I've Been Waxing for Years—Experts Convinced Me to Try These 10 Facial Hair Removal Products Instead

Pros: Low price, painless, slows hair growth

Cons: Smell may be irritating to sensitive noses

Use: Topical application; upper lip, chin, jaw | Key benefits: Infused with almond oil, dissolves hair

We’ve tested many depilatory creams in our day, but nothing beats this budget-friendly pick from Nair. The brand name is iconic for a reason—it’s been trusted by dermatologists, beauty experts, and probably your own mom for decades. The cream targets the hair shaft under the surface of your skin, dissolving the keratin that makes up your peach fuzz. After three to 10 minutes of letting a thick layer sit on your skin, simply wipe away the formula (avoiding your mouth and eyes) for smooth, hairless skin that will be slow to regrow.

Customer review: “I used to get waxed, as I’m getting older I now get red for days and breakout. Using this from now on. Quick, painless, and cheap!”

Pros: Removes hair and dead skin cells, reusable, ergonomic

Cons: Pricey on first buy

Use: Manual shaver; anywhere on face | Key benefits: Sustainable, easy to store, offers a close shave

If you’re looking for something that will make your makeup apply smoother, your skin look glowier, and your complexion feel fuzz-free, then this single-blade facial razor is the one for you. We Who What Wear editors named this dermaplaning tool the best we’ve tested because of the close shave its stainless steel blades offer, taking dead skin cells with them for ultra-smooth, resurfaced skin. Plus, you can get a bundle with three replacement blades, which will stretch for up to nine months of use.

Customer review: “Oh, my gosh!? I’m loving this sharper than sharp razor! I've used a lot of the plastic store bought types thinking there wasn't much better? This proves me wrong! This improves your skin, sloughs off the dead skin cells, gets rid of the fuzz, helps your skin better absorb the products you pay dearly for. Don't be afraid of it's sharpness—just respect the fact it's sharp and don't go too fast. Try it & hope you find the success I have.”

Pros: Easy shave, portable, prevents nicks, beginner-friendly

Cons: Short-term fix

Use: Electrical razor; upper lip, chin, jaw | Key benefits: Pain-free, no regrowth period necessary

Let me start by saying that I've owned an older version of this very device for close to 10 years—yes, that long—and there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t use it. This user-friendly electric razor works flawlessly on the upper lip, chin, and anywhere else you want to touch up before applying makeup, illuminating your skin with a small LED light to locate those ultrafine hairs. Small blades are covered by a protective plate to trim fine peach fuzz down to a microscopic height, meaning there’s no way to nick or cut yourself in the process, and there’s no regrowth waiting period (like waxing) before your next treatment. This tool is easy to take on vacation and great for beginners.

Customer review: “I’m surprised!! This little gadget really does get rid of unwanted fuzz. I’ve noticed it shaves off fuzz better than thicker hairs. When I emptied the chamber and saw how much fuzz accumulated, that’s when I realized this gadget works… All I can say is: zero irritation, removes unwanted peach fuzz, and is quick and convenient. No more chemical burns for me!”

Pros: Spa-grade results, user-friendly, effectively exfoliates

Cons: Pricey compared to manual dermaplane razors

Use: Electric shaver; anywhere on face | Key benefits: Moves on its own, removes dead skin cells, improves skincare penetration

My mom, 53, was influenced to buy this electric dermaplaning tool after a facialist used it on her during a treatment at an upscale Arizona hotel spa. While she used to be dedicated to her monthly facials prior to that fated trip, she now relies on this tool for her own hair removal treatments. “It’s a salon-quality dermaplaning tool in every way,” she raves. “I actually like it more than getting dermaplaned at the spa—it makes my makeup lay so much nicer on my skin because it sloughs off all the dead stuff,” she adds. My mom is also a fan of the face wash it comes with, which is pumped full of exfoliating salicylic acid, soothing willow bark, and protective niacinamide.

Customer review: “This product is phenomenal. I have been waxing my face for years and I break out in horrible red numbs for almost a week after every wax because I have very sensitive skin. This product didn’t irritate my skin at all.”

Pros: Gentle formula, agreeable price, microwave safe

Cons: Some customers complain that it takes a long time to heat up

Use: Reusable wax; anywhere on face | Key benefits: Safe for sensitive skin,

If you’re a fan of at-home waxing (I’m raising my hand, if you can’t tell), then you’ll want to take this budget-friendly kit out for a spin. Bliss’s aqua-blue wax is easy to heat—simply put it in the microwave in 30-second increments until it has a honey-like consistency—and spread the goo onto your skin with a wax stick. (Though, I’ve found regular popsicle sticks work just fine, too.) Its plant-based formula ensures that this wax is comfortable enough for even those with sensitive skin to use.

Customer review: “Waxing is never easy or fun. But I've tried all sorts of methods of reducing and removing my facial hair, and I keep coming back to this. It's easy, quick, and WORKS. It's economical because you can reuse the wax over and over.”

