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Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
Even for the most experienced among us, a smooth shave is hardly a slam dunk. But using the best razors cuts down on the guesswork—and minimizes the risk of nicks, razor burn, and stubble. We've all been in a rut where, despite using the same razor for every sesh, or being diligent about swapping out disposables, no two shaves seem to deliver the same results: Your skin is irritated, you missed some stubble, or ingrowns have popped up. Using the right razor can make all of the difference. The blade quality, handle weight and design, and how well a razor moves along body contours can all help you find the right fit for your skin type, hair texture, and shaving routine.
Our Top Razors
- Best Overall: Flamingo 5-Blade Razor, $8
- Best Full-Body Trimmer: Fur Trim System, $120
- Best for Dry Skin: Gillette Venus MoistureGlide Razor, $15
- Best for the Bikini Line: Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor, $21
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What’s the best type of razor for a close shave?
- How do cartridge razors work?
- Should I use a safety razor?
- What are the benefits of electric razors?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Whether you’re looking for a gentler option for sensitive skin or electric razors that make touch-ups a breeze, these picks help make every pass a little smoother. Here’s what editors and dermatologists recommend for every grooming preference.
Best Overall: Flamingo 5-Blade Razor
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Flamingo
5-Blade Razor
Amazon
Shop
Why it's worth it: When it comes to shaving, the little details matter—and the extra thought that went into Flamingo's Best of Beauty-winning 5-Blade Razor has made all the difference, allowing it to check all of the boxes for getting a comfy shave every time. The flexible hinge helps the razor adjust to contours, while the aloe and shea butter-coated strip helps create a smooth, moisturized glide—and fewer bumps as a result. California-based board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, previously told Allure that the non-slip grip of the razor's handle helps you better control your strokes, which can cut down on nicks, too.
And unlike most cartridge razors, this one has a weighted handle, which makes it easier to control without adding too much pressure. Just give the blades a quick rinse before your next shave—a step you should always follow to keep buildup at bay.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I wasn’t really loyal to any razor brand, but since using Flamingo several years back, I haven’t strayed since. The hinged razor head makes it easy for me to shave my knees and in the hollow of my armpits without risking a nick. It’s also super-gentle: I can even swipe the back of my legs with minimal shave gel and not have to worry about irritation.”—Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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"I’ve been using Flamingo’s original razor for quite some time now, so it’s become a staple in my Everything Shower routine. I’m a bit chaotic when I shave (sorry!), but this razor hasn’t given me any signs of irritation or painful nicks, which is likely due to the non-slip handle and hinged razor head. And for both, I’m thankful." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Type of razor: cartridge
- Number of blades: 5
- Refills included: 3
Best Full-Body Trimmer: Fur Trim System
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Fur
Trim System
Ulta Beauty
Revolve
Why it’s worth it: The Best of Beauty-winning Fur Trim System is like the Swiss Army knife of trimmers: It precisely trims and closely shaves for effortless grooming from head to toe. Choose from three interchangeable attachments to go all out down there or to neatly shape facial hair without tugging or irritation.
The trimmer’s motor and ceramic, rust-resistant blade create a smooth, even glide that feels comfortable—never scratchy—against skin (even without its attachments). If you want an even closer shave, swap out the head with the three-blade razor, or reach for the two-length trimmer attachment to customize your trim. On top of that, it's water-resistant—a feature you don’t typically get from bikini trimmers—and has an LED light that spotlights your shave in and outside the shower, so you can get the closest result yet.
Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo
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"I really enjoy the design of this trim system. The little light helps me shave my bikini line very easily, and the three head lengths help make this trimmer similar to my regular razor because of how small and close one of the heads can cut." —Briana Rengifo, designer
More to know
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- Type of razor: electric
- Number of blades: 3 (razor), 1 ceramic blade (trimmer), 1 trimming guard
- Refills included: none
Best for Dry Skin: Gillette Venus MoistureGlide Razor
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Gillette
Venus MoistureGlide Razor
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: What do you get when you combine the convenience of a razor with the moisturizing benefits of shaving cream? The Best of Beauty-winning Gillette Venus MoistureGlide Razor, of course. While its ergonomic shape and matching silver mount are reason enough to keep it in your shower, the generously lubricated gel bars are where the razor really shines. While shaving cream is ideal for protecting skin and ensuring a glide, this razor’s built-in strips help minimize friction and soothe dry skin, thanks to a blend of argan, olive, and avocado oils. Add in the sharp, five-blade head and weighted metal handle, and you’ve got a razor that takes care of every hair without sacrificing healthy, hydrated skin.
