"As much as I love the sunshine, the beach, and every rooftop bar in sight, the maintenance that comes with summer is not my favorite thing in the world. Shaving, for me, is basically the worst of it, so I’m constantly searching for tips. First of all, it takes forever. I personally choose to shave my legs, arms, and bikini line in the summer, so I’m basically 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. But shaving doesn’t necessarily have to be a giant production. We’ve rounded up our favorite tips to save you time, stress, and band-aids.
1. 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 a little quicker and more efficiently. That’s where a men’s razor comes in. The blades in a men’s razor are packed a little tighter than in a women’s razor. Think about it: Men sometimes have some thick beard hair, and this thing 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. No nicks, ingrown hairs, or stubble will be found when you’re using this razor.
We’re big fans of Athena Club razors here at The Everygirl. With its five-blade serum-infused razor and ergonomic handle, there’s a reason this one is the best of the best.
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.
We’ve already sung the praises of men’s razors above, and this one is definitely one of our favorites. It’s simple, comfortable to hold, and glides oh-so-perfectly across hard-to-navigate places like your knees and ankles.
My dad swears by this razor, so you know it’s gotta be a good one. It comes with five super-sharp blades that provide a precise shave every time.
2. Use specific tools for your bikini area
Shaving your bikini area doesn’t have to be an hour-long event anymore. With these products, you’ll be out the door and heading to the beach ASAP.
This razor is GENIUS for the bikini area. One side is a five-blade razor that works beautifully on your legs and underarms as well. The real magic is in the other end of the razor, though, which is a built-in trimmer that can be used in the shower.
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.
3. 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. Conditioner, coconut oil, a thick body cream, or body oil works so much better in a pinch, without the risk of ingrown hairs, nicks, and cuts. When you do have shaving cream, I say go for one that’s thick in consistency rather than in a gel formula. Those generally moisturize while you shave, leaving you extra soft.
Eos has some of the best shaving products on the market, and if you’re new to shaving oil, we’d recommend you start with this one. It moisturizes your skin without stripping it and offers 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.
4. Exfoliate
This is a pretty well-known tip, but it has to be said. I do this every time I shave, and not only does it make my skin feel like a baby’s bottom, but it also gets rid of all that dead skin that’s preventing me from getting the closest shave. My favorite method of exfoliating is using a sugar scrub because it’s quick, easy, and makes the least mess.
Turn any body wash into an exfoliating treatment with these super-affordable body scrubbing gloves.
If you’re looking for a body scrub that gets the job done and smells amazing at the same time, try this St.Barts scrub from Ouai. It’s like a mini-vacation every time you shower.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Use short strokes to prevent cutting yourself
Another way to prevent cuts is simply by shaving more slowly. Rather than shaving all the way up the leg in one swipe, shave in short strokes. This also helps you catch every last hair and prevents you from having to go back and do more strokes that cause irritation.
9. 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.
10. Moisturize immediately
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.
Eos is known for their iconic lip balms, but what about the rest of their products? Beauty TikTok can’t get enough of this lotion, and once you experience its hydrating formula and warm vanilla scent, you’ll quickly understand why.
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 smell—you’ll smell like a literal snack. It dries quick without leaving an oily residue and is made with caffeine-rich guaranà, which helps tighten skin.
If you’re taking the time to apply a body lotion, it better have as many beneficial ingredients as possible. This body lotion from Natiruium delivers instant hydration, and is chock-full of fatty acids, shea butter, and vitamins.
11. Prevent razor burn
Razor burn is the worst way to kill my post-shave vibe. (You know what I’m talking about, right? The feeling after you shave when you feel like you just accomplished the biggest task on your to-do list and your skin is so smooth you just want everyone to touch it?) My favorite way to prevent this is with a little bit of tea tree oil. Not only is tea tree oil incredible for acne, but its antiseptic and antibiotic properties can also alleviate irritation from your shave. Rub a small amount on the areas you’re prone to razor burn right after shaving before you moisturize, and you should be smooth sailing.
This product went viral on TikTok for being the best solution for razor burn. When we say it’s a miracle in a bottle, we’re not exaggerating. Our editors love it so much, we’ve written about it numerous times.
Razor burn and ingrown hairs don’t have to be a problem anymore with Fur Oil’s concentrate. Apply to areas prone to redness or ingrowns, and you’ll quickly see how fast this product eradicates that problem.
12. Protect from the sun
Don’t let the post-shave high distract you from this crucial step. After shaving, your skin is supple and exfoliated, and your pores are ready to take on the day. Therefore, your skin is really sensitive to the sun. I know you know to put sunscreen on your face, but it’s just as important for the rest of your body.
Have some fun with the way you apply SPF with Vacation’s whipped sunscreen. It smells like coconut, comes out like a literal dollop of whipped cream, and moisturizes your skin while protecting it.
COOLA’s organic sunscreen spray is non-aerosol and feels like a luxe experience every time you apply it.
13. Store your blades in a zippered bag
The bathroom is the most humid, bacteria-collecting area of your home, and the last thing you need is your razor blades collecting any of that. The easy way to store blades is in a zippered bag away from any type of moisture, but you could also opt to keep them out of the bathroom altogether.
14. If all else fails, try laser hair removal
I wish I could say the temptation of laser hair removal doesn’t get to me. Yes, shaving is inexpensive and relatively easy, but sometimes, you just need the reassurance that you’ll never have to shave your bikini line again. If visiting a laser clinic doesn’t fit your lifestyle, you can try an at-home laser hair removal device.
See results in as fast as three weeks with this at-home laser hair removal device. So how does it work? IPL technology selectively targets the melanin (pigment in your hair follicles) and helps break the cycle of hair regrowth. The light damages the root of your hair, and after several treatments, inhibits future hair regrowth. Laser hair removal while you catch up on the latest Bridgerton episodes? Yes, please.