Hair removal can be a pain in any way you slice it. When dealing with your face—chin hairs, hair along your upper lip, or between your eyebrows—the process is even more precarious, and you want to be careful not to irritate your skin. While tweezers and dermaplane razors are good to keep around, one of the unsung heroes of facial hair removal is an epilator, an electronic device that mechanically pulls hairs from the roots.
"Epilators work similarly to waxing, where the hair is fully removed from the roots, and results tend to last longer than traditional shaving," dermatologist Teresa Song tells Bazaar. All this, and you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home, pay for an expensive laser procedure, or deal with sticky, hot wax.
Shop the Best Epilators
Ready to invest in the best epilator or mechanical hair removal device for your face? Find the best hair-removal device based on real reviews, cost, and special features ahead.
Pros
Under $20
Features 6 automatic tweezers that rotate quickly and gently
Includes a cleaning brush
Cons
Hair has to be a bit longer to use
Song recommends this epilator for facial hair removal. It's cordless, battery-powered, and portable. More than 4,600 reviewers agree it's both easy to use and effective.
What reviewers are saying: "OMG you guys, it works!! It gets all those nasty hairs and maybe I'm just used to ripping the hair out already but it doesn't even hurt, it actually feels kinda like acupuncture in a way. Finding the best angle and position while holding it on your skin is the secret. It says to hold the skin tight and use the epilator in circular motions, I do that, I also go straight across, up and down, I hold it backward, and I use it in every single possible position until my upper lip is completely smooth and clear." —Karma
2
Most Painless
Finishing Touch Flawless Women's Painless Hair Remover
Pros
Under $20
Small & portable
Painless
Cons
Does not include a blade replacement
This handy hair remover, the size of a lip balm, is one of the best devices to keep around your medicine cabinet or throw into your overnight bag. It's battery-powered: Just flip it on and glide it across your skin in a circular motion as the spinning head gently removes hair without nicking or causing bumps. The result is smooth, hairless skin, and you can't feel a thing.
What reviewers are saying: "I bought this after reading great reviews. My razor was leaving my upper lip with razor bumps. This hair remover works spectacularly and no more razor bumps. Yay!" —Kathy
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Best Deal
Philips Beauty Series 5000 Electric Shaver and Personal Groomer for Women
Pros
Under $20
Small & portable
Painless
Cons
Some reviewers note they have to go over an area a few times
This mechanical shaver removes the finest hairs, including those on the upper lip, cheek, and jawline. It operates similarly to the Finishing Touch one above, with a spinning head that leaves skin smooth without irritation.
What reviewers are saying: "After using this gem, my skin was so soft and smooth, also hair-free. It is very quiet and well-made. The battery lasts a long time, I use it often and haven’t had to change the battery. It doesn’t hurt my face like other hair removers and the price is relatively inexpensive as well!" —Ally
4
Best for Dermaplaning
Dermaflash LUXE+ Advanced Sonic Dermaplaning + Peach Fuzz Removal
Pros
Includes a prep serum to remove excess oils on the skin
45-degree angled blade
Recommended by dermatologists and estheticians
Cons
High price point
If peach fuzz is your primary concern, this dermaplaning device is a great option—especially if you regularly run through disposable razors. You can use it over your whole face to gently remove any fuzz and increase skin's radiance.
What reviewers are saying: " I have tried many different things for my excessive facial hair, including cream that burned my skin. Once I tried the Luxe Plus DermaFlash, my life changed. It was so worth the price! I'm able to exfoliate facial hair so easily and completely now. My skin looks so smooth and fresh now that I seldom wear makeup. I tried all of the lower-priced products, but nothing worked until now. This is one splurge that was totally worth it!" —Dee
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Best for Face & Body
Philips Epilator Series 8000
Pros
Long-lasting battery
Has intuitive usage angle for smooth epilation
Up to 40 mins cordless usage with quick charge
Cons
You may experience pain with first use
The Philips Epilator 8000 is a "multi-tasker," says Song. It can be used wet or dry and includes multiple attachments to treat the face and body. It's cordless and its "ceramic rotating disks that can grab hair as short as 0.5 millimeters," she says.
What reviewers are saying: "I really wanted it to pluck facial hair so I don't have to go to a salon and get it waxed. (I'm handicapped so that's a hassle!). It is much less painful than having wax pulled off IMO. I fully expected it to hurt more! There is still some pain, but it's ok for me." —Cheryl
6
Best Kit
Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex SkinSpa 9-481 3D epilator Wet & Dry
Pros
Epilate in the bath or shower to limit pain perception
Multiple attachments
Adjust pressure on the skin to easily switch between power & gentle mode with Smart Touch
Cons
High price point
This souped-up epilator features a flexible head that adapts to body contours for more comfortable use. "It includes various attachments for the face and sensitive areas, has multiple speed settings, and can be used wet or dry," says Song.
What reviewers are saying: "The Silk-épil 9 does a remarkable job of removing hair from the root, leaving my skin exceptionally smooth for weeks at a time. The kit includes various attachments that cater to different areas and needs, enhancing the overall experience. The built-in light is particularly useful for ensuring no hairs are missed. Despite the initial learning curve, the long-lasting smoothness and overall effectiveness of this epilator make it a worthwhile investment." —Madisyn
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
8
How does an epilator work?
To understand how an epilator works, compare it to other hair-removal methods, like waxing, tweezing, and laser hair removal.
"An epilator works by pulling hair out from the root, similar to waxing but in a mechanical way," explains Song. "It is longer-lasting, with results that can last two to four weeks." She notes that the epilator is also similar to tweezing but faster, whereas waxing works for larger areas and is faster than both tweezing and epilating. "However, waxing can lead to irritation due to the warm wax being applied, while epilator only affects the hair follicles."
For the longest-lasting results, you'll need a laser. "Laser hair removal uses light energy to target hair follicles, and with repeated treatment sessions, can lead to long-term hair reduction for years. This is more expensive than epilators and waxing and is an in-office treatment that requires multiple sessions," she says.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
Is using an epilating better than shaving?
Shaving is familiar and easy, but it's not always the best option for the face. "Epilators can be considered for those without sensitive skin on the face and who prefer a hair removal process that lasts longer than shaving," explains Song.
10
Why trust Harper's Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.