To write this post on the best epilator reviews, I’ve spent countless hours researching different models on the market so you don’t have to. It has been a challenge but a beautiful challenge nonetheless.
I had a lot of fun researching all these devices and compiling a top 10 best epilators list.
Whatever your needs are, they will be met by one of the epilators reviewed here.
Contents
Epilator Reviews: Best Epilators for Body and Face
1. The Best: Braun Silk Epil 9
This is a powerful epilator without a doubt but it might be a bit too much to handle for beginners, as a first epilator it’s a bit painful, for someone with more experience it’s a wonderful improvement that speeds up epilation.
2. Just as Good but a bit Cheaper: Braun Silk Epil 7
The Silk Epil 7 is not only cheaper than the Silk Epil 9 series but it also has one major advantage: it has a sensitive area cap for the intimate area, which makes it one of my favorites even after all these many years.
3. The Cheapest: Philips Satinelle BRE235
A wonderful option for a first epilator, it even has a sensitive area cap that enables you to use it on the intimate area and even for facial hair removal but it’s a bit slow and it doesn’t have a buil-in light.
4. The Powerful Classic: Braun Silk Epil 5280
It’s corded, has a lot of tweezers, which makes it fast and powerful, capable of handling all types of hairs and it’s the series on which the very well known Silk Epil 7 & 9 are based, actually the accessories from the Braun 7 epilators work on this one.
5. The Gentle Model: Panasonic ES-ED90-P
Although it has a high number of tweezers, this Panasonic is praised as being less painful than other models, plus it has a wide array of accessories.
6. Highest Number of Tweezers: Emjoi AP-18
The price is a bit high and there’s a complete lack of caps and there’s no built-in light but it is the model with the highest number of tweezers, which makes it vert fast and surprisingly not that painful.
7. Cheap Wet & Dry: Remington EP7030E
From the manufacturer that initially brought us the epilator, we get a cheap wet & dry model that has 40 tweezers, built-in light, an efficiency cap, and a cap for the intimate area & facial hair removal.
8. The Classic Cheap Braun: Braun Silk Epil 3270
I first started epilating with a model very similar to this one and, surprisingly, it still works, these models are just really reliable although quite slow for my tastes nowadays.
9. Corded for Face and Body: Emjoi eRase e60
The e60 in the name stands for the fact that it has 60 tweezers and not only that but it’s corded and has a sensitive attachment for facial hair removal, it lacks a built-in light.
10. Best for Face: Emjoi Epi Slim e18
Consider this model if you’re only looking for a facial epilator, although it’s powerful enough that it can be used on the bikini area and the underarms.
My 10 Epilator Reviews
I’ve been using an epilator for more than 10 years now and I still think that these devices are a cheaper alternative to waxing and a longer-lasting hair removal method than shaving and depilatory creams.
When it comes to choosing the best epilator for you, the good news is that there are just a few models that stand out so your choice should be quite easy.
1. Braun Silk Epil 9: Best Epilator Overall
The first device on my top 10 epilator reviews list features one of the new best epilators on the market, the successor of the Silk-Epil 7 series.
First of all, it’s so pretty.
Braun Silk-Epil 9579 is the prettiest epilator that I have set my eyes on.
It’s quite heavy but that won’t be a problem.
The Silk Epil 9 series has a 40% wider head than the Braun 7561, which leads to a faster epilation.
It doesn’t mean that it has 40% more tweezers. It has the same 40 tweezers as the Silk Epil 7.
However, the tweezers are differently shaped and sized. The tweezers have the microgrip tweezer technology instead of the close-grip one for removing really tiny hairs.
It still doesn’t mean that absolutely 100% of the hairs will be removed.
Usually, there are still going to be some left behind, some are just too tiny.
Furthermore, the Silk Epil 9 is faster and more powerful than the Silk Epil 7. You will be done with your unwanted hair more quickly but, since this model is so intense, it’s also a bit more painful.
It even took me a bit to adjust from using my Silk Epil 7681 to using the Silk Epil 9561. I still alternate between the two, especially on more sensitive areas like the upper lip and the bikini area.
The Braun 9579 is also a wet & dry epilator with the following accessories:
- massage rollers that create a nice sensation, they ease the pain a little – when you become more accustomed to epilators you can take the rollers down for a direct contact with the skin
- pivoting head
- skin contact cap – this time there is no sensitive area cap
- facial cap
- shaving head
- trimmer cap
- charging stand
- and facial cleansing brush
There are also the softlift tips for lifting up flat-lying hairs. From my point of view, they don’t make a big impact on the overall performance.
