Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (2025)

TL;DR

Our most-loved women’s razor is the Joy Razor. It’s affordable, features sharp blades and a sturdy handle, and yields incredibly smooth results. If you want to splurge on one that will last you for the long haul, you can’t go wrong with the OUI the People The Single Sensitive Skin Razor, which is made from weighted stainless steel and gives a closer shave.

It’s no secret that hair removal can be a frustrating, irritating (literally and figuratively), and costly experience. Regardless of your chosen method, there are bound to be pros and cons. If you prefer to shave, you’re likely familiar with razor bumps, burning, and other forms of skin irritation. Thankfully, razor designs have come a long way in recent years, and plenty of great options deliver smooth results minus the common side effects. Licensed aesthetician Jodi Shays recommends high-quality razors with disposable blades for the closest shave.

With that intel in mind, we tested dozens of the most popular razors by having a group of testers take home new razors and use them instead of their go-to option. They evaluated each based on blade and lubrication strip performance, grip and handle, overall efficacy, and the skin’s look and feel. Finally, we combined this insight with guidance from experienced aestheticians before naming these options the best razors.

Our Top Picks

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Best Affordable:

SALE

Flamingo Razor at Amazon$16$11
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Best Facial Razor:

Tweezerman Facial Razor

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What We Like

  • Blades are sharp and don’t dull after a few uses

  • Razor comes with two refill blades

  • Easy to hold and maneuver

What to Consider

  • Some reviewers got shaving nicks

Handle Material: Plastic, silicone | Number of Blades: 8 | Color Options: 1

The best razors are sharp, simple to maneuver, have an easy-to-hold grip, and are affordable, and this one checks every box. While not the cheapest option we tested, it comes pretty close, and given that it’s extremely high-quality and comes with refill blades, we think the value is fantastic. It features eight blades, a lubricant strip, a silicone nonslip handle, and an ergonomic design.

Our tester, Caitlyn, raved about her experience using it, noting that the sharp blades were designed to prevent her from cutting herself, something she often struggles with. She also adored the texture of the handle, claiming it helped her to grip the razor and not have to worry about dropping it. The razor also allowed her to get a close, incredibly smooth shave that minimized bumps, especially under her arms, making it a product she highly recommends.

Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (2)

Caitlyn Martyn, associate editor: “My legs feel so smooth! I also noticed less bumps around my underarms, which I attribute to the lack of friction. I think the smoothness of the glide worked wonders here."

What We Like

  • Curved handle is easy to grip

  • Glides easily across the skin

  • Kit comes with a razor handle, two blades, and a magnetic holder

What to Consider

  • Replaceable head tends to pop off

Handle Material: Resin, rubber | Number of Blades: 4 | Color Options: 5

The chances are you’ve heard of Billie or seen its popular advertisements and products. According to our tester, Elena (plus some of our editors), the brand lives up to the hype—its razor is excellent. It features five blades, a rubberized and curved handle that’s easy to grip, and lubrication strips that make gliding across the skin effortless. Elena said it was great on her sensitive skin (she cited that it didn’t cause the usual bumps or irritation she gets), and it effectively removed hair from various parts of the body. She also appreciated that it didn’t rust during the test despite the fact she kept it in a wet environment. Even the lubrication strips remained intact. Elena’s one con is that the replaceable head doesn’t seem to securely attach to the razor body, leading to it popping off occasionally.

Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (4)

Elena, tester: “This is a great razor, it has a lot of lubrication and glides wonderfully. Plenty of razors to get all the hair you need to get. I leave my razors in the shower, in a wet environment and there was zero signs of rust. In that wet environment, the lubrication strips didn't wear away. They've lasted! They're very easy to replace but that does mean they pop off every so often, sometimes when they are in not so convenient locations.”

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Ergonomic design is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing

  • Handle is easy to grip

What to Consider

  • Lubrication strips fade after a few uses

Handle Material: Weighted plastic, nonslip grip | Number of Blades: 4 | Color Options: 5

For $15, this chic, high-quality razor gets the job done. It has four sharp blades, a lubrication strip, and an excellent handle that’s weighted and coated to ensure it’s easy to hold and maneuver across the skin. If you struggle with shaky hands, the weighted component can benefit you. Our tester, Avery, has easily irritated skin and said this razor created a very smooth shave the first several times she used it, although the lubricating strip and blades did fade a bit over time, leading to a bit of friction. However, she explained that during the period when the blades remained sharp, her results were smoother than usual. Considering refill blades from the brand cost no more than $2, we think this razor is still a great option at a budget-friendly price.

