Buying guide for Best bikini trimmers
There’s nothing like a dip in the pool, ocean, or lake on a hot, sunny day. Picture the cool water, the warm sun, and you in your favorite bathing suit, looking good. But as just about every woman knows, there’s one thing that can spoil the look of a bikini or one-piece suit: unwanted hair peeking out from around the leg openings. It’s embarrassing, but it’s a common problem: bikini-area hair that refuses to be discreet.
There are quite a few solutions to problematic bikini-area hair – waxing, depilatory creams, shaving, and laser hair removal, to name a few. But some people find waxing and depilatory creams painful or irritating, and applying a razor to bikini-area curves can be a delicate feat. Permanent hair removal is a viable solution, but it’s pricey and requires multiple sessions. What’s a girl to do?
A bikini trimmer makes it easy to remove bikini-line hair without pain, excessive cost, or – generally – irritation or shaving nicks. These handy devices are specifically designed for your most intimate curves, so you’ll be able to step out at the beach or pool looking groomed, confident, and ready for the water.
How do you choose the right bikini trimmer? After all, there are a variety of types on the market, and many brands compete for your dollars. To help our readers make this important decision, we sorted through information, recommendations, and opinions from owners and beauty experts who deal with hair removal on a regular basis.
Bikini trimmer types
When it comes to removing hair from down under, there are quite a few ways to go. You’ll find many different types of bikini trimmers in the personal care aisle of your favorite local or virtual store.
Battery-powered bikini trimmers
Battery-powered bikini trimmers are basically small electric razors with a head designed for the bikini area. The head allows you to easily shave your bikini line with precise, careful movements that remove only the hair you want gone. (Full-size electric shavers are not usually this precise.) Plus, with a small hair trimmer designed specifically for this delicate area, you’re less likely to cut yourself.
Pros:
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Small size makes it easy to access every nook and cranny of your bikini area
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Quick and easy hair removal
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Can also be used to remove unwanted facial hair
Cons:
Price: While you’ll find some personal or bikini trimmers for under $10, those devices are likely to stop working or do a poor job. The best bikini trimmers usually lie in the $10 to $20 range.
Women’s electric razors
An electric razor with a pop-up bikini shaver is another popular choice. These battery-powered razors are an all-in-one option: you use the large head for shaving your legs and underarms, then pop up the small shaving head for your bikini line. On the downside, because the shaver is larger than a designated bikini trimmer, it can be a little tougher to access your inner thighs or intimate curves for the smoothest results.
Pros:
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No need to store or buy separate grooming devices
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You’ll save time with one razor for all your shaving needs
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Charging stand may be included
Cons:
Price: For a good-quality electric razor that has a bikini attachment, the $20 to $40 range is the sweet spot. Below this price point, you’ll find lower-quality razors that are likelier to pull hair, irritate skin, or be difficult to maneuver in delicate areas.
Disposable bikini shavers
A disposable bikini shaver is basically a disposable razor with a streamlined design for the bikini-line cleanup process. Of course, you could use any disposable razor in the bikini area, but disposable shavers specifically designed for the job make it much easier. Most have small heads and are curved (rather than straight like regular disposable razors), making it easy to reach down and under without cutting yourself. These are particularly handy for travel and gym bag storage. On the downside, disposable razors are less economical and not very environmentally friendly, as you throw away the shaver after several uses.
Pros:
Cons:
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Disposable shavers are less cost-effective than battery-powered, reusable devices
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Likelier to give you a shaving nick or razor burn
Price: You can pick up a pack of quality disposable bikini shavers for less than $10.
Epilators
Epilators often fall into the bikini trimmer category, as many have heads designed to shave delicate areas. Epilators basically remove hair by tweezing, but instead of plucking hairs one by one with a tweezers, the epilator does the job quickly and efficiently with spinning disks that grab multiple hairs at a time and yank them out at the roots. While that can be painful, it’s very effective. Your bikini line will be smooth and hair-free, and you can expect to wait a longer stretch of time before stubble reappears.
