These Hair-Removal Products Are All You Need to Stay Smooth All Summer

The reprieve is over ... Those black tights and long sleeves that let you, me, and everyone we know hide our shaggy legs and under-arm stubble are no longer seasonally-appropriate options. In their place: breezy dresses and sexy one-piece swimsuits that require a little more upkeep. Actually a lot more upkeep.

Thankfully, there's no shortage of effective options for getting rid of hair everywhere you deem it unwelcome. Ahead, the best razors, epilators, lotions, and lasers that'll keep you hair-free for days, weeks ... and even forever.

Despite what marketing teams might say, there’s really not much difference between the razor you use on your legs and the one your S.O. takes to his stubble. We all know this. The petite design of this razor, however, does make it a little bit easier to shave legs, underarms, bikini lines ... really everywhere you need a some control. Plus, it’s refillible, meaning it's a little less eco-hostile than totally disposable options.

Technically, this little shaver is designed for shaping brows. It might work great for that, but I really have no idea. What I do know it's exellent for is putting finishing touches on a bikini line. The tiny blade is way easier to manage than a full-size razor when it comes to edging and other detailing.

Epilators remind me of being in elementary school and watching my best friend’s older sister wincingly move the machine over her legs, ripping out hairs at the root. I knew that no matter how hairy I became, an epilator would never touch my legs. I changed my mind. The devices are no longer tortuous, and give similar results to waxing without the rigamarole of booking an appointment with a waxer.

Oh Nair, what childhood memories I have of your ads featuring enthusiastic, leggy models singing the praises of short-shorts. The stuff does work, though, so if the idea of chemically dissolving away your hair doesn’t terrify you too much, a slathering of the lotion will get rid of stubble in a few minutes. Just don’t mistake it for your bottle of conditioner.

If you are not an exceptionally diligent person, skip this product. If, however, you think you’re someone who can commit to zapping it over your legs (or wherever) once a week for six weeks, the Iluminage Touch might be worth it’s substantial price tag. The FDA-cleared technology is similar to the hair-removal lasers derms use — but costs about half what you’d pay in-office.

There’s a reason traditional waxing isn’t on this line-up. While it is effective, if you’ve ever tried your hand at DIY waxing — the strips, the hot wax — you know there are consequences, including patches of lint-gathering wax that stick to your skin for days. Sugaring is a similar process, but because it’s made of sugar rather than wax, a quick rinse washes any sticky residue away.

An exception to the caveat to stay away from at-home waxing: All-in-one strips take most of the mess out of the process, letting you rip hair from its roots without too much fuss. They’re fast and easy, but also sometimes have a little trouble gripping each and every hair, so don’t expect results as good as you’d get from a professional.