Avery, tester: “Simply put, I think this affordable razor does the job! The blades are effective and easy to use—my skin felt particularly smooth during the first handful of uses. Also, the handle is easy to grip and comes in several fun, chic colors.”

What We Like

  • Easy to grip

  • Is gentle on sensitive skin

  • Comes with 10 replacement blades

What to Consider

  • Swapping out the blade can take some practice and takes longer than other options

Handle Material: Stainless steel | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 1

There’s no denying this is expensive for a manual razor, but hear us out—we think it’s worth it. The weighty, stainless steel design is easy to grip, and the single blade is gentle yet highly effective—even on sensitive skin. Plus, the razor comes with 10 replacement blades. At first, our tester, Avery, was slightly intimidated by the setup of the razor, explaining that it was different from other designs. You need to unscrew the head of the razor to input the blade, which can be a bit confusing at first and slightly more time consuming than other options, but once Avery mastered it, she adored her experience with this product. She explained that the singular blade created a precise, close shave and didn’t cause bumps, cuts, or other irritation on her sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a razor with a handle that you won’t need to replace, provides a close shave, and creates impressively smooth results, we highly recommend this one.

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Avery, tester: “It glides over the skin and leaves a very smooth finish. For example, one time, I shaved one leg with this razor and the other with a more traditional competitor, and the finish was smoother with this one.”

What We Like

  • Easy to maneuver on the face

  • Gentle enough for sensitive areas (like the crevices of the face)

  • Blade is sharp and sturdy

What to Consider

  • Handle could be more ergonomic to allow for a better grip

Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 1

If you have peach fuzz or hair growth on your face that you want to get rid of, and shaving (aka dermaplaning) is your hair removal method of choice, we highly recommend opting for a razor designed specifically for the face. Our tester, Riyana, explained that because the blade is extremely sharp, she had to be extra careful, but it worked beautifully to remove hair thoroughly. While she didn’t find the handle to be the most ergonomic in shape, the weighted component made it easy to use. After removing the hair, Riyana’s skin looked and felt soft. It’s worth noting that while many facial razors are meant to be used on clean, dry skin, the brand recommends using this one on moisturized skin or while washing your face. This can help to prevent irritation.

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Riyana, tester: “My skin feels very smooth and soft. It's definitely the ’closest’ shave I’ve gotten on my face thus far.”

What We Like

  • Adjustable settings

  • Design is easy to hold and control

  • Can be used to trim and create a close shave

What to Consider

  • Can be a bit harsh on sensitive skin

Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 1

This trimmer is a fantastic option for the hair in your bikini area, underarms, and really anywhere that has longer, thicker hair. It can be used to trim, groom, or remove body hair, and it comes with a guard that can achieve different trimming levels. It’s also waterproof, has up to five hours of battery life, and has a USB cord for charging. Our tester was hesitant about using this product because she had never used an electric trimmer before, but she was pleased with her experience and delighted with how easy it was to use. It gave her a close shave when she didn’t attach the guard, and she didn’t notice any razor bumps or ingrown hairs after use. While this trimmer didn’t cut or scratch our tester, some online reviewers say they struggled a bit. We recommend applying minimal pressure and testing it on a less sensitive area until you get used to using the tool.

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (11)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (12)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (13)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (14)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (15)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (16)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (17)

  • Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (18)


Chloe, tester:
“It gave a super close shave. I didn't have to go over any spots multiple times, either, so it was faster overall. I love that it's waterproof, so I can use it in the shower.”

What We Like

  • Kit comes with high-quality handle, two razor cartridges, and a magnetic hook for storage in the shower

  • Provides a very close shave

  • Has a moisturizing hyaluronic acid serum strip

What to Consider

  • Needs to be used with shaving cream or lubricant

Handle Material: Aluminum base, silicone handle | Number of Blades: 2 | Color Options: 12

Razor kits are nice because they take the hassle out of constantly repurchasing new razors or blades. This one is affordable, comes with refill blades and a magnetic hook for storage, and the razor itself allows for an incredibly close shave. It also comes in many adorable colors, which is an added bonus!

