13 Best Razors for Women, Men, and Everyone in Between

I can’t think of one person who genuinely enjoys shaving. There’s always the risk of accidentally cutting yourself, developing razor bumps, or developing a five o’clock shadow because the shave just isn’t quite close enough. Do you remember the first time you shaved? For me, I was 12 and wanted to start shaving my armpits and leg hair. My mom and I tried all the hair-removal methods. Depilatory creams were nice and all, but the wait time was too much for my lack of patience. Waxing? Ouch. Finally, I convinced my mom to let me shave. She brought home a five-pack of pink dollar-store razors and said, “Go slow. There’s no rush. If you rush, you’ll cut yourself.” Thanks for the words of wisdom, Mom.

Now, with so many razors on the market, how do you choose the right one? Well, it takes the right blades, handles, and sleight of hand to really nail the technique, says board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein.

“Using a dull blade can not only cause more nicks and cuts, but it can also introduce bacteria into the skin causing potentially dangerous bacterial infections, ingrown hairs, and folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles),” she tells Allure.

Marchbein recommends using a body wash or shaving gel that will lather up on the skin and help the razor glide. Her favorite is the Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash. She also says that shaving in the opposite direction of how the hair grows will give you a closer shave.

If you’re looking for your closest shave, a razor that won’t stress out your skin, or ideally both, we have options for every budget and need. These are so good, you might even start to enjoy shaving.