How do you use a razor?

The proper way to use a razor 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. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the stubble and shaving cream of the blades between strokes.

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

Ross says razors can be used anywhere on your body you'd like to remove excess hair. In addition to more obvious areas like your legs, armpits, and bikini zone, this includes your feet, toes, stomach, back, arms, hands, and face. Just bear in mind that some models 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. "However, this depends on the rate of hair growth which is unique for every single person," he tells Byrdie. "Some people need to shave every day depending on the body area, while others may only need to shave once a week."

The 16 Best Razors of 2022

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While there's no shortage of hair-removal products out there, including some impressive advancements in high-tech at-home methods, some folks are loyal to razors—and understandably so. They're easy to maneuver, relatively affordable, and endlessly versatile.

"Razors can be used on any part of the body that you're looking to remove excess hair," celebrity esthetician Joshua Ross tells Byrdie. And if you think a razor is a razor, well… you'd be surprised.

There are multi-bladed models with pivoting heads, straight safety blades, dermaplaning tools, electric shavers, trimmers, and everything in between. The right one for your needs depends on what body part you're working with and what you'd like to achieve. But generally speaking, Ross says the higher the blade count, the better. Licensed esthetician Jodi Shays also recommends opting for a high-quality razor with disposable blades for getting the closest, smoothest shave, “This way, you’ll never use a dull razor blade.”

Meet the Expert

Joshua Ross is an esthetician 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 a range of cosmetic services for the face and body.
Jodi Shays has been a licensed esthetician in California for 20 years. She is the owner of Queen Bee Salon & Spa in Culver City, which offers treatments from waxing, facials, tanning, and more.

To help you get the closest shave on your legs, pits, arms, bikini area, or anywhere else you'd like to clean up with a blade, we compiled the choicest models, kits, sets, and subscriptions. We tried out some of the top-rated razors out there, our testers taking note of how close of a shave they produced (and how well they prevented nicks, cuts, bumps, and ingrowns). Our team then combined these results with our own research of fan-favorite razors to create this list.

Scroll down for the best razors money can buy.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Razor at Amazon

Best Budget:

Nylea FlexShave 6-Blade Razor at Amazon

Best Drugstore:

Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care Razor at Amazon

Best Luxury:

Oui The People Straight Razor at Ouithepeople.com

Best Splurge:

Leaf Shave The Leaf Razor at Grove.co

Best Subscription:

Billie Razor Starter Kit at Mybillie.com

Best Disposable:

BIC Silky Touch 3 Razors at Amazon

Best Set:

Athena Club Razor Kit at Athenaclub.com

Best Handle:

Flamingo Razor at Shopflamingo.com

Best Safety:

Bambaw Metal Safety Razor at Amazon

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

Courtesy of Gilette

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Ergonomic handle
Pivoting head
Moisturizing strips

What We Don't Like

Handle must be replaced every so often

Ross likes razors with higher blade counts, like the five-blade Gillette Venus Deluxe. "This will allow for a closer shave and less chance of razor burn and nicks," he explains.

Since its 2001 launch, this razor has been a go-to not just in the drugstore category but in the personal grooming industry as a whole. Each of the five blades has a diamond-like coating to provide an ultra-close shave for sumptuously smooth skin.

What's more, this iconic shaver flaunts an ergonomic handle, plus a pivoting head, helping you access hard-to-reach areas at a comfortable angle. We also like that the heads have moisturizing ribbons around the edges to prevent cuts and bumps.

Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Platinum

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Moisturizing strips

What We Don’t Like

Blades dull somewhat quickly

Looking for a wallet-friendly razor? The Nylea FlexShave will only run you a few bucks, and you can count on the six-bladed head to deliver a close shave without bumps or nicks.

Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 6 | Color Options: Teal

Amazon

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What We Like

Ergonomic handle
Moisturizing strips

What We Don’t Like

Blades dull somewhat quickly

We're also big fans of the Schick Hydro Silk, a five-bladed razor designed with sensitive skin in mind. The blades are surrounded by a shea butter-infused serum to keep bumps and irritation at bay.

Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Teal, pink

THE SINGLE Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor

Refinery29

View On Ouithepeople.com

Oui The People Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor Review

What We Like

High-end design
Includes 10 refills
Works in a single pass

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Only one blade

A favorite of Byrdie Editorial Director Hallie Gould, The Single is a refreshingly straightforward razor with a top-shelf design. As its name suggests, it boasts a single, straight blade and promises an impressively close, nick-free shave with just one pass.

Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Matte black, rose gold

Leaf Shave

View On Grove.co View On Leafshave.com View On Package Free Shop

What We Like

Safety razor
Carbon-neutral brand

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

The Leaf allows you to choose between one, two, or three blades. While this clever safety razor may cost a pretty penny, we appreciate that it's made by a carbon-neutral brand and comes in a range of chic colors.

Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: Customizable | Color Options: Chrome, rose gold, black, gold, silver, gunmetal, rainbow

4.9

Billie

View On Mybillie.com

Billie Razor Starter Kit Review

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Ergonomic handle
Nickel- and rust-free blades

What We Don't Like

Doesn't pivot well
Blades can get gooey

Thinking about hopping on the subscription razor bandwagon? You can't go wrong with Billie. The brand's starter kit comes with a handle in your choice of six colors and four or more heads, depending on how often you shave.

Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Pink, orange, purple, light blue, blush, periwinkle

What Our Testers Say

"After running the razor over my legs, I was left with such a clean shave—no cuts or razor burn in sight. My legs feel so much smoother and softer than they usually do after a shave with my less-than-stellar disposable razors." — Olivia Hancock, Product Tester

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Pack of four
Travel-friendly

What We Don’t Like

Doesn't protect from nicks

If you travel often or just don't want to deal with refill cartridges, keep a few BICs on hand. These triple-bladed disposable razors are not only budget-friendly but also offer a notably close shave.

Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 3 | Color Options: Multi-colored pack

Athena Club

View On Athenaclub.com

What We Like

Ergonomic design
Magnetic shower hook

What We Don't Like

Only available by subscription

Byrdie Senior Editor Holly Rhue is partial to Athena Club. This subscription razor kit comes with an ergonomic handle, two five-blade cartridge heads, and a handy magnetic shower hook.

Handle Material: Aluminum, fiberglass, silicone | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Coral, light blue, blush, navy, white, black

Courtesy of Flamingo

View On Shopflamingo.com

What We Like

Ergonomic design
Budget-friendly
Moisturizing strips

What We Don't Like

Only comes with one head

In addition to a five-bladed head with protective moisturizing strips, the Flamingo has a weighted ergonomic handle with a non-slip rubberized grip for a comfortable shaving experience at any angle.

Handle Material: Plastic, metal, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Lilac, light pink, mint, orange

Amazon

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What We Like

Zero-waste system
Five-year warranty
Long-lasting

What We Don’t Like

Assembly required
Head doesn't pivot

The best safety razor is this metal beauty from Bambaw. It's got a premium-quality stainless steel blade, which you can recycle as part of the brand's zero-waste system.

Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Rose gold, silver, green, red, mint, pink, rainbow

Gillette Venus For Pubic Hair & Skin Razor

Amazon

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What We Like

Ergonomic handle
Small head
Prevents cuts

What We Don’t Like

Reviewers note it doesn't prevent ingrowns

If you like having a designated shaver for your bikini area, this one is up for the task. While it only has two blades per head and isn't as sharp as others on this list, that's the whole point: removing hair while protecting your most sensitive parts from cuts and nicks.

Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 2 | Color Options: Light blue

Walmart

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Moisturizing strips
Use-anywhere design

What We Don’t Like

Only two blades

You don't need a tub or shower to shave with the Sphynx. Flaunting a compact design and a built-in moisturizing bar, this innovative razor comes with a refillable spray bottle, allowing you to remove body hair anytime, anywhere.

Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 2 | Color Options: Pink, berry, black, blue, purple

Finishing Touch Flawless Nu Razor Electric Razor

Ulta

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What We Like

Cordless
Rechargeable
Travel-friendly

What We Don’t Like

Replacement head not included

Interested in an electric model? Go with the Flawless Nu. This cordless dry shaver is powered by a lithium-ion battery and comes with a USB charging cord. Measuring just under 8 inches, it's great for traveling, too.

Handle Material: Metal, rubber | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Rose gold

Nordstrom

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What We Like

Cordless
Rechargeable
Multi-use design

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

To tidy things up without going completely bare, reach for the Fur Trimmer. This cordless electric razor can be used wet or dry and allows you to trim your body hair to your choice of four lengths.

Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 3 | Color Options: White

Sephora

View On Sephora

What We Like

Sturdy metal handle
High-quality design
Comes with three replacement heads

What We Don’t Like

Additional heads not available for purchase

Thinking of trying your hand at at-home dermaplaning to remove peach fuzz and lightly exfoliate? Your best bet is Sephora's Metal Facial Razor. It comes with a sleek metal handle and a single blade, plus three replaceable heads and a handy storage case.

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

About Face Eyebrow Shaper Precision Razors

Amazon

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Small blade edge
Works for dermaplaning

What We Don’t Like

Reviewers note it can cut your skin

You'll want to have one of these precision shapers on hand when cleaning up your eyebrows. The notably small blade makes it easy to work around your brows without accidentally shaving off the tails.

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

Final Verdict

The best razor overall is the Gillette Venus Deluxe Smooth Platinum, a five-bladed model with diamond-like edges, moisturizing ribbons, a pivoting head, and an ergonomic handle. If you're on a budget, consider the Nylea FlexShave 6-Blade Razor. And if you're open to a subscription service, go with the Billie Starter Kit.

What to Look For in a Razor

Body Part

Since there are various types of razors out there, one of the most important things to consider when buying one is the body part you're looking to shave. Most can be used on the legs, arms, underarms, and bikini line, though some models are designed specifically for shaving certain areas.

For general shaving on your body, Shays says to go with a multi-bladed razor with a pivoting head: "This is great for harder-to-reach areas and little crannies on the bikini lines." Moisturizing strips are also a great feature to look for. If you're looking to shape your eyebrows or dermaplaning your face, a smaller single-blade razor may be a better choice.

Number of Blades

When shopping around, you'll find that razors come with anywhere from one to six blades. "I recommend using razors with a minimum of a triple-bladed [head]," says Ross, explaining that more blades tend to offer a closer shave in a single pass while minimizing the risk of nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Shays adds that razors with three to five blades are ideal for efficiently shaving larger areas of the body, such as the legs.

Handle

Razor handles can be made of plastic, aluminum, steel, or another type of metal and often have rubberized components for a better grip. The grip of a razor is important, says Shay, 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.

FAQ

How do you use a razor?

The proper way to use a razor 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. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the stubble and shaving cream of the blades between strokes.
What parts of the body is it safe to shave with a razor?

Ross says razors can be used anywhere on your body you'd like to remove excess hair. In addition to more obvious areas like your legs, armpits, and bikini zone, this includes your feet, toes, stomach, back, arms, hands, and face. Just bear in mind that some models 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. "However, this depends on the rate of hair growth which is unique for every single person," he tells Byrdie. "Some people need to shave every day depending on the body area, while others may only need to shave once a week."

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce copywriter specializing in lifestyle, wellness, and beauty. For this story, she interviewed a licensed esthetician for insight into what to look for when buying razors, as well as the recommended frequency of use and where they can be used. Before making her final selections, she considered numerous models from various brands, ultimately choosing options with high-quality designs and multiple notable features. From the above, she is personally fond of Gillette Venus, Schick Hydro, BIC, Billie, and Finishing Touch. Theresa covers grooming products and skincare at Byrdie.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough razors from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 12 Best Razors for Men to Get a Smooth, Clean Shave