It’s a a cordless device. You get 40 minutes of usage after charging it full (1 hour). I advise you to charge it full every time in order to prolong the battery life.
The built-in light is another great addition alongside the 2 speeds.
You can be sure that you are paying for a complete hair removal package because that is in fact what the Braun Silk-Epil 9579 represents:
- a beautifully designed epilator for body and face
- a shaver
- a trimmer
- plus an exfoliation device thanks to its facial cleansing brush
That’s a complete grooming set.
Braun Silk Epil 9 Cons
When it comes to the 9579 and the entire Braun Silk-Epil 9 series, there’s not much to complain about.
It’s pretty clear that this has replaced the 7561 as one of the best epilators for now.
One con is the fact that it cannot be used while it’s charging.
Since it’s wet & dry, Braun has probably thought that some people might be taking their epilators in the shower while they’re charging and we all know what would happen in such a scenario.
Another con is the really high price. It’s a pity that not everyone can afford this model since it’s so great.
And there is no sensitive area cap, like the Silk Epil 7 epilators have.
I can’t understand why there is no sensitive area cap since it’s useful if you want to epilate the bikini area. You would have to use the facial cap instead but it will take longer.
Conclusions
Braun Skil Epil 9 is, in my opinion, the best epilator overall. Still, it lack a sensitive area cap so it’s not the best device for pubic hair. That would be the Silk Epil 7.
It’s a pity that not everyone can afford this model since it’s so great. That pretty much sums up everything that needs to be said about the Braun Silk Epil 9.
2. Braun Silk Epil 7: Best Epilator for Body and Face
The Silk Epil 7 is one of my absolute favorite epilators. It’s also a good epilator for men, being powerful enough to remove coarse hairs.
Being wet and dry, it’s also cordless. I will tell you right from the start that the fact that it’s a cordless epilator is its major disadvantage.
Some users have complained that after a while the battery stops holding a charge so it would be best to prolong the 2-year warranty, just make sure that it covers the battery, too.
Charging takes 1 hour and it’s functional for up to 40 minutes.
It’s easy to clean since it can be washed without any problems, no worries there.
It has 40 tweezers, which is nothing spectacular at first. The spectacular thing is how fast this model is and how powerful it is.
What is also spectacular is that the tweezers are close-grip so it’s supposed to pluck hairs as tiny as 0.5mm.
It works on all hair types: small, long, coarse or thin. And on all areas of the body and face.
I did a little digging on this aspect because it interests me deeply. The findings are: according to many women, the Silk-Epil 7561 does remove even the smallest ones.
It’s really great to find out that it works as it’s supposed to because it has a pretty big price tag and it justifies it really well.
The Braun 7561 has:
- a facial cap
- a sensitive area cap for the bikini area and the underarms
- and an efficiency cap
It seems that Braun Silk Epil 7561 is the complete package so it’s worth the extra money, only as long as you are comfortable with spending that sum.
Other additions include:
- the pivoting head
- the built-in light
- the 2 speeds
- the shaving head and trimmer cap
- and a separate bikini trimmer
Braun Silk Epil 7 Cons
It’s cordless and there’s always the risk that at some point the battery won’t hold a charge, making it useless. It has happened to quite a few.
Also,
It’s a bit expensive but worth it if you want speed, power, efficient hair removal without breaking the hairs, and even a bit of gentleness (the above Silk Epil 9 is more painful).
Conclusions
The Braun Silk Epil 7 is an expensive epilator but it’s also an amazing one and one of the best epilators for body and face.
It’s cordless so it’s definitely not for everyone but I love it.
3. Philips Satinelle BRE235: Best Cheap Epilator
The Philips Satinelle BRE235 is a new epilator and I’m excited about adding it to my epilator reviews for the best epilators at the moment.
It’s a new and improved version of the above Philips hp6401. As far as I could tell, the Philips hp6401 won’t be produced anymore.
But the design of the Philips Satinelle BRE235 is so much cuter, a better shape, and a better cap.
The better cap is in the form of a sensitive area cap that’s a wonderful addition because it means that it can be used to remove facial hair not only bodily hair.
All that, for one of the cheapest best epilators. I’m pretty satisfied. I just have one minor complaint, read on to find out what I think would have been a great addition.
The number of tweezers is identical, 21 tweezers just like its predecessor (Philips hp6401 ). That’s what I believe even though I couldn’t find the actual number anywhere.
But even the shape of the tweezers seems identical so, I’m pretty confident in my estimates.
It’s not a lot, I know.
Fewer tweezers means that the epilation process will be longer but, at the same time, the price is directly proportional to the number of tweezers.
