The Best Hair Removal Products

Chances are, at some point over the next two months you're going to be faced with a situation that requires donning a bathing suit (if it hasn't happened already). And besides the whole “do I look fat in this?” trauma, there is the issue of hair removal.

Legs? No problem. Underarms? Please. But bikini line? Well, I dare say no beauty dilemma is quite as challenging, annoying… and fraught with so much meaning. I mean, really—everyone has an opinion these days on how much hair you're supposed to have down there. Some peeps are still living in the glory days of 2004 with their Brazilians; some have rebelled by cultivating a '70s au naturel look; and others just deal on a case by case basis (such as whether anyone else but you is going to see it).

I say the lady garden is a matter of personal preference… as long as everything's tidy when you're wearing bikini bottoms in public. I mean, it's only POLITE.

So on that note, here's a look at the latest home-grooming prodz to cross my desk—all beauty-editor approved!

A depilatory cream that might make you change your mind about depilatory creams

“Depilatory” sounds like some unpleasant gynaecological thing, but it's really just another word for hair removal cream. And I know, I know, they have a bad rep. Messy, stinky, inconvenient. Been there, done that.

But I urge you to reconsider with this newbie: Nair Brazilian Spa Clay Hair Removal Cream.

Depilatory creams are great to have handy for emergency situations, since they really do remove hair quite well (and are less irritating and last longer than shaving). And FINALLY the people that make them realized that a pump format would be way more convenient and less messy than a tube (duh). Also, for some time now Nair has had a formula that works while you shower: you just need to apply it for one minute before you get in, and can rinse off in two to 10 minutes.

A souped-up, multi-tasking razor

Okay, so razors aren't really ideal for the delicate bikini area. But if you're just using 'em to tame the sides or whatever, they can do the job—you'll just want to make sure you have a sharp razor and deal with any ingrowns and razor bumps with a follow-up product (more on that in a sec).

Anyway, if you're going to proceed then Schick Intution is probably one of the best for the job. You know about this product, right? The razor is surrounded a big fat “moisturizing solid,” which basically replaces your need for shaving cream. (They say it replaces soap, too, but I don't really get that since I'm not going to run the razor around my entire body.)

They just came out with this “Naturals” version, which contains aloe vera and looks pretty spiffy in the shower:

Gillette Venus razors are similar in that they too feature built-in shaving cream… I'm just not sure which brand I like better. The Gillette has a better “head” to the razor (it bends with the curves of your skin), but the shaving cream thingie runs out way more quickly than the Schick's.

Of course, when that happens, you can simply pull out this guy…

A handy gadget to revive your razors

This is the coolest thing. The brand is called Razorpit, and it's a razor blade sharpener:

Such a great idea when otherwise you'd be tossing blunt blades and being totally NON-eco-friendly. You just lubricate the plastic bed with soap or shaving cream, run the razor along the surface four or five times, and you're good to go. Apparently it extends the life of your blade from 10 to 15 uses to up to 150. Wowza! Contact razorpit.ca for locations.

The ultimate bikini-line multi-tasker

You know what? Philips makes AMAZING hair removal gadgets. I have their epilator (which I raved about here), and also a wet-dry electric shaver. And this year, they sent me their Bikini Perfect device for a test-drive. (Not that I had to give it back or anything. Because that would be gross.)

This thing has multiple heads that you can attach to the body for different purposes: a shaver, an epilator, a trimmer and a trimming comb. The heads all really small so you can really, um, get in there with precision. It works wet or dry and even comes with some crazy shapes if you're into making hearts or butterflies or whatever. (Can I just say? That's SO mid-'00s.) But no matter; it does the job and it does it well.

A pain-proofing prep kit for waxing and lasering

Confession: I've never, EVER been able to master the art of self-waxing. Legs, bikini line, underarms—it doesn't matter. I am a massive fail, every single time. I just don't think my wrists have what it takes to do that flicking thing.

Of course, it could also have to do with the fact that I'm a wimp and have trouble inflicting that kind of pain upon myself deliberately. That's why I'm intrigued by the BareEase & Cream Prep Kit for Ouchless Hair Removal:

How it works is you apply the pain-relieving cream to your target area(s), and then don the pink panties (!!) to help isolate it for 30 minutes. You can use this at home or when you go for professional waxing or laser treatments. Honestly? If I'd had this stuff years ago when I tried laser, I probably wouldn't have abandoned ship after four sessions. (Toldja I was a wimp.) Buy it at waxon.ca.

The ultimate ingrown and razor burn fighter

Anyone remember Tend Skin? It used to be this major cult-fave bikini line product, but thanks to Oprah's O List it's now been replaced by the Prince Reigns Ingrown Hair Serum:

Yep, it was on the O List, and what I think makes it better than Tend Skin is that it's made from 100 percent natural ingredients. Use it to tame ingrowns, deal with razor irritation and eliminate dark spots and blemishes. (Men can use it on their faces!) Available exclusively in Canada at waxon.ca.

And now… go forth and don those bikini bottoms!

Tell me:

What's your bikini line hair philosophy?

Which hair removal method is your go-to?

Tried any of these prodz yet?