sticks to the blades, it can cause them to rust, which we definitely don’t want. In a hurry? Hit it with your blow dryer.
Moisturize immediately after shaving
As soon as I get out of the shower on a shave day, my arms, legs, and bikini area are immediately covered in a thick cream that will reduce the redness, prevent itchiness, and smooth my skin. Moisturizing right after a shave adds the moisture back into the skin that you took away from all the exfoliation. My favorite trick is to use an in-shower lotion right after I turn my water off, and then I top it with my favorite body moisturizer. You’ll be glowing.
Beauty TikTok can’t get enough of this lotion, and once you experience its hydrating formula and warm vanilla scent, you’ll immediately understand why.
This body lotion from Natiruium delivers instant hydration and is chock-full of fatty acids, shea butter, and vitamins.
If you’re prone to forgetting lotion, try this easy-to-apply in-shower lotion. Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion lotion is enriched with almond oil to keep your skin feeling moisturized (but not oily) for up to 24 hours
This award-winning body cream is known for its intoxicating scent that makes you smell like a literal snack. It dries quick without leaving an oily residue and is made with caffeine-rich guaranà, which helps tighten skin.
Beth Gillette, Former Editor
Beth Gillette is a former editor at The Everygirl, where she specialized in beauty content and covered the latest trends in sex and relationships. Beth spent four years as part of The Everygirl’s editorial staff and is currently a beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.