It’s up to you if you go for speed or for the lower cost.
The Philips Satinelle BRE235:
- is a corded epilator – it will last for many years, it’s a resilient epilator
- there’s no information about the number of tweezers that the BRE235 has but given the size of the head and its close similarity to the hp6401, I would say that it has 21 tweezers
- has 2 speeds
- no built-in light unfortunately – if they were to make a more beautiful newer version of the Philips hp6401, they could have added a built-in light (that’s my only complaint, why not absolutely improve it and make it fantastic?)
- the difference is that it has a sensitive area cap so, it works great for the whole body and the bikini area and you can even use it for facial hair removal, the sensitive area cap covers enough tweezers to comfortably say that the Philips Satinelle BRE235 can be used as a facial epilator, too
Cons
The lack of a built-in light.
But that can be forgiven because the BRE235 has a sensitive area cap, which can mean that you can use it on the bikini area but also for facial hair removal if you want to try it on your upper lip or for chin hair removal.
They could also have included an efficiency cap for the legs. Since it doesn’t have an efficiency cap, it means that the pain will be a bit more intense, especially on the upper legs.
Conclusions
This is absolutely the best cheap epilator featured in my epilator reviews, my first recommendation if you don’t want to spend too much money on an epilator. And you will get one with a sensitive area cap, a model that can be used for many years.
4. Emjoi Epi Slim e18: Best Epilator for Face
You can’t have complete epilator reviews without talking about the best facial epilator. The Emjoi e18 is the successor of the Emjoi AP-9L.
They’re both really good epilators for face, the best in my opinion and that’s why I’ve included the Epi Slim e18 in my epilator reviews. If you already own the AP-9L and it’s still working properly, there’s no need to replace it.
For those of you who are looking for a very good facial epilator, the Emjoi e18 should be the first you check out.
18 tweezers
It has 18 tweezers hence the name e18. That’s a lot for a facial model. It also means that you can even use it on your bikini area and even for the underarms.
Just make sure to clean it really well, rubbing alcohol included.
It’s extremely important to always use a thoroughly cleaned device when it comes to facial hair removal in order to avoid breakouts.
It’s a powerful model that removes both coarse and thin hairs.
There’s also the Skin Glide Technology that stretches the skin during epilation for a bit more of comfort.
Facial epilation is definitely painful.
It took me a while to get used to the pain and I used cold facial wax strips for years before using both my Braun 7 and 9 models with their respective facial caps on.
If you can’t handle pain well, you should try cold facial wax strips. Or if you want something completely pain free, there’s the Tinkle razor.
It’s not rechargeable, it needs 2 AA batteries to function. Due to its power, it can also be used an excellent epilator for the bikini area.
Emjoi Epi Slim e18 Cons
For some, it might be an inconvenience that it functions on 2 AA batteries.
It definitely increases the cost.
There’s no built-in light so you need to epilate in a bright place.
I discovered that the Torch on my phone is the best way to ensure that I haven’t missed any hairs, no matter how tiny they are.
Conclusions
Facial epilation is not for everyone, it’s painful.
But the Emjoi e18 is also fast and powerful and it removes thin and coarse hairs just as efficiently. Due to that, it can also be a very good epilator for the underarms and the bikini area.
If you want to try removing hairs from the face with an epilator, the Emjoi Epi Slim e18 is a model to consider.
5. Panasonic ES-ED90-P
Firstly, the design is quite nice, it’s just so girlish. Okay, let’s get past my enthusiasm and see what Panasonic ES-ED90-P has to offer for its pretty high price tag.
Be warned that the price for this device fluctuates a lot. Sometimes it’s really affordable so don’t rush into buying it. If it’s on sale, definitely get it.
It’s a wet & dry epilator, which means you can use it with shower gel.
Obviously, it’s cordless.
It gets fully charged in an hour and you get to use it for up to 40 minutes. It cannot be used corded.
Panasonic ES-ED90-P has 48 tweezers so one would think that it’s pretty painful, besides being really fast.
Well, you would be mistaken thinking that it’s pretty painful.
There are many women who vouch that this is the least painful epilator for them and I think the side-to-side gliding head is an innovation that helps a lot.
2 epilator heads
Another great advantage, which is much appreciated by me as a reviewer and a writer of this post on epilator reviews, is that there are two epilating heads included:
- the wide dual-disc epilation head
- and the gentle epilator head for sensitive areas hair removal
The normal head is the one with the whole 48 tweezers, which makes it really fast and powerful.
You can switch between the two heads when it comes to removing hairs from sensitive areas.