Tester feedback from senior art director Ingrid Fowler
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"This razor has been a favorite of mine for years. The two large moisture strips and five blades make for the smoothest shave, and Gillette has clearly perfected the angle of their blades because I never get cuts. Plus, it's available so broadly that it's easy to pick up replacement heads—even when traveling.” —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, olive oil, avocado oil, niacinamide
- Type of razor: cartridge
- Number of blades: 5
- Refills included: 2
Best for the Bikini Line: Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor
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Schick
Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor
Amazon
Why it’s worth it: Consider this your sign to retire the one-trick razor in your shower—this whole-body, double-duty tool makes tidying up below the belt a whole lot easier. Whether you’re looking to go bare, trim up the sides, or hey, embrace the bush (and groom it accordingly), the Best of Beauty-winning Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor is designed with a multi-blade razor on one end and a built-in trimmer on the other, so you can customize your shaving routine.
The razor’s five-blade head follows the contours of your thighs and bikini line to catch stray hairs. Meanwhile, its lubricating strips are infused with hydrating shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and plant oils, including coconut and avocado oils, for a seamless glide that helps minimize irritation. But if you need a quick touch-up, flip it around to the trimmer end, which has four trim lengths to shape and shave as you please. Now that’s a win-win.
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“When it comes to body hair removal, I’ve been loyal to one tool: the Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle. I absolutely haaaate managing my body hair, but it’s a necessary evil because of how uncomfortable it can be when it grows out. (My body hair grows in thick and wavy.) This dual-ended device saves me time, allowing me to switch seamlessly between the battery-operated trimmer and razor. Even better, it’s so durable. It lives in my shower, yet I’ve had the same TrimStyle handle for about three years. (I’ve replaced the razor head multiple times over that period.)” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, avocado oil
- Type of razor: cartridge and electric
- Number of blades: 5 (razor), 1 ceramic blade (trimmer), 1 trimming cap
- Refills included: 1
Best Subscription: Billie Razor Starter Kit
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Billie
Razor
Amazon (3 Refills)
Ulta Beauty (2 Refills)
Why it's worth it: In a perfect world, you should swap out your razorhead when it starts to get dull. But in real life? You might keep working with a dull blade for months (and months). That’s where the Billie Razor comes in. The Best of Beauty-winning Starter Kit comes with two stainless steel blades, bordered by a soothing aloe rim, positioned on a grippy, rubber-backed handle that comes in so many sweet colors.
It also has a magnetic wall mount that snugly cradles your razor to keep it from clattering to the tile and gathering mildew and rust between shaving sessions. You can order one-off blade/razor combos, but the subscription model is part of what made the brand so splashy when it hit the scene in 2017. Set up refills every four weeks (and adjust the timing if you find you’re running low), or shop the razor on its own.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: aloe
- Type of razor: cartridge
- Number of blades: 5
- Refills included: 2
Best Weighted: Hanni Weighted Razor
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Hanni
Weighted Razor
Shop
Revolve
Why it's worth it: If single-blade razors spike a few nerves, this Best of Beauty-winning weighted razor requires zero pressure—literally, no need to apply any weight—to get a close, even shave. The Hanni Weighted Razor was designed with 100% Swedish stainless metal to eliminate plastic waste and the constant tug-and-pull from flimsy, plastic razors. While it is technically a “safety razor” (meaning it uses a single exposed blade, versus several tucked into a cartridge), both the mechanics and design are anything but cumbersome. The razor head is double-sided so you can tackle more skin in fewer strokes (and without constantly rinsing the blade), and installing and replacing it is intuitive. (Check out Hanni's tutorial if you need some guidance.)
Measuring five inches, the handle’s longer length can also help “make holding the razor more comfortable and allow for better control when maneuvering over the skin," Dr. Shirazi previously told Allure. Just make sure to change your blade after four to six uses, depending on your hair coarseness, for best results. (Only Hanni’s blade refills will fit!)
