It gets its name from the fact it has a pivoting head, which makes it easier to get into all your nooks and crannies, and it comes with five power levels so you can adjust the strength – whether you’re trimming the hair on your face, your legs or in between. And while I could wax poetic about the battery forever, I ultimately mostly love how powerful this little trimmer is while still feeling gentle against my skin. I rarely use it with the guard on, but I love having it as an option when I want a slightly longer length between waxing appointments. And it’s fairly quiet, which is great when you’re sharing a hotel room, have roommates, nosy aunts in the room next door at Christmas—ya know. Precisely, all the reasons I gave this a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award<3. Whether you use manual razors or an electric trimmer (either wet or dry), always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Not all bikini trimmers are waterproof, and you definitely shouldn’t attempt to use a bikini trimmer in the bath or shower if it’s not designed for that purpose. Avoid repeatedly going over the same area with the trimmer. "This can increase irritation," says Dr. Elbuluk. Also, you'll want to avoid using a dull razor. Dermatologists recommend changing your razor every two to three weeks, depending on how often you shave.

Most electric bikini trimmers come with multiple heads and combs to trim hair to different lengths. A comb for uniform cutting and a precision head for shaping are handy additions, but it’s unlikely you’ll need a huge range of attachments unless you want to change your style frequently. A protective cap and a brush can help to keep things clean and tidy, and a drawstring bag is a useful extra for when you’re travelling.Direction of shave: Despite razors or trimmers claiming you can shave whichever way and not have any irritation, it truly is best to shave in the direction of your hair growth using short, small strokes. We also consider any extras included in the box, and evaluate the overall ease of use of the trimmer including ease of cleaning after use. As bikini trimmers cut the hairs, rather than pulling them out (waxing or epilating) or dissolving them (hair removal creams), there is a greater chance of getting ingrown hairs, which show as itchy red bumps where the hair is trapped under the skin. Gently exfoliating the skin before shaving can help prevent ingrown hairs, as can moisturising afterwards. To remove any ingrown hairs that crop up, apply a warm flannel to the area to encourage the hair out of the skin before using tweezers. What other features do bikini trimmers come with? Getting rid of hair anywhere is a delicate process, specifically regarding your pubic area. But fear not, because that’s where the best bikini trimmers come into play. There are plenty of other hair removal options out there of course, but there seems to be a downside to each. Waxing? Get ready to wince a bit depending on your pain tolerance. Shaving? You’re basically welcoming ingrown hairs at this point. Hair-removal creams? Although they work well for other parts of your body, they’re probably not the best idea for your sensitive pubic area. Electric bikini trimmers tend to work best on dry skin (a little talcum powder will help the trimmer pass smoothly over bumps without catching the skin). Dry hairs will stand up better to allow the trimmer to cut closely, and dry hairs are easier to remove from the trimmer for effective cleaning.

It works in and out of the shower, so you can be flexible about when are where you use it, and the presence of its sealed, rechargeable battery means it’s washable rather than just wipe-clean. The precision trimmer glides effortlessly over the skin and trims hairs to less than 0.2mm for smooth, silky results. This innovative design is perfect for shaping and trimming delicate areas without pain or irritation. With a choice of two comfort combs (2mm and 4mm), you can also select the perfect length for your personal style. However you hold your trimmer, or whichever direction you trim, these clever combs will always trim to the same length for even results. As your hair moves through its different growth phases – anagen/active, catan/transitional and telogen/resting phase – your hair’s roots connect to their follicles, pull away from the root before falling out. The Thermicon technology targets the hairs during the anagen phase, when the root is connecting to the shaft, and this weakens the bond. This nifty little device is fitted with a rechargeable battery, with a quoted battery life of 60 minutes per charge, so you shouldn’t have to fiddle around with replacements. In our tests, this meant we could use this bikini trimmer once or twice a week for around three weeks before it needed charging again. Shave in the direction of hair growth."In general I recommend that people try to shave in one direction," says Nada Elbuluk, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California. She recommends shaving in the direction of the hair growth — going against the grain may seem like it results in a closer shave, but it only makes you more susceptible to razor burn and ingrown hairs.The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab regularly tests all kinds of hair removal tools, from waxing kits to razors, and while we haven't yet run a full cross-category test on bikini trimmers, our beauty editors and skincare pros researched the top-reviewed bikini trimmers and vetted them with our Beauty Lab analysts to narrow down the best of the best. Yes, but because the skin around the bikini area is more sensitive than the rest of the body, dermatologists say it's important to make sure you're prepping your skin before bikini hair removal, and caring for it correctly afterwards. Here's some advice on how to shave your bikini line safely from top dermatologists and the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts: Bold statement incoming: This single-blade razor gives me the softest skin of my life. How, you ask? Well, it uses one single, super-sharp blade—instead of a row of three or five like most razors—which creates less friction against your skin that can lead to irritation and missed spots. This gives an ultra-close shave, which is great to use once a month, then follow up with my electric bikini trimmer every week to keep my skin silky and hair-free. This is a wet and dry bikini trimmer, which means it can be used in and out of the shower, and its compact design won’t take up much space in your bathroom cabinet or hand luggage. The mini shaving head is pretty powerful, but, while the included attachments are easy to swap in and out, they’re not hugely effective. It comes with a small pouch and a cleaning brush, and is fitted with an AA battery so you can use it straight away.