3 in 1 hair removal device
The Panasonic ES-ED90-P is described as a 3 in 1 hair removal system but what does it mean?
It means that there are:
- the tweezers head (epilator head)
- a shaver head
- and a bikini trimmer head
There is also a pedicure buffer for removing dry callous skin.
The tweezer head is the only one that removes hair from the root, the other two caps just cut it at the surface of the skin, out of which the shaver head cuts the hairs more closely to the skin than the trimmer one.
All the caps can be used with either foam/soap or directly on the bare skin.
This is a 2-speed epilator and it also has a built-in light.
The box also includes a travel pouch and a cleaning brush and of course, for even better hygiene, you can wash it..
Panasonic ES-ED90-P Cons
Are there any serious things that I don’t like about the Panasonic ES-ED90-P?
The answer is a clear loud no.
Conclusions
As I’ve already mentioned earlier in this post about the top 10 best epilator reviews, cordless models are not exactly my favorite ones but since this is a wet & dry one it couldn’t be any other way.
It’s a model with so many attachments and when the price is good this is an amazing device.
6. Braun Silk Epil 5280: Best Epilator for Body
The Braun Silk Epil 5280 is the predecessor for the Braun Silk Epil 7. Actually, they’re identical. Except for the considerable price difference between the two.
The thing is that you can use the facial and sensitive area caps that come the SE7 on the Silk Epil 5280, too.
If your Braun SE7 ends up not holding a charge any longer (it has happened to plenty of users), then you can buy the more reliable 5280 and use the attachments on it.
The Braun 5280 is just as powerful and as good as removing coarse and thin hairs from the root.
It has:
- 40 tweezers, powerful and efficient, that don’t cut the hairs at the surface but pull them from the root
- massage rollers attachment for a bit of comfort during epilation
- corded
- 2 speeds
- built-in light
It also comes with an ice pack but I recommend using that one after epilation if you want to sooth the skin, definitely not before.
Braun Silk Epil 5280 Cons
Actually, when it comes to the Braun 5280 I pretty much don’t have any complaints.
It doesn’t have a sensitive area cap or a facial one so, you can only use it for bodily hair removal but it’s also quite affordable.
Conclusions
The Braun Silk Epil 5280 is a powerful corded epilator that removes hairs from the root without breaking them at the surface whether they are thin or coarse.
It’s a fast epilator, you will need just two passes to remove the hairs.
Even though it’s pretty affordable, this is a sturdy reliable model that you will be with you for many many years to come.
That’s why I like it so much and that’s the main reason for including it in my best epilator reviews list.
7. Emjoi AP-18: Most Powerful Epilator for Body
The Emjoi AP-18 is an innovative device like no other – it has two opposed heads.
These two opposed heads together have 72 tweezers so it’s probably the fastest epilator out there.
If that doesn’t impress you, you will be pleased by the middle lifting fingers, meaning that it’s capable of efficiently removing flat and short hairs, not only the coarse thick dark ones.
It’s expected to remove hairs as short as 0.5mm and, after reading some reviews written by women currently using it, I would say that it keeps its promise.
So far so good, excellent, I might say.
72 tweezers but gentle
72 tweezers is an impressive number but there’s the general opinion that the bigger the number of tweezers the more pain you feel, with the advantage of getting smooth skin more quickly.
In this case,
The AP-18 from Emjoi is an exception and I’m truly glad to know that women who are already using it are proud to say that the pain level is more than acceptable.
There is no debate on pain vs. speed. It’s only about speed and less pain.
It’s a corded device, which is pretty logical since it’s so powerful.
There are 2 speeds.
And it comes with a cleaning brush for hygiene plus the head is detachable so it could be washed.
Speaking of hygiene, the Silver Ion Technology provides antimicrobial protection, which may also help with reducing ingrown hairs.
It’s not only good for women but also for men because it’s fast and powerful.
The alternative is the specifically designed epilator for men Emjoi AP-18MS.
Emjoi AP-18 Cons
I’m already sold, even though it lacks the built-in light and there are no caps.
Conclusions
The Emjoi AP-18 might be a bit on the expensive side but I think that it’s worth every penny.
But let’s see, maybe the coming up epilator reviews are going to reveal an even better unit.
8. Remington EP7030E
The Remington EP7030E is a bit of an unusual model. Why do I say that?
Because it’s really affordable. Well, that’s not entirely the strangest thing.
The aspect that surprises me is the attachments that come with it:
- efficiency cap with aloe vera, there are some tiny green rolls there that massage the skin so it’s the Remington version for the massage rollers attachment from Braun
- precision cap which is actually a facial cap and it can also be used on the bikini area, thus making the package complete
- it’s cordless and wet & dry so it can be used under the shower
This is the cheapest wet & dry epilator that can be used to remove hairs from the whole body plus face.