More to know
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- Type of razor: safety
- Number of blades: 1
- Refills included: 5
Best for Sensitive Skin: Athena Club Razor
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Athena Club
Razor
Amazon
Shop
Why It's Worth It: Shaving can be a gamble for sensitive skin, especially when you’re working with a dull blade (which makes you even more prone to razor burns, redness, and nicks). The Best of Beauty-winning Athena Club Razor, another subscription-based service (which you set up on the brand’s site), keeps sensitive skin types in mind with its ultra-gentle but thorough performance.
For instance, its five blades are thoughtfully spaced, readily adapting to every curve and contour, while the water-activated hyaluronic serum strip ensures your skin stays all lubed up, helping you steer clear of pesky cuts and ingrowns (but again, we’ll never tell you not to use shaving cream). The silicone-coated aluminum handle offers a secure, slip-free grip, and the gorgeous range of colorways—from a vibrant pink to a minty blue—is the cherry on top. You can choose to get your replacement cartridges every month, every two months, or every three months.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant Arietta Hallcock
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"The Athena Club razor has a sleek magnetic handle that rests on a matching holder on the shower wall. After a reliably smooth shea butter shave, I love how it clicks right into place for drying rather than rusting in a puddle. Plus, it’s reusable with replaceable five-blade heads! It’s an affordable yet elegant fixture of my shower routine that I’ll keep returning to." —Arietta Hallcock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid
- Type of razor: cartridge
- Number of blades: 5
- Refills included: 1
Best for Thick Hair: Meridian The Premium Trimmer
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Meridian
The Premium Trimmer
Amazon
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Why it's worth it: When tackling big swaths of hair after a shaving hiatus (we have all been there), going in with an analog razor can feel like cutting your front lawn with a pair of office scissors. That's where Meridian's The Premium Trimmer comes in. TikTok clued us into the power of shaving your body—mainly your she-shrubbery—using what is technically a beard trimmer, because it's designed explicitly to motor through coarse hair, wet or dry. But coarse hair grows everywhere, so you can also use this gadget on your pits, legs, and arms.
While it’s not the closest shave, the trimmer is the perfect way to get started before whipping out a cartridge or safety razor. It has a ceramic blade, which, unlike a steel blade, is harder, less resistant to wear, and glides a whole lot more smoothly, preventing irritation and nicks along the way. Add in the nick-guard and protective guide combs, and you can nix bumps for good. "If you are into being bare down there, then a razor is for you. For big-, small-, or medium-bush energy, it's trimmer all the way," Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, says.
Tester feedback from former news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“For my lovely lady garden, I'm never giving up my trimmer because it's so damn easy. I'll also be picking it up for any and all last-minute body-hair removal emergencies.”—Nicola Dall’Asen, former news editor
More to know
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- Type of razor: electric
- Number of blades: 1 ceramic blade, 2 guide combs
- Refills included: none
Best for Face: Tweezerman Facial Razor
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Tweezerman
Facial Razor
Amazon
Nordstrom
Shop
Why It's Worth It: Whether you have peach fuzz on your cheeks or a strip of shadow above your upper lip, the Best of Beauty-winning Tweezerman Facial Razor can handle it. The single-blade dermaplaner is precise and straightforward—making it a great pick for beginners and seasoned pros alike. It gently exfoliates, clearing your face of dead skin, and precisely removes fine hairs along the facial contours to leave skin smooth. The blade itself is sized at just nearly an inch and a half, helping to remove hair in one clean, controlled swoop. It stands out among many of its disposable dermaplaning peers for its replaceable blade, which should be swapped out every two to three months.
Tester feedback from Asen
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"Never has shaving my face felt so fancy. The luxurious weight and sleek silver handle of Tweezerman's Facial Razor takes dermaplaning from a chore to an experience—one where my facial hair feels like it's coming off entirely on its own because the razor is so finely serrated. Plus, I can sidestep the sustainability sin of throwing away single-use plastics, thanks to its refillable razor cartridge."—Nicola Dall’Asen, former news editor
More to know
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- Type of razor: dermaplane
- Number of blades: 1
- Refills included: 2
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best type of razor for a close shave?