As for the performance, our tester, Roxanne, had a lot of positive things to say about it. First, the blades are extremely sharp and create a very close shave. She appreciated this, though she did note that she believes the intensity of the shaving led to drier skin and the need for more moisturizing afterward. She also noted that the lubricating strip didn’t do much in terms of helping the razor glide, and she highly recommends using a shaving cream with this razor. In combination with shaving cream, she loved the results, saying her skin felt incredibly smooth and no hair was left behind. Considering how affordable the kit is and how effective the razor is, we can’t recommend this one enough.

Roxanne, tester: “The razor provided a very close shave and did not leave any hairs behind. It was definitely effective.”

What to Look for When Buying Razors

A good razor allows you to remove unwanted hair quickly and easily—without irritations like burning or bumps. We suggest considering the following factors to determine which razor is right for you.

  • Number of Blades: You’ll find that razors come with anywhere from one to six blades, and while a certain number isn’t necessarily better or worse, there are some things to consider. Generally, razors with more blades tend to cover larger surface areas and get a close shave quickly. With several blades, the first one pulls the hair back, and the rest cut the hair and shave the skin, which can lead to ingrown hairs and irritation if you have really sensitive skin. Single blades tend to cut the hair without shaving the skin, which is usually less irritating. Just beware when using a single-blade razor; it can take some practice to avoid cutting yourself.
  • Handle: Razor handles can be made of plastic, aluminum, steel, or another type of metal and often have rubberized components for a better grip. Shays says a razor’s grip is important as this will prevent it from slipping out of your hands while shaving, which can result in nicking the skin. She adds that an ergonomic handle is ideal, as it’ll feel more comfortable in your hand while reducing strain at various angles. Better still, look for a razor with a weighted handle for ultimate balance and control—this will also be helpful if you have shaky hands.
  • Additional Features: Some razors have additional features that may be important, such as a lubricating strip, an ergonomic head, or multiple replacement blades.

How We Tested Razors

Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (20)

Below are the features our team of editors and testers evaluated over two weeks to help determine our top picks.

  • Razors Tested: 22
  • Testing Period: Two weeks
  • Methodology: Each razor was tested at home over the course of two weeks on different skin types (sensitive, dry, oily, combination). We observed if a razor came with lubricated strips and blades. We also determined how the grip and handle felt, the efficacy, and the look and feel of the skin after shaving.
  • Factors Considered: Blade and lubrication strip performance, grip, handle, efficacy, skin look and feel.

FAQ

  • What’s the best way to shave?

    The proper razor use depends on the model and the body part you’re shaving. With most models, however, you should begin with clean, wet skin and apply shaving cream if needed. Then, starting from the bottom of the area with the blades facing upward, slowly and gently glide the razor in the opposite direction of hair growth. This will provide the closest shave. However, dermatologists recommend shaving toward the hair growth to avoid ingrown hairs.

  • What parts of the body is it safe to shave with a razor?

    Aesthetician Joshua Ross says razors can be used anywhere on your body to remove excess hair. This includes your feet, toes, stomach, back, arms, hands, and face, in addition to more obvious areas like your legs, armpits, and bikini zone. Remember that some models or head attachments are better suited for certain areas than others.

  • How often should you shave with a razor?

    According to Ross, razors can be used daily, as long as shaving this frequently doesn’t irritate your skin. “However, this depends on the rate of hair growth, which is unique for every single person,” he tells Byrdie. “Some people need to shave daily depending on the body area, while others may only need to shave once a week."

Meet Our Experts

To learn more about razors and the elements you should consider before buying one, we interviewed the following experts:

  • Joshua Ross is an aesthetician and celebrity facialist with over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. He is also the founder of SkinLab, a Los Angeles beauty boutique offering various cosmetic services for the face and body.
  • Jodi Shays is a licensed aesthetician in California for 20 years. She owns Queen Bee Salon & Spa in Culver City, which offers treatments from waxing, facials, tanning, and more.

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an associate editor, experienced writer in the beauty industry, and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing razors for years, and she’s tried several on this list for herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry.

Not All Razors Are Created Equal—These Left Testers With Baby Soft Skin (2025)

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