Besides that, the Remington EP7030E also has:
- 40 tweezers
- 2 speeds
- built-in light
Remington EP7030E Cons
As always,
When it comes to cordless epilators, there are complaints about the battery not holding a charge after a few months of use.
It’s the reason why people are still not entirely comfortable about buying a cordless model.
Me and many others are still waiting for a corded epilator with all the right accessories, like the Braun 5780 but that one is not easily available worldwide.
Conclusions
What exactly is the Remington EP7030E? It’s one of the best cheap wet and dry epilators for body and face.
It’s the much more affordable version of the Braun Silk Epil 7 so that’s a bit impressive.
9. Emjoi eRase e60
The Emjoi eRase e60 is a fantastic epilator and there’s no way I was going to leave it out of this round up of the best epilator reviews.
It has a lot going on:
- a really affordable price
- 60 tweezers, second after the Emjoi AP-18 in the number of tweezers
- a sensitive attachment that covers some of those 60 tweezers, letting you use the Emjoi e60 to even remove facial hair
- corded
- 2 speeds
- the Skin Glide Technology that lifts up the flat hairs
- the 3 disc system that ensures that the skin is stretched during hair removal for a bit of comfort, you will still need to kip the skin taut
- and there’s even shaver and trimmer attachments
Emjoi eRase e60 Cons
There’s no built-in light, it’s a characteristic, or a lack of, belonging to all Emjoi models.
Conclusions
Do you want a powerful device, corded, that comes with a sensitive attachment that lets you use it to even remove facial hairs, all for a truly affordable price?
Then the Emjoi eRase e60 might be the best epilator for you.
10. Braun Silk Epil 3270: Cheap Epilator for Body
This is is the second best cheap epilator in this epilator reviews post.
The Silk Epil 3 series is very old, I am assuming that it was released more than 10 years ago.
It’s still incredibly popular and the Braun Silk Epil 3270 has a lot to offer for its affordable price:
- 20 tweezers
- massage rollers attachment
- built-in light
- 2 speeds
- shaver head and trimmer cap
- corded
The massage rollers attachment replaces the efficiency cap. It’s actually good at making the pain a bit more bearable.
Even so,
It’s still going to be painful. That’s valid for all epilators.
Braun Silk Epil 3270 Cons
I would personally have preferred a sensitive area cap instead of the shaver and trimmer attachments but I can understand why for some people those attachments might be helpful.
The thing is,
The Braun Silk Epil 3270 has only 20 tweezers so, it’s going to take a while to remove all the hairs.
It will also break some instead of removing them from the root.
It’s an affordable model so you will need a bit of time to remove all the hairs, you will need several passes.
Conclusions
There’s not much to say about the Braun Silk Epil 3270.
It’s one of the best cheapest epilators and one of the oldest but it’s still very good at removing hairs from the root, which is the essential aspect when talking about any epilator.
Epilator Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you’ve seen my reviews on what I consider to be the best epilators on the market, let’s dive in into everything there is to be known about these hair removal devices.
On short,
Here’s what you’re going to learn:
- What is an epilator?
- Types of epilators
- How does an epilator work
- Do epilators work well (of course, thus this epilator reviews post)
- How to epilate
- When to epilate and how often
- Is it painful using an epilator? (spoiler: it is)
- Does epilating get less painful in time?
- How to make epilation less painful
- Do epilators cause ingrown hairs?
- How to prevent ingrown hairs caused by epilation
- On what parts of the body can you use an epilator? (absolutely everywhere)
- How long does the smooth skin last for?
- What to look for when buying the best epilator for you
- Epilating vs Waxing vs Shaving: Which is Better? (all are)
- Epilators pros and cons
What is an Epilator?
I know there are women out there who haven’t heard about these devices until now and that’s okay. I’m going to make a longer introduction so you can catch up.
A hair removal epilator is a tiny device that removes hairs from the root thanks to its tiny metallic/ceramic tweezers.
Hairs are not removed one at a time because that would simply take forever. A bunch of them are removed from the root with one singles pass.
The tweezers rotate and they grab the hairs and pull them from the root.
Here’s the kicker: you can have smooth skin for two weeks, up to a month. That’s pretty awesome, you must admit it.
Types of Epilators
- spring type
Is actually the first epilator, invented by Epilady.
If you’ve ever seen or used the Bellabe, you know what I’m talking about only that the spring type epilator was powered by a motor.
