Ultimate guide to at-home hair removal

From epilators to razors, Sarah Young compares the best products for keeping your pits and pins fuzz-free at home

Neither here nor hair: at-home kits can be just as effective, and cheaper, than a trip to the salon (Getty)

Whether it’s hairy pins, pits or nether regions, what us ladies do with our fuzz is a contentious subject and, while some leave theirs to grow as nature intended, others feel more comfortable removing it.

Love it and leave it or eliminate every strand, there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s entirely personal and completely your choice.

Sure, it might not be the most glamorous of tasks but hair removal remains a big part of beauty routines for those who do choose to get rid – even in the winter.

When it comes to choosing the right method for you, experimentation is key so be prepared for a long and often arduous path. Here, we take a look at some of the best options for at-home hair removal.

Shave

One of the most popular methods, shaving is one of the cheapest, easiest and fastest ways to remove unwanted hair. Even better, you can pretty much shave anywhere but there are a few things to consider depending on the area of the body you’re working with.

When it comes to your legs, always use long, clean strokes against the direction of hair growth, while more intimate areas will require you to pull the skin taught for a cleaner finish.

Unfortunately, the results don’t last long and vary from 24 hours to three days depending on the person.

Venus Swirl Razor, £10, Waitrose

Tweeze

The perfect way to groom your brows or get rid of unwanted hairs, tweezers should be a mainstay in your beauty arsenal. While it might seem laborious to tackle one hair at a time, this method is great for neatening your eyebrows but remember that less is always more and take your time.

Remember to always tweeze in the direction of hair growth to avoid breakage and swipe with a cold flannel once you’ve finished to help reduce redness and close pores.

With so many types on offer, we suggest using slanted tips for thicker, longer hairs while pointed versions will make fine and stubble-like hairs easier to grab.

Tweezerman, Huda Beauty Essentials Kit, £65, Cult Beauty

Epilate

Known as one of the most painful methods of hair removal, epilation is often misunderstood and, while it can hurt at first, the more you do it the less sore it becomes.

So, how does it work? Used wet or dry, epilators pluck individual hairs from the root using mechanically-operated tweezers and it’s advised to start on an area that’s not too sensitive such as the legs until you become used to the sensation.

The plus side here is, that because hairs are removed from the roots, the effects can last anywhere up to four weeks.

Philips, Satinelle Prestige Wet and Dry Epilator, £110, John Lewis

Hair Removal Cream

From one of the most painful, to one of the least, using a hair removal cream is super-simple and cost effective. But be warned, it can get messy.

Depending on the product you choose, these creams can be used to remove hair in larger or smaller areas from your legs to your bikini line. To use, simply apply to the desired area, leave for the recommended amount of time and scrape away or wash off in the shower.

Nair, Face Brush-On Hair Removal Cream, £4.19, Superdrug

Wax

A method that can be used all-over, waxing is one of the most popular ways to remove hair – despite its serious ouch reputation. If you’re a newbie, it’s recommended to start with your legs before moving on to more sensitive areas like your underarms or bikini line.

With long-lasting effects, waxing has a great life span of around four to six weeks and means that your hair will grow back much slower and lighter.

Veet, Easywax Electrical Roll On Sensitive Starter Kit, £29.99, Superdrug