Pros: Safe for sensitive skin, mess-free, no heat necessary

Cons: Not the best for thick facial hair

Use: Strip wax; upper lip, eyebrow, face | Key benefits: Single strip can be used two to three times, nourishing formula

At-home waxing kits are great for reuse, but there’s no denying that they can be quite messy. If you want something without all of the steps and maintenance, give these wax strips from Athena Club a shot. The kit comes with 20 large wax strips infused with jojoba seed and sunflower seed oils to nurture the skin while plant-based wax effectively wraps around fine hair strands for smooth, irritation-free treatments. Plus, it comes with post-wax wipes and a calming serum for aftercare.

Customer review: “I have been needing to wax my brows for quite some time and I prefer to use strips, so this is a great find for me! There was soft wax on both papers, so both were usable. The post-wax serum is amazing—it comes in a little tube with a roller ball style applicator so you don't have to touch it or your freshly waxed skin. It felt quite soothing, and when I woke up this morning, my skin looked great with no signs of redness from my evening wax job! Will definitely buy more of this when I run out.”

Pros: Works on the body as well, substitutes in-office visits, cheaper than clinical laser treatments

Cons: Quite pricey, not suitable for all skin tones

Use: Laser; three times per week, from cheeks downward | Key benefits: Claims to reduce hair growth by 82% in eight weeks, includes six laser levels and ice cooling technology

If you’re looking for an at-home alternative to in-office laser hair removal, you’ll want to turn your attention to this device from Currentbody Skin. This handheld device utilizes a clinic-level laser beam that targets the hair follicle and reduces hair growth over time—working your way from three uses per week for the first three weeks to one weekly use over the following four to 12 weeks, as hair growth decreases with continuous use. Its two-minute treatments make this device a faster and more convenient alternative to in-office visits. Plus, it works on your body, too.

Customer review: “I suffer from hormone-related hair growth but have considerable facial hair… Six sessions in with this laser hair removal device, and I can honestly say the hair growth has already slowed down and is finer. If this continues to do what it is, it will be an excellent—and thinking long-term—far more economical alternative to expensive laser clinics. So far, well worth the outlay. P.S. also very easy to use and not painful at all, even on the highest setting.”

Pros: Customizable settings, results within three weeks, safe for sensitive skin

Cons: Technically not made for deep skin tones (but testers found that it can work!)

Use: IPL laser; one to three times per week, face and body | Key benefits: Nearly painless, fast results

IPL (or intense pulsed light) devices are another form of laser hair removal, and this pick from Ulike is a standout for many reasons. It has four treatment modes (face, body, auto, and “power”) plus cooling technology to keep things painless. Beauty writer Shawna Hudson (a woman of color between types four and five on the Fitzpatrick scale) tested this laser on her legs and didn’t experience any discoloration or irritation with this device—just smooth, hairless skin. However, she recommends asking your dermatologist before using if you also have deeper skin.

Customer review: “I was skeptical at first, but this Ulike device seriously works! After just a few weeks, I noticed way less hair growth. It’s painless, easy to use, and feels super high-quality. The cooling feature is a game-changer, no burning or discomfort at all. So glad I bought this instead of paying $$$ for salon treatments!”

Pros: Safe for melanated skin, distinguishes hair from hyperpigmentation, compatible with dark hair color

Cons: Most expensive option on our list

Use: Laser; two to three times per week, face and body | Key benefits: Nearly painless, fast results

While laser and IPL are great options, these at-home hair removal treatments are not yet safe for deeper skin tones, as the laser beams and broad-spectrum light target melanin to damage hair follicles (which, in fairer-skinned people, is usually hair). Hudson tested and raved about this product for its effectiveness, inclusivity (can treat skin tones up to level six on the Fitzpatrick scale!), and quick results. Not to mention how painless it is: “I was shocked that I felt absolutely nothing when using this device,” Hudson writes. “As someone who has done some pretty painful in-office sessions, this was a welcome change.”

Editor review: "I've only been using the Epilaser for about a week and a half, but have noticed some subtle results already. I'd gotten to a point where I had to shave every other day, but now, I've gone a bit longer between shave days, so that's already a huge plus to me. I know this device is more of an investment piece, coming in at $995. But when you think about it, in-office laser hair removal sessions can be even more expensive—especially if you have stubborn, coarse hair like I do."

Pros: Plucks ultrafine hairs, long-lasting results

Cons: Shoppers cite some pain when using

Use: Electric tweezer, anywhere on face | Key benefits: Comes with extra skincare brush heads

If you prefer to go the epilator route, you’ll experience smoother results for longer than you would when waxing, tweezing, or using depilatory creams—and the best one we editors have tested is the Braun Facespa Pro. This facial hair–friendly handheld includes three attachment heads that pluck hair, cleanse, and tone the skin for a mini facial with every use. The epilator head has 10 micro-openings to catch the ultrafine hairs that evade even wax, offering silky results for longer.

Customer review: “This epilator has worked well! I’ve found that the pain has become more manageable with each use, and that prioritizing hygiene (exfoliate ahead of time, wash face before use, disinfect the device head with isopropyl alcohol before/during/after use, applying hypochlorous acid to skin after) has significantly reduced breakouts. The battery life is excellent (I’ve used it about 5 times since my initial charge, still going strong), and I appreciate the little stand it comes with… I don’t think I will ever go back to messy waxing or facial razors after discovering this.”