The Bellabe is a facial hair removal device that needs to be rotated by hand.
- rotating disc type
Remington was the first that replace the spring with a series of metal discs.
- tweezer type
That’s the modern epilator, which we are all currently using.
How Does an Epilator Work?
The head of the epilator consists of tiny metal tweezers that move together and apart as the head rotates, grabbing the hairs and pulling them from the root and then releasing the removed hairs.
Multiple tiny tweezers grab hairs and pluck them from their roots.
It’s automated tweezing and that’s why the pain is more intense, too.
The hairs are pulled from the root, just like it’s the case with waxing.
Do Epilators Work Well?
There’s never going to 100% hairs removed from the root each time you epilate.
No matter how expensive your device is, there are still going to be a few broken hairs here and there.
A few are just too thin and too short to be grabbed and removed this session but you will get them next time.
All in all, yes, epilators work really truly well.
After extended usage, fewer hairs grow and, most importantly, they grow thinner and that’s when things get exciting.
I know that’s debatable, the argument being that if you let the hairs grow for months and months then they are just as thick and as many.
However, since I epilate once every 2 weeks on average, I measure the results within that time frame.
The longest I let my hair grow is for a whole month in the winter when I’m lazy.
From my personal experience, I can tell you that there are a lot less hairs on my skin and they’re thinner, too!
The result is that in the beginning it probably took me up to 2 hours to get my legs smooth as silk but now I do it in 30 minutes tops.
Short Guide on How to Epilate
A good reason for which I recommend these devices is that they’re easy to use.
Literally anyone no matter how young or old, male or female, can get the hang of it.
- You just need to hold the device perpendicularly to the skin, there’s no need to press into the skin, relax your hand and then just the tweezers do their work.
- Move the epilator slowly in the opposite direction in which the hairs are growing.
- Just move it slowly, otherwise there will be a lot of broken and missed hairs.
- Keep the skin taut. It helps the tweezers grab the hairs and it helps a bit with the pain.
Just remember:
- If it doesn’t hurt, it might mean that you are moving too fast. Slow movements are the only thing to keep in mind.
- And moisturize after each epilation session.
That’s it.
Now, you know how to epilate.
When to Epilate and How Often
It depends from person to person. The average period is once every 2 weeks. If you have rapid hair regrowth you can epilate once a week but let at least a week pass between sessions.
Just remember: if you get lazy (which I get during the winter), it’s going to be a lot more painful if the hairs are too long. You can use a trimmer to shorten them.
The secret is: don’t let your hair grow back too much because it will be time consuming and the pain, let’s say, is definitely not enjoyable.
Also, if it’s too short, the tweezers won’t be capable of plucking it but that’s debatable since there are models that can remove even the tiniest hairs.
I don’t know what the recommended length is and let’s be frank no one measures the hair length on their legs, armpits, hands, or bikini area. You just know, it’s not rocket science.
Is it Painful Using an Epilator?
Hairs are removed from their follicle so, yes, epilation is painful.
Just like waxing, even a bit more painful than waxing, especially when it comes to facial hair removal.
Shaving and depilatory creams are the non-painful hair removal methods.
Does Epilating Get Less Painful in Time?
It most definitely does.
If you go from shaving to epilation directly, it will be really painful in the beginning.
Some people can’t take it and if it’s a torture for you, it would be best to give up.
But if you stick to it,
It will be less painful in time. The body and the mind adapts.
If you go from waxing to epilation, the transition will not be so uncomfortable.
How to Make Epilation Less Painful
I’m not going to lie: there aren’t many things that will make epilation less painful.
Taking a hot bath or a shower before helps open the pores.
Keeping the skin taut during the hair removal, helps a bit too.
An efficiency cap or a massage rollers attachment makes everything just a bit better.
If you want to epilate your bikini area or the underarms, use a sensitive area cap.
Do Epilators Cause Ingrown Hairs?
Yes, they do. Just like shaving and waxing do.
Ingrown hairs appear when the hairs cannot break to the surface, instead they curl under the skin and continue growing under. They’re horrible.
How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs Caused by Epilation
There’s only one solution: exfoliation.
There are actually two types of exfoliation:
- physical exfoliation – body scrubs, exfoliating gloves, body brushes
- and chemical exfoliation – products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or salicylic acid (BHAs)
If you have nasty ingrown hairs and have had them for a while, I recommend trying a chemical exfoliator, like the Pfb Vanish or the Tend skin solution. Those are two of the best.
I exfoliate almost daily and always before epilating.
I use exfoliating gloves and a really good body scrub both on dry skin before a shower and after taking the shower on wet skin.
