Skin care

Hair Removal 101

Use our expert skin care tips to get your smoothest skin ever

by Kristen Oldham Giordani

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LEGS Step 1: For maximum smoothness, exfoliate the day before (try Kiehl's Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub, $25). Otherwise dead cells keep your razor from gliding smoothly.
Step 2: Relax in the shower/bath for three minutes to hydrate skin and soften hairs.
Step 3: Always apply shaving cream (never razor-clogging soap). Try Lippmann Collection Did I Shave My Legs for This?, $24(pictured here).
Step 4: Use long strokes and gentle pressure with your sharp razor (replace every five shaves), "like you're mowing a lawn," says Barredo, who recommends stretching the kneecap skin to remove every single hair from that tricky area.
Step 5: Post-shower, apply lotion containing shea butter for deep moisture and chamomile and calendula to soothe (try FC5 by Arbonne Conditioning Body Moisture, $23). This ensures a close shave next time.

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products mentioned

Lippmann Collection Did I Shave My Legs for This?

0.0

Arbonne FC5 Conditioning Body Moisture

8.8

eShave Pre Shave Oil

0.0

Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle

8.5

Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel

8.0

St. Ives Intensive Healing Body Lotion

9.2

Tend Skin Liquid

7.6

Sally Hansen Naturally Bare Creme Hair Remover for Body

7.1

Bikini Zone Creme Hair Removal

7.3

Sally Hansen Extra Strength All-Over Body Wax Hair...

6.7

Bliss Get Out Of Hair

5.9

Completely Bare Completely Smooth

2.0

Aveeno Positively Smooth Moisturizing Lotion

8.6

Sun Maita Threader Kit

5.5

Tria Laser Hair Removal System

6.2

The Art of Shaving After-Shave Mask

0.0

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Older comments

i usually wax at a salon or at home for easy-to-reach areas. i have started the laser treatments for underarms and bikini - i am very lucky that i have very white skin and very dark hair. laser works, but as the hair grows in cycles, sometimes there is more coming back than some other times after a treatment.

by AstridB Friday, April 12, 2013 at 07:42AM Report as inappropriate

This is a decent article, but obviously very old since some of the products listed have been discontinued. I also disagree with the recommendation of the Sally Hansen waxing kit--Bliss makes a much better kit! It's more expensive, but worth every penny.

by tallredamanda Friday, January 25, 2013 at 08:58PM Report as inappropriate