The Best Razors for Women Looking to Achieve a Smooth Shave (2024)

Long gone are the days when hair removal was a painstaking, time-consuming task. Luckily, the best razors for women are designed to both provide a perfectly smooth shave and enhance your shower space into spa-like bathing experience.

Over the past few years, a set of start-up beauty brands have redefined the best razors for women, upgrading the mainstay product to be longer lasting and easier to use. What’s more, an influx of subscription services and a departure from disposable razors offer more sustainable ways to rid hair across the face and body. Either way, take your pick of tools, from safety razors to electric trimmers to multiblade iterations that even feature lubrication strips that condition and shave simultaneously.

Pre-Shave

First things first, the perfect shave requires more than just a suitable razor. It all begins with pre-shave prep! “Preventing razor bumps and irritation starts days before shaving,” says dermatologist Alexis Stephens. “I recommend using gentle exfoliants with moisturizing properties like lactic acid to prepare the skin for a better shave and help dislodge ingrown hairs.” On the eve before a shave, we’d reach for Oui the People’s Resurfacing Body Serum to smooth skin and unclog pores overnight, thanks to its blend of exfoliating acids. Or perhaps an exfoliating body wash is more your speed, like this option by Kosas that uses fruit enzymes and glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids to gently brighten and exfoliate.

“Think shaving at the end of your shower as opposed to the beginning,” Stephens notes. She recommends applying warm water to the skin just before shaving to prep and soften. “The best tip for a close, smooth shave is to shave in the proper direction, with a clean and new razor and to prime the skin with a good shaving cream or gel prior,” says board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, who recommends using at minimum soap and water before gliding a blade over the skin. “It is very important when shaving, to prevent razor bumps or irritation, not to shave when the skin is dry.” Stephens echos this sentiment, advising picking a clear shave gel or cream so that you can see the hairs then shave in the direction of hair growth—not against the grain.

Post-Shave

Regarding post-shaving rituals, dermatologist Morgan Rabach offers a bit of guidance: “Clean blades in between each stroke, and rinse with cold water to tighten pores.” To ensure your blades remain in tip-top shape, dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi advises storing razors in a dry place to avoid buildup of yeast and bacteria. “Be sure to change your blade regularly—depending on how often you shave once, every five to 10 shaves,” she adds.

Back to skin, moisture is key. “When you shave, you are not just removing hair, you are also stripping away the outer skin layer, so it’s important to use emollients that nourish and hydrate the skin right after,” says Shirazi. Those prone to razor burn and irritation should reach for moisturizers with cortisone and aloe vera, like Soothe HC from Shirazi’s skin-care line; otherwise, your reliable daily body lotion or balm will do the trick.

Whether you’re looking to shave your legs, bikini line, underarms, or face, these are the razors to shop now.

Best Razor for Sensitive Skin

For those with sensitive skin, using the wrong razor or shaving creams can lead to itchiness and bumps. Athena Club’s razor bends to the curves of the body easily and is infused with a water-activated serum, making for a silky shave that helps prevent razor burn. Likewise, the Gillette Venus Deluxe Smooth Sensitive Razor features a lubrication strip, which helps protect against nicks and irritation while its five blades glide across skin with ease.

Best Safety Razor

Thanks to Oui the People’s Rose Gold razor, irritation can be avoided—notably on those with sensitive skin. The singular blade creates a close shave and naturally applies the perfect amount of pressure so that you don’t have to overcompensate while shaving and risk causing razor burn from pressing down too hard. For an additional blade that will look equally as chic in your shower, consider the Maapilim Safety Razor, a double-edged option crafted for a close, smooth, bump-free shave.

Best Electric Shaver

The Philips electric shaver is perfect for getting a close shave. It’s equipped with a hypoallergenic foil that helps protect the skin from irritants and works for a dry shave or with shaving cream. Fur’s Trimmer is an excellent choice for those looking to shave and trim across the body sans shaving cream. Like the brand’s coveted Fur Oil, this works to make your next groom that much easier and is personalized with four trimmer lengths and a three-blade system, along with its cordless, water-resistant design.

Best Face Razor

Equipped with five sharp blades, the Billie razor makes for a close and precise shave. A pillowy-soft coat of charcoal soap cleans and protects while hair gets removed, making it perfect for sensitive areas that require more attention to detail, like the upper lip—though it’s great on legs and underarms too. (Plus, it comes in appealing colors, from coral to cool blue.) To rid peach fuzz beyond the upper lip and chin, Tweezerman’s Facial Razor works wonders to remove tiny hairs and gently slough away dead skin.

Best for Bikini Area

Especially throughout swimsuit season or ahead of a tropical vacation, razor bumps and ingrown hairs near the bikini line can be the most frustrating conditions. Shirazi reminds us that the following can cause these unwanted irritations: “Using a dull razor, skipping on exfoliation, or not stretching the skin with each shaving stroke.” So use those tips and the best razors on your bikini area for a foolproof shave each time. Made from quality Swedish steel, Flamingo’s razor has a flexible blade and handle that makes tackling hard-to-reach areas, such as the bikini line, a more accessible experience. Or this Gillette Venus option is crafted specifically for down there and features a smaller razor head and a precision trimmer to cut hairs while barely touching skin.

Best Drugstore Pickup

Joy’s five-blade razor not only provides maximum hair-removal results but also comes with a nonslip grip handle so that even the most clumsy of users won’t have to worry about dropping their razor on questionable surfaces. Plus, the built-in Lubrastrip protects skin from any unwanted irritation. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with Schick’s sensitive-skin razor. Designed with five curve-hugging blades and a water-activated skin-soothing serum formulated with green tea and chamomile, this might be your simplest shave yet.

Best Travel Razor

Alleyoop’s razor includes two razor cartridges, a mini spray bottle, and a shea-butter-infused moisturizing bar—hence the all-in-one description—which makes for the perfect all-over shave that protects the skin while delivering results. For a more sophisticated shave on the go that mimics a session with a barber or hairstylist, consider Dovo’s straight razor. Its lightweight, stainless-steel construction, and compact design will store well in your travel beauty bag.

Best for a Close Shave

This razor from Hanni is equal parts chic and efficient, thanks to its vibrant hues, its twist-to-open top, and its weighted component, meaning users won’t have to press too hard onto the skin to get a close shave. It works to remove not only hair but also dead skin cells so that your post-shave products can seep into the skin for optimal hydration. It also comes with a pack of five blades so that you can keep a sharp shave going. The plastic-free metal model by Leaf Shave features double-edged blades and a pivoting head to maneuver seamlessly over skin, avoiding nicks and irritation. The razor comes with a set of 10 blades that will certainly last across a multitude of shade sessions, though you can load up to three blades at a time to customize your groom.