Even if I have really sensitive skin, neither the gloves nor the scrubs have damaged it or even slightly irritated it.
Nor will chemical exfoliators.
They will simply remove the layers of dead skin cells thus revealing the hairs that have grown underneath the skin (thus, the name ingrown) and, at the same time, preventing further ones from forming.
On What Parts of the Body Can You Use an Epilator?
An epilator can be used to remove hairs from all over the body, as long as you can handle the pain.
There are models that come with a facial cap so they can be used on both body and face.
Or you can buy a separate facial epilator.
How Long Does an Epilator Give Smooth Skin for?
On average for about 1-2 weeks, but this depends from person to person.
Also, your skin will never be as smooth as it is after shaving but it’s pretty close.
And it lasts longer.
After a week, if you move your hand up and down your legs, you will feel tiny hairs that are starting to grow back.
But they’re not visible.
So you can wait for another week until you need to epilate. If you are bothered by the sight of tiny hairs, you can epilate sooner.
What Features to Look for when Buying the Best Epilator for You
1. Power
The power of an epilator is primarily given by how many tweezers it has.
The rule is: the more tweezers it has, the more hairs it removes from the root with a single pass.
Fact: those tiny rotatory tweezers are the ones responsible for pulling the hair from the root.
That being said, the Emjoi AP-18 is the most powerful epilator because it has 72 tweezers, being closely followed by the Braun SE7 and Braun Silk Epil 9 with their 40 tweezers that are incredibly powerful.
With those two devices, you will rarely need more than two passes for the hairs to be removed from the root.
Epilation is not as fast as shaving or depilatory creams but a more expensive more powerful epilator could speed up the process.
There are some women who complain about the fact that epilation it too slow but at least it’s a lot more simple than waxing.
2. Caps
Besides the number of tweezers, the caps that are included in the package are the second most important thing, in my opinion.
Low priced ones usually include an efficiency cap.
I’ve been epilating for about 10 years or so and every model that I’ve used had an efficiency cap.
The pain is not so intense. A pretty nice sensation is created so I think it helps a good deal.
Even more: an expensive best epilator for women will also include a sensitive cap or a facial one, meaning that you don’t have to get a separate epilator for facial hair.
You can use the same device for the entire body, whether from the neck down or from the neck up.
It’s a good way of saving money.
Technically, you can use an epilator to remove facial hair even if it doesn’t come with a facial cap. A lot of women do it.
However, it’s a lot more painful without a facial cap than it would be with one on.
Secondly, it might cause irritation and breakouts because all tweezers make contact with the skin to remove the hairs from the root.
If your facial skin is used to waxing then the risk of breakouts or irritation is minimal.
3. Wet & Dry Epilator or Dry Only
Why would you prefer a wet & dry epilator?
Because it can be used under the shower or when taking a bath.
The hot water opens up the pores, which is a great method for reducing epilation pain.
If you’ve never waxed or used an epilator before, then you probably don’t know the intensity of the pain felt when so many hairs are removed from the root.
A wet & dry one might be just the thing you need in order to get you through those first epilation sessions.
However, very few people actually end up using an epilator under the shower or when taking a bath.
It’s just too much standing in the water for so long, quite tedious, not practical at all.
4. Corded/Cordless
All wet & dry epilators are cordless, obviously. As a rule, they run up to 40 minutes on a single charge and they take usually 1 hour to charge.
I hope we can go back to corded epilators that come with all the needed accessories.
Why do I say that?
Because pretty much all end up not holding a charge after some time.
Since these models are so expensive, it’s baffling me that they fail so often.
5. Built-in Light
It’s a great feature for making sure that all hairs are removed.
Emjoi seems to avoid including this feature for any of their epilators.
However, the loss is not substantial. You just need to epilate in a well illuminated room.
You can also use the Torch on your phone to thoroughly check for any missing hairs.
6. Washable Head
For the perfect hygiene most epilators have a washable head. Find more information on how to clean your device here.
A clean epilator will not guarantee that you won’t get any ingrown hairs ever again but it helps.
7. Additional Features
Such as a trimmer or shaving head.
These two heads, besides the tweezer head, can instantly transform an epilator into a shaving device or a trimming one.
It’s a 3 in 1 system for a very convenient price.
A massage head or a pivoting head are other practical and useful additions.
The only drawback for epilators is that they can cause ingrown hairs, just like shaving and waxing but the good news is that there are amazing products that prevent ingrown hairs.
Epilating vs Waxing vs Shaving: Which is Better?
