"Summer has officially arrived (!!) and with it, a few of our favorite things – open-toed shoes, bare legs, bathing suits, and frozen rose. Finally, you can put away that oversized knit sweater and get Vitamin D on your walk to work instead of from your multivitamin.
But before you celebrate (with said frozen rose), take a pause – did the hair on your legs stand up at the mention of bare legs and bikinis? If you’ve been ignoring anything that resembles a hair removal routine all winter long, keep reading. We’ve put together this starter pack of hair removal products just for you.
This list includes a few different hair removal options, including a budget-friendly pick and a super convenient razor subscription that’s perfect for new moms, plus everything you need for before and after the removal process to prevent irritation and keep your skin smooth.
Of course, you don’t have to remove any or all of your body hair if you don’t want to. Either way, shorts here we come!
Before you do any kind of hair removal, whether it be shaving, waxing, or even laser hair removal, it’s a good idea to get into a routine of dry brushing. As you brush your skin in small circular motions (with or without oil on the brush), you gently exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin skills, and increase circulation. Over time, you’ll notice smoother skin and less ingrown hairs, which can cause problems when it comes to hair removal.
Remove razors from your shopping list forever with a subscription to Billie, a direct to consumer brand who makes razors and shaving supplies for women who want to save money and time (me). The Starter Kit, which includes a handle in a color you choose, magnetic holder, and two 5-blade cartridges is just under $10. An Allure Best of Beauty winner, these razors are great for all skin types and are encased in 360° of charcoal shave soap. While on their site, you can add their non-toxic Shave Cream, Body Wash, and Body Lotion to your next delivery.
When it comes to traditional shave cream, you can’t argue with cost-efficiency. In a pinch, I like to use my conditioner as a moisturizing, double-duty shave cream, but I also stock up on this Eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream. It smells amazing, costs less than $4, and is packed with Shea butter and Vitamins C & E.
Ingrown hairs happen. This oil and brand are designed specifically for ingrown hairs and sensitive areas like your bikini line. After showering and gentle exfoliation, apply this oil to any spots to reduce redness and speed the healing process. It works wonders. Trust me when I say you’ll want to bring this with you on every vacation you take this year!
With over 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this discreet facial hair remover is almost guaranteed to become your new BFF. For just $20 (and free two-day shipping for Prime members), this cute mini rose gold rotary razor instantly and painlessly removes peach-fuzz type hair from your lips, chin, cheeks, arms, and more. Plus, it's not irritating, and it won’t take up precious space in your makeup bag!
If you prefer waxing to shaving but still want to do things yourself, do yourself a favor, and get Flamingo’s Body Wax Kit. The double sided gel wax strips are ready to use without any heat or mess and come with post-wax cloths designed to gently eliminate stickiness and restore and calm the skin. Prep your skin by making sure it’s clean and dry with hairs at least 1.5mm or longer, and pull in the opposite direction on hair growth. Also, don’t wax if you’re about to spend the day in the sun or have an existing sunburn.
Aftershave isn’t just for men. What you do after your shave or wax is super important! Aim to calm and moisturize your skin (hair removal is typically very drying) without suffocating it, which can cause bacteria to grow. My favorite product for this is The Cool Fix, a soothing blue gel that targets ingrown hairs, razor bumps, razor burn, and redness with salicylic and glycolic acid. You can also follow up with a basic, gentle body lotion like Cetaphil or my personal favorite, Weleda Skin Food.