Pros:
Cons:
Price: Basic epilators cost less than $20, but for better performance, consider one in the $20 to $40 range. Above that price point, you’ll find the highest-quality epilators with multiple heads for hair removal on legs, underarms, and face, as well as the bikini line.
A bikini trimmer helps prevent the painful and unsightly nicks that shaving razors can inflict. We vet bikini trimmers through careful research to find the very best.
Battery-powered bikini trimmers consist of an electric razor with a head specially designed for the contours of the bikini area. We include these options in our research process.
You can avoid bumps and ingrown hairs by moving the bikini trimmer in the same direction that your hair grows. We identify helpful tips like this during our research process.
Bikini trimmers cost anywhere from $10 for a pack of disposable razors to $40 for an epilator or electric shaver. Recognizing different budget needs, we research trimmers in a broad price range.
Applying shaving cream to the area and letting it soak in will prime your bikini line for the trimmer. We look for wet and dry trimmers that work with shaving cream. Many, but not all, are compatible with this method.
The small head on some trimmers makes it easy to reach and work around tight bikini areas. We take details like this into account when researching these products.
We weigh the benefits and drawbacks of battery-powered bikini trimmers in our search for the best bikini trimmers.
It’s important to clean your bikini trimmer after each shaving session, as it can quickly clog with hair. We look for bikini trimmers that are easy to clean.
Electric razors are made with a variety of heads designed to tackle specific areas, including the bikini line. We note the kind of heads included with each electric razor on our research list.
Several types of bikini trimmers exist on the market, including epilators, battery-powered trimmers, and electric razors. For your convenience, we cover these categories and more.
Tips for trimming your bikini line
Grooming your bikini area isn’t rocket science, but there are still ways to make it easier and faster.
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If your hair is long, trim it with scissors first. Hairs longer than a half-inch are likely to pull or pinch when you shave.
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If your bikini trimmer is waterproof, groom in the shower. The more moisture, the less likely you are to cut or irritate your delicate skin. Be sure to finish washing your hair and body before tending to your bikini line. This gives the moisture time to soften your hair and skin before shaving.
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Apply shaving cream or gel to your bikini line first. Creams and gels are generally safe for use with shavers that are wet/dry. Give the shaving cream time to soak in so it can fully lubricate your hair and skin.
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Pull the skin around the area to be shaved a little bit taut, but don’t yank too hard. You want to avoid nicks, but you don’t want to stretch your skin uncomfortably.
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Shave first in the same direction as your hair growth to avoid annoying and painful ingrown hairs or bumps. If necessary, make a second pass, moving the trimmer in the opposite direction. Don’t run the trimmer over the same area more than twice, or you’re likely to get irritation or nicks.
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Rinse the area well after finishing your grooming routine. Then, apply a gentle after-shaving toner to help prevent razor burn and other skin irritations.
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Wipe your bikini trimmer clean before storing it.
FAQ
Q. Can I use my bikini trimmer in the shower?
A. Many bikini trimmers are waterproof and safe for use in the shower. And of course, disposable razor-type bikini trimmers are also safe for use in the tub. If your electric bikini trimmer or razor doesn’t specifically state it’s okay for use in water, however, be safe and keep it away from that hazard.
Q. What features should I look for in a good bikini trimmer?
A. The best bikini trimmers give a reasonably close shave, maneuver easily around your curves, don’t cut or irritate your skin, have stainless-steel blades, and are easy to wipe clean after use.
Q. Do I have to use shaving cream or gel with a bikini trimmer?
A. You’ll definitely want to break out the shaving cream with a disposable bikini shaver, but it’s not strictly necessary with a battery-powered device. Generally, waterproof trimmers are okay for use with shaving cream or gel, and you’ll find the extra lubrication makes shaving much easier on your skin. Wipe your trimmer clean of residue after using it, and steer clear of shaving oils, which are more likely to gum up your trimmer blades than shaving gel or cream.