If you decide to use one you may never go back to shaving or to spending a lot of money on salon waxing.
That’s basically why I’m writing this lengthy post on epilator reviews.
But that doesn’t mean that one is better than the other.
Each hair removal method is just different.
I am an epilator girl and I enjoy writing about epilators and reviewing them but that doesn’t mean that I believe that everyone should try these hair removal devices.
The thing is
If you are tired of using razors once every 3 days and you still feel unsatisfied because after a day the hairs start growing back then you should keep on reading this article because it offers a great alternative to your problem.
Using an epilator will be enlightening and it may change the way you feel about your body.
Also,
If you are done with spending a great deal of money once every month, going to salons for waxing, then maybe you could spare a few minutes and read this post.
Epilation is a cheap hair removal method.
You just need to spend a decent amount of money, anywhere from $30 to $100.
After that, just do something else with the money you were spending in a beauty salon.
Epilators Pros and Cons
Pros:
- cheap hair removal method
- easy to use
- hairs are removed from the root so you get smooth skin for at least two weeks
Cons:
- not the perfect smoothness that shaving offers but close enough with longer results
- ingrown hairs
- painful
My Top Pick: Braun Silk Epil 9
Braun Silk Epil 9 is my newest favorite epilator. I use it to remove hairs from body and face. So far I have no complaints.
The Perfect Model for Me
Considering all these features, I will try to describe the perfect hair removal device for me.
I gave you 10 epilator reviews. But now I want to share with you what I look for.
Maybe it will help you figuring out what you need and want.
The best epilator for me is:
- quite a simple basic device with 2 speeds
- efficiency cap
- corded because the long cord offers enough freedom of movement and I have enough things that have to be charged
- and has built-in light
If I were to take it a little further, I always favor epilators produced by a known brand as opposed to no-name ones.
I would also like to try one that is such a bad ass that can pluck even the feeblest tiny hairs. It would be nice because those tiny ones become big proud showing hairs in a week or so.
That happens because hair grows in 3 cycles so don’t blame it on the device.
Also, an epilator will never remove 100% of the hairs because some are just too tiny.
I’m not interested in wet & dry ones because I have developed a high tolerance to pain throughout the years.
If you don’t handle pain well, you can always go for a wet and dry and use it under the shower in the beginning.
If you’ve waxed before, you may feel nothing more than a few pinches.
Affordable epilators are awesome
In the end, the idea is that you can keep it basic and simple and have smooth skin with a cheap epilator.
If you can afford to spend more money and get a more expensive device, do it because you only pay the money once and get to use the unit for many years to come.
Innovations don’t take place every year in this industry so you won’t be rushing online or to a store to get the latest thing out there.
This is money spent once and maybe not spent for another 2 or 3 years, at least. And there’s the standard 2-year warranty.
Braun Silk Epil 9 vs Braun Silk Epil 7
In the meantime, I’ve found a pretty amazing epilator – the Braun 9561.
I’ve wrote all about my first impressions with it, if you are interested to see why I like this model so much.
There’s little difference between the Braun 9 and the Braun 7.
My Braun 7681 wins by a bit because it has a sensitive area cap and I can’t figure out for the life of me why the sensitive area cap has been omitted from the accessories that come with the Silk Epil 9561 or the SE9579.
Even so, with both these models the beauty of it all is that I can use them to remove facial hair, as well.
It’s a complete package and they both fully deserve to be declared as two of the best hair removal devices.
I’m still glad that I got to use cold facial wax strips for so many years. It made my skin accustomed to the pain inflicted when hairs are removed from the root.
Most importantly, I don’t get any irritations or breakouts.
Unfortunately, that can happen a lot in the case of facial hair removal.
I’ve had to give up on the idea of having a corded epilator but the surprise is that I don’t miss the cord.
The fact that it’s cordless presents no advantage for me but at lest it’s not a disadvantage and that’s what counts.
Remember:
When you choose an epilator from a line of models (like the Silk Epil 7 or the Silk Epil 9) choose the device that has the accessories that you need.
The epilator is more or less the same for the entire line, with the same tweezers and features.
Only the accessories make the difference.
Final Thoughts
My epilator reviews post definitely includes everything you need to know about epilators.
I haven’t focused exclusively on only rounding up the best models.
I also wanted to include all the info that I have gathered along the years from how to epilate properly, how to clean your epilator, how to take care of your skin, how to prevent and remove ingrown hairs.
There are all sorts of things that you need to know.
And now you do.
Now that you’ve read my top 10 epilator reviews and my extensive knowledge on everything concerning epilators, what do you think, which model is your favorite, which is the best epilator for you?
