11 Epilators For Salon-Worthy Smooth Skin In Your Own Home (2024)

When it comes to hair removal methods, epilating has stood the test of time, and for good reason.

Unlike waxing, which requires a seriously high pain threshold, or razors, which need a new head every month (and still leave us with in-grown hairs), epilating is a fuss-free way to achieve smooth skin, without the rashy side-effects.

However, they don’t come cheap, so we asked our ELLE Lab beauty testers to put the latest models through their paces. Scroll down to see our full edit, along with everything you need to know about epilating.

Is Epilating Painful?

The number one question people ask before epilating is: ‘Is it painful?’. We’re not going to sugarcoat it; yes it can be. But epilation is on the same pain scale as tweezing your eyebrows, as it plucks hair directly from the root.

Nicole Wedderburn, UK Brand Manager at Remington explains: 'Epilators use a rotating barrel and tweezing mechanic to pull unwanted hair from the root, unlike shaving, which simply cuts the hair at skin level. The barrel is covered in tweezers and, as it rotates, the epilator plucks the hairs to leave your skin smooth and hair-free.'

As with most things you’d rather avoid — say, an unreasonably early morning meeting — the more often you epilate, the easier it gets.

'Typically, epilating causes some minor discomfort,' says Wedderburn. 'This is considerably reduced with repeated use as your skin adjusts to the process and the hairs become thinner.'

Top tip: Try taking a warm shower before using your epilator, or even using it in the shower (if you have a waterproof one) to help soften the skin and ease the pain.

How Often Should You Epilate?

This depends on how quickly your hair grows and what epilator you're using, but typical results will last for at least four weeks (a lot longer than shaving, that's for sure).

'It's beneficial to have a routine when it comes to epilation, as this will help the skin get used to this method of hair removal, making the process more comfortable over time,’ says Wedderburn. ‘After epilating, the hairs are much finer and, over time, it becomes less time-consuming.’

As with most things, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Can Anyone Epilate?

Just like trying a new skincare product, it’s best to err on the side of caution when making any changes to your hair removal routine. But can anyone use an epilator? Almost always, yes. 'Anyone can epilate, although it's always advisable to consult your doctor first if you are suffering from any skin irritation,' explains Wedderburn.

For obvious reasons, delicate areas (hello, bikini line) may be a bit tender or just a general no-go area for some. Wedderburn advises using a lower setting or speed on these more sensitive areas.

'Don't use an epilator on the eye area and scalp, and don't epilate on irritated skin or skin with varicose veins, rashes, spots, moles or wounds without consulting a doctor first,' she adds.

To make sure skin is prepped and ready, skincare expert Nathalie Eleni recommends exfoliating 24 to 48 hours before epilating to remove dead skin cells that may trap short hairs underneath. 'This will provide you with a more successful and smoother result,' she says.

'Regular body brushing also works really well ahead of epilating as it increases the circulation, blood flow and drainage from the lymphatic system, which will improve the results. Use a soothing moisturiser afterwards but nothing fragranced or perfumed. For best results, epilate before bed to allow your skin to settle while you sleep.'

How We Test Epilators

In the ELLE Lab, our beauty pros asked testers to try a range of epilators to see how effective they were at removing hair.

Our panel judged them on how easy they were to use, their design, how well they removed hair and how much regrowth was spotted after a period of four and eight weeks of continued use.

To give you even more choice, our ELLE Editors have also picked out their fuzz-fighting favourites below.

ELLE Editors' Picks