While different razors offer different means of removing hair, there are some basics every model shares. "The leading edge [of the razor] is designed to gently stretch the skin taut prior to the blade's arrival," explains Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. It helps to have a razor edge that uniformly stretches the surface flat to allow the blade to come through with minimal nicks, she says.
As for blades, razors can come in single- or multiple-blade formats and can be spaced differently, but "multiple blades can achieve a closer shave with fewer strokes," says Dr. Ilyas. "Ideally, the blades should be closer together to avoid nicking the skin. If they are too widely spaced, once the first blade drags across a hair, the skin can start to bulge slightly and get nicked by the next blade.” So, a razor with multiple blades can help compensate for the fact that hairs grow in an irregular pattern, meaning more coverage and fewer passes needed, according to San Francisco-based board-certified dermatologist Tracy Evans, MD.
Lastly, the handle should be comfortable enough to avoid the need to vary the pressure applied during the shave, giving you better control with every pass.
How do cartridge razors work?
Cartridge razors feature disposable cartridges, where two to six blades are tightly spaced for a quick, close shave. "The cartridge can often be flexible or gently bent to allow the blades in the cartridge to curve," Dr. Ilyas says, adding that they can be used in areas that require the blade to move with the contours of your skin, like around the knees or bikini area.
While the initial purchase may be cheaper than metal-handled options, the price can add up over time due to the cost of regularly re-upping on cartridges—which you should never skip. If you use a cartridge for too long, you may injure yourself. "Hairs often get trapped between the blades as well, making them less effective over multiple uses," Dr. Ilyas explains.
Disposable razors are similarly constructed, but they’re only designed for one or two uses, says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. (For reference, the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, recommends changing blades or throwing away disposable razors after five to seven shaves to minimize irritation.) "A disposable razor generally has lower-quality blades, so the shave is less close, and you are more likely to nick or cut yourself," Dr. Batra explains.
Should I use a safety razor?
If you’re prone to razor burn from cartridge razors, safety razors can be a gentler alternative to minimize irritation. These come “with closed combs and longer handles that are recommended for women's legs and armpits," says Dr. Batra, who notes they can also be used on the face as a dermaplaning tool to exfoliate the skin while removing peach fuzz.
Safety razors are single-blade razors made for long-term use with a protective device positioned between the blade's edge and the skin. Dr. Batra explains that safety razors use disposable blades, which are much cheaper (10 to 20 cents each) than those used in cartridge razors (typically $2 and up). While there is a bit of a learning curve (even with a protective guard), they’re a whole lot easier to glide than a traditional straight razor.
It’s worth noting that you can’t bring safety razors in carry-on luggage—you need to pack it into a checked bag if you plan to travel with one. So, it’s a good idea to keep your safety razor at home and buy a cartridge razor for trips.
What are the benefits of electric razors?
Electric razors have motorized blades topped with "foil," a.k.a. a thin metal sheet with small holes. "The tiny holes in the foil capture the hair, and the oscillating blades come by and cut it," says Dr. Ilyas. "This makes for a safe and fast shave, but not necessarily as close as with a traditional razor." That can come in handy for grooming sensitive, curved areas, like the bikini or underarms.
How it does this: Rotary electric razors have three circular heads arranged like a triangle. "The round guard of each head captures hairs, and an internal spinning blade or cutter shaves these hairs," Dr. Ilyas says. These gentle yet fast movements allow for quick shaving around the contours of the neck and jawline, where hairs are captured at multiple angles.
However, it's worth noting that even though these are thought to be less irritating, it's possible that not only hair gets pulled into the foil, but the skin as well (ouch). So, as with any shaving tool, glide with caution.
Meet the experts
- Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and founder of UV-protective apparel brand AmberNoon
- Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Monica, California, and a co-host of the TV show The Doctors
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in California
- Tracy Evans, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology based in San Francisco
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We are particularly discerning when writing about skin-care devices. This is because of the increased risks and, in many cases, the high price points, that accompany at-home dermatological tools and devices.
Each device undergoes extensive testing and must be approved by a senior member of our beauty team prior to appearing in Allure. Additionally, our editorial team consults board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists about the science behind product claims and independently reviews any studies cited by brands. Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value. To learn more information on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
